Tanzania has spent at least TZS59.5 billion expanding the Tanzania Bureau of Standards' (TBS) laboratory infrastructure, buying modern testing equipment and strengthening regional and border offices in efforts to protect consumers and help local businesses compete in domestic and international markets.
The investments include TZS24.7 billion for a new laboratory and office complex in Dodoma, TZS12.1 billion for a similar facility in Mwanza, TZS12.9 billion for laboratory equipment and more than TZS9.8 billion for strengthening regional and border operations.
The figures highlight the scale of investment made in the country's quality-control system during the Sixth Phase Government, but the bigger test will be whether the expanded capacity can reduce the circulation of substandard products, improve consumer safety and lower the cost of doing business.
TBS Director General Dr Ashura A. Katunzi presented the figures on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when briefing editors and journalists in Dar es Salaam on the institution's achievements between 2021 and 2026.
She said the investments were part of efforts to bring testing services closer to manufacturers and traders while improving the bureau's ability to monitor goods entering and circulating in the country.
"These projects will help bring services closer to citizens and improve efficiency in providing sample testing results," she said.
The Dodoma laboratory, located at Njedengwa, is in its final stages of completion and handover. It is expected to serve Dodoma, Singida and Tabora.
The Mwanza facility, being constructed at Kiseke in Ilemela District, will serve six regions: Mwanza, Kagera, Mara, Geita, Shinyanga and Simiyu.
TBS is also preparing for the construction of another laboratory and office complex in Arusha.
The expansion matters to businesses because manufacturers often need laboratory tests to establish whether their products meet required standards before they can be certified and sold in the market.
Bringing the services closer could reduce transport expenses and delays associated with sending product samples to laboratories in other regions.
Beyond the construction projects, the Government has spent more than TZS9.8 billion strengthening nine regional offices and operations at border posts, airports and ports.
The investment is intended to improve inspections and help prevent unsafe and substandard goods from reaching consumers.
More than 610,000 consignments inspected
The scale of TBS's inspection work is reflected in the 610,028 consignments of imported goods inspected during the period.
Of these, 183,186 consignments were inspected before shipment through the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) system, while another 426,842 were checked after arriving in Tanzania through Destination Inspection (DI).
This means approximately seven out of every 10 consignments were inspected after arrival, while three out of 10 were checked before shipment.
The two systems are important because they allow TBS to identify products that do not meet Tanzanian standards before they reach consumers or enter the wider distribution network.
The bureau also inspected 249,386 used vehicles before they were allowed into the country.
Dr Katunzi said the inspections were intended to prevent Tanzania from becoming a dumping ground for substandard goods while protecting consumers' health, safety and the environment.
However, the effectiveness of the exercise will also depend on what happens after inspection, including action against non-compliant products and regular monitoring of goods already on the market.
Small businesses benefit from certification
TBS has also issued 3,940 quality certificates and licences to manufacturers, including 1,683 small-scale entrepreneurs.
The small businesses account for about 43 per cent of all certificates and licences issued, meaning roughly four out of every 10 beneficiaries were small entrepreneurs.
The Government allocates more than TZS300 million annually to provide certification services to small-scale businesses without charging them.
This support is significant for small manufacturers who may struggle to meet certification costs while trying to grow their businesses.
A quality mark can help consumers identify products that have met required standards, while giving manufacturers an opportunity to access more formal markets and compete with established brands.
Dr Katunzi said the certification programme had helped manufacturers improve product quality and build confidence in their goods, including opportunities to trade beyond Tanzania's borders.
During the same period, TBS registered 9,731 food and cosmetic products and 80,836 premises involved in production, sales, distribution and storage.
The registrations are intended to ensure that both products and the premises where they are handled meet safety and quality requirements.
The bureau also developed 3,901 standards through 117 technical committees covering sectors such as food, chemicals, construction, electrical engineering, textiles, mining and environmental management.
On average, this represents about 650 standards developed annually over the six-year period.
The committees bring together universities, research institutions, manufacturers, traders, consumer associations and government regulators to ensure that standards reflect the needs of different industries.
Laboratories test nearly 189,000 samples
Laboratory capacity is another area where TBS reports significant progress.
The bureau has 14 laboratories, which Dr Katunzi said had obtained international accreditation for their technical competence.
During the period, the laboratories tested more than 188,952 samples and calibrated 54,396 measuring instruments.
The sample testing figure translates into an average of about 31,500 samples annually, or approximately 2,625 every month.
Calibration, meanwhile, involves checking measuring instruments to establish whether they provide accurate readings.
This is important in everyday transactions involving measurements, including industrial production, electricity, water supply and commercial activities where inaccurate measurements can lead to financial losses.
The Government spent at least TZS12.9 billion on modern laboratory equipment.
Among the specialised machines is a hydrostatic pressure tester used to test water pipes ranging from 12 millimetres to 800 millimetres in diameter.
The machine can test up to 120 samples at once, helping laboratories assess whether pipes can withstand the pressure they are designed to carry.
This is particularly important for water infrastructure because defective pipes can contribute to leakages, water losses and additional maintenance costs.
Another machine tests electrical cables, including their resistance, while a solar simulator can assess different types of solar panels without relying on sunlight.
Dr Katunzi said the solar simulator was the only one of its kind in East and Central Africa.
The equipment is expected to improve the reliability of testing for products used in the country's water, electricity and renewable energy sectors.
Training and digital services
TBS has also trained 6,824 stakeholders, including manufacturers and food processors, on standards and quality management.
The training is intended to help businesses understand production requirements, improve quality-control procedures and meet the standards needed to compete in wider markets.
TBS has also introduced digital systems to improve access to its services.
These include the Online Application System (OAS) and the Integrated Standard Quality Management Tool (i-SQMT).
The OAS has been connected to the Tanzania Electronic Single Window System, allowing importers to submit applications and access services from different government institutions through one platform.
The integration is intended to reduce the need for traders to approach different offices separately when seeking approvals for imported goods.
Meanwhile, TBS has started working with the Ministry of Energy and development partners to develop energy-efficiency standards for household electrical appliances under the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy.
The initiative is intended to encourage the use of more efficient appliances, reduce energy losses and help households manage energy costs.
Dr Katunzi said the bureau would continue strengthening its infrastructure, systems and partnerships to support industrial development and protect consumers.
As Tanzania moves towards Vision 2050, the investments provide a stronger foundation for quality assurance. However, their real value will ultimately be measured by the safety of products on shop shelves, the ability of local manufacturers to meet international standards and the confidence consumers have in goods sold in the country.