Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission (FCC) says it will use lessons from regional quality experts to improve public services, strengthen market regulation and help local businesses become more competitive following its recognition at the 2026 East African Community (EAC) Regional Quality Awards.
The commission says its participation in a regional conference on quality management and product standards has provided practical lessons that could help improve institutional performance and service delivery.
The discussions come as the FCC seeks to build on its achievement of emerging the overall winner in the Public Institutions Service Excellence category at the EAC Regional Quality Awards held in Kigali on November 2, 2026.
The recognition places pressure on the commission to demonstrate that the award can translate into tangible improvements for consumers, traders and businesses rather than remain an institutional achievement.
The conference, held alongside the 26th EAC Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, focused on quality management, product standards and opportunities for small businesses operating across the region.
It brought together representatives from the EAC Secretariat, the International Trade Centre (ITC) through its MARK UP II programme, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), quality management consultants and coordinators of Rwanda's national quality awards.
Participants discussed the benefits of participating in regional quality awards, eligibility requirements, assessment criteria, award categories and application procedures.
They also examined Rwanda's national quality awards system and how it connects with the wider regional recognition framework.
A panel discussion involving previous EAC award winners from Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania highlighted how quality management can improve business efficiency, product and service standards and access to regional and international markets.
For Tanzania, the lessons are particularly relevant as local enterprises seek to compete in the EAC Common Market, where product quality, compliance with standards and consumer confidence are increasingly important.
The FCC said it would use the experience gained to strengthen its quality management systems, improve the efficiency of competition regulation services and enhance engagement with stakeholders.
The commission also identified digital technologies, transparency and accountability as areas requiring continued attention.
Its responsibility extends beyond institutional performance to protecting consumers and ensuring businesses compete fairly. Weak enforcement of competition rules and unfair market practices can undermine consumer confidence and disadvantage businesses that comply with regulations.
The commission said it would also intensify efforts to promote awareness of fair competition, consumer protection and quality standards among businesses, particularly MSMEs.
Such efforts could help smaller enterprises improve their products and business practices while positioning themselves to benefit from expanding regional trade opportunities.
The conference took place during Burundi Day celebrations at the trade fair, which runs from October 30 to November 8 at Gikondo Expo grounds in Kigali.
The celebrations showcased Burundi's cultural heritage, products and entrepreneurship while providing opportunities for regional stakeholders to exchange experiences on trade, quality standards and economic development.
The FCC said the award should not be viewed as an end in itself but as an incentive for continuous improvement through innovation, performance measurement and stronger institutional systems.
It plans to continue improving service delivery procedures, adopting digital technologies and strengthening its capacity to regulate competition.
