Small-scale entrepreneurs in Dodoma have been challenged to improve product quality, packaging and certification to unlock wider markets, as the government steps up efforts to strengthen local manufacturing and small businesses.
The call was made by Acting Director General of the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), Mr Ahmed Kitara, who said locally produced goods had the potential to compete in domestic and international markets if entrepreneurs invested in meeting required standards.
He urged beneficiaries of the Tuinuke Pamoja project to move beyond production for local consumption by improving their products, obtaining quality certification and adopting packaging that meets market expectations.
Mr Kitara made the remarks on November 3, 2026, after visiting a booth displaying products made by beneficiaries of the project during the Industrial and Trade Exhibition in Dodoma.
The exhibition is being held ahead of the launch of the Sustainable Industrial Development Policy 2025 and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Policy 2003 (2025 Edition), scheduled for November 4, 2026.
Implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation across all councils in Dodoma Region, with funding from the Irish Embassy in Tanzania, Tuinuke Pamoja supports entrepreneurs through skills development and business empowerment.
Mr Kitara said products displayed by entrepreneurs who had received training from SIDO demonstrated that small businesses could produce goods capable of meeting market requirements.
He particularly noted the participation of young people, especially women, saying their involvement in production reflected the opportunities available through entrepreneurship and skills development.
However, he stressed that producing quality goods was not enough unless entrepreneurs secured the necessary certification to build consumer confidence and access bigger markets.
He encouraged them to register their products with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to obtain quality certification and the Made in Tanzania mark, which could strengthen their competitiveness in foreign markets.
Mr Kitara said SIDO was ready to support entrepreneurs in four key areas: entrepreneurship and production training, appropriate production technologies, access to capital services and the provision of working premises.
He urged young people to take advantage of the support to establish and grow businesses capable of producing goods that meet the needs of consumers.
For beneficiaries, the exhibition has provided an opportunity to identify gaps in their businesses and understand what is required to move from small-scale production to wider markets.
Keto Khalfan, an entrepreneur from Chang'ombe Ward in Dodoma District, said the advice on product quality, packaging and registration would help them improve their goods and expand beyond their existing markets.
She said their products were currently sold mainly in Dodoma and neighbouring regions, crediting SIDO with helping them improve their businesses through training in entrepreneurship, production, financial management and packaging.
Haruna Makunda, a beneficiary from Kondoa Women Group in Kondoa District, said participation in the exhibition had also exposed them to the importance of formal business registration and quality certification.
He said the guidance on registering businesses with the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and obtaining certification from TBS had helped them understand the requirements for accessing larger markets, including international ones.
Mr Makunda said improving packaging and product quality would be essential in meeting the expectations of modern consumers and growing their businesses.
Esther Kakurwa, an entrepreneur from the Girls Power group in Chamwino District, said the exhibition had given them an opportunity to promote their products, learn from others and understand ways of expanding their businesses.
She commended the Aga Khan Foundation for involving small-scale entrepreneurs in the event, urging other business owners to participate in exhibitions as a way of increasing product visibility and identifying new commercial opportunities.
The emphasis on quality, certification and market access comes as Tanzania prepares to roll out policies intended to strengthen industrial development and support small and medium-sized enterprises, whose growth is important for expanding local production and creating employment opportunities.