16th Feb 2026
Source: The Guardian
EAST AFRICAN STOCK MARKET LEADERS RECOMMIT TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION AFTER 10 YEARS
Chief Executive Officers of East African stock markets have agreed to revive the long-delayed Capital Markets Infrastructure (CMI) project, designed to enable seamless cross-border trading, increase liquidity, expand investment opportunities, and help companies raise capital across the region.
The initiative aims to electronically link all eight East African stock markets Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so they can function as a single exchange. The second phase will initially focus on Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi, the DRC, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Originally launched in 2015 with World Bank support, the project stalled due to funding shortages, procurement challenges, weak or non-functional exchanges in certain countries, and limited political commitment. The renewed effort reflects a strong push to integrate capital markets across the region and strengthen East Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Source: The Guardian
AFRICAN UNION TO PRIORITISE GREEN AND DIGITAL ECONOMY BY 2034
During the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, African leaders unveiled a 10-year action plan aimed at positioning the continent as a major force in the global digital era.
The strategy goes beyond adopting technology; it seeks to empower Africa to innovate, produce, and lead in science and technology. This transformation is anchored in three key continental frameworks: the African Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STISA 2034), the Continental Technical and Vocational Training Strategy (2025–2034), and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 26–35). Together, these initiatives aim to convert Africa’s scientific potential and youthful population into value generated within the continent, reducing reliance on exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, described the programme as both urgent and transformative. He warned that failure to invest in children’s intellectual development today could result in future instability, inequality, and dependency.
Meanwhile, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized that governance reforms remain central to sustainable progress. He highlighted the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in strengthening institutional resilience and ensuring accountable leadership across the continent.
Source: Daily News
TRA ENCOURAGES TAXPAYERS TO EMBRACE IDRAS FOR TRANSPARENT, EFFICIENT SERVICES
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in Kagera Region has urged taxpayers to adopt the newly introduced Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS), stating that it will significantly enhance transparency, efficiency, and convenience in tax administration.
Speaking during a taxpayer education seminar in Bukoba Municipality, Kagera TRA Regional Manager Mr. Joseph Mutalemwa clarified that IDRAS does not change any existing tax laws or regulations. Instead, the system is designed to modernize and simplify tax administration processes.
Mr. Mutalemwa explained that IDRAS aims to streamline service delivery by linking various institutions directly with taxpayers, enabling online communication with TRA officials without the need for physical visits to tax offices. The system is expected to reduce paperwork, ease congestion at TRA offices, accelerate service delivery, and strengthen transparency in interactions between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
17th Feb 2026
Source: The Guardian
PDPC URGED TO TAKE STRICT ACTION ON DATA PRIVACY BREACHES
The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has been urged to take firm legal action against individuals and institutions responsible for leaking private information, ensuring that victims of data breaches receive fair compensation for financial losses and emotional harm.
The call was made by Beno Malisa, Regional Commissioner of Mbeya, while officiating a specialized training programme for personal data protection officers from the Southern Highlands zone. The initiative forms part of a broader national effort to strengthen institutional compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act. RC Malisa emphasized that the unauthorized disclosure of personal information is not a minor technical error, but a serious violation with significant social and economic consequences.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Mkilia, Director General of the PDPC, explained that the Commission introduced the training sessions to ensure each institution appoints a qualified officer who fully understands the legal requirements governing the collection, processing, management, and storage of personal data.
Dr. Mkilia further revealed that recent audits uncovered widespread non-compliance, including improper handling of personal information and failure to meet statutory obligations. He noted that several cases have already emerged in which employees’ and clients’ confidential data were exposed, causing substantial damage and distress.
Source: The Guardian
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE DRIVE ON NEW MINIMUM WAGE
The government has begun a nationwide inspection campaign targeting private sector employers following the announcement of a revised statutory minimum wage, intensifying enforcement efforts ahead of its full implementation next year.
On 17 October 2025, Hon. Deus Sangu, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour and Industrial Relations, announced that the national minimum wage will increase from TZS 275,060 to TZS 358,322 an average rise of 33.4%. The new wage structure will take effect on 1 January 2026, in accordance with the mandatory wage review framework introduced in 2022 and set to expire at the end of this year.
Mr. Sangu confirmed that labour inspectors have already carried out 1,440 compliance inspections across multiple regions. Preliminary findings show that some employers have yet to begin implementing the updated wage order.
He warned that a second phase of inspections will soon be launched, with a particular focus on non-compliant employers in key sectors including transport, communications, hospitality and tourism, mining, manufacturing, private education, energy, marine services, sports, and cultural industries. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring full compliance to protect workers’ rights and promote fair labour standards nationwide.
Source: Daily News
TBS INTRODUCES 74 BIOTECHNOLOGY STANDARDS TO ENHANCE CONSUMER PROTECTION
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has unveiled 74 new biotechnology standards aimed at strengthening consumer protection, food safety, and industrial quality control nationwide.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the Biotechnology Exhibition, Ms. Neema Kirway, a TBS Quality Control Officer, said the event provided a key platform for enhancing regulatory awareness and encouraging knowledge sharing to support innovation and economic growth.
She explained that the newly introduced standards will subject biotechnology products to more rigorous quality and safety assessments before they enter the market. This enhanced oversight is expected to reduce the circulation of unsafe or substandard goods and strengthen public confidence in locally available products.
Ms. Kirway further announced that the standards are now available for purchase at TBS headquarters, a move intended to improve accessibility for stakeholders and promote wider compliance across the biotechnology and industrial sectors.
18th Feb 2026
Source: The Citizen
CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORT LEAD TAX EVASION CASES, SAYS TRA OFFICIAL
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has identified construction, transport, and import-related activities among the sectors most affected by tax evasion, particularly in areas such as receipt issuance, payroll declarations, and taxation of imported goods.
The revelations were made during the inauguration of a new TRA Tax Center in Masaki, established to improve service accessibility and strengthen nationwide tax compliance. Speaking at the event, Acting Commissioner for Operations Mr. Charles Mabula said some traders continue to evade taxes by failing to issue Electronic Fiscal Receipts (EFRs), despite this being a legal requirement. This practice, he noted, results in significant revenue losses from the sale of goods and services.
To address the challenge, Mr. Mabula announced the rollout of the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS), which allows taxpayers without electronic fiscal devices to generate compliant receipts at no cost. The system is expected to enhance transparency, improve record accuracy, and simplify tax reporting.
He further revealed that recent TRA investigations have uncovered increasingly sophisticated evasion schemes, especially in construction, transport, and import sectors. Some operators have reportedly used shell companies, forged documentation, and concealed transactions to understate revenues and reduce tax liabilities.
Mr. Mabula affirmed that TRA remains committed to detecting and dismantling such schemes to safeguard public revenue, uphold fairness, and promote a level playing field within the marketplace.
Source: The Guardian
TCRA LAUNCHES REGULATORY REVIEW TO MODERNISE POSTAL SECTOR
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has initiated a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework governing the postal sector, aiming to accommodate emerging business models, enhance service quality, and secure the long-term sustainability of postal services amid rapid technological change.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam, TCRA Director General Dr. Jabiri Bakari described the reform as a strategic response to the evolving digital landscape. The announcement coincides with the 46th anniversary celebrations of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU).
Dr. Bakari emphasized that the postal sector remains vital to inclusive national growth, serving as a key link between consumers and businesses. He noted its growing importance in the digital economy, particularly in facilitating e-commerce through efficient last-mile delivery services, including in rural and underserved areas.
To fully harness these opportunities, he called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, private courier operators, and digital platforms, stressing that such partnerships are essential to modernise and future-proof Tanzania’s postal sector.
Source: The Guardian
TRA WARNS TRADERS AGAINST “SELF-DECEPTION” OVER TAX DEBTS
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has cautioned traders against falling into what it describes as a “self-deception trap,” following claims by brokers that tax debts can be written off through unofficial channels.
TRA Commissioner General Mr. Yusuph Mwenda stressed that tax liabilities cannot simply disappear. He clarified that the only lawful ways to clear a tax debt are through full payment or by successfully challenging the assessment before a court of law.
Speaking during the launch of the Masaki Customer Service Centre in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam an office expected to serve more than 6,000 taxpayers, Mr. Mwenda warned traders against relying on street-level brokers and middlemen who falsely promise debt cancellation through unofficial means. He described such beliefs as misleading and a waste of time, urging business owners facing tax challenges to seek assistance directly from TRA offices.
He also addressed a common misconception among small traders that large companies do not pay their fair share of taxes. Mr. Mwenda dismissed this assumption, emphasizing that all taxpayers, including major corporations, are subject to the same obligations. The establishment of the Masaki Customer Service Centre, he noted, demonstrates TRA’s commitment to serving taxpayers of all sizes while promoting fairness and compliance across the business community.
19th Feb 2026
Source: Daily News
TANZANIA DRAWS GLOBAL INVESTOR INTEREST IN MINING SECTOR
Tanzania has attracted strong interest from international investors in its mining sector, with several global companies expressing readiness to invest, particularly in mineral value addition and domestic processing industries.
The commitments were made during the Mining Indaba International Conference, held from February 8 to 12 in Cape Town. The event brought together governments, investors, mining companies, and development partners from across the world, further reinforcing Tanzania’s position as a competitive and attractive destination for mining investment.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Minerals, the Tanzanian delegation was led by Hon. Anthony Mavunde, Minister for Minerals, who used the platform to showcase the country’s vast mineral potential and outline strategic priorities aimed at accelerating sector growth.
Discussions focused on investment opportunities across the entire mining value chain, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment that supports responsible and sustainable mining development.
Source: The Guardian
GOVERNMENT REVIEWS 1996 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY TO ALIGN WITH VISION 2050
The government has commenced a review of the 1996 National Science and Technology Policy to ensure it aligns with the country’s long-term development priorities.
The development was announced by Mr. Edwin Konzo, Coordinator for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, during a high-level Tanzania–Japan knowledge-sharing forum focused on enhancing agricultural productivity.
Mr. Konzo stated that the policy overhaul seeks to modernize the legal and institutional framework guiding scientific research and innovation, ensuring it supports the aspirations of Development Vision 2050. He emphasized that increased investment in technology and innovation is essential for Tanzania to meet the economic and industrial demands of the 21th century.
At the same forum, Prof. Amandus Muhairwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), highlighted the pressures of rapid urbanization, noting that shrinking arable land makes the adoption of modern agricultural technologies increasingly urgent.
Stakeholders also pointed to the government’s plan to establish 1,000 agricultural mechanization hubs as a transformative step, expected to reduce post-harvest losses, accelerate cultivation processes, and improve farmers’ access to modern equipment nationwide.
20th Feb 2026
Source: The Guardian
CONTAINER DEPOTS TO OPERATE 24/7 AS TRA CEO WARNS AGAINST TAX EVASION
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has introduced measures to enhance operational efficiency by enabling dry ports to run 24 hours a day. This move is designed to reduce cargo clearance delays and strengthen Tanzania’s competitiveness among regional ports.
TRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yusuph Mwenda, announced the initiative during a meeting with Inland Container Depot (ICD) operators in Dar es Salaam. He urged operators to adopt round-the-clock operations, noting that TRA will increase staffing to support the extended hours. He further emphasized that ICDs must upgrade their facilities and systems to meet these new operational standards.
In response, Mr. Meleck Shangwe, Chairman of the Inland Container Depots Association (ICDA), highlighted the importance of ICDs, which contribute 52% of all customs revenue, and used the meeting to raise operational challenges.
However, Mr. Mwenda issued a stern warning regarding tax evasion, noting that some ICD operators have engaged in illicit schemes. He assured stakeholders that TRA is closely monitoring compliance and will take firm, decisive action to enforce tax laws.
Source: Daily News
TANZANIA JUDICIARY IMPLEMENTS AI AND INTEGRATED DATA SYSTEMS
The Judiciary of Tanzania has started using AI-powered transcription technology to assist in drafting court judgments, a move expected to significantly reduce writing time and improve case processing efficiency. This was announced by Chief Court Administrator, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel, during the 6th e-Government Annual Meeting held in Arusha.
Prof. Gabriel explained that the pilot program, launched in 2024 across 11 judicial zones, has transformed the judgment writing process. Previously, judges manually drafted lengthy decisions, sometimes exceeding 200 pages. With the new Transcription and Translation Software (TTS), judges can now dictate their judgments, which are automatically transcribed and translated into Kiswahili or English.
The technology reduces paperwork, minimizes physical strain, and allows judicial officers to focus on legal analysis rather than manual drafting. Prof. Gabriel highlighted that the Judiciary currently operates over 17 digital programs, with nearly 90% focused on ICT systems and capacity building for judicial personnel. He stressed that the success of digital transformation in the justice sector relies on visionary leadership and sustained investment in ICT talent.
Source: Daily News
CIVIL SERVANTS WARNED AGAINST USING INFORMAL EMAILS FOR GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION
The Government of Tanzania has issued a firm directive to civil servants, instructing them to avoid using informal or personal email platforms for official correspondence. Officials warned that such practices compromise the confidentiality of sensitive government documents and personal information.
During the closing ceremony of the 6th Government Annual Meeting in Arusha, the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete, highlighted serious concerns about public employees relying on private email accounts to transmit official documents. He noted that this habit significantly increases the risk of government data being leaked or exposed online.
Hon. Kikwete further stressed the importance of cybersecurity in an era of growing cyber threats and digital attacks. He urged heads of public institutions to ensure their staff are adequately trained in information technology, emphasizing that digital competence is critical for the public service to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
FIN & LAW -TANZANIA WEEKLY LEGAL DIGEST – 16-20 February 2026
