Dar es Salaam. In a bid to foster inclusive and sustainable trade, the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA) and the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) have launched a strategic partnership that seeks to empower marginalized groups, promote consumer protection, and boost Tanzania’s economic growth.
The initiative, titled the Civil Society for Inclusive and Consumer-Centric Trade programme, is designed to create a fairer, greener, and more resilient economy for all Tanzanians, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
At the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Thursday this week, FCS Executive Director, Justice Rutenge highlighted the significance of this collaboration in advancing citizen agency, economic development, and social justice in Tanzania.
Mr Rutenge emphasized that FCS’s two decades of experience in supporting over 5,000 civil society organizations (CSOs) across the country uniquely positions the foundation to drive meaningful change.
“Our commitment is to ensure that all Tanzanians, especially those from marginalized communities, have equal access to opportunities in trade and economic development,” he said.
The partnership combines FCS’s expertise in strategic partnerships and civil society strengthening with TCCIA’s deep knowledge of private sector development, trade facilitation, and policy advocacy.
TCCIA brings with it a robust presence in all 26 Tanzanian regions, supported by over 30,000 business members and more than 120 district branches.
This expansive network will be vital in ensuring the voices of marginalized groups are heard in policy dialogues and business opportunities.
The collaboration aims to address several barriers faced by disadvantaged groups, such as limited access to markets, capital, and fair trade policies. The initiative will support the creation of a consumer protection framework, conduct training for CSOs on market systems and sustainable trade practices, and advocate for policies that promote inclusive trade.
Mr Rutenge elaborated on the partnership’s goals, stating that it would focus on enhancing business literacy, providing digital tools to empower women and youth, and creating green and cross-border trade ventures.
Through joint efforts, FCS and TCCIA will help build business linkages for marginalized groups, allowing them to expand their reach in both local and international markets.
TCCIA President, Mr Vicent Minja, reaffirmed the private sector’s role in this transformative initiative.
He noted: “This partnership will provide a platform for our members, particularly youth, women, and people with disabilities, to engage in advocacy, develop sustainable business practices, and expand into cross-border trade.
“We are committed to fostering an environment where every Tanzanian business has the opportunity to thrive,” he said.
Supported by TradeMark Africa (TMA) and funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Ireland, and Norway, this initiative is part of FCS’s broader efforts to promote consumer rights and inclusive trade across Tanzania.
It also complements recent MoUs signed by FCS with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Council (TCRA CCC) and the Land Transport Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Council (LATRA CCC), aimed at enhancing consumer rights and trade inclusivity.
This partnership promises to make a significant impact in advancing Tanzania’s trade ecosystem, ensuring it is more inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of its citizens.
