Arusha. The government has challenged directors of companies with minority public shareholding to ensure their leadership translates into tangible value for both the State and citizens, as the Minority Interest Forum 2026 (MIF 2026) came to a close in Arusha.
Closing the three-day forum, on March 18, 2026, the Deputy Minister in the President’s Office – [Planning and Investment], Dr Pius Chaya, underscored the need for a results-driven approach in managing companies where the Government holds minority stakes, emphasizing that such investments must deliver clear and measurable returns.
He stressed that directors must go beyond routine oversight and ensure that every Minority Interest Company contributes meaningfully to national development, warning that public investments cannot afford to underperform in the face of growing economic ambitions.
“The expectation is clear, every Minority Interest Company must generate measurable value for the Government and the citizens at large,” he said, adding that leadership decisions must be anchored in accountability and performance.
The government further called on directors to safeguard public equity by ensuring that its value is not only protected but consistently enhanced.
This includes taking deliberate steps to prevent dilution of government shareholding and strengthening its strategic position within these companies.
Dr Chaya emphasized that government investments should be viewed beyond financial assets, describing them as long-term commitments tied directly to the country’s future.
“Government investments are not merely shares in companies; they are shares in the future of our Nation,” he said.
Adding: “Our collective responsibility is to ensure that these companies become strong engines of growth, innovation, and prosperity for Tanzania.”
National interests
He reminded directors that their role extends beyond corporate governance to stewardship of national interests, noting that boardroom decisions must ultimately translate into real benefits for Tanzanians.
“As Directors, you are entrusted not only with corporate oversight, but with the stewardship of national investments. The decisions you make must create value for the people,” he noted.
The Forum, which brought together directors, chief executives, policymakers, and experts, served as a platform to reflect on governance challenges and align strategies for improving the performance of Minority Interest Companies.
Dr Chaya urged participants to ensure that the Forum’s discussions lead to concrete action, calling for a shift from dialogue to implementation and from commitments to measurable outcomes.
Turning point
He concluded by calling on stakeholders to treat the Forum as a turning point in strengthening the strategic management of Government investments.
“Let this Forum not be remembered merely as a gathering of stakeholders, but as the moment we collectively committed ourselves to unlocking the full strategic value of Tanzania’s investments in Minority Interest Companies,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Treasury Registrar, Mr Nehemiah Mchechu, emphasized the need for strategic discipline and performance accountability in managing government minority interests, noting that the Forum is a key platform for strengthening leadership effectiveness and corporate governance.
He said the Office of the Treasury Registrar remains committed to ensuring that companies with Government minority shareholding operate efficiently, deliver sustainable returns, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s long-term development agenda.
Mr Mchechu further noted that through such engagements, directors and executives are equipped with the necessary insights to navigate emerging challenges, embrace innovation, and align their strategies with national priorities, including the realization of Tanzania’s development vision.
The Minority Interest Forum 2026 was organized by the Office of the Treasury Registrar and forms part of ongoing government efforts to enhance oversight, governance, and performance of companies in which it holds minority shares.
Speaking earlier, the Airtel Tanzania Board Chair, Mr Eliud Sanga, commended the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) for organising the forum, describing it as a catalyst for shaping the operations of minority interest companies.
“We use this forum as a platform for the exchange of ideas, experience, and expertise,” he underscored.
The Chairperson of Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries, Mr Mosses Mwizarubi, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the OTR plays a critical role in overseeing 308 entities, including 56 minority interest companies under its supervision.
“These entities are key to helping Tanzania attain a $1 trillion economy by 2050. With forums like this organised by the OTR, they will be in an even stronger position,” stressed Dr Mwizarubi.
Mr Godfrey Kitundu, a Board Director from ALAF Tanzania, shared the same view, describing the Minority Interest Forum as a vital platform for enhancing the productivity of entities under the OTR’s oversight.
“The Minority Interest Forum is an important tool for increasing the productivity of entities under the watch of the OTR,” he said.
