Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General, Mr Yusuph Mwenda has assured Tanzanians that the country’s drive toward self-reliance through domestic revenue will not involve raising tax rates. Instead, the focus will be on improving efficiency, broadening the tax base and combating tax evasion.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Commissioner Mwenda reiterated the vision outlined by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the opening of Parliament and the swearing-in of Ministers, where she said Tanzania must increasingly finance its development from domestic sources.
Commissioner Mwenda highlighted three key measures for achieving this goal, which include closing all tax evasion loopholes, fostering a conducive environment for compliant taxpayers and expanding the tax base, without increasing current tax rates.
“I want to assure the public that self-reliance through domestic revenue will not be achieved by raising taxes. Instead, we will strengthen our tax management systems, prevent evasion, ensure fairness for all registered taxpayers and expand our reach to new taxpayers,” he affirmed.
He also emphasised that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, has introduced user-friendly digital platforms that simplify tax administration, allowing taxpayers to access services from their business locations without visiting TRA offices.
At the same time, addressing graduates at the Institute of Tax, Mr Mwenda said that the prosperity of any business is closely tied to national stability.
He urged graduates to act as ambassadors for peace, noting that economic growth thrives in a stable environment.
“Young people have many aspirations. National challenges should be addressed through peaceful and amicable channels that do not disrupt the economy or harm businesses, protecting the youth’s ability to achieve their dreams,” he said.
The graduation ceremony, the 18th organised by the Institute of Tax, was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr Elijah Mwandumbya, representing the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar.
Mr Mwandumbya fully supported the Commissioner General’s approach, emphasising that Tanzania’s economic independence will be achieved through a wider tax net and stronger administration of tax laws and policies.
He commended the government for empowering TRA, which enabled the Authority to consistently surpass monthly revenue targets throughout the 2024/2025 financial year.
He also praised TRA for its role in improving the business and investment climate, stressing that economic peace is vital for the nation’s welfare and directly impacts citizens’ quality of life.
Earlier, the Chairman of the TRA Board of Directors, Mr Uledi Mussa Abbas, encouraged graduates to promote voluntary tax compliance, describing tax payment as an act of patriotism.
He expressed his ambition for the Institute of Tax to become a regional centre of excellence for tax and customs matters in Central Africa.
The ceremony saw 561 graduates receive certificates, with several outstanding students and lecturers recognised for research achievements and presented with awards.
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