Tanzanian government engages to put more efforts in reviewing the country’s cooperative laws

Author: Geoffrey Asira

International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) President Ariel Guarco accompanied by ICA Director General, Bruno Roelants, Alliance Africa President, Japheth Magomere and Regional Director Dr. Chiyoge Sifa landed in Dar es salaam, Tanzania for two days visit to the cooperative movement in the country. The program saw ICA delegation discussing issues on cooperative leadership in Tanzania, the cooperative laws and other cooperative developments in the country.  

At the meeting in the Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania, Minister Japhet Hasunga assured the delegation that the Ministry which deals with cooperative matters in the country is determined to improve the long-term shortcomings in the cooperative movement one being dishonest leaders. He added that the cooperative model is an important tool in eradication of poverty and therefore promised to put more effort in reviewing the country’s cooperative laws. Hasunga also noted that lack of data on cooperatives in the country is one of the biggest challenges they are facing in the agricultural sector.

On his side, Guarco stated that his visit to Tanzania was part of his duties since Tanzania is among the Sub-Saharan countries that has embraced the cooperative concept from both the movement and also the government. “This visit has also given us a chance to share on how we can be able to tackle some of the mentioned challenges”, he added.

Tanzania Federation of Co-operatives (TFC) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Abehard Mbepera acknowledged the partnership and relationship they have had with ICA so far. He urged more famers to join cooperatives so that they can benefit in planning, marketing and selling of their products. In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Commission for Cooperative Development Dr. Titus Kamani, highlighted that the Commission was committed to educate farmers country wide on the importance of co-operative model so as to better their people’s life.

The delegation visited Dar es Salaam City College (DACICO) in the city of Dar es salaam. The cooperative representatives were interviewed by the media

Focus on cooperative movement in Tanzania

Tanzania has about 10,990 registered primary co-operatives, 47 co-operative union and 2 apex bodies according to Tanzania Commission for Co-operative Development.