President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed all local councils in Tanzania to increase efforts in collecting taxes and levies, stressing the urgent need for the country to grow financially independent and reduce its dependence on donor aid.
The president made this call while addressing a large crowd at a public rally in Bariadi Town, located in the Simiyu Region, during the fourth day of her official working visit to the region.
According to her, while councils across the country receive significant funds from the central government, they contribute very little in return through internal revenue generation. She said this imbalance poses a major challenge to sustainable development.
“Our councils receive a lot from the central government but contribute very little. Strengthening levy collection is crucial if we want our development to move forward,” President Samia told residents gathered in Bariadi.
She pointed out that the only way to weather global economic storms such as wars, fuel price hikes, and international aid cuts, is for Tanzanians to rely more on domestic resource mobilisation.
“The world is unpredictable, with wars and price hikes in essential commodities. That is why we must strengthen our internal revenue collections, so we can fund our own development and reduce dependency,” she stated.
This is not the first time the president has spoken out on the need to improve local government finances. Back in March 2025, while opening the 39th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania (ALAT), she called on councils to explore new ways of collecting money and to broaden their revenue base creatively.
In Bariadi, the president went a step further by calling on business owners, both large and small, as well as livestock keepers, to pay their taxes and levies faithfully. She reminded them that paying taxes is not a punishment but a patriotic responsibility that contributes directly to Tanzania’s growth.
“When you pay your taxes, you are not doing it for the government alone. You are doing it for your children’s schools, for your roads, and for your hospitals. It is a civic duty,” she said.
President Samia’s call comes at a time when economic uncertainties, donor fatigue, and rising global prices are putting pressure on Tanzania’s budget and limiting the flow of external funds. She made it clear that to achieve long-term economic stability, Tanzania must be in charge of its financial future.
Several local leaders, including council chairpersons and ward executives, were present at the event. Many of them pledged to take the president’s advice seriously and to improve tax administration in their districts.
Analysts say the president’s emphasis on self-reliance is a welcome shift in leadership thinking, especially for a country like Tanzania which has long depended on development partners to fund major social and infrastructure projects.
One local economic analyst based in Mwanza, Mr. Joseph Mshana, told reporters that if the councils could improve their tax collection even by 20%, the government could finance more health centres, classrooms, and roads without borrowing.
“This message needs to be followed by real action. Councils must modernise how they collect money, stop wastage, and make the process transparent to encourage people to pay,” he said.
As President Samia continues her working tour of the Simiyu Region, it is expected that more focus will be placed on agriculture, livestock, and public service delivery, sectors she believes can bring about inclusive growth if properly funded through internal revenues.
The president’s consistent message over the years reflects her broader vision of seeing Tanzania rise to self-sufficiency and development, not just through foreign support, but through homegrown resources and solutions.
