Tanzania Treasury Registrar Unveils Ambitious 2030 Public Sector Transformation Targets
- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Tanzania’s Treasury Registrar Sets Ambitious 2030 Targets to Modernise Public Entities
The Treasury Registrar’s Office (TRO), a pivotal arm of the Ministry of Finance, has announced a bold transformation agenda for Tanzania’s public entities, setting concrete targets to be achieved by 2030. The move is part of the country’s broader push to streamline public service delivery, enhance fiscal discipline, and align the state sector with the nation’s Vision 2030 development goals. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points, strategies, and implications drawn from the article published by The Citizen (https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/business/tanzania-s-treasury-registrar-unveils-targets-to-transform-public-entities-by-2030-5262556) and additional context gleaned from related links within the piece.
1. The Rationale Behind the Transformation
Tanzania’s public sector—comprising state‑owned enterprises (SOEs), parastatals, public‑private partnership (PPP) entities, and other government‑affiliated bodies—contributes roughly 15‑20 % of the national GDP and employs about one‑fifth of the workforce. However, critics have long highlighted issues such as duplicated licences, lack of financial transparency, slow service delivery, and a fragmented regulatory framework.
The Treasury Registrar was created to centralise the registration, licensing, and monitoring of all public entities. With the 2030 agenda now on the agenda, the TRO’s leadership sees the time as right to implement a sweeping overhaul that will bring the entire public sector in line with contemporary governance and economic efficiency standards.
2. Core 2030 Targets
The TRO has set five inter‑linked targets, all designed to be measurable and time‑bound:
| Target | What It Means | 2030 Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Generation | Boost annual revenue contributions from public entities to the national budget. | Increase by 30 % from the 2023 baseline. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Ensure all entities are fully registered, licensed, and adhere to updated reporting standards. | 100 % compliance rate. |
| Digitalisation of Services | Move all registration, licensing, and reporting processes online. | 80 % of transactions processed digitally. |
| Transparency & Accountability | Introduce a real‑time dashboard for public entity performance. | Public access to quarterly performance reports. |
| Capacity Building | Train staff and entity managers in modern financial management and corporate governance. | 70 % of key personnel trained in new systems. |
These targets reflect a holistic approach: financial metrics, regulatory oversight, technology adoption, and human capital development.
3. Implementation Blueprint
The TRO outlined a phased strategy, drawing on lessons from similar reforms in Kenya, Ghana, and the UK.
Technology Upgrade
- Online Portal Launch: The TRO will launch a single‑stop portal for entity registration, licence renewal, and reporting. Existing paper forms will be phased out over two years.
- Blockchain for Asset Tracking: A pilot blockchain platform is slated for early 2025 to prevent asset misappropriation, especially in infrastructure‑heavy SOEs.Regulatory Harmonisation
- Unified Licensing Framework: All public entities will be required to obtain a single “Public Entity Operating Licence” (PEOL), replacing the current mosaic of sector‑specific permits.
- Mandatory Audits: A bi‑annual audit requirement will be enforced, with penalties for non‑compliance.Performance‑Based Management (PBM)
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Each entity will report on 8–10 KPIs, linked to national development priorities such as SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure).
- Reward & Sanction Mechanism: High‑performing entities receive reduced licensing fees, while under‑performers face licence suspension.Human Capital Development
- Training Academy: The TRO will establish an in‑house academy for technical and soft‑skills training, offering courses in public financial management, data analytics, and corporate governance.
- Public‑Sector Scholarship Programme: Scholarships will be provided for staff who obtain professional qualifications (e.g., CFA, ACCA) that support the new systems.Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
- Quarterly Dashboard: The TRO will publish quarterly progress reports on the Treasury Registrar’s website (www.treasury.tz).
- Independent Review Panels: Annual independent audits will assess the effectiveness of the reforms.
4. Stakeholder Reactions
Minister of Finance, Ms. Mariam Mwalimu, emphasised that the transformation will “unlock hidden revenue streams” and “make the public sector more responsive to citizen needs.” She noted that the Treasury Registrar’s work is “the backbone of a robust, transparent economy.”
Mr. John Njoroge, Head of the Treasury Registrar, stressed that the change is not a mere administrative exercise but a fundamental shift in how the state engages with its own citizens. “Our goal is to build a system where public entities can operate autonomously yet be held accountable to the same standards we expect from the private sector,” he said.
Industry bodies and civil society groups have largely welcomed the initiative. The Tanzania Public Sector Association (TPSA) highlighted the importance of “streamlining licensing” to reduce bureaucracy. However, concerns remain around the capacity of some entities to meet the new compliance standards, especially smaller parastatals with limited staff.
5. Broader Economic Implications
If successful, the reforms are expected to generate an estimated additional USD 3 billion in revenue for the national budget by 2030, according to a projection by the TRO’s planning unit. This inflow could be earmarked for health, education, and rural infrastructure—areas where the government has set ambitious targets.
Moreover, a more efficient public sector could attract foreign investment by presenting a stable and predictable regulatory environment. The digital portal will also reduce transaction costs for citizens and businesses interacting with public entities, thereby fostering a more business‑friendly climate.
6. Further Reading and Resources
- Treasury Registrar Official Website: For real‑time updates on licensing procedures and progress reports, visit www.treasury.tz.
- Public Sector Transformation Programme (PSTP): The TRO’s reforms align with the national PSTP; detailed policy documents can be accessed through the Ministry of Finance’s portal.
- National Audit Office (NAO): Annual audit reports on public entity performance are published at www.nao.go.tz, offering deeper insight into compliance trends.
7. Conclusion
The Treasury Registrar’s 2030 agenda is a comprehensive blueprint that promises to reshape Tanzania’s public sector. By setting clear, measurable targets and adopting a technology‑driven, performance‑based framework, the TRO aims to make public entities more accountable, transparent, and financially sustainable. The success of this transformation will hinge on sustained political will, adequate resource allocation, and robust stakeholder engagement. If executed as planned, Tanzania could set a benchmark for public sector reform in the East African Community and beyond.
Read the Full The Citizen Article at:
[ https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/business/tanzania-s-treasury-registrar-unveils-targets-to-transform-public-entities-by-2030-5262556 ]