TREASURY REGISTRAR’S CORNER: High hopes as OTR advances investment reforms

THE resounding victory of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the October 29 General Election — earning 97.7 per cent of the votes — is a powerful testament to Tanzanians’ confidence in her vision of building an inclusive, investment-driven, and globally competitive economy.

President Samia, who contested against 16 other candidates from opposition parties, was sworn in for her new term on November 3, 2025, in Dodoma. For the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR), her re-election represents not only continuity of progress but also a renewed call to accelerate reforms and ensure that government investments deliver greater value to the people.

As the custodian of government shares and investments in public entities and companies, OTR stands ready to align its strategic direction with the President’s vision for sustained economic transformation and the attainment of uppermiddle-income status.

“We see the President’s victory as a reaffirmation of trust in her reform agenda, particularly in strengthening governance, transparency and accountability in public entities,” said Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu.

Mr Mchechu went on to add: “As OTR, we are determined to play our part in driving performance and ensuring that every public investment works for the people.” He also extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Samia and VicePresident Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi for their well-deserved victory and continued service to the nation.

Building on this renewed leadership mandate, the OTR is set to deepen its role as one of the government’s most strategic economic institutions — ensuring that state financial interests are managed responsibly and deliver sustainable value to the nation.

Central to this mission is the Office’s advisory role: It provides guidance to the government on the establishment of Public and Statutory Corporations (PSCs) and recommends measures to enhance their performance and operational efficiency.

In addition to this advisory function, OTR serves as custodian of all investments comprising the paidup capital of public and statutory corporations, as well as private investments in which the government owns shares or interests — held in trust for the President and the purposes of the government.

The Office further oversees public investment operations, including monitoring and evaluating performance, setting financial targets and approving strategic plans and regulations, ensuring that every investment contributes meaningfully to national development goals.

More broadly, President Samia’s administration continues to anchor its national agenda on the 4Rs — Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding — a philosophy redefining Tanzania’s governance and economic trajectory.

Within this framework, the Reforms and Rebuilding pillars stand out as the cornerstones of structural transformation. They emphasise sound policy adjustments, stronger institutions and the modernisation of key public entities — areas that align directly with OTR’s strategic mandate.

Through this lens, OTR’s mission becomes even more crucial: ensuring that public investments are managed prudently, that underperforming institutions are revitalised and that the nation’s resources are leveraged to rebuild and expand its economic base for generations to come.

In practice, this means deepening collaboration with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to enhance efficiency, profitability and compliance — while also restructuring underperforming entities and attracting private capital to spur innovation and competitiveness.

In essence, OTR is both a guardian and a growth driver — safeguarding public wealth while ensuring it contributes meaningfully to Tanzania’s broader development agenda.

A renewed mandate for economic transformation

President Samia’s leadership has already ushered in sweeping reforms in the investment and legal environment, unlocking opportunities across energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and transport. Her new term is expected to consolidate these gains and expand Tanzania’s productive base.

Her first term laid a solid foundation by restoring macroeconomic stability, rebuilding investor confidence and steering public institutions toward greater efficiency and accountability. In this second phase, the focus shifts from policy design to implementation and measurable outcomes — ensuring that reforms translate into real economic progress.

For OTR, this transition is critical. The Office’s collaboration with SOEs is aimed at transforming them from dependent entities into self-sustaining engines of growth that contribute to both fiscal strength and job creation.

Driving the vision of a $1trillion economy

Under President Samia’s direction, Tanzania is charting a bold path towards a $1 trillion economy by 2050 — a goal that demands efficient management of 92.3/- trillion in public investments currently under OTR’s portfolio.

This figure is more than a financial statistic; it represents the collective effort of generations of Tanzanians whose taxes and sacrifices have built the nation’s assets across infrastructure, utilities, banking, energy and manufacturing. OTR’s central task is to ensure that these investments remain productive and profitable through disciplined governance, digital transformation and continuous performance monitoring.

The Office will continue implementing robust corporate governance frameworks, introduce digital performance-tracking systems and strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that public investments generate tangible socioeconomic returns.

“Our responsibility is not merely to hold shares on behalf of the government but to ensure those investments contribute meaningfully to national growth,” Mr Mchechu emphasised.

Adding: “We will continue to support the President’s economic transformation agenda through data-driven decision-making and strategic partnerships.” In a rapidly evolving global economy, this approach positions Tanzania to compete effectively for investment, technology and markets — key pillars for achieving the Vision 2050 aspiration of a high-income, innovation-led economy.

Commitment to transparency and public value

In keeping with the President’s call for good governance, OTR continues to intensify efforts to promote transparency and accountability. The Public Investment Management Dashboard, launched in August 2025, has already become a key tool for real-time monitoring of SOE performance.

This digital shift will empower policymakers to assess how public assets perform, and where corrective action is needed. It will also enable evidence-based policymaking — ensuring that government interventions are guided by accurate, timely and comprehensive data.

Beyond Numbers: A broader vision for inclusive growth

President Samia’s development philosophy — Kazi Iendelee — underscores that growth must be inclusive, people-centered and sustainable. This principle resonates deeply with OTR’s mission. Public investments are not only about financial returns; they are about creating opportunities for workers, entrepreneurs, suppliers and local communities.

By reforming SOEs and promoting private partnerships, OTR aims to nurture a new generation of enterprises that contribute to livelihoods, technology transfer and competitiveness.

As global capital markets evolve, OTR’s reform strategy also seeks to position Tanzania as a credible and trusted investment destination. Through disciplined financial management and adherence to international reporting standards, the Office aims to strengthen Tanzania’s reputation for fiscal responsibility and institutional maturity.

Looking ahead

As Tanzania enters this new political and economic chapter, the OTR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to serve under the guidance of President Samia Suluhu Hassan with integrity, innovation and purpose.

The journey ahead will demand not only administrative efficiency but also strategic foresight, interinstitutional collaboration, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

OTR stands ready to play its part in this transformative era — as both a steward of public wealth and a catalyst for new economic frontiers. President Samia’s decisive victory provides the momentum to advance the next phase of reforms — reforms that will not only safeguard public wealth but also empower future generations.

Indeed, this is more than a political milestone; it is a defining moment in Tanzania’s economic evolution. The OTR stands firmly committed to ensuring that every public investment contributes to that vision — transforming assets into opportunity, performance into prosperity and leadership into legacy.

● Prepared by Office of the Treasury Registrar