Kapinga orders councils to facilitate businesses, not shut them down

MASASI: MINISTER for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, has urged government officials and regulatory institutions to act as business facilitators rather than shutting down businesses, saying the approach is essential to protecting investments and safeguarding Tanzanian citizens’ interests.

Kapinga issued the directive on August 10, 2026, when she inaugurated a crop storage warehouse owned by Masasi Town Council in Mtandi Ward, which was constructed at a cost of approximately 921m/-.

“If you find a factory without proper systems, do not shut it down; help it get back on track. If you find someone without a business licence, help them obtain one instead of closing their business,” she said.

She said traders operating without business licences should be assisted to obtain them, while factories facing challenges should be guided to rectify their shortcomings rather than being closed. She also directed the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to support entrepreneurs who need product certification marks and standards so that they can continue producing and selling their products.

In another development, Minister Kapinga directed Masasi Town Council to ensure that development projects are completed on time, stressing that repeatedly extending project deadlines does not increase productivity. She said contractors should increase their workforce and accelerate implementation.

While inaugurating a CAMARTEC cashew processing training plant in Mandiwa Village, Masasi, valued at more than 600m/-, Kapinga said the government was continuing to strengthen the cashew value chain in order to increase farmers’ incomes and create employment opportunities.

The plant’s supervisor, Engineer January Mlomo, said it has the capacity to process 3.15 tonnes of cashew nuts per day and 700 tonnes annually, while more than 1,000 students are expected to receive cashew processing training at the facility every year.

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Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Donald Msengi urged residents to take advantage of the opportunities created by the projects and invest in ensuring that children receive education.

Minister Kapinga is in Mtwara for a three-day working visit during which she is inaugurating and laying foundation stones for various development projects. The government aims to increase the role of the private sector in implementing the National Development Vision 2050.