Tanzania hails EU’s €1.7m laboratory equipment
DAR ES SALAAM: IN a significant step toward enhancing trade competitiveness and consumer safety, the European Union (EU) has handed over cutting-edge laboratory equipment valued at €1.7 million (5.2bn/-) to the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).
The move marks a strategic investment in Tanzania’s national quality infrastructure, aimed at unlocking global market access for local industries and promoting innovation-driven growth across the region.
The equipment was officially handed over on Wednesday during a ceremony held at TBS headquarters in Dar es Salaam, symbolizing a milestone under the EU-funded QUALITAN Project, which is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
QUALITAN, with a total budget of €7m (21.5bn/-), is a key component of the broader “Business Environment, Growth and Innovation” (BEGIN) programme a €23m ( 70.7bn/-) initiative designed to boost Tanzania’s business landscape.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr. Selemani Jafo (MP), Mr. Sempeho Nyari described the event as a transformative moment for the country’s industrial journey.
“What we are witnessing today is not just the delivery of equipment; it is a symbol of transformation,” he said. “The QUALITAN Project aligns with our national vision to build an industrial economy that is globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and rooted in product safety and compliance.”
Highlighting achievements under the QUALITAN initiative, TBS Director General Dr. Ashura Katunzi noted the installation of 38 state-of-the-art machines across laboratories specializing in food chemistry, microbiology, electrical testing, and metrology.
Over 300 TBS staff have been trained in key international standards, including ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17043.
Additionally, the project has supported more than 980 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across 10 regions with training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), product certification, and market access readiness.
Other advancements include a newly developed Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), an online standards webstore, and a QR-code traceability app to improve transparency and compliance for Tanzanian products.
The EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Amb. Christine Grau, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to strengthening Tanzania’s ability to produce high-quality goods that meet international benchmarks.
“The EU is proud to support Tanzania in strengthening its national quality infrastructure. By providing state-of-the-art equipment to TBS, the EU is complementing the Government’s efforts in enhancing the quality and competitiveness of Tanzanian goods, enabling them to access global markets, including the EU,” she said.
UNIDO Representative Mr. Lorence Ansermet commended the partnership, emphasizing that technical cooperation must be aligned with national development goals to drive sustainable progress.
TBS Board Chairman Prof. Othman C. Othman underscored the importance of policy and governance in ensuring project outcomes are fully realized.
Baraka Aligaesha, Director of Business Environment at the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, also noted the wider impact of the investment, stating that the equipment would enhance TBS’s testing and certification capabilities, improve Tanzania’s international trade position, and protect consumers particularly women and youth, who are active in entrepreneurship and cross-border trade.
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The ceremony concluded with a collective call for continued collaboration between institutions, development partners, and the private sector to ensure Tanzania’s quality infrastructure remains a strong pillar of national development.
“Let today’s event be a stepping stone toward deeper cooperation and shared responsibility in building a future where standards drive development, and excellence defines our industries,” Mr. Nyari concluded.
