WRRB marks 20 years of strengthening transparency in agricultural trade

DODOMA: THE Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board (WRRB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of service as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability and stability in Tanzania’s agricultural marketing and trade system.

Since its establishment, WRRB has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS), which allows farmers and traders to store their produce securely while using warehouse receipts as collateral to access financing.

The system has significantly improved price discovery, reduced post-harvest losses and enhanced market efficiency, while building confidence among financial institutions engaged in commodity-backed transactions.

Speaking to reporters in Dodoma on Tuesday, WRRB Chief Executive Officer Mr Asangye Bangu said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s journey, celebrate milestones achieved and reaffirm its commitment to farmers, depositors and other stakeholders.

“This milestone allows us to take stock of where we have come from, appreciate the partnerships that have supported our progress and renew our commitment to strengthening structured agricultural trade in the country,” Mr Bangu said.

He explained that the anniversary celebrations aim to deepen public trust in WRRB as a credible and accountable regulator, promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural marketing and strengthen national ownership of the Warehouse Receipt System.

Mr Bangu noted that WRRB is preparing to expand the system beyond traditional agricultural commodities to cover livestock products, fisheries, forestry and minerals, a move expected to integrate more sectors into structured and regulated trade frameworks.

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The celebrations will bring together government leaders, farmers’ organisations, cooperatives, financial institutions, private sector players, development partners, the media and members of the public.

According to WRRB, the engagement will help strengthen collaboration, align sector priorities and showcase the Board’s future strategy, including digitalisation initiatives and closer alignment with national development plans.

Over the past two decades, WRRB’s regulatory oversight has supported national efforts to transform agriculture into a more commercial, resilient and inclusive sector. Both public institutions and private sector players continue to rely on the Board as a trusted regulator committed to protecting depositor interests and ensuring integrity in agricultural marketing.

“As we mark 20 years, WRRB reaffirms its commitment to transparency, integrity and fairness in trade. This anniversary is not just a celebration, but a platform for deeper reforms and long-term impact to support agricultural transformation and inclusive economic growth,” Mr Bangu said.