Dodoma. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at identifying, training, and registering special groups so they can benefit from Government tenders reserved for them.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Dodoma, PPRA Director General Denis Simba said that, to date, only about 1,000 groups have registered on the National e-Procurement System (NeST) — a number he described as still very low compared to the potential.

“Our law requires that a group be made up of between five and 20 people,” Simba explained. “A few months back, last year, I remember we had only 185 groups, even after conducting a nationwide campaign. But after stepping up our efforts, today we have seen an increase of about 700 to 800 percent.”

He added that these registered groups have already been able to apply for tenders, with contracts worth approximately TSh 30 billion awarded so far.

“You can see there is still a big gap,” Simba said. “If we all implement this properly, we can reach TSh 5 trillion. We need to increase the pace at which we reach citizens.”

Under Tanzanian law, public institutions are required to allocate 30 percent of their procurement budgets to purchase goods and services from companies owned by special groups, such as youth, women, elders and people with disabilities.

Simba stressed that this requirement is not merely a political statement but a legal obligation that must be implemented.

“We expect that through the implementation of the memorandum of understanding we signed today, the nation will benefit by having a larger number of citizens with higher incomes,” he said. “We believe that, by working together with PPRA and VETA, we can quickly mobilise and attract these groups into the system.”

VETA Director General Anthony Kasore said he is confident the partnership will help at least 20,000 special groups to become eligible and competitive for Government contracts.

“Because of the number of trainees who pass through our institutions, the special groups we work with, and the special courses we offer in our various centres, we believe this initiative will economically uplift many citizens,” Kasore said. “It will also enable them to live better lives in their communities.”

Jackline Kuwanda is a journalist for The Chanzo based in Dodoma. You can reach her at: jaquelinevictor88@gmail.com.