Dar es Salaam – The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has opened a dedicated trade facilitation desk in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, to expedite customs clearance and ease the movement of goods for traders in the bustling commercial hub.
The move, announced by TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda on February 11, 2026, follows a presidential directive to improve services at the newly reopened Kariakoo International Market and address the growing problem of cargo congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The new desk is a significant step towards streamlining trade processes for the thousands of traders who operate in Kariakoo, a vital economic engine for Tanzania and the wider East and Central African region.
The market, which recently rose from the ashes after a devastating fire in 2021, is a major contributor to the city’s economy and a key source of revenue for the government.
Mr Mwenda stated that the decision to establish the desk was a direct response to a more than 30 per cent increase in cargo at the Port of Dar es Salaam over the past six months, which has led to concerns about delays in cargo clearance.
READ MORE: Dar es Salaam’s Kariakoo Market Rises From Ashes With Grand Reopening
The TRA plans to give preferential treatment to Kariakoo traders to ensure their goods are released from the port as quickly as possible. To further expedite the process, the TRA is also working towards implementing 24-hour operations at inland container depots (ICDs) and dry ports.
The opening of the trade facilitation desk comes at a critical time, as the relationship between the TRA and traders has been strained in recent years.
In May 2023, Kariakoo traders went on a two-day strike to protest against what they described as rampant corruption within the TRA, bureaucracy at the port, and the confiscation of their goods.
The strike led to the formation of a joint committee of government officials and business community representatives to address the traders’ grievances.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also acknowledged the challenges in the relationship between the tax authority and the business community.
READ MORE: Kariakoo Traders Take on TRA Corruption, Joint Committee Formed
In July 2024, when she appointed Mr Mwenda as the new TRA Commissioner General, she tasked him with finding a balance between enforcing tax laws and maintaining a good relationship with businesses.
The President has also expressed her concerns about tax evasion and the need for traders to comply with tax regulations.
While the new trade facilitation desk is a welcome development, some observers believe that more needs to be done to address the deep-rooted problems that have plagued the relationship between the TRA and traders.
These include structural issues within the tax system, the need for greater transparency and accountability, and the importance of taxpayer education.
The new TRA Commissioner General has pledged to prioritise professionalism and integrity, and to create a fair and transparent tax system for all.
