Our History

The Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) was established in 1988. It was initiated with the support of the Tanzanian Government to strengthen the private sector. The establishment of the TCCIA was an important step in moving from a centralized, planned economy towards a more open, mixed economy giving full scope to privately owned enterprises and farms.
TCCIA has opened regional offices in all 26 regions of mainland Tanzania and over 120 district centers, which are semi-autonomous in their operational activities. Assistance by Swedish governmental development agency SIDA has played a vital role in establishment of the regional and district Chambers especially in providing training, office equipment and mobilization/sensitization of the business community.
These semi-autonomous TCCIA Chambers in 26 regions of the country links the private sector to the Government with a view toward promoting the development of private enterprise. By linking issues central to business, the Chamber serves an arena where dialogue with the government promotes sustained growth and development of the private sector. All 26 Regional Chambers are non-profit, with nominal membership fees for its members. TCCIA is currently having over 30000 members.
TCCIA is not only operating on its own, it has established a wide network of organizations and associations. This is a positive development towards reaching goals for organizations that have complementing objectives. TCCIA takes the advantage of the network to achieve results with the device “alone you are weak, together we are strong”.
Services provided by TCCIA to the business community include business information, training, advocacy, business supportive initiative (i.e. issuance of certificates of origin and processing business licenses) and business promotion activities, for instance, trade fairs and missions.
TCCIA has expertise in many areas of interest to local businesses for their development. It can offer these skills and information in the form of Seminars, Workshops and Training in a number of fields. All these services are related to the business activities of the member companies ‘demand. We also encourage business participation through trade promotions and representation in national and international trade fairs and international delegations. This in the long run will give member of companies the possibility to increase trade opportunities.
The Chamber receives a great number of business inquiries from all over the world on how to access markets, seeking local partnerships and suppliers. TCCIA publishes these enquiries through newsletters and distribute to all full-paid member companies.
TCCIA organizes a number of activities for its members and non- members. During the year several seminars/workshops and courses are taking place on different subjects but also for different target groups.
Advocacy and lobbying is taking place on various levels. Businesses are welcome to the chamber to get advices and contacts on the spot or forward their enquiries via email. Lobbying is taking place on the topic of burning issues, where the business community is always welcome to give TCCIA the possibility to intensify or bring new issues on the agenda.
Business promotional events such as business delegations are very important for the international trade. TCCIA as a representative of the private business sector throughout Tanzania, each year has been organizing business delegations to various countries which has proved business linkages to the business community. TCCIA is also welcoming and hosting business delegations from other countries as well as cooperating with other institutions and organizations for these events.