DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has strengthened its collaboration with Barrick Gold Mine, marking the latest development in the authority’s comprehensive strategy to boost domestic revenue collection through enhanced taxpayer engagement and voluntary compliance.
The partnership was solidified during a high-level meeting between TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda and Barrick officials led by Resident Manager Melkiory Ngido at TRA offices in Dar es Salaam. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and addressing tax-related challenges facing one of Tanzania’s major mining sector investors.
“We are committed to working closely with taxpayers like Barrick to resolve challenges and strengthen partnerships,” Commissioner General Mwenda stated during the meeting. He emphasized TRA’s objective to create a business-friendly environment where companies can efficiently meet their tax obligations while contributing to national development.
Building on Existing Cooperation
The meeting represents a continuation of TRA’s ongoing engagement with major taxpayers. In October 2025, Commissioner General Mwenda visited Barrick’s Bulyanhuly Gold Mine, where he commended the company for its transparency and tax compliance, highlighting it as a model of successful public-private partnership in Tanzania’s mining sector.
Mr. Ngido, speaking on behalf of Barrick, acknowledged TRA’s proactive support and responsiveness, pledging that the company would continue paying taxes voluntarily while maintaining full cooperation with the authority.
Part of Broader Revenue Enhancement Strategy
The Barrick partnership forms part of TRA’s comprehensive approach to engage with both major and emerging taxpayers, ensuring transparency, timely payments, and compliance with tax regulations. This strategy appears to be yielding significant results, with TRA reporting collection of TZS 24.05 trillion in the first nine months of the 2024/25 fiscal year – surpassing its target by 3.62% and representing a 17% year-on-year increase.
The authority has set an even more ambitious revenue target of TZS 36 trillion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, building on a 15% growth achieved in the previous year.
Technological Reforms Driving Compliance
TRA’s success stems from multiple strategic initiatives, including the implementation of technological solutions such as the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS) and Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs). A pilot program introducing risk-based examination methods in Dar es Salaam has already demonstrated promising results, leading to a 10-15% increase in adjusted taxable income.
These reforms align with Tanzania’s broader economic goals. The International Monetary Fund, in its October 2025 Regional Economic Outlook, projected Tanzania’s GDP growth at 6.0% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026, while noting the country’s “fiscal discipline, declining debt levels, and successful tax reforms” as key factors supporting continued economic stability.
Toward Self-Reliant Development
The enhanced revenue collection represents a significant shift in Tanzania’s development financing strategy. The TZS 24.05 trillion collected in nine months approximately triples the typical annual foreign development support of TZS 7-8 trillion in loans and grants, positioning domestic revenue as the cornerstone for funding public services and infrastructure projects.
Through these coordinated efforts involving technological innovation, taxpayer engagement, and strategic partnerships with major companies like Barrick Gold, TRA aims to build a culture of responsible tax contribution essential for sustainable national development.
