Prime Minister Majaliwa: Strengthen Monitoring of Cooperative Society Officials to Promote Ethics, Accountability, and Good Governance

Dodoma, Tanzania – April 27, 2025:
The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa, has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the monitoring of Cooperative Society officials to ensure they uphold ethics, transparency, accountability, and good governance in their service.

Speaking today during the launch of the Dialogue on Access to Capital for Cooperative Development, held at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre (JKCI) in Dodoma, Prime Minister Majaliwa emphasized that strengthening governance within cooperatives is critical for attracting new members and gaining investor confidence.

The Prime Minister further instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cooperative Development Commission to expedite and fully oversee the implementation of all approved strategies, particularly in the areas of agricultural technology advancement, access to quality inputs, and improving crop market access.

A New Call to Financial Institutions
Prime Minister Majaliwa urged financial institutions, including banks and development funds, to work more closely with cooperatives by establishing user-friendly systems for access to loans and capital, especially for smallholder farmers and small business owners.

“I urge all farmers and citizens at large to join officially registered cooperatives to fully benefit from the various opportunities provided by the Government and development partners,” stressed the Prime Minister.

He also directed that all key reports launched today be prepared in Kiswahili in addition to English, to ensure wider accessibility by ordinary citizens across the country.

Cooperative Sector: A Key Pillar of National Development
Prime Minister Majaliwa noted that Tanzania currently boasts more than 7,000 registered cooperative societies, with a total membership exceeding eight million. These cooperatives span several economic sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, mining, commerce, and financial services.

He said that under the Sixth Phase Government led by H.E. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, major reforms are being implemented to transform the cooperative sector by strengthening management systems, enhancing market access for agricultural products through the Warehouse Receipt System, and boosting financial services through the establishment of the Cooperative Bank (Coop Bank).

Large-Scale Farming Project (BBT Project 1): A Major Leap for Agriculture
In another significant development, Prime Minister Majaliwa officially launched the Large-Scale Farming Project (BBT Project 1), jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Tanzania.

The project will be implemented over five years, from 2025 to 2030, at a total cost of USD 241.27 million. AfDB will contribute USD 129.71 million, representing 53.76% of the total cost, while the Government of Tanzania will cover the remaining 46.24%. The project aims to boost agricultural production through modern, sustainable practices.

Sector Leaders’ Perspectives
The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe, noted that the cooperative system remains the most sustainable model for empowering farmers and small businesses. He announced that the newly established Cooperative Bank will simplify payments and access to financial services for farmers, with an initial capital of over TZS 50 billion and more than 50 agents planned across the country.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Bank, Professor Gervas Machimu, emphasized that the bank will restore the dignity of the cooperative sector, drive rural and urban development, and modernize financial services.

In addition, Abdulmajid Nsekela, Chairman of the Cooperative Development Commission, affirmed that the Cooperative Bank will be operated with modern systems, fostering competition and delivering a highly productive cooperative movement.