DAR ES SALAAM: STRENGTHENING strategic leadership in companies, where the government holds shares is crucial to safeguarding public investments, improving efficiency and ensuring sustained economic growth.
Recognising this, the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) has stepped up efforts to enhancing governance and performance in companies where the government holds minority stakes, so that public investments continue to generate value and long-term national benefits.
The remarks were made yesterday in Dar es Salaam by the OTR Director of Performance Management, Monitoring and Evaluation for Commercial Public Entities, Ms Lightness Mauki, during a press briefing on the upcoming Minority Interest Forum 2026 (IMF 2026), scheduled for March 16–18 in Arusha.
Speaking on behalf of the Treasury Registrar, Mr Nehemiah Mchechu, Ms Mauki said the forum aims to strengthen the capacity of board directors in companies, where the government owns less than 51 per cent of shares.
The goal is to equip them with strategic and innovative leadership skills suited to evolving market dynamics and rapid technological transformation.
The forum will be officiated by the Minister in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Professor Kitila Mkumbo, and is expected to bring together more than 150 board directors and chief executive officers from 56 minority shareholding companies.
Ms Mauki said the theme of the forum, “From Oversight to Foresight: Advancing Agile and Innovative Leadership under Transformation Pressures,” encourages leaders to move beyond traditional performance monitoring toward proactive and forward-looking governance.
“This approach emphasises early identification of emerging risks and strategic opportunities, as well as timely responses to economic and commercial changes,” she said.
The forum will address key issues including forward looking governance capable of anticipating risks, innovation and sustainable competitiveness in rapidly changing environments and the effects of global geopolitics, cybersecurity threats and market volatility.
Discussions will also focus on aligning corporate strategies with the National Development Vision 2050 and medium-term development plans, leveraging technology to enhance transparency and accountability, and applying economic and competitive intelligence to strengthen investment decisions.
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Under the Public Corporations Act, Chapter 257, institutions in which the government owns 51 per cent or more shares are classified as Public Corporations or Public Institutions.
As of June 30, 2025, there were 252 public institutions and 56 minority shareholding companies, bringing the total number of entities supervised by the OTR to 308.
According to the OTR, minority shareholding companies continue to serve as key drivers of economic growth.
They contribute significantly to government revenue through taxes and dividends, create employment opportunities, build local expertise and support the expansion of strategic sectors such as banking, mining, energy, telecommunications and manufacturing.
To strengthen oversight, the OTR has enhanced government representation on company boards in line with shareholder agreements and developed formal guidelines to support directors in effectively executing their duties.
The office has also introduced regular consultative meetings with board directors and chief executive officers to improve coordination and performance monitoring.
In collaboration with the Controller and Auditor General, it conducts special audits to reinforce accountability and safeguard public investments.
Ms Mauki noted that enhanced public-private collaboration has fostered innovation, efficiency and commercial competitiveness.
She added that this direction aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of attracting investment, improving the business environment and building a competitive and inclusive economy through effective public-private partnerships.
Performance data show notable achievements over the past four years.
The value of the government’s investment in minority shareholding companies increased from 821.51bn/- in 2020 to 1.94tri/- in 2024, representing growth of 136 per cent.