IN a move aimed at boosting investor confidence and enhancing the integrity of Tanzania’s financial markets, the government has established the Capital Markets Tribunal.

The new tribunal is designed to address disputes related to stock market activities, securities regulations and investor grievances, providing legal clarity and fairness to the market.

The tribunal will hold the full judicial powers of a High Court, with a High Court judge serving as its chair.

It will also be supported by four additional members with expertise in capital markets. This development is seen as a critical step towards strengthening the country’s investment climate and ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient securities market.

Speaking during the ongoing Law Week in Dodoma over, Martin Kolikoli, the Registrar of the Capital Markets Tribunal emphasized the importance of the tribunal in supporting the government’s long-term economic vision.

“The tribunal will play a pivotal role in achieving the goals of the National Development Vision 2050 by managing claim rights, protecting investors and fostering good governance. Through the efforts, we aim to contribute to sustainable economic and social development,” Kolikoli said.

The establishment of the tribunal comes at a time when Tanzania's stock market has shown positive growth. Despite challenges in bond markets and a lack of new listings, the value of local listed companies rose by 7.4 percent last year, reaching 12.24trn/-.

The positive trend underscores the need for mechanisms like the tribunal to help protect investors and maintain market stability.

The launch event also featured a stakeholder meeting, where the tribunal outlined its objectives and the processes through which investors can access their rights in the stock market.

Kolikoli highlighted the tribunal’s commitment to educating both investors and the public about capital markets.

He revealed that educational campaigns will be introduced, alongside digital platforms for filing claims and tracking case progress.

“We are confident that by fulfilling our mandates as outlined in the law, we can safeguard stakeholders’ rights, providing them with a platform to seek redress for any misconduct, fraud, or violations of securities laws,” Kolikoli said.

 “This will ultimately help to build trust among investors and ensure that their interests are protected.”

In a bid to further strengthen its operations, the tribunal currently engages in discussions with similar institutions in Canada and South Africa. The collaborations are aimed at equipping the tribunal with the knowledge and tools necessary to function effectively and inspire investor confidence.

Looking ahead, Kolikoli expects the tribunal to play a significant role in fostering more dynamic and transparent capital markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.

 Over the next two years, he anticipates that the tribunal will become a leading authority in securities market appeals, helping to promote investor confidence and uphold the financial integrity of the region.