Women and youth are receiving training to compete for public tenders and access the 30 percent of the government procurement budget set aside for companies led by women, youth, and people with disabilities.

The training, facilitated by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) and funded by TradeMark Africa, aims to equip these groups with the skills necessary to prepare tender documents that meet legal standards for bidding on various projects and services.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, TWCC Managing Director Mwajuma Hamza stated that the goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge required to navigate the tendering process, ensuring that their bids comply with the Public Procurement Law, rules, and regulations.

Hamza noted that the first phase of training has already begun in Dar es Salaam with 30 participants, with the objective of reaching at least 400 entrepreneurs over the next three years.

"The training will provide a deep understanding of public procurement laws and help participants prepare tender documents that meet all legal requirements," she said.

Hamza added that the training is designed to help women, youth, and entrepreneurs with disabilities grow their businesses by successfully bidding for both local and international tenders.

"Participants will receive support in bidding for tenders from government institutions, the private sector, and international agencies, enabling them to develop sustainable businesses," she explained.

To achieve these goals, the program will also register qualified participants on digital bidding platforms, including the government's public procurement system (NeST), United Nations systems, and private sector platforms. 

Additionally, participants will be connected with business experts to assist them with identifying tender opportunities, preparing business plans, and creating strong company profiles.

Elibariki Shammy, Resident Director of TradeMark Africa, praised the TWCC for launching the program and confirmed his organization’s commitment to supporting its success.

The training is part of the "BID FOR SUCCESS" (B4S) program, which seeks to increase the participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in public procurement.

According to the Public Procurement Management Authority (PPRA) Act, Chapter 410 of 2023, Section 64, all government institutions are required to allocate a portion of their procurement budget each year to companies led by women, youth, and people with disabilities. 

The Public Procurement Regulations (PPR), effective for the fiscal year 2024/2025, mandate that 30 percent of this budget be allocated to these groups.