By Our Correspondent
The Regional Commissioner of Singida, Hon. Halima Dendego, has affirmed that the region is positioning itself as a national center for modern industries through deliberate efforts to improve the business environment, attract investment, and fully utilize its local resources.
Speaking at the Regional Business Council meeting held at the Regional Commissioner’s Office, Hon. Dendego highlighted that Singida has expanded its industrial base to 1,565 industries. This includes 9 large-scale industries, 11 medium-sized, 420 small-scale, and 1,225 micro-industries, collectively creating employment opportunities for youth and enhancing the region’s economic circulation.
She noted that this progress is a result of the enabling environment created under the leadership of the Sixth Phase Government led by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. The President has championed productive investment aimed at leveraging each region’s unique resources. Singida, she added, is endowed with vast resources such as agriculture, minerals, livestock, and a strategically central geographic location, making it ideal for investment.
To ensure sustainable industrial productivity, Hon. Dendego emphasized that the region has prioritized modern agriculture to produce raw materials for processing industries. Furthermore, she revealed that Singida is set to begin construction of an international onion market under the TACTIC project in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, with agreements already signed.
“This is a major step forward that will empower our farmers by providing them with reliable markets and increased income through value addition,” said Hon. Dendego.
Additionally, she mentioned that the Regional Government is working closely with institutions such as TANESCO, TARURA, SUASA, and TANROADS to improve access to basic infrastructure like electricity, water, and roads across all parts of the region. Alongside agriculture, she highlighted the region's rich mineral potential—including gold, gypsum, copper, aluminum, and black copper—and invited investors to explore these opportunities.
Closing the meeting, Singida Regional Administrative Secretary, Dr. Fatuma Mganga, commended all members for their valuable input toward enhancing the regional economy. She stressed that investment and business are the primary engines for generating income—not just employment. She urged public servants in local authorities to understand the business environment and collaborate more closely with the private sector to create an investor-friendly climate.
Dr. Mganga emphasized the importance of the Regional Business Council as a platform for policy dialogue and improvement of the investment climate. She called upon public institutions to proactively support the private sector and participate in economic development.
“When you hear about the richest people in the world, none of them rely on traditional employment—they are entrepreneurs. Business is the key to wealth generation. When people earn money and the private sector expands, the economy grows, and communities thrive,” she said.
She added that the region has prioritized enabling farmers to join cooperative societies to boost their productivity. She also commended council directors for improving infrastructure and creating favorable conditions for investors. Dr. Mganga emphasized that each local government should implement a "One Business Center" to provide citizens with business and investment education more effectively.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Administrative Secretary for Investment, Industry, and Trade, Ms. Donatila Vedasto, provided an overview of the region’s investment and business status. She noted that Singida offers vast opportunities that require strong public-private partnerships to unlock their full potential.
She reported that there are currently around 10,400 registered and tax-compliant businesses, categorized as large, medium, and small enterprises, along with 15,898 registered informal traders. This, she said, reflects a growing readiness among citizens to engage in business.
Ms. Vedasto added that more efforts are needed to stimulate domestic investment, particularly in services such as shopping malls, resting facilities, and local government commercial ventures to increase revenue. She emphasized that Singida is strategically positioned as a resource-rich region capable of driving high-impact industrial and business development in the country.
Members of the Business Council, including representatives from the mining sector, TRA, OSHA, COPRA, and other institutions, highlighted the region's valuable mineral resources—gold, gypsum, aluminum, salt, and copper—and recommended the establishment of joint platforms for dialogue between public and private sectors. These platforms would address challenges and generate joint solutions for faster business development.
The Council also urged a review of cooperative structures to better support farmers, ensure fair pricing, and secure sufficient raw materials for industries. It resolved to enhance collaboration between government institutions and the private sector to realize Singida’s vision of becoming Tanzania’s modern industrial hub.
Ends
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