By Business Insider Reporter
Seven years after outlawing plastic carrier bags, the Tanzanian government has made it clear that the ban remains firmly in force, signalling a renewed commitment to environmental protection while seeking to balance industrial interests with sustainable economic growth.
The government has reminded importers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers that the prohibition on plastic bags introduced in 2019 remains fully enforceable, urging all stakeholders to comply with the law as authorities intensify efforts to curb plastic pollution.
The message was delivered by the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, during a national stakeholders’ meeting on plastic waste management held in Dar es Salaam on August 4.
The meeting brought together government officials, industry representatives and environmental stakeholders to review progress and discuss the next phase of Tanzania’s plastics management strategy.
Accompanied by the Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, Masauni stressed that the environmental and public health concerns that prompted the original ban remain as relevant today as they were when the policy was introduced.
“The ban on plastic carrier bags remains in place. It was introduced because of the serious environmental and health risks posed by these products, and the government remains committed to enforcing it,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concern over plastic waste across developing economies, where rapid urbanisation and increased consumption continue to place pressure on waste management systems and natural ecosystems.
For Tanzania, however, the challenge extends beyond environmental conservation. It also touches on industrial policy, investment and the country’s transition towards a greener economy.
Masauni said the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Industry and Trade had agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure environmental regulations are implemented without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate business activity.
The approach reflects the government’s broader objective of promoting sustainable industrial development while encouraging manufacturers to invest in environmentally friendly alternatives.
Minister Kapinga acknowledged that plastic waste management presents both environmental and economic considerations, noting that businesses operating across the plastics value chain have diverse interests that must be carefully balanced.
“The issue of plastic waste has significant economic implications That is why we are working together to protect the environment while also safeguarding industrial development,” she said.
She added that closer collaboration between the two ministries would help create a more coordinated policy environment capable of supporting sustainable manufacturing and responsible consumption.
The meeting also highlighted the important role of local government in enforcing environmental regulations.
For his part, Ubungo District Commissioner Albert Msando pledged to work closely with fellow district commissioners to strengthen implementation of government directives, particularly those related to environmental conservation and waste management.
Tanzania became one of Africa’s early adopters of strict plastic pollution controls when it prohibited the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of plastic carrier bags under Government Notice No. 394 of 2019.
The regulatory framework was expanded in 2022 through Government Notice No. 291, which banned the use of plastic seals on bottled water and beverage caps as part of broader efforts to reduce single-use plastics.
According to the government, a five-year assessment covering the period from 2019 to 2025 indicates that the policy has delivered substantial results. Authorities say the country has significantly reduced the production, importation, distribution and use of plastic carrier bags that had become one of the leading sources of environmental pollution.
For businesses, the renewed enforcement message is more than an environmental reminder. It reinforces the direction of Tanzania’s industrial policy, where sustainability is increasingly becoming a commercial imperative rather than simply a regulatory obligation.
As investors place greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, companies operating in packaging, manufacturing and consumer goods are expected to accelerate investment in recyclable materials, biodegradable alternatives and circular economy solutions. For Tanzania, maintaining the plastic bag ban is not only about cleaner cities and healthier ecosystems. It is also about positioning the country for a future where environmental stewardship and industrial competitiveness increasingly go hand in hand.
