By Mwanamkasi Jumbe
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) today convenes more than 1,000 participants at the Jakaya Kikwete International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam for the Women and Taxation Forum, an event organized as part of its activities to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
The forum, which will be graced by TRA Commissioner General (CG) Yusuph Mwenda (pictured), brings together women entrepreneurs, tax professionals, government officials, civil society representatives, development partners, academia and the media to discuss ways of making the tax system more inclusive and supportive of women.
Organised under the theme of strengthening women’s participation in taxation and economic development, the forum recognises the important role women play in Tanzania’s economy, particularly within the general enterprises (MSMSEs) sector.
International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed on Sunday, March 8. While many groups will host events on that day, others choose to hold activities on surrounding dates, such as today, to accommodate schedules and maximize participation.
The global campaign theme for IWD 2026 is “Give to Gain”, emphasizing the power of generosity and collaboration in advancing gender equality.
This theme encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to contribute through various means – be it time, resources, knowledge, or advocacy – to create a more supportive and interconnected world where women can thrive.
According to studies, women-owned businesses account for about 54 percent of all MSMEs in Tanzania, with 99 percent of these enterprises classified as micro-businesses. Research by the International Labour Organization also shows that women dominate the informal sector, representing about 65 percent of the informal workforce in the country.
“These figures highlight the growing importance of women in entrepreneurship and trade, even as many of them operate in the informal economy,” CG Mwenda told Business Insider.
Insights from the World Bank in its 2022 Tanzania Economic Update further indicate that expanding women’s economic opportunities is central to the country’s long-term growth, emphasizing that inclusive development cannot be achieved without full participation of women in economic activities.
Despite their contribution, women remain underrepresented in tax-related spaces, both as professionals and as active participants in the formal tax system.
Limited access to tax education, lack of information, and cultural or structural barriers continue to discourage many women from registering businesses, complying with tax requirements or pursuing careers in taxation.
“Through the Women and Taxation Forum, TRA aims to address these challenges by creating a national platform for dialogue and engagement,” Mr. Mwenda noted.
Speaking ahead of the event, he said the initiative seeks to raise awareness about the role women play in the tax system while encouraging women entrepreneurs and professionals to better understand their rights and responsibilities under tax laws.
The forum also aims to identify and unpack the barriers that prevent women from complying with tax regulations or participating in tax-related careers.
Beyond the national event in Dar es Salaam, the initiative will extend across all regions of Mainland Tanzania, covering 139 administrative districts through a series of outreach activities. These will include forums for women entrepreneurs, awareness campaigns, and the distribution of educational materials such as brochures and video tutorials.
The program will be coordinated by TRA’s Directorate of Taxpayers Education and will involve collaboration with government institutions, female tax professionals, civil society organizations, academia, development partners, advocacy groups and the media.
As part of the broader campaign, the authority will also produce documentaries, testimonials and knowledge-sharing materials highlighting best practices and success stories of women in taxation and entrepreneurship.
TRA expects the initiative to produce several key outcomes, including greater awareness among women about taxation rights and obligations, stronger public dialogue on gender-responsive tax policies and the establishment of a stakeholder network focused on women and taxation.
Other anticipated results include identifying priority areas for policy reform and capacity building, as well as increasing the number of registered women taxpayers through improved awareness and trust in the tax system.
Ultimately, the program is also intended to strengthen TRA’s institutional image as a gender-responsive organization committed to promoting inclusive economic growth. The Women and Taxation Forum forms part of Tanzania’s broader commemoration of International Women’s Day, which recognizes the achievements of women while calling for greater equality and participation across all sectors of society and the economy.
