On 18 June, the EU officially delivered advanced laboratory equipment to the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) in Dar es Salaam. This initiative supports the Tanzanian government in helping local products meet EU quality standards, thereby improving market access.
The event marked a significant milestone in the QUALITAN Project, which has a budget of TZS 21.5 billion (approximately €7 million) and is part of a larger EU-funded program called “BEGIN,” totalling TZS 70.7 billion (approximately €23 million). Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), QUALITAN aims to enhance national quality infrastructure, build institutional capacity, promote digital innovation, and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Mr Sempeho Nyari, who delivered the speech on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Dr. Selemani Jafo (MP), said, “What we are witnessing today is not just the delivery of equipment. It is a symbol of transformation.”
“The QUALITAN Project aligns with our national vision to build an industrial economy that is globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and rooted in product safety and compliance,” added Nyari.
Dr. Ashura Katunzi, TBS Director General, reported achievements under the project, including the installation of 38 advanced pieces of equipment across various laboratories, training for over 300 TBS technical staff in international standards, and capacity building for 988 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Good Manufacturing Practices. The project also introduced a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), an online standards web store, and a QR-code traceability app, alongside plans to strengthen Viwango Academy and facilitate benchmarking visits to South Africa and Egypt.
In her remarks, the EU Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Amb. Christine Grau said, “The EU is proud to support Tanzania in strengthening its national quality infrastructure. By providing state of the art equipment to TBS, the EU is complementing efforts of the Tanzanian Government in enhancing the quality and competitiveness of goods manufactured in Tanzania, which enables them to gain better access to global markets – including the EU.”
