Councils in Tanzania’s Mara Region have awarded public contracts worth more than TZS 224 million through the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) to groups of young people, women, older persons and people with disabilities.

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Lake Zone Manager, Eng. Juma Mkobya, announced the figures on 9 August 2026 during the conclusion of the Uhuru Torch Race in Mara Region at Bunda District Council.

He said the contracts had been awarded in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2023, which requires procuring entities to reserve 30% of their annual procurement budgets for special groups.

Musoma Municipal Council awarded contracts worth TZS 99 million, the highest amount recorded in the region. It was followed by Tarime District Council, which awarded TZS 55.6 million, and Musoma District Council, with TZS 37.7 million.

Bunda District Council awarded contracts worth TZS 16.81 million, while Rorya and Serengeti district councils awarded TZS 7.4 million and TZS 8 million respectively.

Eng. Mkobya said three councils had not awarded any contracts to special groups by 9 August 2026.

A total of 1,590 special groups have been registered on NeST across Mara Region. They include 781 youth groups, 650 women’s groups, 91 groups of older persons and 68 groups of people with disabilities.

Bunda Town Council recorded the highest number of registered groups, with 238.

The National Uhuru Torch Race Leader, Wazo Mwang’onda, commended councils that had awarded contracts but urged authorities across the region to do more to ensure registered groups secure public procurement opportunities.

“The government’s objective is to ensure that all groups of citizens have opportunities to improve their economic well-being,” Mwang’onda said.

“One of the ways of achieving this is through the 30% of procurement budgets reserved for young people, women, older persons and people with disabilities.”

He said effective oversight by PPRA and commitment from public officials could help special groups participate more fully in the economy and contribute to the goals of Tanzania Development Vision 2050.

The Uhuru Torch Race was held in Mara Region from 1 to 9 August 2026 before the Torch was handed over to Mwanza Region.

Musoma Cleaners Group, which secured a contract from Musoma Municipal Council, said the use of NeST had expanded access to public procurement opportunities and supported economic empowerment without discrimination.