The African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) Tanzania Country Office, in collaboration with the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), successfully conducted a three-day training program for small-scale entrepreneurs aimed at enhancing compliance with food safety and quality regulations. The training, held from October 15th to 17th, 2025, brought together twenty-nine (29) former AICAD trainees in value addition and agro-processing from Morogoro, Tanga, and Njombe regions
Empowering Entrepreneurs for Business Growth
The training, themed “Food Safety and Quality Compliance for Business Growth Enhancement,” was designed to help small-scale processors overcome challenges related to food processing, safety, and quality. The ultimate goal was to enable participants to meet the regulatory requirements of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) for product registration—an essential step toward expanding their businesses into both domestic and international markets.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony, held on October 17th, 2025, was graced by Ms. Janeth Chatta, the District Administrative Secretary representing the Morogoro District Commissioner, as the Chief Guest. Also present were Mr. Maduhu, Municipal Community Development Officer; Mr. Kilatu, Municipal Health Officer; Prof. Bendantunguka Tiisekwa, AICAD Tanzania Country Director; SUA facilitators; and other distinguished guests.
Comprehensive Training Content
The course covered a range of vital topics, including:
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Compliance with food laws, standards, and regulations.
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Quality assurance and food safety management systems.
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Procedures and requirements for TBS product registration.
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Best practices for maintaining consistent product quality and consumer safety.
Expert facilitators from SUA and the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) led the sessions, combining technical knowledge with practical demonstrations.
AICAD’s Commitment to Sustainable Impact
In his remarks, Prof. Tiisekwa commended the participants for their dedication throughout the three-day training. He encouraged them to serve as ambassadors of good practices in food processing and to share their newly acquired knowledge with other entrepreneurs in their communities. He further announced that all participants had successfully completed the course and would receive certificates of completion.
Chief Guest’s Call to Action
Before delivering her closing speech, Ms. Chatta presented certificates to all participants. In her address, she emphasized the critical role of food safety and quality in national development, noting that they are key pillars for achieving Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
“Food safety and quality are essential for building a healthy, productive, and competitive population. High standards in these areas promote industrialization, enhance trade through agro-processing, and open doors to export markets,” she stated.
She also thanked the facilitators for their commitment and urged participants to apply their knowledge to transform their farming and processing activities from subsistence to commercial levels. Ms. Chatta assured participants of continued government and AICAD support in implementing their new skills, while also appealing for the proper maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, which represents a significant government investment.
Looking Ahead
The training marks another milestone in AICAD’s mission to build capacity for sustainable community development across Africa. By equipping small-scale agro-processors with essential knowledge on food safety and quality, AICAD and SUA continue to foster entrepreneurship, promote compliance with national standards, and contribute to Tanzania’s industrialization and economic growth agenda.
