By TRACY LAWAL  
 
Tanzanian Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba presented his government budget of Tshs 49.35 tri for 2024/2025 in the National Assembly. This is the third President Samia Sululu budget since she became president in March 2021. 
 
The Finance Minister highlighted the great achievements recorded in the implementation of previous budget giving optimism for the future. Focusing on the national Development, the Finance Minister explained. 

"For the year 2024/25, the government expects to mobilise and spend a total of Tshs 49.35tri/-, equivalent to an increase of 11.2 per cent compared to the 2023/24 budget,"

Dr Nchemba shared that the revenue is projected to be Tshs 34.61 tri which is abut 70.1 percent of the total budget and 15.7 per cent of the GDP. The Tanzania Revenue Authority(TRA) has been tasked to collect Tshs 29.41 tri.  Tshs 3.84 tri will be non-tax revenue to be collected by ministries, agencies and independent departments. Tanzania Government expects to collect Tshs 5.13 tri from Development Partners as grants and concessional loans. The government will also borrow Tshs 2.99tri from external commercial sources to finance development projects. 

The budget is set to finance wage bill, government debt, local government election and preparation for 2025 general election. To achieve the aims of the budget, Dr Nchemba the use of National e-Procurement System of Tanzania(NeST) in all procurements of all goods, services and contracts. He warned against the misuse of public funds.

"I warn those who misuse public funds, to stop that habit immediately! Those who will be liable, legal action will be taken against them," swore the minister.