Private firms to engage in measurement verification

DODOMA: THE Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) is set to engage 19 private companies to provide measurement verification and inspection services under a publicprivate partnership (PPP) arrangement. WMA Chief Executive Officer Alban Kihulla said all 19 companies that submitted applications had passed the initial assessment, with due diligence underway before agreements are finalised.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma yesterday on the implementation of WMA activities during the 2025/26 financial year, which ended on June 30, 2026, Mr Kihulla said the initiative would enable the agency to extend verification and inspection services to more areas while maintaining regulatory oversight of private operators. He said WMA had consulted the PPP Centre during the financial year to assess applications from companies interested in participating in the arrangement.

“Due diligence is continuing to complete the agreements before implementation begins,” he said.

Mr Kihulla said the initiative was part of efforts to increase national capacity for measurement verification and inspection while ensuring private operators complied with established standards and legal requirements. He said WMA had also completed guidelines for managing the Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) system, which would enable the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) and other government authorities to obtain real-time information on fuel quantities stored in tanks, including fuel received and dispensed.

The system, he said, would strengthen transparency and accountability in the fuel sector and provide reliable information to regulatory authorities when reviewing fuel prices. Mr Kihulla said WMA would continue supporting Tanzania Development Vision 2050 by ensuring accuracy in commercial measurements, protecting consumers and promoting fair trade.

“One kilogramme must remain one kilogramme, one litre must remain one litre and one metre must remain one metre,” he said, stressing that accurate measurements were essential for building public trust and ensuring proper government revenue collection.

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He said WMA was also expanding regional cooperation, citing the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signed with the Zambia Metrology Agency, which had helped reduce non-tariff barriers affecting fuel transporters moving petroleum products from Tanzania to Zambia. The number of fuel tankers requiring verification services increased from 5,042 in 2021/22 to 16,252 in 2025/26, he said.

Mr Kihulla said WMA expected to conclude a similar agreement with Malawi before the end of November, while Eswatini had also expressed interest in cooperation with the agency. During 2025/26, WMA conducted 5,015 routine and surprise inspections, exceeding its target of 4,000 by 25 per cent. The agency also verified 11.99 billion litres of petroleum products imported through the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara aboard 183 vessels.

The products included petrol, diesel, jet fuel and edible oil. Mr Kihulla said WMA had facilitated the introduction of anti-tampering scales, enabling farmers to know the quantity of produce sold immediately after weighing while helping detect possible interference with weighing equipment. Looking ahead to 2026/27, he said the agency would strengthen consumer protection by ensuring the accuracy of weighing scales, fuel pumps, storage tanks, meters and packaged products.

WMA would also monitor measuring instruments linked to financial transactions, including electronic weighing scales and fuel meters, while supporting industrialisation by ensuring measurements used in industries met required accuracy standards.

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