Joseph Isangura
Small-scale entrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam have come together to voice a strong message in defence of national unity and stability, saying peace remains the foundation upon which businesses, jobs and community development depend.
The entrepreneurs made their position clear on December 24, 2025, during a media briefing in the city, where they shared a collective assessment of the events that took place on October 29 and reflected on their impact on the country’s social and economic wellbeing. Drawing from their daily experiences, the business owners said instability directly threatens livelihoods, particularly for those operating small and informal enterprises.
According to the group, small businesses are among the first to feel the effects of unrest. Even short periods of tension can disrupt supply chains, reduce customer confidence and force traders to shut down operations, sometimes permanently. For many young people and families who depend on self-employment, such disruptions can mean the loss of their only source of income.
“We have resolved to raise our voices in defence of our nation’s wellbeing, fully aware that without peace there can be no business, no jobs and no meaningful community development,” one of the representatives said. The entrepreneurs stressed that their stand is rooted in patriotism and economic reality, not political alignment.
They further warned that they would actively challenge activists, politicians and leaders whom they accuse of encouraging violence and disorder without facing the consequences. In their view, it is ordinary citizens—traders, workers and families—who pay the highest price when unrest erupts, through destroyed property, lost income and lingering fear.
The entrepreneurs said peace should be treated as a shared national asset that demands responsibility from all sectors of society. They noted that many small enterprises operate with limited capital and have little capacity to absorb shocks caused by instability, making them especially vulnerable during periods of unrest.
One of the participants, a businesswoman from Temeke district, said the group strongly condemned the incidents that occurred on October 29 in Dar es Salaam. She said those events served as a painf
ul reminder of how quickly disorder can undermine years of hard work and investment.
Also Read; Tanzania Must Reveal Death Toll After Protests
“We condemn what happened in our city, and we will not allow ourselves to be drawn into traps set by people who do not have the nation’s interests at heart,” she said, adding that such actions only lead to destruction, loss of life and long-term economic damage.
Economic observers note that small-scale traders and informal businesses are a critical pillar of Tanzania’s urban economy, contributing significantly to employment and household income. Their call for stability reflects broader discussions around entrepreneurship, which highlight the importance of a predictable and secure environment for business growth.
Maintaining peace, analysts argue, is also essential for sustaining investor confidence and ensuring the smooth functioning of markets. In a city as economically vital as Dar es Salaam, even isolated disturbances can ripple through transport, trade and service sectors, affecting the wider population.
The entrepreneurs’ message also ties into wider debates on economic development, where social stability is increasingly recognised as a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable growth. Without peace, they argue, national development goals remain difficult to achieve.
As the country moves forward, the entrepreneurs say they remain committed to lawful engagement, dialogue and unity. For them, speaking out is not only a civic responsibility but also a practical step toward protecting livelihoods, preserving jobs and ensuring a stable future for their communities and the nation as a whole.
