MWE Correspondent
The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) has conducted an awareness campaign for traders and wood carvers at Mwenge in Dar es Salaam on laws, regulations and procedures governing the harvesting, transportation and trade of forest products, including requirements for exporting such products.
Speaking during the exercise on August 12, 2026, TFS Forest Conservator for Kinondoni and Ubungo districts, Dotto Ndumbikwa, said the initiative was aimed at helping traders understand the procedures they are required to follow, conduct their businesses smoothly and avoid challenges arising from non-compliance with the law.
Ndumbikwa said TFS officials were joined by forest conservation officers from the Eastern Zone, including those responsible for forest-related activities around the airport, to listen to traders’ concerns and identify possible solutions.
He said direct engagement with traders was important because it enabled them to understand the requirements and continue their businesses without unnecessary difficulties.
“We sit with them, listen to their concerns and provide them with the necessary education so they can conduct their businesses properly without facing problems,” Ndumbikwa said.
He urged forest product traders to visit the relevant government offices before starting their businesses to obtain information about required procedures, permits and applicable fees.
He also advised traders to remain vigilant during inspections of their products, particularly at airports, and ensure that officers conducting inspections identify themselves and present valid official identification.
The Chairman of the Tanzania Wood Carvers Artists Association (CHAWASAWATA), Sebastian Daniel Mbebe, welcomed the initiative, saying the training had helped carvers better understand laws and procedures that had previously caused challenges.
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Mbebe acknowledged that some wood carvers had not been fully complying with required regulations, including obtaining the necessary permits.
“We also had shortcomings on our side as carvers. There were several permits that we were not obtaining as required by law, but today we have received the education and understand what we are supposed to do,” he said.
However, Mbebe raised concerns over what traders consider to be high fees, particularly for carved giraffe, rhinoceros, lion and elephant figures. He said some sculptures can be heavy despite being finished art products, potentially increasing costs for customers transporting them through airports.
He said the artists would continue complying with existing requirements and obtaining the necessary permits while awaiting further consideration of the fees.
Forest products stakeholder Mwanne Mashugu thanked TFS for bringing the education directly to their business area. She said the training had helped traders understand procedures ranging from acquiring forest products to delivering them to shops, as well as paying applicable fees and obtaining transportation permits.
She said the knowledge would also enable traders to educate their customers and help them transport their purchases through airports without unnecessary delays.
TFS has continued urging traders and other forest product stakeholders to comply with established laws, regulations and procedures, while encouraging them to obtain the necessary information and permits from relevant government offices before engaging in trade or exporting forest products.
