Intense Competition for TRA Jobs as 135,027 Applicants Pursue 1,596 Positions

Dodoma, Tanzania – March 12, 2025

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has reported an overwhelming response to its recent job openings, with 135,027 applicants competing for just 1,596 positions. This translates to an average of 85 candidates vying for each available role, underscoring both the high demand for employment opportunities and the prestige associated with working at TRA.

On February 6, 2025, TRA announced vacancies across multiple departments, including domestic revenue, customs and excise, human resource management and administration, research and planning, finance, internal auditing, internal affairs, and risk and compliance. The sheer volume of applications highlights the growing challenge of unemployment among educated Tanzanians and the strong appeal of government employment.

TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda, in a press briefing on March 12, 2025, discussed the keen interest in TRA positions while assuring the public that the recruitment process would be fair and transparent.

“The Director of Administration will provide recruitment guidelines next week. We are committed to selecting the best candidates through an open and merit-based process,” Mwenda stated.

Workforce Expansion and Disciplinary Measures

TRA’s workforce has seen substantial growth in recent years, increasing by 47%—from 4,749 employees in March 2021 to 6,989 in March 2025. This expansion reflects the authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency in tax administration.

At the same time, TRA has upheld strict disciplinary standards, taking action against employees who violated public service ethics. Over the past four years:

• 14 employees were dismissed,
• 6 employees had their salaries reduced,
• 6 employees were demoted,
• 12 employees faced both demotion and salary reductions,
• 22 employees received formal written warnings.

Surpassing Revenue Targets

TRA has continued to make significant strides in revenue collection. Between July 2024 and February 2025, the authority collected Sh21.20 trillion, surpassing its target of Sh20.42 trillion—a 104% performance rate. This represents a 17% increase compared to the Sh18.06 trillion collected during the same period in the 2023/24 financial year.

Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, tax revenue has surged by an impressive 78%, rising from Sh11.92 trillion to Sh21.20 trillion in just four years.

Boost in Tax Refunds and Digital Transformation

Tax refunds have also seen a significant uptick. Between July 2020 and February 2021, businesses received Sh92.372 billion in refunds, whereas between July 2024 and February 2025, the amount surged to Sh1.2 trillion—a massive increase benefiting taxpayers and businesses.

Additionally, TRA continues to modernize its tax administration system through ICT advancements, improving efficiency and ensuring better compliance with revenue collection requirements.

As TRA moves forward, the demand for its job openings reflects broader economic challenges and the aspirations of thousands seeking secure employment in Tanzania’s public sector. The upcoming recruitment process will be closely watched as thousands of hopeful candidates await their opportunity.