Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority trains Tabora journalists on insurance licensing, complaints handling and digital systems

The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) held an engagement with the Tabora Press Club to brief regional journalists on core aspects of Tanzania’s insurance sector and TIRA’s role, including licensing and registration of insurance service providers, customer complaints handling, and the digital systems used in supervision and service delivery. TIRA’s Western Zone Office manager outlined the authority’s mandate to supervise, regulate and develop the insurance sector, including licensing and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and procedures, providing insurance education to the public, protecting policyholders and consumers, and advising the government on insurance matters. An insurance officer explained the registration process for insurers, agents and other service providers, highlighting key criteria such as formal registration with TIRA, meeting legal capital requirements, having appropriate infrastructure and human resources, and submitting documentation including a business plan, financial statements and a registration certificate from BRELA, before applications are analysed and approvals granted. An ICT officer presented key platforms including TIRA MIS for online regulatory reporting and verification of motor insurance validity by police and the public, a digital complaints management system, and an Online Licensing Portal for online registration. The session included questions and discussion on sector challenges, particularly low public understanding of insurance and delays in claims compensation. TIRA indicated it would continue collaborating with the media on public education about insurance and consumer rights, and that similar engagements would be held regularly.