Series Information
The Comprehensive Enterprise Survey (CES) 2025 is the first nationwide survey of its kind conducted in Tanzania to provide comprehensive information on the characteristics, structure, performance and operating conditions of enterprises. The survey was implemented by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) and other stakeholders, covering Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The 2025 survey represents the first round (Round 1) of the CES programme. It is intended to establish a baseline for understanding enterprise activities and to support evidence-based economic planning, private-sector development and the production of official economic statistics. Future rounds may be conducted periodically, subject to national statistical priorities and available resources
Abstract
The 2025 Comprehensive Enterprise Survey (CES) provides a broad picture of the structure and scale of the formal business sector in Tanzania. The survey covered 36,228 establishments, comprising 28,383 small, 6,335 medium and 1,510 large establishments. Wholesale and Retail Trade accounted for the largest number of establishments (13,314), followed by Manufacturing (11,886) and Accommodation and Food Service Activities (5,962). Annual turnover was estimated at TZS 172,033.7 billion, with Manufacturing contributing the largest share at TZS 47,202.2 billion, followed by Transportation and Storage (TZS 35,870.4 billion), Wholesale and Retail Trade (TZS 33,493.8 billion) and Construction (TZS 28,457.4 billion).
Employment, markets and business resources reveal important differences by establishment size and sector. Large establishments accounted for a substantial share of employment in sectors such as Manufacturing, Construction, Information and Communication, and Administrative and Support Services, while small establishments were more prominent in Wholesale and Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services. Domestic markets remained the main source of sales, while participation in international markets increased with establishment size, with direct exports accounting for 11.7 percent of sales among large establishments compared with 0.3 percent among small establishments. Financing remained largely dependent on internal resources, which accounted for 88.0 percent of operating capital among small establishments, 83.9 percent among medium and 80.2 percent among large establishments.
The survey also highlights key constraints affecting business operations and future growth. Access to finance was the most frequently reported main business obstacle, cited by 48.0 percent of establishments, followed by tax rates (13.6 percent) and electricity (10.7 percent). Electricity reliability remains a significant concern, with 71.8 percent of establishments experiencing power outages, while access to formal banking services increased substantially with establishment size. Innovation and technology adoption also remain important areas for development, with 9.6 percent of establishments introducing new or improved products or services during 2022–2024. Overall, the findings point to the importance of strengthening access to finance, reliable electricity and infrastructure, skills, innovation and technology, gender inclusion, trade facilitation, and efficient business-government interactions as key areas for supporting the growth and competitiveness of Tanzania's formal business sector.accounted for relatively small shares
