Tanzania has long espoused a development philosophy that upholds the rule of law, justice and protection of human rights, electoral democracy, and devolution of power to local authorities and assurance of accountability, transparency, and integrity in the management of public affairs. The experience gained so far from the country’s multiparty politics introduced in 1992, the establishment of the Tanzania National Business Council (TBNC) and the active participation of the government in TBNC suggests that the political situation poses no major threat to businesses and organizations like TPSF.

The Foundation is a culmination of a process undertaken by the various businesses, trade associations, chambers and business support organizations with the aim of establishing a responsive entity.TPSF serves both its multiple constituencies and as an effective focal point for the articulation of private sector approaches to the Tanzania’s economic and social development activities . The TPSF occupies a unique position among private sector associations in Tanzania, because:

• It is the only truly apex body of private sector business associations – an apex of apexes and the recognized counterpart to the Government in the dialogue forum with the private sector;
• The Foundation has established itself as the second most credible party that the development partners can speak to, after the Government;
• It is adequately funded;
• It has recruited the critical mass of technical staff to be able to deliver well on the basis of its mission and strategic objectives;
• It is enjoying the good will, not only from the Government and donor community but, more importantly, that of its members who constitute the base;
• It has taken bold initiatives under its mandate that no other Private Sector Organisations (PSO) could, such as:
• The establishment of the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) as a joint platform for dialogue between TPSF and the government;
• organization of 21 regional councils modeled on TNBC;
• the launching of the Business Environment Strengthening of Tanzania (BEST) programme and its advocacy capacity building component; and
• implementation of the Enterprise Development Component of the Private Sector Competitiveness Project covered under (a) Cluster Competitiveness, (b) Business School Linkages and the CEO Scholarship Fund, (c) Business Development Gateway, and (d) Matching Grants.

The mandate and achievements of the Foundation and the very enabling environment in which it is operating make it quite unique.  Going forward TPSF will exploit the real synergy of its members to articulate private sector-led development approaches to Tanzania’s economic and social developments. It will focus on a cross-cutting agenda to avoid clashes with its members on matters best and more effectively dealt with by them and make sure that it meets their expectations in terms of service delivery.