THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.629
CHAPTER 30
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
part i
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
part ii
TANZANIA SISAL BOARD
3. Establishment of Tanzania Sisal Board.
4. Board to be body corporate.
5. Functions of Board.
6. Minister may give directions, vary functions of Board, etc.
7. Orders and directions of Board.
8. Issuance of licences.
9. Stakeholders’ meetings.
part iii
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
10. Appointment of Executive Secretary and employees.
11. Remuneration and allowances of Board members.
12. Benefits of employees.
13. Agents and contractors.
14. Powers of Board to delegate functions.
15. Funds and resources of Board.
16. Annual and supplementary budget.
17. Power to borrow.
18. Accounts and audit.
part iv
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
19. Liability of members, etc.
20. Powers of quality assurance officer.
21. Contract farming.

18. Accounts and audit.
part iv
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
19. Liability of members, etc.
20. Powers of quality assurance officer.
21. Contract farming.

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.630
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
22. Regulations.
23. Power to make by-laws.
24. Penalties.
part v
REPEAL AND SAVINGS
25. Repeal.
26. Savings.
SCHEDULE

NDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
22. Regulations.
23. Power to make by-laws.
24. Penalties.
part v
REPEAL AND SAVINGS
25. Repeal.
26. Savings.
SCHEDULE

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.631
CHAPTER 30
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT
An Act to repeal and replace the Sisal Industry Act, 1973, to provide for
an orderly development of the Sisal Industry, and establishment of the
Tanzania Sisal Board. [1st October, 1997]
[GN. No. 690 of 1997]
Acts Nos. 2 of 1997
12 of 2004
20 of 2009
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Sisal Industry Act. 2.

]
[GN. No. 690 of 1997]
Acts Nos. 2 of 1997
12 of 2004
20 of 2009
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Sisal Industry Act. 2.

In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise-
“Board” means the Tanzania Sisal Board established by
section 3;
“contract farming” means farming under the agreement
between sisal growers, farmers or producers on the one
part and sisal industry financiers including sisal buyers,
factory owners, investors and bankers on the other part;
“Director General” means the chief executive officer of the
Sisal Board appointed under this Act;
“input” means planting materials, agrochemicals, fertilizers,
fuel, packing materials and farm implements;
“local government authority” means the district authority or
urban authority established under the Local Government
(District Authorities) Act and the Local Government
(Urban Authorities) Act;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for agriculture;
“Ministry” means the Ministry responsible for agriculture;
Short title
Interpretation
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 31
Cap. 287
Cap. 288

ible for agriculture;
“Ministry” means the Ministry responsible for agriculture;
Short title
Interpretation
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 31
Cap. 287
Cap. 288

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.632
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E.

anzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.632
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E.

2023]
“producer” means any person, company, society or
smallholder who grows for sale, buys, sells, imports or
deals in sisal fibre or its derivatives or who manufactures
for sale any article containing sisal fibre or its derivatives;
“quality assurance officer” means an officer appointed by the
Sisal Board under the provisions of this Act to oversee the
quality of sisal;
“regulatory functions” includes quality control and licensing,
data collection, analysis and dissemination, market
information, enforcement of law and order, making and
enforcing rules and regulations for proper production,
processing, marketing, importation, exportation and
storage of sisal inputs and products, and such other
functions financed exclusively by the Government;
“sisal” means the plant “Agave sisalana” or other species of
the genus Agave, or of the hybrids of any such species and
fibre thereof, and includes brush tow, flume tow, twines,
ropes, yarns, or any other product manufactured which
contains predominately fibre or any of its derivatives;
“Sisal Association of Tanzania” means an association of
all members of the sisal industry registered under the
Companies Act;
“small holder farmer” means any person who owns at least six
hectares of sisal and not more than four hundred hectares;
“society” means a co-operative society registered under the
Co-operative Societies Act;
“stakeholder” means a dealer in the sisal industry including
the central Government, local government authorities,
cooperative societies, the Sisal Board and private players
such as producers, producer associations, traders,
processors, marketing agents, exporters, input suppliers,
research and extension institutions and any other persons
with vested interest in the sisal industry; and
“stakeholders meeting” means the meeting of sisal
stakeholders referred to under section 9.

er persons
with vested interest in the sisal industry; and
“stakeholders meeting” means the meeting of sisal
stakeholders referred to under section 9.

Cap. 212
Cap. 211

Cap. 212
Cap. 211

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.633
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
PART II
TANZANIA SISAL BOARD
3.–(1) There is hereby established a Board to be known as the
Tanzania Sisal Board. (2) Subject to any directions of the Minister, the Board shall
acquire by virtue of this Act and without further assurance any
or all assets and liabilities of the Authority. (3) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall have
effect as to the constitution, tenure of office, and proceedings
of and otherwise in relation to the Board. (4) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
amend, add to, vary or replace the Schedule to this Act. 4.

herwise in relation to the Board. (4) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
amend, add to, vary or replace the Schedule to this Act. 4.

The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession
and a common seal and shall be capable in law of suing and
being sued in its corporate name, of purchasing, holding,
managing and disposing of any property whatsoever, whether
movable or immovable, and whether by way of investment or
otherwise, and of entering into any such contract as may be
necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions
under this Act or any other written law. 5.–(1) The Board shall carry out regulatory functions and
other activities as are necessary, advantageous or proper for
the benefit of the sisal industry. (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the functions of the
Board shall be to-
(a) advise the Government on the policies and strategies
for the development of the sisal industry;
(b) regulate and control the quality of sisal and sisal by-
products;
(c) collect, refine, maintain, use or disseminate information
or data relating to the sisal industry;
(d) make regulations for processing, exportation and
storage of sisal and sisal by-products;
Establishment
of Tanzania Sisal
Board
Board to be body
corporate
Functions of
Board
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 32

d
storage of sisal and sisal by-products;
Establishment
of Tanzania Sisal
Board
Board to be body
corporate
Functions of
Board
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 32

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.634
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(e) facilitate or assist in the formation of associations or
other bodies related to or dealing with the sisal industry;
(f) protect and promote the interests of farmers against
syndicate of buyers which may be formed through
associations;
(g) provide for registration and licensing of persons
engaged in growing, processing and marketing of sisal;
and
(h) represent the Government in local and international
fora in matters relating to sisal.

engaged in growing, processing and marketing of sisal;
and
(h) represent the Government in local and international
fora in matters relating to sisal.

(3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality
of provisions of subsection (1), and subject to any special or
general directions by the Minister, the Board shall have power-
(a) to register sisal products and to determine the
qualifications and conditions for such registration;
(b) to make orders or give directions for compulsory
registration of all producers of sisal or sisal products or
of any particulars category of producers;
(c) to collect from producers information and statistics for
use by industry;
(d) to establish quality standards for sisal and sisal products
and to ensure the compliance of such standards by
persons so licenced;
(e) to issue export licences for sisal and sisal products;
(f) to do anything or enter into any transaction which,
in the opinion of the Board is calculated to facilitate
the proper and efficient carrying out of the Board’s
activities and the proper exercise of its functions;
(g) with the approval of the Minister, by order published
in the Gazette, to impose a levy on all sisal, whether
produced, sold or exported, any such order may
prescribe different rates for different species, grades,
descriptions or origins of sisal and in determining
the amount of such levy the Board shall take into
account what moneys are required for the purpose
of maintenance, operation, research and training,

g
the amount of such levy the Board shall take into
account what moneys are required for the purpose
of maintenance, operation, research and training,

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.635
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
marketing information system, extension and any
other users as the Board may determine;
(h) in liaison with producers, to represent the Government
and the industry at all international fora relating to or
dealing with the sisal industry;
(i) in consultation with farmers associations to represent
the Government in all international fora; and
(j) subject to the prior approval in writing by the Minister,
to perform any commercial functions as the Minister
may consider necessary. (4) The export and import licences to be issued by the Board
shall be-
(a) in the prescribed form;
(b) subject to such terms and conditions as may be
prescribed or endorsed therein; and
(c) issued subject to the payment of fees as may be
prescribed by the Board.

o such terms and conditions as may be
prescribed or endorsed therein; and
(c) issued subject to the payment of fees as may be
prescribed by the Board.

6.–(1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister
responsible for finance, direct the Board, subject to such terms
and conditions as he may think fit, transfer any investment or
shares or interest of the Board to any institution, or otherwise
dispose of all or any of its shares or interest in any investment
made under this section. (2) The Minister may give to the Board directions of a
general or specific character as to the exercise or performance
by the Board of any of its functions under this Act as the
Minister may deem fit, and the Board shall give effect to every
such direction. 7.–(1) When any order is made or direction is given by the
Board under this Act, the Board shall convey or cause to be
conveyed the contents of the order and direction to the persons
concerned in such manner as the Board may determine,
Provided that, where any such order or direction is
published in the Gazette, all persons shall be deemed to have
notice thereof. Minister may
give directions,
vary functions of
Board, etc
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 33
Orders and
directions of
Board

l be deemed to have
notice thereof. Minister may
give directions,
vary functions of
Board, etc
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 33
Orders and
directions of
Board

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.636
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) Contravention of any order or direction given or issued
by the Board and in force at the time of such contravention,
shall be an offence under this Act. 8.–(1) The Board shall grant licenses under this Act which
shall be valid for a specific period and be subjected to such
terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Board. (2) The Board may cancel or suspend a license where the licensee
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the licence. (3) A person aggrieved by the decision of the Board for
cancelling or suspending his licence may, within sixty days
from the date of cancellation or suspension, appeal in writing
to the Minister.

Board for
cancelling or suspending his licence may, within sixty days
from the date of cancellation or suspension, appeal in writing
to the Minister.

9.–(1) For purposes of promoting the development of the sisal
industry, there shall be a stakeholders’ forum which shall be
responsible for-
(a) putting in place mechanisms for the management and
funding of the shared functions;
(b) making procedures for conducting annual general
meetings;
(c) determining modalities for financing its activities and
meetings; and
(d) establishing stakeholders’ secretariat and other organs
for better carrying out of the shared functions. (2) The stakeholders shall hold a meeting at least once
in every year for purposes of agreeing on the funding and
implementation of the shared functions and other matters of
common interest. [s. 8A]
PART III
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
10.–(1) The Board shall, with the prior approval of the
Minister, appoint the Executive Secretary who shall be the
chief executive officer and Secretary to the Board. Issuance of
licences
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 34
Stakeholders’
meetings
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 35
Appointment
of Executive
Secretary and
employees

Board. Issuance of
licences
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 34
Stakeholders’
meetings
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 35
Appointment
of Executive
Secretary and
employees

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.637
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) The Board of Directors may appoint, at such salaries and
upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit, such officers
and employees of the Board as it may deem necessary for the
proper and efficient conduct of the business and activities of
the Board. [s. 9]
11. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to receive such
remuneration, allowances and other benefits as the Minister
may approve. [s. 10]
12. The Board may-
(a) grant gratuities or other retirement allowances or
benefits to the officers and employees of the Board;
(b) establish and provide for contribution by the Board to
a superannuation fund and a medical benefits fund for
the officers and employees of the Board; or
(c) require any officer or employee of the Board to
contribute to any such superannuation fund or medical
benefits fund and fix the amounts and method of
payment of such contributions. [s. 11]
13.

rd to
contribute to any such superannuation fund or medical
benefits fund and fix the amounts and method of
payment of such contributions. [s. 11]
13.

The Board of Directors may, appoint and employ upon
such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, such agents and
contractors of the Board as it deems necessary. [s. 12]
14.–(1) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, the Board
of Directors may by writing under the seal of the Board,
delegate subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions
as it may specify, to any Committee of the Board or to any
person or servant of the Board or all or any of its functions,
powers, authorities or duties under this Act, and where any
delegation is so made, the delegated function, power, authority
or duty may be performed or as the case may be, exercised by
the delegate subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions
specified in the instrument of delegation. Remuneration
and allowances of
Board members
Benefits of
employees
Agents and
contractors
Powers of Board
to delegate
functions

trument of delegation. Remuneration
and allowances of
Board members
Benefits of
employees
Agents and
contractors
Powers of Board
to delegate
functions

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.638
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) A delegation under subsection (1) may be made to
the holder of an office under the Board specifying the office
but without naming the holder, and in every such case each
successive holder of the office in question and each person
who occupies or performs the duties of that office may, without
any further authority, perform or exercise the delegated
function, power, authority or duty in accordance with the
delegation made. (3) The Board of Directors may revoke a delegation made
by it under this section. (4) A delegation made under this section shall not prevent
the Board from performing or exercising the function, power,
authority or duty delegated. (5) Any delegation made under this section shall be
published in the Gazette, and upon the publication, shall be
judicially noticed and shall be presumed to be in force unless
the contrary is proved.

be
published in the Gazette, and upon the publication, shall be
judicially noticed and shall be presumed to be in force unless
the contrary is proved.

(6) The Board of Directors shall not have power under this
section to delegate-
(a) its power of delegation; or
(b) the power to approve the annual budget or any
supplementary budget of receipts, expenditure and the
annual balance sheet. [s. 13]
15. The funds and resources of the Board shall consist of-
(a) such sums as may be provided for the purpose by
Parliament either by way of grant or loan;
(b) any loan granted to the Board by the Government or
any other person; and
(c) any sum or property which may, in any manner,
become payable to or vested in the Board as a result of
the performance of its functions. [s. 14]
16.–(1) In this Act, “financial year” means any period not
exceeding twelve consecutive months designated in that behalf
by the Board of Directors:
Funds and
resources of
Board
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 36
Annual and
supplementary
budget

tive months designated in that behalf
by the Board of Directors:
Funds and
resources of
Board
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 36
Annual and
supplementary
budget

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.639
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
Provided that, the first financial year after the commencement
of this Act shall commence on the date of the commencement
of this Act and may be of a shorter or longer period than
twelve months. (2) Not less than two months before the beginning of any
financial year, other than the first financial year, the Board
of Directors shall, at its meeting especially convened for that
purpose, pass a detailed budget (in this Act called the annual
budget) of the amounts respectively-
(a) expected to be received; and
(b) expected to be disbursed,
by the Board during that financial year. (3) Where in any financial year, the Board requires to make
any disbursement not provided for, or of an amount in excess
of the amount provided for, in the annual budget for the year,
the Board of Directors shall, at a meeting, pass a supplementary
budget detailing the disbursement. (4) The annual budget and every supplementary budget
shall be in such form and include such details as the Minister
may direct. [s. 15]
17.

bursement. (4) The annual budget and every supplementary budget
shall be in such form and include such details as the Minister
may direct. [s. 15]
17.

With the prior approval of the Minister, the Board of
Directors may, borrow moneys for use by the Board by way of
loan or overdraft, and upon such security and such terms and
conditions, relating to the repayment of the principal and the
payment of interest as, subject to any direction by the Minister
the Board deems fit. [s. 16]
18.–(1) The Board of Directors shall cause to be provided and
kept proper books of accounts and records with respect to-
(a) the receipt and expenditure of moneys by, and other
financial transactions of the Board; and
(b) the assets and liabilities of the Board and shall cause to
be made out for every financial year a balance sheet of
the Board. Power to borrow
Accounts and
audit
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 37

oard and shall cause to
be made out for every financial year a balance sheet of
the Board. Power to borrow
Accounts and
audit
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 37

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.640
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) At least once in every financial year, the accounts,
including the balance sheet of the Board shall be audited by
the Controller and Auditor-General. (3) Every audited balance sheet shall be placed before a
meeting of the Board of Directors and where adopted by the
Board, shall be endorsed with a certificate that it has been
so adopted. (4) As soon as the accounts of the Board have been audited,
and in any case not later than six months after the audit,
the Board shall submit to the Minister a copy of the audited
statement of accounts together with a copy of the report
thereon made by the auditors. (5) As soon as is practicable after the receipt by him of the
copy of the statement together with the copy of the report
submitted pursuant to subsection (4) the Minister shall lay a
copy of the statement together with a copy of the report before
the National Assembly. [s. 17]
PART IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
19.

nister shall lay a
copy of the statement together with a copy of the report before
the National Assembly. [s. 17]
PART IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
19.

Without prejudice to the provisions of section 284A of the
Penal Code or of the Public Officers (Recovery of Debts) Act,
act or thing done or omitted to be done by any member of the
Board or by any officer, servant or agent of the Board shall not,
where done or omitted bona fide in the execution or purported
execution of his duties as such member, officer, employee
or agent subject any such person to any action, liability or
demand whatsoever. [s. 18]
20.–(1) A quality assurance officer may at any reasonable hour
of the day, enter any place where sisal is grown, processed or
stored and inspect or examine the same for the purpose of
ensuring that the provisions of this Act, or of any regulations
made hereunder or of any directions given or order made by
the Board are being complied with. Liability of
members, etc. Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Powers of quality
assurance officer
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 38

der made by
the Board are being complied with. Liability of
members, etc. Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Powers of quality
assurance officer
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 38

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.641
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) A quality assurance officer may, for the purpose of
securing compliance with the provisions of this Act or of
any regulations made hereunder or of directions given or
order made by the Board or for the purposes of detecting and
establishing any breach of any such provisions or directions
or order take samples of any sisal found in any plantation,
processing plant, sisal store or any other place, and may submit
such samples of such tests as he may deem necessary. (3) A person who obstructs a quality assurance officer in
the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by this section
or who neglects or refuses to produce to the quality assurance
officer any book or record which the quality assurance officer
may request to be produced for his inspection, commits
an offence. [s. 19]
21.–(1) A registered farmer may, for purposes of carrying on and
facilitating farming activities, enter into a contract farming with
financiers, sisal buyers, sisal processors, investors or bankers.

carrying on and
facilitating farming activities, enter into a contract farming with
financiers, sisal buyers, sisal processors, investors or bankers.

(2) The contract faming entered into under subsection (1)
shall be in the prescribed standard form and shall contain-
(a) name, address and status of the registered farmer;
(b) name, address and status of the financier;
(c) obligations of the parties;
(d) type or kind of facilitation to be granted to the farmer;
(e) terms and conditions imposed on the farmer; and
(f) such other information as may be necessary for the
purpose of the contract farming. (3) Every contract farming entered into under this section
shall be submitted to the Board for scrutiny and registration. (4) The Board shall monitor the implementation of the
contract farming in order to protect rights of both parties. (5) A person being a financier, sisal buyer, sisal processor,
investor or banker shall not facilitate a registered farmer in any
manner without a contract farming as required under this section. (6) A person who contravenes this section commits an
offence and on conviction, shall be liable to a fine of not less
Contract farming
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 40

son who contravenes this section commits an
offence and on conviction, shall be liable to a fine of not less
Contract farming
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 40

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.642
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
than five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not
less than six months but not more than two years or to both. [s.

[CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
than five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not
less than six months but not more than two years or to both. [s.

19A]
22.–(1) The Minister may, upon consultation with the Board,
make regulations for the following purposes-
(a) to require the submission of information and statistics
relating to sisal and sisal products, including but not
restricted to such matters as production, machinery,
labour, equipment, storage facilities, sales, deliveries,
shipments and stock and to prescribe forms in
connection therewith;
(b) to prescribe the procedure for the compulsory
registration of sisal producers and the forms to be used
in connection therewith;
(c) to prescribe the manner in which sisal shall be stored
by producers and the manner in which such place
where the sisal is stored shall be maintained, and the
specifications of any store to be used for the storage
of sisal;
(d) to provide for the definitions of grades of sisal offered
for sale for export and to make orders prohibiting sale of
sisal for export that does not comply with such grades;
(e) to provide for the inspection, weighing and measuring
of sisal and for the appointment of quality assurance
officers and to prescribe the duties of the quality
assurance officers;
(f) to provide for records to be kept by the producers,
sellers or exporters and for the submission of returns
and to prescribe forms of such records and returns;
(g) to provide for any matter incidental to any of the
matters herein mentioned; and
(h) to prescribe anything which is to be or may be
prescribed and generally for the carrying into effect of
any provisions or purposes of this Act including the
performance by the Board.

o be or may be
prescribed and generally for the carrying into effect of
any provisions or purposes of this Act including the
performance by the Board.

Regulations
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 39

Regulations
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 39

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.643
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
(2) Regulations made under this section may be made
applicable to the United Republic as a whole or to any
part thereof. [s. 20]
23. The local government authorities may, in consultation
with the Minister, make by-laws for better carrying out of the
shared functions as agreed by stakeholders. [s. 20A]
24. A person who commits an offence under this Act or any
subsidiary legislation made hereunder shall, unless some
other punishment is prescribed therefore is liable to a fine not
exceeding five million shillings or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding seven years, or to both and in every case of an
offence under this Act or under subsidiary legislation made
hereunder, the sisal or sisal product in relation to which the
offence is committed shall, on conviction, be forfeited to
the Board. [s. 21]
PART V
REPEAL AND SAVINGS
25. [Repeals the Sisal Industry Act.]
[s. 22]
26.

ence is committed shall, on conviction, be forfeited to
the Board. [s. 21]
PART V
REPEAL AND SAVINGS
25. [Repeals the Sisal Industry Act.]
[s. 22]
26.

Notwithstanding the repeal of the Sisal Industry Act,
all directions given and all rules made by the Tanzania Sisal
Authority under the provisions of the Sisal Industry Act, shall
be deemed to be directions given and regulations made by or
on behalf of the Board under the provisions of this Act, and
shall remain in force until revoked by directions given or
regulations made under this Act. [s. 23]
Power to make
by-laws
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 40A
Penalties
Repeal
No. 2 of 1973
Savings
Act No. 2 of 1973

n or
regulations made under this Act. [s. 23]
Power to make
by-laws
Act No. 20 of 2009 s. 40A
Penalties
Repeal
No. 2 of 1973
Savings
Act No. 2 of 1973

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.644
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
SCHEDULE
(Made under section 3(3))
CONSTITUTION AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD
1.–(1) The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chairman who shall
be appointed by the President and eight other members to be appointed
by the Minister as follows-
(a) two members from the Sisal Association of Tanzania
who shall represent the large sisal growers, sisal spinners
and manufacturers;
(b) two members representing small scale farmers recommended
by sisal small holders farmers association;
(c) one member from a research institute dealing with sisal;
(d) one member representing the Ministry; and
(e) two members who have knowledge and experience in the
sisal industry. (2) In appointing members of the Board under subparagraph (1), the
Minister shall ensure that the appointment is made from three names
of candidates recommended by the relevant organisation, association
or sector.

the
Minister shall ensure that the appointment is made from three names
of candidates recommended by the relevant organisation, association
or sector.

(3) The members of the Board shall, from among their number,
elect a Vice Chairman, who shall hold office for so long as he remains a
member of the Board. (4) A member of the Board shall, unless his appointment is sooner
terminated by the Minister, or he otherwise ceases to be a member, hold
office for such period as the Minister may specify in his appointment, or
where no period is so specified, for a period of three years from the date
of his appointment, and shall be eligible for re-appointment, provided
that in the case of a member who is a member by virtue of his holding
some other office; he shall cease to be a member upon his ceasing to
hold that office. (5) A member of the Board may, at any time, resign by giving notice
in writing to the Minister and from the date specified in the notice or, if
no date is so specified, from the date of the receipt of the notice by the
Minister, he shall cease to be a member. 2. Where a Board member is unable for any reason to attend a meeting
of the Board or the Ministry as the case may be, which he represents,
may in writing, nominate another person in his place for the purpose
of that meeting. 3.

oard or the Ministry as the case may be, which he represents,
may in writing, nominate another person in his place for the purpose
of that meeting. 3.

Where any member ceases to be a member for any reason before
the expiration of his term of office, the Minister shall appoint another
person in his place and the person so appointed shall hold office for the
remainder of the term of office of his predecessor. Constitution
Acts Nos. 12 of 2004 Sch. 20 of 2009 s. 41
Alternative
member
Minister may
appoint member

inder of the term of office of his predecessor. Constitution
Acts Nos. 12 of 2004 Sch. 20 of 2009 s. 41
Alternative
member
Minister may
appoint member

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.645
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
4.–(1) An ordinary meeting of the Board of Directors shall be convened
by the Chairman and the notice specifying the place, date and time of
the meeting shall be sent to each member at his usual place of business
or residence not less than fourteen days before the date of such meeting
and in case the Chairman is unable to act by reason of illness, absence
from Tanzania or other sufficient cause, the Vice Chairman may
convene such meeting. (2) The Chairman or in his absence, the Vice Chairman, shall be
bound to convene a special meeting of the Board upon receipt of a
request in writing in that behalf signed by not less than three members
of the Board and not less than fourteen days’ notice of the meeting
shall be given to all members of the Board in the manner prescribed in
subparagraph (1).

Board and not less than fourteen days’ notice of the meeting
shall be given to all members of the Board in the manner prescribed in
subparagraph (1).

(3) The Chairman, the Vice Chairman or the interim Chairman
elected in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5(2) presiding
at any meeting of the Board may invite any person who is not a member
to participate in the deliberations of the Board, but any such person
shall not be entitled to vote. 5.–(1) One-half of the total number of the members of the Board or
four members shall form a quorum for a meeting of the Board. (2) In the absence of the Chairman from a meeting of the Board, the
Vice Chairman shall preside, in the absence of both the Chairman and
the Vice Chairman from any meeting, the members present shall elect
one of their number to be an interim Chairman of that meeting. (3) At any meeting of the Board, a decision of the majority of the
members present and voting shall be deemed to be a decision of the
Board, in the event, of an equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting
shall have a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote.

cision of the
Board, in the event, of an equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting
shall have a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (2), where the
Chairman so directs, a decision may be made by the Board of Directors
without a meeting by circulation of the relevant papers among all the
members and the expression in writing of their views, but any member
shall be entitled to require that, any such decision shall be deferred until
the subject matter is considered at a meeting of the Board. 6. Minutes in proper form of each meeting of the Board shall be kept
and shall be confirmed by the Board at the next meeting and signed by
the Chairman of the meeting. 7. The seal of the Board shall not be affixed to any instrument except in
the presence of the Secretary and one member of the Board. Meetings
Quorum
Minutes
Seal

of the Board shall not be affixed to any instrument except in
the presence of the Secretary and one member of the Board. Meetings
Quorum
Minutes
Seal

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.646
THE SISAL INDUSTRY ACT [CAP. 30 R.E. 2023]
8. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 relating to quorum, the Board
of Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the members
thereof and act or proceeding of the Board shall not be invalid by reason
only of some defect in the appointment of a person who purports to be
a member thereof.
9. All orders, regulations, directions, notices or documents made or
issued by the Board shall be signed by-
(a) the Executive Secretary; or
(b) any member of the Board or other officer of the Board
authorised in writing by the Secretary in that behalf.
10. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Board of Directors
shall have power to regulate its own proceedings.
Improper
appointment
not to invalidate
proceedings
Orders,
directions, etc.
Board may
regulate its own
proceedings