Summary
For over two decades, ATE’s flagship initiative has served as a cornerstone for the local business community, driving job creation, workplace safety, and market competitiveness.
By Damas Makangale
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) has expanded the scope of its prestigious Employer of the Year Awards (EYA) to include the informal sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and entrepreneurs for the first time in the event’s history.
This historic shift aims to recognize the critical role these sectors play in national employment and economic development.
Speaking to journalists during the official launch of the 2026 awards in Dar es Salaam, ATE Chief Executive Officer Ms. Suzanne Ndomba-Doran announced that small businesses and informal operators will now be celebrated for their dedication to employee welfare, workplace innovation, and societal impact.
Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) Chief Executive Officer Ms. Suzanne Ndomba-Doran addresses journalists during the launch of the 2026 Employer of the Year Awards at the association’s offices in Dar es Salaam.
“More importantly, we have taken a major step by integrating this entrepreneurial sector so that we can recognize their efforts,” Ms. Ndomba-Doran said. “This is a significant move toward a more inclusive employment environment in Tanzania for the broader national interest.”
For over two decades, ATE’s flagship initiative has served as a cornerstone for the local business community, driving job creation, workplace safety, and market competitiveness.
Ms. Ndomba-Doran emphasized that the EYA is no longer just about celebrating achievements; it serves as a direct reflection of how deeply institutions value their workforce.
“EYA has been recognizing organizations that do not focus solely on profits, but instead choose to invest in their employees, create better working environments, and conduct business responsibly and ethically,”she added.
A Modern Evaluation Framework
Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) Head of Communications and Marketing Ms. Joyce Nangai speaks during the official launching of the 2026 Employer of the Year Awards in Dar es Salaam.
The 2026 awards introduce a comprehensive evaluation model that expands far beyond traditional human resources metrics. The new system will audit an organization’s complete corporate ecosystem, including leadership, governance, and strategic planning.
According to ATE, other core assessment pillars include:
•Workplace Culture & Equity: Focus on employee experience, equality, and inclusion.
•Talent & Brand Management: Evaluation of talent retention pipelines and employer branding.
•Sustainability & Safety: Assessments of environmental sustainability, workplace safety, productivity, and employee wellness.
“That is why this year, for the very first time, we are introducing sector-based awards,” Ms. Ndomba-Doran explained. “Every organization will now compete within its own sector, and this brings fairness, realism, and more meaningful competition.”
Digital Transformation
To streamline operations, the application process has transitioned entirely to a newly launched, dedicated EYA web portal. ATE has established a specialized help desk to guide participants through the digital questionnaires.
Dr. Straton Makundi, an audit expert from Auditax International, highlighted the advantages of this digital upgrade, noting that independent, third-party experts and auditors will utilize the data to ensure maximum transparency.
“The advantages of using the digital system are that participants can complete submissions in a short time, and it becomes easier to provide evidence of activities, indicators, and how various criteria are implemented in practice,”Dr. Makundi explained.
Staff members of the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) follow the proceedings during the media launch.
