Consumer confidence is the binding constraint on Tanzanian e-commerce, and fraud is what erodes it. TEE operates a two-grade accreditation framework for verified digital merchants, so that a buyer can tell a checked business from an unchecked one before any money moves.
Silver is the MSME grade: it says a real, registered business stands behind the storefront. Gold is the enterprise grade: it adds audits, escrow and insurance, so the buyer is protected even when something goes wrong in transit.
Accredited merchants hold a customer data policy consistent with the Personal Data Protection Act 2022 and with TCRA requirements. Data sovereignty is one of the standing items before the Policy & Regulatory Advocacy working group.
Merchants are verified against BRELA registration and TIN. Non-resident platforms accredited through Tier 6 also adhere to Tanzania Revenue Authority digital service tax guidelines.
The Digital Trust & Consumer Protection working group oversees the National Trust Mark System, merchant audits and consumer grievance mechanisms, alongside the Fair Competition Commission.
A public directory of accredited merchants is maintained by the secretariat, so a buyer can confirm a Silver or Gold mark before paying rather than taking a badge on a website at face value.
The online directory is being set up. Until it opens, the secretariat will confirm any merchant’s accreditation status on request, and will say plainly if a business is not accredited.
Check a merchantIf an accredited merchant has not met the standard — a dispute left past 48 hours, goods not delivered, a data policy not honoured — it can be raised with the secretariat.
Grievances are handled through the consumer grievance mechanism run by the Digital Trust & Consumer Protection working group alongside the Fair Competition Commission. Accreditation can be suspended or withdrawn; a mark that is never withdrawn is not worth displaying.
File a grievanceTrust Mark accreditation is open to TEE members. If you are not yet a member, the application covers both.
