On 18 and 19 February 2026, a two-day Mediation Training for Business Association Staff was conducted at the invitation of Hon. Mohamed Burhani, Principal Resident Magistrate at the District Court of Ilala, Kinyerezi. Erick Mukiza, Executive Director of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation, joined the program on the second day as a co-facilitator, contributing to the practical mediation sessions.
The training brought together 30 Zonal Managers from the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, representing different regions of Tanzania. The participants hold leadership positions within their respective zones and are responsible for supporting business communities across the country.
Purpose of the Training
The Tanzania Chamber of Commerce is preparing to establish mediation desks in each of its offices nationwide. This initiative is intended to provide structured and accessible dispute-resolution services to members, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that often face commercial disagreements regarding contracts, payments, partnerships, and service delivery.
Before launching these mediation desks, the Chamber sought experienced ADR practitioners to train its zonal leaders in the principles and practical conduct of mediation. The objective was to ensure that those who will manage or supervise the desks understand both the legal framework and the procedural discipline required in mediation.
The training was funded by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) GmbH, the German Society for International Cooperation, which supports institutional capacity building initiatives in Tanzania and other countries.
Structure and Facilitation
Hon. Mohamed Burhani served as the lead facilitator for the two day program. He guided participants through the legal foundation of mediation, ethical standards, and the role of neutral facilitators in commercial disputes.
Erick Mukiza was invited to serve as a co-facilitator, with a specific focus on the practical conduct of mediation, on the second day of the training. His role included:
Demonstrating the step-by-step mediation process.
Guiding participants through structured mediation simulations.
Assessing the performance of trainees during role play sessions.
Providing detailed feedback on communication skills, neutrality, issue identification, and settlement drafting.
The practical simulations formed a central part of the training. Participants were divided into groups and assigned roles as mediators, disputing parties, and observers. Each simulation was followed by structured feedback sessions. This approach ensured that learning moved beyond theory and into applied skills.
Interactive and Practical Learning
The training was highly interactive. Participants engaged in open discussions about common business disputes in their respective regions, including delayed payments, partnership breakdowns, and supply chain disagreements.
Strengthening Access to Commercial Justice
The establishment of mediation desks within the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce represents a significant step in strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the business community.
With 30 zonal leaders trained from different regions, the initiative lays the groundwork for a coordinated and standardized mediation service model across the country. This can reduce the burden on courts, shorten dispute resolution timelines, and preserve commercial relationships.
ESS Creative and Legal Foundation remains committed to supporting institutions that seek to build practical ADR capacity in Tanzania. Collaborative initiatives such as this contribute to a more accessible, efficient, and business-friendly dispute resolution environment.
Hon. Mohamed Burhani, Principal Resident Magistrate, is the lead trainer
Erick Mukiza, Accredited mediator & Executive Director of ESS Co-Facilitates The Training
