Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency ( TVLA)

Overview & Formation

• TVLA is an Executive Agency under Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, formed by the merging of several legacy institutions—namely: Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Tsetse & Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (TTRI), Tsetse & Trypanosomiasis Research Centre (TTRC), and multiple Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs).

• The agency was officially established by government gazette (GN No. 74) on 9 March 2012 and became operational on 11 July 2012.

🎯 Mandate, Roles & Functions

TVLA’s core mandates, as established by the Executive Agencies Act (Cap 245), include:

1. Animal disease surveillance and diagnostics throughout Tanzania, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.

2. Research on animal diseases and vectors, including tsetse fly control.

3. Development and production of vaccines and other biologicals, including major livestock vaccines such as those for Newcastle disease, Anthrax, and CBPP.

4. Testing and evaluation of veterinary pharmaceuticals, chemicals, animal feeds, and livestock products to ensure safety and quality.

5. Quality assurance and accreditation of veterinary laboratories (aligned with ISO 17025 standards).

6. Consultancy and advisory services, including setting and validating laboratory diagnostic standards.

Other responsibilities include maintaining data systems, regulating veterinary labs and pesticides, and supporting regional animal health initiatives within the SADC region.

🗺️ Structure & Facilities

• Corporate Headquarters: Located in Temeke (Dar es Salaam), housing CVL and Centre for Infectious Diseases and Biotechnology (CIDB).

• Tanzania Vaccine Institute (TVI) in Kibaha – the country’s sole veterinary vaccine-production facility.

• A network of 13 laboratories nationwide, including eight zonal TVLA labs in Arusha, Dodoma, Iringa, Meatu, Mtwara, Mwanza, Tabora, Sumbawanga, plus vector control centers in Tanga and Kigoma.

• Additional TVLA facilities include a research farm at Mivumoni, Tanga.

📊 Recent Activity & Quality Systems

• TVLA produced key vaccines through 2022–2023 (e.g., Newcastle, Anthrax, CBPP, Black Quarter, Brucellosis).

• Successfully implemented ISO 17025:2017 across several diagnostic tests and continues expanding accredited services.

• Infrastructure upgrades undertaken, including rehabilitation of CIDB lab and zonal centers (Mtwara, Tanga, Sumbawanga), financed partly by internally generated funds.

🎯 Vision & Mission

• Vision (by 2025): To be a leading agency in Sub‑Saharan Africa for veterinary diagnostics, biological products, and technological services.

• Mission: Deliver high-quality veterinary products, tech solutions, and services via cost-effective disease diagnosis, surveillance, and research—supporting livestock productivity, food safety, and economic development.

✅ Why it Matters

TVLA is central to strengthening Tanzania’s livestock sector through early disease detection and control, vaccine production, food safety assurance, and by supporting both national and regional animal health goals. It supports economic growth via livestock productivity and contributes to public health through zoonosis surveillance and food security.