During the last 10 years, Tanzania has shown positive development in several areas. The country’s economy has been strengthened and growth rates are among the highest in Africa. A more stable political situation has also meant that investments are streaming into the country to a greater extent than before. In addition, reducing poverty has become a central political target.
In October 2010, a new development strategy was approved for Tanzania. The ambitious goals of Tanzania's previous strategy has not fully been reached, but still has notable progress been made in relation to the starting position - not least in the social sectors. The new strategy is based on human rights and focuses on three main areas:
- Economic growth for reducing income poverty
- Improved quality of life and social welfare
- Democratic governance and accountability
The strategy priorities poor oriented growth and increased productivity in the agricultural sector. The income poverty has been reduced and progress has been made in the social sectors. The new strategy is therefore allocating a greater budget to these priority areas, mainly for roads and agriculture and a relative reduction in allocation to social sectors
To give priority to education and learning with focus on quality is important, but at the same time the financial allocation need to target more resources to primary education and further education after primary school and then lower the support for higher education, which receive a disproportionately high share of the budget.
The energy priority in the strategy needs to be clarified and based on a thorough analysis of sustainable funding. Fighting corruption is highlighted in the strategy, but needs clearer objectives to be implemented.
The main weakness of the strategy is that too many priorities are highlighted which will interfere with the implementation and monitoring.
Tanzanias strategy for combating poverty - NSGRP II.
Different support for different objectives
The path towards more effective methods to help the country’s poor people is now being strengthened with the country’s firm grip of its own development agenda. Sweden is supporting the country’s efforts partly through budgetary support that will make public administration reforms and the development of public service for those most vulnerable easier.
With the aim of increasing incomes and reducing dependency on development aid, Sweden is supporting new solutions to create a climate that will foster domestic free enterprise. Our support of the private sector focuses on reducing the legal barriers that currently counteract entrepreneurship.
Sweden’s focus areas in Tanzania:
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Energy
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Education and research
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Private sector
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Good governance.
Read more about Sida’s work in Tanzania
