Tanzania Commitment to Build Inclusive Economy Earns kudos

Tanzania Commitment to Build Inclusive Economy Earns kudos. Tanzania’s efforts to build an inclusive economy, foster democracy, and promote peace, as highlighted by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York, have been hailed by academics.

Tanzania’s steadfast commitment to inclusive economic growth through strategic investments in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and digitalization was highlighted in Prime Minister Majaliwa’s UNGA79 address.

Tanzania’s focus on economic inclusivity aligns with the global 2030 Agenda, which aims to eradicate poverty and address threats to human existence, including climate change, by eliminating poverty.

In addition, Mr Majaliwa mentioned the government’s significant investments in agriculture and education, notably Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT), which aims to improve food security, create jobs, and prepare a workforce for the digital era.

According to Professor Kitojo Wetengere of the University of Arusha, Economic Diplomacy expert, Tanzania’s message at the international forum highlighted its ongoing efforts to build a people-centred economy, with agriculture, energy and infrastructure at the forefront of progress.

“Tanzania is on track to achieve inclusive sustainable development by placing people at the heart of economic transformation,” Professor Wetengere said.

In addition, he said, “Any economy can improve if all its citizens contribute fully to its development.”

Agribusiness, as the backbone of the country’s economy, can engage the entire population in production, thereby addressing alarming unemployment rates and generating revenue that goes beyond GDP growth.

Furthermore, Prof Wetengere noted that various infrastructure projects under construction, including electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Msalato International Airport, and major bridges like the Kigongo-Busisi, will allow citizens of both urban and rural areas to access markets within and beyond their borders.

In demonstrating Tanzania’s commitment to inclusivity, he noted that tarmac roads connect all regions throughout the country.

President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has been selected by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to host the African Energy Summit in January 2025, he noted.

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Tanzania’s recognition, he said, reflects the country’s relentless efforts to adopt clean cooking energy and achieve nationwide electrification, an aspiration that many African countries are pursuing as well.

In May, President Samia launched the Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which aims to increase access to clean cooking solutions from 10 percent today to 80 percent by 2034. In 2030, there are expected to be 300 million people on the continent with electricity thanks to the upcoming African Energy Summit, which is expected to raise 190 billion US dollars (about 519 trillion rupees).

The professor noted that Tanzania can leverage this platform to advance its energy ambitions by partnering with global investors to develop alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind and gas, which will help diversify its energy mix and electricity supply.

Dr Hildebrand Shayo, an economist and investment banker, praised government efforts to promote innovation and the digital economy through extensive investments in information and communication technology (ICT).

There is an increasing importance of ICT for sustaining equitable growth. Dr Shayo said the digital economy will play a vital role in reducing poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Increasing ICT infrastructure investment could boost inclusive economic growth by 0.4% to 0.7%, he said.

A further benefit of ongoing investments is the creation of jobs and a significant increase in Tanzania’s foreign exchange earnings and GDP through investments in ICT, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy.

Nevertheless, he stressed that to achieve economic inclusivity across all sectors, the country must plan and assess the necessary resources, along with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Dr Shayo said, “By monitoring and evaluating, we can see how the effects of the project are affecting our economy.”.

As a public administration expert, Dr Adam Munyavanu from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) applauded the Prime Minister’s call for world nations to embrace peace and seek understanding during conflicts.

Tanzania’s message of peace to the UN is a reminder for global leaders to uphold the principles of security and peace as demonstrated by Tanzania since independence over 60 years ago.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are often hindered by persistent geopolitical tensions, such as the Middle East crisis, the Russian-Ukraine war, and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan. Peace is a key element in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Furthermore, he commended the Prime Minister for assuring the UN that Tanzania will hold democratic local government elections later this November, followed by a general election next year.

President Dr Samia was represented at UNGA79 by Mr Majaliwa.