Driving Economic Growth and Individual Prosperity through Diversification, Innovation, and Sustainability

Goals of Vision 2025 Review

Tanzania's Vision 2025 has set ambitious goals for the nation's development. Significant strides have been made in agriculture, education, gender equality, health, water supply, and poverty reduction. However, challenges such as high transportation costs, gender-based violence, and rural healthcare accessibility still remain. Continued efforts and investments are essential to achieve the goals set out in Vision 2025.

1. Improve the Quality of Life of Tanzanians: This includes ensuring food security, providing primary education for all children, achieving gender equality, ensuring access to quality healthcare, reducing child and maternal mortality, providing clean and safe water, increasing life expectancy, and eradicating extreme poverty.
2. Peace, Security, and Unity: Creating a peaceful and secure environment.
3. Good Governance: Establishing a governance system that promotes democracy and rule of law.
4. Educated and Learning Society: Building a society with high educational standards and lifelong learning.
5. Strong and Competitive Economy: Developing a robust economy capable of competing globally.

Economic Review

1. Agricultural Sector:

• Irrigation Projects: Investments in irrigation, like the project in Singida Municipality (2010-2012) costing 750 million shillings, have significantly increased food production. From 2011/12, total food production reached 13.34 million tons, which includes 7.44 million tons of cereals and 5.90 million tons of non-cereal crops.
• Challenges: High transportation costs impact food prices, making it difficult for many citizens to afford basic necessities.

2. Education:

• Primary Education: The implementation of the Primary Education Development Plan (MMEM) in 2000, which eliminated fees for public primary schools, increased enrollment from 59% in 2000 to 95.4% in 2010.
• School Feeding Program: Initiated in 2000 with the support of the World Food Programme (WFP), the program improved attendance and academic performance, especially in rural areas.

3. Gender Equality:

• Education: Female enrollment in higher education increased to 36.4% in 2012 from 34.2% in 2009.
• Challenges: Despite progress, issues like gender-based violence and discrimination remain prevalent.

4. Health Services:

• Infant and Maternal Health: Infant mortality reduced from 112 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 81 per 1,000 in 2010. The distribution of malaria treatment drugs at affordable prices and nationwide campaigns to control malaria have significantly improved health outcomes.
• Life Expectancy: Increased from 50 years in 2000 to 57 years in 2010.

5. Water Supply:

• Projects: Completed projects like the Kirua-Kahe water project in Moshi Rural District, serving over 110,000 residents. In Dar es Salaam, 33 deep wells have been drilled to improve water supply.

6. Poverty Reduction:

• MKUKUTA and Millennium Development Goals: These initiatives align with Vision 2025 to reduce poverty and achieve middle-income status. The focus is on utilizing Tanzania's natural resources to boost economic growth and eradicate extreme poverty.

Economic Indicators

• Food Security: Increased agricultural productivity with a surplus of food production (112% of the national requirement).
• Enrollment Rates: Primary school enrollment increased to 95.4%.
• Health Improvements: Reduction in infant mortality and an increase in life expectancy to 57 years.

Success of Vision 2025

Tanzania's Vision 2025 has seen significant progress in various sectors, with notable improvements in food production, education, and healthcare. While there are challenges to address, the foundation laid by these achievements provides a strong basis for continued development and progress towards the goals of Vision 2025. Continued efforts and strategic investments are crucial for overcoming the remaining hurdles and fully realizing the vision's objectives.

1. Quality of Life Improvement:

• Food Production: As of 2022, total food production continued to grow, reaching approximately 15 million tons, which is 115% of the national food requirement. This includes 8 million tons of cereals and 7 million tons of non-cereal crops.
• Healthcare: Infant mortality decreased further to 67 per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy increased to 61 years, reflecting improvements in healthcare services.
• Education: Primary school enrollment remained high at 96.8%, with ongoing support from initiatives such as the Primary Education Development Plan and the elimination of school fees.

2. Peace, Security, and Unity: Tanzania has maintained relative peace and security, which is crucial for economic growth and national unity. Efforts to enhance internal security and social cohesion have been ongoing.
3. Good Governance: The government has made strides in improving governance, with measures to combat corruption and promote transparency. Initiatives to strengthen the rule of law and democratic processes have been implemented, contributing to better governance.
4. Educated and Learning Society:

• Higher Education Enrollment: By 2022, female enrollment in higher education increased to 40%, indicating progress towards gender equality and educational advancement.

5. Strong and Competitive Economy:

• Agriculture Sector: Investments in irrigation and modern farming techniques have continued to boost agricultural productivity. For instance, the Singida Municipality irrigation project now supports even larger food production, and new projects have been initiated across the country.
• Water Supply: Projects like the Kirua-Kahe water project and additional deep wells in Dar es Salaam have significantly improved access to clean water. As of 2022, 68% of the population has access to clean and safe water.

Economic Review

• Food Security: Total food production in 2022 reached 15 million tons, meeting 115% of the national requirement.
• Healthcare: The infant mortality rate decreased to 67 per 1,000 live births, and life expectancy increased to 61 years.
• Education: Primary school enrollment increased to 96.8%, and female enrollment in higher education rose to 40%.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Despite the progress, several challenges remain:

• Transportation Costs: High transportation costs continue to impact food prices and overall living costs.
• Gender-Based Violence: Persistent issues of gender-based violence and discrimination need to be addressed.
• Healthcare Access: Ensuring equitable access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, remains a priority.

Strategic Recommendations for Tanzania's Vision 2050

Tanzania's Vision 2050 should focus on economic diversification, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agricultural transformation, digital economy, environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and good governance. By setting ambitious but achievable targets in these areas, Tanzania can ensure sustainable economic growth and improve the living standards of its citizens. Continued investment, effective policy implementation, and collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society will be crucial for the success of Vision 2050.

Tanzania's Vision 2050 delivers substantial benefits for the nation's economic growth and individual prosperity, the plan should incorporate the following key areas:

1. Economic Diversification and Industrialization:

• Manufacturing Sector: Invest in manufacturing to diversify the economy beyond agriculture. Aim to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from the current 8.3% to at least 20% by 2050.
• Value Addition: Promote value addition in agricultural products to increase exports and improve farmer incomes. For instance, processing cashew nuts locally rather than exporting raw nuts.

2. Infrastructure Development:

• Transport Infrastructure: Develop robust road, rail, and port infrastructure to reduce transportation costs. For example, complete the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and modernize the Dar es Salaam port.
• Energy Supply: Expand energy infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity supply. Aim to increase electricity access from the current 39% to 75% by 2050, focusing on renewable energy sources.

3. Education and Skills Development:

• Quality Education: Enhance the quality of education at all levels. Increase the national literacy rate from the current 77.9% to 95% by 2050.
• Vocational Training: Expand vocational and technical training to equip the workforce with skills needed for a diversified economy. Set a target to have 50% of secondary school graduates enrolled in vocational training programs.

4. Healthcare Improvements:

• Universal Healthcare: Implement universal healthcare to improve health outcomes. Aim to reduce infant mortality from the current 38 per 1,000 live births to below 10 per 1,000 by 2050.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Invest in healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to ensure equitable access to services.

5. Agricultural Transformation:

• Modern Farming Techniques: Promote the adoption of modern farming techniques to increase productivity. Target a 50% increase in agricultural productivity by 2050.
• Rural Development: Invest in rural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, to support agriculture and reduce poverty. Aim to reduce rural poverty from the current 33.3% to 10% by 2050.

6. Digital Economy and Innovation:

• ICT Infrastructure: Invest in ICT infrastructure to support a digital economy. Aim to increase internet penetration from the current 45% to 90% by 2050.
• Innovation Hubs: Establish innovation hubs to foster entrepreneurship and technological advancements.

7. Environmental Sustainability:

• Climate Resilience: Develop strategies for climate resilience to protect the environment and sustain agriculture. Aim to reduce deforestation rates and increase forest cover from the current 55% to 65% by 2050.
• Sustainable Practices: Promote sustainable farming and industrial practices to minimize environmental impact.

8. Financial Inclusion:

• Access to Credit: Enhance access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals. Increase the percentage of the population with access to financial services from the current 28% to 75% by 2050.
• Microfinance: Expand microfinance programs to support entrepreneurship and economic activities at the grassroots level.

9. Good Governance and Institutional Strengthening:

• Anti-Corruption Measures: Strengthen anti-corruption measures to ensure transparent and accountable governance.
• Public Services: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services to build trust in government institutions.