TIC, LGAs, TRA, and PPPC, Tackling Economic and Social Challenges for Tanzania’s 114-Million Population by 2050
May 28, 2025
Tanzania’s population is projected to grow from ~65 million in 2025 to over 114 million by 2050, nearly doubling the workforce and urban population (from 30% to 60% urbanization). This growth presents economic challenges (e.g., job creation, infrastructure demand) and social challenges (e.g., education, healthcare, poverty reduction). Vision 2050 targets 8-10% annual GDP growth, poverty […]
Tanzania’s population is projected to grow from ~65 million in 2025 to over 114 million by 2050, nearly doubling the workforce and urban population (from 30% to 60% urbanization). This growth presents economic challenges (e.g., job creation, infrastructure demand) and social challenges (e.g., education, healthcare, poverty reduction). Vision 2050 targets 8-10% annual GDP growth, poverty below 10%, and robust infrastructure. Below, we outline how TIC, LGAs, TRA, and PPPC collectively address these challenges, supported by key figures.
1. Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC)
Attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) and promotes industrialization to create jobs and boost GDP.
Economic Contribution: TIC’s $6.2 billion FDI in 2023 created 150,000 jobs. To support a 114-million population, TIC targets $50 billion in FDI by 2050, aiming to create 10 million jobs for a workforce of ~60 million. This supports Vision 2050’s 8-10% GDP growth by expanding manufacturing and agro-processing (12% export growth, 2020-2024).
Social Contribution: Job creation reduces poverty (currently ~25%) by providing livelihoods, especially in urban areas. TIC’s focus on agro-processing supports rural economies, where 70% of the population resides in 2025.
Challenge: Bureaucratic delays (only 60% of projects operational within two years) must be addressed to scale investments.
2. Local Government Authorities (LGAs)
Deliver essential services (education, health, infrastructure) and mobilize local revenue.
Economic Contribution: LGAs manage 5% of national revenue (~TZS 1.25 trillion in 2024) but need to reach 10% to fund local projects. This supports small-scale enterprises in rural areas, critical for 40% of GDP from agriculture.
Social Contribution: LGAs oversee 8,000 schools and 2,500 health facilities, vital for human capital. By 2050, they must scale to 15,000 schools and 5,000 facilities to serve 114 million, especially urban informal settlements (60% of urban residents).
Challenge: Staffing shortages (40% positions filled in some regions) and corruption limit service delivery.
3. Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
Mobilizes domestic revenue to fund Vision 2050’s infrastructure and social programs.
Economic Contribution: TRA’s TZS 25 trillion revenue (12.5% tax-to-GDP ratio in 2024) funds 60% of the national budget, including projects like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). By 2050, TRA targets a 20% tax-to-GDP ratio to support a $100 billion budget for 114 million people.
Social Contribution: Revenue funds education and health, reducing inequality. Digital tax systems (80% business compliance) enhance efficiency, scalable for a larger tax base.
Challenge: The informal sector (40% of GDP) limits revenue; formalizing 20% by 2035 is critical.
4. Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC)
Facilitates PPPs for infrastructure and services to bridge funding gaps.
Economic Contribution: PPPC’s $3 billion in PPPs (2020-2024) supports projects like the Dar es Salaam Port. By 2050, $20 billion in PPPs is needed for urban infrastructure (e.g., housing, transport) for a 60% urban population.
Social Contribution: PPPs in health and education (e.g., private hospitals in Dodoma) reduce public sector burden, improving access for urban and rural poor.
Economic: TIC’s FDI and PPPC’s PPPs drive industrialization and infrastructure, while TRA’s revenue funds these initiatives. LGAs support local economies, ensuring rural inclusion. Together, they aim for 8-10% GDP growth, tripling economic output to maintain per capita income for 114 million.
Social: LGAs and PPPC enhance service access, while TIC’s job creation and TRA’s funding reduce poverty and inequality. This addresses urban overcrowding and rural underdevelopment.
Table 1: Key Figures for Addressing 2050 Challenges
Institution
Metric
Current (2024)
2050 Target
Impact on 114M Population
TIC
FDI
$6.2B
$50B
10M jobs for ~60M workforce
LGAs
Schools/Health Facilities
8,000/2,500
15,000/5,000
Services for 60% urban population
TRA
Tax-to-GDP Ratio
12.5%
20%
$100B budget for infrastructure
PPPC
PPP Investment
$3B
$20B
Housing/transport for 60% urban
Coordinated Strategies for Inclusive Growth
To ensure inclusive growth for urban and rural populations, TIC, LGAs, TRA, and PPPC must adopt coordinated strategies that address disparities and leverage synergies. Below are key strategies with figures to illustrate their scope.
1. Integrated Investment and Revenue Framework
Strategy: TIC and TRA collaborate to link FDI incentives with tax policies, encouraging investments in rural agro-processing and urban manufacturing. For example, tax holidays for rural projects can boost TIC’s 12% export growth to 20%, while TRA formalizes 20% of the informal sector by 2035, raising the tax-to-GDP ratio to 20%.
Impact: Creates 5 million rural jobs and 5 million urban jobs by 2050, reducing urban-rural income gaps (currently 2:1 ratio, NBS 2024).
Strategy: PPPC and LGAs partner to prioritize PPPs for rural infrastructure (e.g., roads, irrigation) and urban housing. PPPC scales to 50 projects/year, while LGAs increase own-source revenue to 10% (TZS 7 trillion) to co-finance projects.
Impact: Supports 60% urban population with housing and 40% rural population with agricultural infrastructure, reducing urban slum growth (currently 60% of urban residents).
Figure: PPPC’s $20 billion PPP target by 2050 funds 1 million urban housing units and 500 rural irrigation schemes.
3. Human Capital Development
Strategy: LGAs and PPPC expand education and health access, with TRA funding and TIC attracting private investment. LGAs scale to 15,000 schools and 5,000 facilities, while PPPC facilitates private universities and hospitals.
Impact: Prepares a 60-million workforce with skills for industrialization and reduces healthcare access gaps (currently 30% of rural areas lack facilities, MoH 2024).
Figure: TRA’s $100 billion budget by 2050 allocates 20% to education/health, supporting 30 million students.
4. Digital and Governance Reforms
Strategy: All institutions adopt digital platforms (e.g., TRA’s e-tax, TIC’s online approvals) and anti-corruption measures. LGAs target 80% staffing levels, and PPPC streamlines PPP regulations.
Impact: Enhances efficiency and trust, ensuring equitable resource allocation for urban and rural areas.
Figure: TRA’s 95% digital compliance by 2050 and TIC’s 90% project operationalization rate.
Table 2: Coordinated Strategies and Metrics
Strategy
Institutions Involved
Key Metric
Current (2024)
2050 Target
Urban/Rural Impact
Investment-Revenue Link
TIC, TRA
FDI/Tax-to-GDP
$6.2B/12.5%
$50B/20%
5M rural, 5M urban jobs
Decentralized Infrastructure
PPPC, LGAs
PPP Projects/Revenue
10 projects/TZS 1.25T
50 projects/TZS 7T
1M urban houses, 500 rural schemes
Human Capital
LGAs, PPPC, TRA
Schools/Facilities
8,000/2,500
15,000/5,000
30M students, 60% healthcare access
Digital/Governance
All
Compliance/Staffing
80%/40%
95%/80%
Equitable resource allocation
Conclusion
TIC, LGAs, TRA, and PPPC collectively address the 114-million population challenge by scaling FDI, services, revenue, and infrastructure. TIC creates jobs, LGAs deliver services, TRA funds programs, and PPPC bridges gaps via PPPs. Coordinated strategies—integrating investment, decentralizing infrastructure, enhancing human capital, and improving governance—ensure inclusive growth. Urban areas benefit from housing and jobs, while rural areas gain from agro-processing and infrastructure.