Tanzania: Despite Mixed Assessments of Living Conditions, Tanzanians Say Country Is On the Right Path

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

In substantial numbers, citizens still experience shortages of basic life necessities.

Key findings

  • Tanzanians offer mixed assessments of their personal living conditions: 38% describe them as “fairly bad” or “very bad,” while a majority say they are good (31%) or “neither good nor bad” (31%). o Substantial proportions of the population went without basic life necessities at least once during the previous year, including a cash income (84%), sufficient clean water (48%), medical care or medicines (47%), and enough food (38%).
  • Citizens are evenly divided in their evaluations of the country’s economic condition: 39% describe it as good, while 38% say it is bad. o More than four in 10 citizens (43%) are optimistic that the country’s economic condition will improve in the next 12 months.
  • Seven in 10 citizens (70%) say the country is going “in the right direction.
  • The delivery of public services such as health, water, infrastructure/roads, electricity, and education outrank economic issues as citizens’ top priorities requiring government attention.
  • Two-thirds (67%) of citizens give the government a passing grade on economic management, but fewer approve of the government’s performance on creating jobs (45%), reducing gaps between rich and poor (42%), and keeping prices stable (42%).

The Tanzanian economy has shown signs of post-pandemic recovery as economic growth reached 4.7% in 2022 and 5.1% in 2023, thanks in part to substantial investments in transportation infrastructure, energy, water, health, education, and private-sector development (URT, 2024). While the country’s economic growth contributes to poverty reduction through job creation (Kinyondo & Pelizzo, 2018), poverty declines more slowly than the economy grows. For instance, Tanzania has recorded an impressive economic growth rate of more than 6% on average since 2000, but the decline in the poverty rate has been less rapid, from 34.4% in 2007 to 28.2% in 2011/2012 and to 26.4% in 2017/2018 (UNDP, 2015; World Bank, 2019).Greater poverty reduction would require even faster economic growth.

How has Tanzania’s economic growth translated to the daily lives of ordinary Tanzanians?

A new Afrobarometer survey finds that Tanzanians offer mixed assessments of their personal living conditions and their country’s economy despite some improvement on both counts compared to 2022. In substantial numbers, citizens still experience shortages of basic life necessities.

Nevertheless, most Tanzanians believe the country is moving “in the right direction.” A large majority approve of the government’s performance in handling the economy, though fewer say the same about its efforts to create jobs, reduce inequality, and control inflation.

Lucas Katera Lucas Katera is the national investigator for Tanzania.

Mgeni Msafiri Mgeni Msafiri is a researcher for REPOA, the Afrobarometer national partner in Tanzania.

Source: allafrica.com

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Somalia: Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Arrives in Kampala for AU Summit

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Kampala — Ahmed MoFiqi, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, touched down in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday to join leaders and delegates from across Africa for the African Union (AU) Summit.

The summit’s agenda is centered on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), with a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development throughout the continent.

The three-day summit, which commenced today, is a critical platform for African nations to reassess and recalibrate their agricultural strategies in light of recent challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic instability. Discussions will include policy reforms, investment in agricultural innovation, and the implementation of sustainable farming practices.

MoFiqi’s participation underscores Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation in addressing some of the most pressing issues affecting the Horn of Africa. Somalia, still recovering from years of conflict and facing ongoing security threats, views the summit as an opportunity to gain support and share insights on how to stabilize and grow its agricultural sector, which remains vital for the country’s economic recovery and food security.

The CAADP, initially launched in 2003, aims at increasing agriculture-led growth by at least 6% per annum, reducing food insecurity, and improving sustainable management of land and water resources. The Post-Malabo agenda, named after the Malabo Declaration of 2014 where African leaders committed to these goals, seeks to intensify efforts towards these targets by 2025.

Key topics on the table include the integration of technology in farming, cross-border trade facilitation for agricultural products, and strategies to combat the effects of climate variability on agriculture. The summit also provides a venue for member states to explore partnerships with international organizations and private sectors for funding and technical support.

As the summit progresses, there will be a series of bilateral meetings, roundtables, and workshops where ministers and experts will delve deeper into specific areas of agriculture, from seed technology to market access for smallholder farmers.

MoFiqi is expected to engage in dialogues that could lead to new collaborations or enhancements in existing cooperation frameworks, particularly with neighboring countries and those sharing similar agricultural challenges. His attendance is also a gesture of Somalia’s reintegration into regional politics and economics, signaling a step towards normalization after years of isolation due to internal strife.

The outcomes of this summit could have far-reaching implications not only for Somalia but for the broader African region, aiming to foster a future where agriculture drives economic growth, ensures food sovereignty, and adapts to the changing global environment.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania’s Disaster Preparedness – a Nation On Edge

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Dar es Salaam — As the dust settled over Kariakoo’s bustling streets, Halima Abdallah’s voice trembled through the cracks of a collapsed four-story building. “Help me, please! I don’t get air,” she gasped, trapped under the rubble. For four hours, rescue workers scrambled to locate her. Their efforts, hampered by the lack of proper equipment, relied on tools hastily borrowed from a private company. By the time they reached her, it was too late. Abdallah had died.

Moments before the building collapsed, Husna Faime, a single mother, was humming softly inside her tailoring shop, finishing a client’s order. Minutes later, her harmony shattered–literally.

“I felt the ground shaking, and before I knew it, everything was falling,” she recounted from her hospital bed a week later. Trapped under the rubble, she used the last of her phone’s battery to send her sister a haunting text: “If I don’t make it, please take care of Aisha. Tell her mom loves her.”

Local volunteers dug through the rubble with their bare hands, managing to rescue Faime hours later. Her survival was miraculous, but her ordeal exposed a grim truth: disasters–both natural and man-made–regularly strike unprepared communities in Tanzania, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The Perfect Storm

Tanzania, home to over 62 million people, faces a myriad of hazards: floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes. Compounding these are man-made disasters like road accidents, industrial mishaps, and collapsing buildings. For the 34 percent of Tanzanians living below the poverty line, the financial burden of recovery is overwhelming.

In Kariakoo, a bustling hub of markets and skyscrapers, a hidden danger lurks behind the concrete walls. Systemic corruption and shoddy workmanship have turned many buildings into potential death traps. Investigations reveal that dishonest developers, in collusion with corrupt officials, routinely use substandard materials to cut costs, ignoring safety regulations and bypassing inspections.

At least five major building collapses have been reported in Dar es Salaam over the last decade, claiming many lives. Kariakoo in particular has emerged as a hotspot for such tragedies. Experts warn that many other buildings in the area remain structurally unsound, putting lives at constant risk.

Lack of Preparedness

Tanzania’s vulnerability is exacerbated by poor disaster preparedness and infrastructure. Rapid urban sprawl, informal settlements, and inadequate drainage systems leave communities exposed to climate-induced disasters.

“Our cities are not built to absorb the shocks caused by natural disasters,” said Pius Yanda, a climate change adaptation specialist at the University of Dar es Salaam. Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable, with little to no infrastructure to mitigate flooding or other hazards.

Man-made disasters are equally concerning. Weak enforcement of building regulations makes building collapses tragically routine. “The warning signs are always there,” said Peter Kazimoto, a disaster risk reduction expert at the Tanzania Red Cross Society. “Developers prioritize saving money over safety, and enforcement is weak.”

Rural areas face their own struggles. In the eastern Morogoro region, floods destroyed Ahmed Selemani’s maize crop, his sole source of income. “We heard warnings on the radio, but no one came to evacuate us,” Ahmed said. “Now we have nothing.”

Institutional Gaps

Tanzania has a disaster response framework–the Tanzania Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (TEPRP)–but its implementation remains weak. Agencies like the Disaster Management Department (DMD) operate on limited budgets, meeting only 35 percent of their funding needs in 2023.

“We have made some progress with early warning systems,” said Jim Yonazi, an official in the Prime Minister’s Office. “But we need more resources to mitigate risks effectively.”

With limited government intervention, many Tanzanians have taken matters into their own hands. In Tandale, a sprawling slum in Dar es Salaam, residents like John Mnyamasi have built rudimentary flood defenses with sandbags and canals. “We can’t wait for the government,” Mnyamasi said.

During building collapses, local volunteers are often the first responders. Kariakoo resident Emmanuel Joseph recounted rescuing 12 people trapped under rubble. “When you hear someone crying for help, you just act–even if it means risking your own life,” he said.

Pathways to Resilience

Experts emphasize the need for disaster risk reduction to protect Tanzanians. “Disaster risk reduction isn’t just about emergencies–it’s about prevention,” said James Mbatia, a former legislator and disaster risk specialist.

Investments in early warning systems, stronger infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns are critical. Neighboring Kenya, for instance, uses mobile apps to provide real-time weather updates, enabling faster evacuations. “Empowering communities with tools and knowledge can save lives,” said Mbatia.

Critics argue that Tanzania’s government must take greater responsibility for disaster management failures. “It’s like watching a fire spread while holding a bucket of water you never use,” Mbatia said, pointing to predictable disasters such as annual floods in low-lying regions.

Gordian Kazaura, an urban planning specialist at Ardhi University, highlighted the human cost. “The poorest suffer the most. They lack the resources to recover, and the government’s response often comes too late,” he said.

A glimmer of Hope

Despite the challenges, there is growing momentum for change. Organizations like the Tanzania Red Cross are training volunteers and advocating for better early warning systems. Workshops are equipping local authorities with emergency planning skills.

“Disasters are local by nature,” said Kazimoto. “Empowering communities and regional committees to act swiftly without waiting for central government instructions is critical.”

For survivors like Faime, recovery is uncertain, but hope persists. “We need help, but we also need change,” she said. “People like me can’t keep starting over.”

Halima Abdallah’s final plea must serve as a wake-up call. Tanzania must transition from reactive responses to proactive resilience, ensuring that no cry for help goes unanswered. Observers agree–the time for action is now–before the next disaster strikes.

IPS UN Bureau Report

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau

Source: allafrica.com

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