TRILLION-DOLLAR ECONOMY: How to hit the mark

DODOMA: AS Tanzania aspires to become an upper-middle-income country with a projected economy of 1 trillion US dollars by 2050, the newly launched Tanzania Development Vision 2050 (TDV50) identifies five catalytic drivers to support its implementation.

The drivers, designed to accelerate progress, foster innovation and improve productivity across sectors, are outlined in the 64-page dossier as integrated logistics, science and technology, energy, research and development (R&D) and digital transformation.

Beyond targeting a trillion-dollar economy with a population exceeding 118 million, these focus areas aim to raise the country’s average GDP per capita to 7,000 US dollars (about 18.2m/-) by 2050.

Dubbed Dira 2050, the Vision has outlined that internal and regional integrated logistics will help position Tanzania as a regional trade hub with modernised infrastructure.

Infrastructures such as railways, ports and road networks have been identified as the economy’s lifelines, ensuring the efficient movement of goods, services and people.

“This will be supported by streamlined tax and regulatory systems and improved professionalism in service delivery,” reads part of the ambitious blueprint.

The energy sector is the second driver identified in the Vision, intending to catalyse socio-economic growth by delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.

According to the document, the move will support industrial growth, enhance productivity and establish Tanzania as a regional energy leader.

Science and technology, especially disruptive technologies, have also been highlighted as key to addressing local challenges, increasing productivity and driving socio-economic transformation. Innovation will be prioritised in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing.

Speaking during the launching of the TDV 2050 in Dodoma on Thursday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored the need for Tanzania to embrace technological advancement, including the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Head of State also stressed the importance of safeguarding local jobs amid rapid tech deployment.

Research and development (R&D), the fourth driver, is expected to boost innovation and inform evidence-based policies.

According to the document, the policies will facilitate collaboration among academia, industry and government while enhancing Tanzania’s regional innovation standing.

The fifth pillar, digital transformation, seeks to harness technology to boost productivity and efficiency, cut costs, improve governance and promote a digitally inclusive society. TDV 2050 also recognises nine transformative sectors as pivotal to economic transformation including agriculture, tourism, industry, construction and real estate.

Others are mining, the blue economy, sports and creative industries, financial services and customer service.

President Samia said the said sectors were chosen based on their potential to create jobs, drive exports and enable structural transformation while contributing to both local and global markets.

The core principles guiding the vision include democracy, human rights and freedom, dignity, peace and unity, natural resource stewardship and national culture and ethos.

Among its four primary goals, TDV 2050 aims to achieve a diversified, resilient, inclusive and competitive economy, a high quality of life and well-being for all; sustainable use and conservation of natural resources with climate resilience as well as a digitally empowered, innovative society.

To ensure successful execution, the President directed all ministries to review and align their policies with TDV 2050.

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She further instructed the Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, to develop a long-term implementation plan ahead of the official rollout in July 2026.

The Commission was also tasked with strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system to reflect the country’s long-term development goals.

In addition, President Samia instructed the Legal Reforms Commission and the Attorney General’s Office to review and propose necessary legal changes to support the seamless implementation of the vision.