Long live Tanzania – Korea partnership in strategic areas

TANZANIA: AS Tanzania boldly rolls out its National Development Vision 2050, the Republic of Korea stands as the key partner through a shared collaboration in several sectors, including health, education and infrastructure, to ensure successful realisation of this vision.

The Republic of Korean government is dedicated to working in health and education, which are foundational for inclusive growth and human capital development, through its key institutions in Tanzania, maintaining strong cooperative relations in the country.

Recently in Dodoma, President Samia Suluhu Hassan unveiled a 25-year national roadmap that aims at transforming the country into an upper-middle income with a projected economy of 1 trillion US dollar.

Dubbed ‘Dira 2050’, the ambitious strategy centres on nine key sectors: Agriculture, tourism, industry, construction, mining, the blue economy, sports and creativity, finance and services.

These sectors were identified for their potential to generate employment, increase exports, stimulate other sectors, add value to agricultural produce and enhance national income.

The Republic of Korean government through its Embassy in Dar Es Salaam organised a seminar for Korea-Tanzania Development Cooperation. The seminar, organised in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), was officiated by UDSM Vice-Chancellor Prof William Anangisye.

The seminar featured delegates from the Embassy and Korean key institutions in Tanzania, government officials, some students and development stakeholders.

Representing Minister for Finance, the Ministry’s economist Nobert Mwita acknowledged the Republic of Korea’s continued investment in capacity building, technical assistance and project financing which are aligned with national priorities particularly those outlined in five year of Development Plan III.

He said that the Republic of Korean government remains one of Tanzania’s most committed development partners through its key institutions.

“This seminar comes at a critical time when Tanzania is intensifying efforts to achieve sustainable development, industrialisation and innovation,” said Mr Mwita.

In her remarks, Korean Ambassador to Tanzania Eunju Ahn said that the strong partnership in development cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Tanzania is entering a new chapter, with the Republic of Korea increasing its concessional loans to Tanzania to 2.5 US billion dollars, to be disbursed by 2028.

“Korea’s projects prioritise inclusiveness, innovation,  skill transmission and capacity building. We recognise the importance of establishing foundational structures to manage challenges posed by the climate crisis, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and economic uncertainties,” said Ambassador Ahn.

She highlighted the potential for Tanzania to learn from Korea’s development experience, particularly as Korea once faced similar challenges as one of the poorest countries.

While officiating the seminar, Prof Anangisye underscored the timely significance of the discussion centered on Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 underscoring that such forums foster critical reflection, generate innovative solutions, and strengthen collaborative efforts.

He reiterated that the Vision 2050 correctly identifies education and human capital development as key drivers of transformation, and called for supporting vocational education and skills development as strategic priorities.

Prof Anangisye stressed the importance of aligning the education system more closely with industrial needs through practical training, digital literacy, and university-industry collaboration.

He asserted that empowering underprivileged groups to lead, create and innovate is essential for inclusivity.

He commended Korea’s significant contributions to the health sector, ranging from infrastructure development to maternal health initiatives.

“Building a healthier Tanzania requires strong frontline services and robust long-term systems, including investments in universal health coverage, digital health solutions and nurturing local innovations,” he said.

Prof Anangisye also underscored the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in sustainable development, highlighting Korea as a global leader in this field, offering valuable lessons for Tanzania.

He said that ICT is central to education, research, entrepreneurship and effective service delivery, from empowering startups to enhancing e-learning and digitised public services.

Through partnerships, he said he believes Tanzania can move closer to its vision of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.

Head of the Division, Aid and Coordination Unit from the Ministry of Finance in Zanzibar, Salum Yahya, expressed the Isle’s eagerness to deepen collaboration in ways that will accelerate Tanzania’s national development ambitions.

The seminar involved panel discussion which brought participants together and shared their views and aspiration toward the Vision 2050.

Briefing on the National Development Vision and Koreas Development Cooperation, an Economist and Lecturer from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) Dr Fredric Manang reflected on the ended Vision 2025’s mixed achievements highlighting significant milestones alongside persistent challenges.

One of the endeavors underscore he said Tanzania has successfully elevated its GDP per capita from 450 US dollars to around 1,200 US dollars and achieved remarkable reductions in maternal and infant mortality.

He said through as significant reduction President Samia Suluhu Hassan was honoured internationally award for the more 50 per cent reduction in maternal mortality rates from 2016 to 2024.

However, Dr Manang said poverty reduction fell short of targets, with extreme poverty decreasing from 36 per cent to 25 per cent instead of the targeted 15 per cent, signaling the need for more inclusive economic growth.

In a landmark presentation, Dr Manang outlined its ambitious Vision 2050, a comprehensive development strategy that aims to catapult the nation from a lowermiddle-income country to an upper-middle-income powerhouse by 2050.

Dr Manang expounded that Tanzania faces significant ambitions for the next 25 years, with a projected population increase from approximately 65 million to one 140 million by 2050.

“This growth presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.”

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He said Vision 2050 outlines key goals, including achieving upper middle-income status by 2025, which requires quadrupling GDP per capita to around 4800 to 5000 US dollars, with the aim is to eliminate extreme poverty, currently affecting about 25 percent of the population.

Improving quality of life is critical, he said, with targets to raise average life expectancy to 75 years and ensure universal secondary education.

“By 2050, the goal is for 50 per cent of the population to attain higher education, up from less than five percent today,” he said.