Over 200,000 households lifted from poverty

ARUSHA: MORE than 200,000 vulnerable households across five regions have recorded higher incomes and improved access to education, health and water services following the completion of the fourth Tanzania Poverty Reduction Project (TPRP IV).

Speaking about the project in Karatu District yesterday, Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) Executive Director Mr Shedrack Mziray said the programme, implemented from January 2020, delivered measurable socio-economic results through community-driven interventions.

“This project has directly improved the lives of vulnerable households by expanding access to basic services, strengthening livelihoods and empowering communities to take ownership of their development,” Mr Mziray said.

He said TPRP IV was implemented in Arusha, Mwanza, Iringa, Geita and Simiyu regions and was financed by Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC Fund) with 500 million US dollars (about 1.23tri/-).

“The scale of this investment reflects the level of commitment to reducing poverty and building resilient communities. What is important is that these resources were translated into tangible assets and sustainable livelihoods at the community level,” he said.

Mr Mziray said the project supported the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, health facilities, water sources and school dormitories, reducing travel distances and improving service availability, particularly in rural areas.

“Our focus was not only on infrastructure, but also on ensuring that households are able to generate income, save and withstand economic shocks,” he said.

Mr Mziray further said according to TASAF assessments, around 200,007 households benefited directly from the project, with a response rate of 96.7 per cent.

“Women and youth played a central role, with women accounting for 56.5 percent of household heads involved in project activities.

“Women were at the centre of implementation, from decision-making to savings groups and leadership roles. This has strengthened inclusion and long-term sustainability,” Mr Mziray said.

In Laja Village, Village Executive Officer (VEO) Mr Daniel Mpigachai said the project has transformed access to secondary education through the construction of Laja Secondary School.

“Through this project, our village has benefited from a secondary school that includes an administration block, two teachers’ houses, four classrooms, toilets and dormitories for both girls and boys,” Mr Mpigachai said.

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He said TASAF, through TPRP IV, contributed 659m/-, while the community contributed 115m/- to the construction.

“The presence of this school has eliminated truancy and increased students’ morale to study. Previously, learners had to attend a ward school located more than eight kilometres away and the school now also receives students from neighbouring villages,” he said.

A beneficiary, Mr Andrea Awtu, said the project has changed the education prospects of his children.

“Previously, my children were studying at a ward secondary school that was very far. They started losing motivation to continue with school because of the long distance,” he said.

He added, “I am very grateful because this project has enabled our children to study nearby and live in the dormitory.”

Mr Mziray said beyond education, the programme strengthened household resilience by supporting income diversification through non-agricultural self-employment, livestock keeping and entrepreneurship training.

“These interventions have improved food security and enabled households to meet their basic needs with dignity,” he said.

On accountability, he reaffirmed that all project funds were used strictly for approved activities, supported by strong monitoring, reporting and auditing systems, with payments made directly to beneficiaries as wages.

While acknowledging challenges such as payment delays and gaps in water and health infrastructure, Mr Mziray said the lessons learned will guide future programmes, with a focus on sustainability, climate resilience and expansion to under served areas.

TPRP IV aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2025 and the National Social Protection Framework, supporting inclusive growth and longterm poverty reduction.