Govt unveils 45,000 job plan

DODOMA: THE government plans to open up 45,000 new public service jobs in the 2026/2027 fiscal year, in a move aimed at addressing staffing gaps while improving efficiency and accountability across state institutions.

This was announced yesterday in the National Assembly by Minister of State in the President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance, Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, while tabling the 2026/27 revenue and expenditure estimates for his docket.

“We plan to process permits for 45,000 new job positions to fill vacancies that will be approved in the staffing structures of public institutions, as part of efforts to strengthen service delivery,” he said.

He added that the move is intended to ensure institutions have the right number of staff with the right skills to serve wananchi effectively. Mr Kikwete also asked Parliament to approve a total of 1.57tri/- for the 2026/27 financial year, with 1.4tri/- allocated for recurrent expenditure and 163bn/- for development projects.

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According to the minister, the funds will support key priorities including employment, digital systems, institutional strengthening and governance reforms.

Mr Kikwete further said the planned recruitment is expected to ease pressure in key sectors that have long faced staff shortages, while at the same time improving the quality and speed of services offered to the public.

However, the ministry’s plans go beyond job creation, placing strong emphasis on improving how the public service is managed, alongside digital transformation and institutional efficiency.

In the next fiscal year, the government will also invest in capacity building, including providing preparatory training for public service examinations to 10,000 employees to strengthen their performance and improve service delivery.

“We will continue to build the capacity of public servants so they can effectively use modern systems and deliver services that meet the expectations of citizens,” he said.

In addition, he said in the 2026/27 the government plans to improve working conditions through a housing project for public servants, where construction of 78 houses will continue, including 33 for health workers and 45 for education sector staff in district councils.

The ministry is also introducing new tools to improve recruitment quality. In the next fiscal year, 100 employers will be trained on the use of the Psychometric Test System to assess candidates’ character and suitability, while 146 staff from the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat will receive training on newly developed ICT systems. Minister Kikwete said the government will continue strengthening digital human resource systems to enhance transparency and efficiency.

“We are continuing to improve systems that manage public servants, including recruitment, records and performance monitoring, so that services are delivered more efficiently and transparently,” he said.

The expansion of digital systems is expected to reduce delays, minimise errors and ensure better allocation of staff across institutions. In the next fiscal year, the government also plans to conduct routine inspections in 300 public institutions and special audits in 10 institutions to assess compliance with laws,

regulations and procedures. “The reforms also target broader governance challenges, particularly in accountability and service standards. Systems that handle complaints, appeals and disciplinary matters are being strengthened to ensure public servants meet required levels of professionalism,” he said.

At the same time, the government will continue improving records management systems, including the Keyword Filing System and e-File Management System, across ministries, departments, agencies and local government authorities to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

Efforts are also underway to review and strengthen guidelines and procedures for managing human resources in the public service to ensure they align with ongoing reforms.

Mr Kikwete added that the government is pushing for stronger coordination among institutions to avoid duplication of roles and improve the use of available resources. For wananchi, the impact of these reforms is expected to be felt through improved services in key sectors such as health, education and administrative services.

“Better staffing levels, combined with more efficient systems, are likely to result in faster service delivery and reduced bureaucratic delays,” he said.

Despite the ambitious plans, the ministry acknowledges that challenges remain, including gaps in skills, system integration and the need for continuous reforms. Even so, the government maintains that the combination of large-scale recruitment and institutional reforms marks a significant step towards building a more responsive and efficient public service.