OPEC Fund Projects finally crossing Indian Ocean

DAR ES SALAAM: TAKING another move, the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) is preparing to extend its development footprint beyond the mainland, and this time the winds of change are blowing across the Indian Ocean.

According to TASAF Executive Director Shedrack Mziray, community development projects financed through the OPEC Fund are set to begin in Zanzibar, covering both Unguja and Pemba islands.

For Zanzibar residents, this means that development assistance is no longer something heard about on the evening news from the mainland, but something that will soon be felt at village level, quite possibly closer than the nearest ferry terminal.

The OPEC Fund, supported by some of the world’s major oil-producing countries, exists to ensure that development is not restricted to glossy capital cities or well connected regions alone.

Its core mission is to support social development projects in areas where access to essential services such as water, health, education and basic infrastructure remains limited.

In short, the Fund is less interested in where oil flows and more concerned with where clean water does not.

Speaking to journalists at Karatu District Council in Arusha Region in late December 2025, Mr Mziray explained that TASAF is currently knocking on OPEC’s door once again.

This time, however, it is not a modest knock. TASAF is applying for additional funding aimed at expanding projects into more regions than those covered during the first and second phases of the programme.

If all goes well, this new phase could be the biggest yet, both in ambition and geographic reach.

“We are looking to apply for more than 100 million US dollars, if our OPEC partners agree,” Mziray said, carefully balancing optimism with realism.

He was quick to add that TASAF operates within a wider national context where government priorities are many and resources must be shared.

Major infrastructure projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway also require significant investment, meaning the government must decide just how much funding can reasonably be allocated to TASAF.

Still, Zanzibar’s turn has come. In the upcoming OPEC-supported programme, TASAF plans to implement projects in both Unguja and Pemba, with the aim of promoting inclusive development.

Mr Mziray emphasised that Tanzania is one United Republic and that the benefits of national development must be shared fairly.

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As he put it, everyone deserves a slice of the national cake, not just those sitting closest to the serving table.

Reflecting on the programme’s history, Mr Mziray explained that TASAF’s engagement with OPEC funding has evolved steadily over time.

The initial phase focused on just two regions, Lindi and Mtwara, where projects were implemented over a period of ten years.

These regions served as a testing ground, proving that targeted social investments could deliver tangible results when sustained over time.

Encouraged by this success, TASAF expanded the programme to include Arusha and Njombe, where projects were implemented for five years.

Later, Mwanza, Simiyu and Geita were added, bringing the total number of participating regions to five.

In these regions, the programme once again ran for ten years, embedding itself into local development efforts and addressing long-standing gaps in social services. In financial terms, the growth has been equally notable.

The first OPEC phase was valued at 16 million US dollars and focused on Lindi and Mtwara. The second phase increased significantly to 50 million US dollars.

Now, TASAF is preparing to request up to 100 million US dollars, reflecting both the scale of remaining needs and the confidence gained from previous phases.

Simply put, once you have seen what a small bucket of water can do, you are more confident asking for a bigger one when the fire is larger.

Selecting which communities benefit from these projects is not done by spinning a map or following headlines.

Mr Mziray explained that TASAF relies on clear criteria, with the primary factor being the level of shortage of social services within local government authorities.

This assessment is backed by statistical data that highlights regions lagging behind in development indicators. Numbers, in this case, do not lie, even when regions appear wealthy on the surface.

This explains why OPECfunded projects have been implemented in regions such as Shinyanga, Geita, Simiyu and Mwanza as areas often associated with mineral wealth.

To some observers, this may seem counterintuitive. After all, how can regions rich in gold still be poor in social services?

Mr Mziray addressed this apparent contradiction directly, noting that despite natural resources, many of these regions continue to face serious shortages in essential services.

TASAF’s role, therefore, is to complement government efforts by addressing these gaps headon, rather than assuming that mineral wealth automatically translates into better living conditions.

He also highlighted Katavi Region as a striking example. Despite being one of the country’s most productive agricultural regions, Katavi remains among those with the fewest social services.

In contrast, Dodoma Region has experienced rapid development following the relocation of government offices, proving how quickly fortunes can change when attention and investment align.

Meanwhile, Singida Region is set to become one of TASAF’s priority areas in the upcoming OPEC programme, reflecting its continued need for improved social services.

Mr Mziray was clear that the guiding principle remains consistent: OPEC projects go where social services are lacking.

Stories emerging from areas such as Simiyu, Maswa, or remote parts of Geita reveal deep-rooted challenges that only become clearer when viewed collectively.

These are not isolated problems, but patterns that demand sustained intervention.

As a result, Singida will feature prominently in the next phase, while regions such as Geita, Simiyu and Mwanza will not be revisited, having already benefited from previous interventions.

According to Mr Mziray, discussions with Members of Parliament from those regions confirm that positive results have been achieved, offering reassurance that the investments delivered real impact rather than disappearing into paperwork.

Closer to Karatu, Mr Mziray pointed to communities such as the Hadzabe and various pastoralist groups who live more than 150 kilometres from the town.

Their daily realities differ sharply from urban life, underscoring why distance and isolation remain critical factors in development planning.

What appears adequate in town can feel worlds away in remote settlements.

In closing, Mziray acknowledged that development needs across the country remain immense.

However, he also expressed appreciation for the government’s ongoing efforts to improve citizens’ lives, particularly through the expansion of essential social services.

With Zanzibar now included in TASAF’s plans, the message is clear: Development may move in phases, but eventually, it is meant to reach everyone and even those separated by water, distance, or long-standing neglect.