DODOMA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa yesterday tabled a 595.292bn/- budget estimates for his office and other institutions under his docket for the 2025/2026 financial year.
He promised to continue implementing various development projects aimed at enhancing the country’s growth.
The Premier also presented a 186.794bn/- budget proposal for the Parliament office for the coming fiscal year.
Out of the proposed budget, 183.821bn/- will be allocated for recurrent expenditure, while the remaining 411.471bn/- is earmarked for development projects.
For the Parliament Fund, approximately 174.960bn/- is allocated for recurrent expenditure, with 11.793bn/- reserved for development projects.
The new budget will focus on boosting productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, the blue economy, and industries.
It will also aim to improve investments, attract more local and international investors, and expand market access for Tanzanian products.
Furthermore, the PM said that the new budget will support the rule of law and good governance.
Presenting the review and direction of government activities and budget estimates for his office and the Parliament Fund, Mr Majaliwa outlined significant progress in severaldevelopment initiatives under the 2024/2025 financial year, including strengthening the energy sector.
He pointed out the completion of the mega Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JHNHPP) at a cost of 6.6tri/- , which has added 2,115 MW to the National Grid.
This brings the total capacity to 4,031.7 MW, up from 1,889.84 MW previously. He also mentioned that the Rusumo-Nyakanazi project has contributed 26 MW to the grid.
“To ensure the availability of electricity across the country, the government is continuing to strengthen the infrastructure for electricity transmission and distribution. By February 2025, the length of electricity transmission lines increased to 8,025.38 kilometres, up from 7,745.38 kilometres in 2024,” said the PM.
He added that electricity distribution lines have expanded to 198,215.17 kilometres in 2024/25, up from 176,334.14 kilometres in 2023/24.
Plans are also in place to continue expanding the distribution of natural gas and promote its use in vehicles, as well as advance the clean cooking energy campaign.
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The Premier further noted the government’s continued efforts to enhance the country’s investment climate.
He said that the number of registered private sector projects has increased from 416 to 615, with a total value of 4.49 billion US dollars.
These projects have created 119,717 new jobs from July 2023 to February 2024, compared to 7.95 billion US dollars’ worth of projects that created 187,355 new jobs from July 2024 to February 2025.
The government’s public institution empowerment efforts have contributed to a 12.6 per cent increase in the value of investments, rising from 75.8tri/- in 2022/2023 to 85.4tri/- in 2023/2024.
The Premier also mentioned a 9 per cent increase in government investment in foreign institutions, from 778.95bn/- in 2022/2023 to 846.22bn/- in 2023/2024.
Regarding tourism, Mr Majaliwa noted that the sector’s growth in the coming fiscal year would build on a strong foundation laid in previous years. He praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s personal efforts to promote Tanzania’s tourist attractions through the films — The Royal Tour and Amazing Tanzania.
These efforts have contributed to a significant increase in tourist numbers, from 1.7 million in 2021 to over 5.3 million in 2024.
He said that the number of international tourists rose from 922,692 in 2021 to 2,141,895 in 2024, a 132.24 per cent increase, while domestic tourists surged by 307.94 per cent, from 788,933 in 2021 to 3,218,352 in 2024.
On health services, the Premier said the government is working to improve access to specialised medical care across the country.
He noted that the availability of medicines, medical equipment, modern diagnostic tools, and health products has risen from 73 per cent in 2020 to 89.3 per cent by February 2025.
These improvements have attracted foreign patients, with 7,843 seeking treatment by February 2025, compared to 5,705 in 2020.
In infrastructure, Mr Majaliwa revealed that the government has allocated trillions of shillings for key projects that strengthen business and investment opportunities.
He noted ongoing developments in railway, roads, airports, social services, and energy sectors, all contributing significantly to the national economy.
On roads, the Premier said that 246 kilometres of roads were paved to tarmacked standards in 2024/2025, and 1,494.62 kilometres were constructed to gravel standards.
The government is also committed to continuing the construction and upgrading of various airports, including the Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, which reached 85.4 per cent completion on phase one by February 2025.
Mr Majaliwa reiterated the government’s commitment to the electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. By February 2025, a total of 1,809,983 passengers had been transported, generating 54.9bn/- in revenue.
Construction of the Mwanza-Isaka (341 km) section reached 62.37 per cent completion, while other sections are in progress.
The government is also moving forward with the construction of the Uvinza-Malagarasi-Musongati section (282 km), with a construction agreement signed between the governments of Tanzania and Burundi in January 2025.
