ZANZIBAR: THE one-day symposium on ‘Tanzania National Development Vision 2050,’ held on August 31, 2024, in Zanzibar, proved to be both insightful and engaging, with a touch of fun!
The attendees were delighted by a middle-aged woman’s suggestion that by 2050, television decoders should be free and easily accessible, and that all households should use clean energy within the next 25 years.
Hosted at the multipurpose hall of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) in Tunguu, Unguja South Region, the symposium covered a wide range of issues focused on social and human development as well as social inclusion.
Social development aims to improve the well-being of every individual, enabling them to reach their full potential. The success of society is directly linked to the wellbeing of its citizens, making social development an investment in people.
Human development involves expanding people’s freedoms and opportunities, enhancing their well-being, and allowing them the real freedom to decide their lives and futures.
Social inclusion ensures that all individuals in a society feel valued and are able to participate fully in civic, social, economic, and political activities, including decisionmaking processes.
Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, Chairperson of the Tanzania National Development Vision (TNDV) 2050, summarised the proposals from Tanzanians in Zanzibar for a vision that everyone can embrace.
“Education should be reformed to facilitate selfemployment and employment opportunities; the welfare of teachers in religious schools (madrasa) should be supported by the government; and the curriculum should be improved to promote competence,” Dr Migiro stated.
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She also highlighted the need for borderless health insurance in the East African region, an increase in skilled medical workers, the elimination of maternal and infant mortality, better housing, a reliable electricity supply, planned land use and gender equality by 2050.
Dr Migiro further emphasised the importance of controlling drug trafficking and abuse, nurturing young talent, understanding proper use of social media, making Zanzibar an ICT hub in Africa, investing in agriculture, and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) aims to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals with disabilities.
Dr Migiro informed the diverse participants—senior ministers, directors, students, NGOs, farmers, villagers, and people with disabilities—that their opinions would be evaluated and considered for the TNDV 2050.
The lively forum was well supervised by Chief Government Spokesperson Mr Thobias Makoba, who encouraged Tanzanians to continue providing their feedback through various channels, including the mobile app 15200#.
The Second Vice President (2VP) of Zanzibar, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, was the guest of honour. After opening the symposium, he stayed to listen to all contributions. In his speech, Mr Abdulla, co-supervisor of the national development vision 2050, acknowledged the significant progress made over the past two decades but emphasised that Tanzania still faces many social and economic challenges.
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“We urge more people to contribute their views for a better Vision 2050. We are pleased with the progress made under Zanzibar’s Vision 2020 and the mainland’s Vision 2025, which helped our country advance to a lower middle-income status in 2022. However, we must continue to strive for progress to ensure no one is left behind,” said Mr Abdulla.
He particularly encouraged young people and children, who represent about 77 percent of Tanzania’s population (according to the 2022 census), to share their views as they will be in their “active age” during the implementation phase. Mr Abdulla identified several challenges, including the shortage of skilled labor, unemployment, the impact of climate change, and underutilisation of science and technology.
“These issues have left us lagging behind Asian countries, with which we were once on par,” he noted. He urged all Tanzanians and diaspora members to continue contributing their ideas for a better TNDV 2050, addressing concerns from those questioning Zanzibar’s involvement. “Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and must be engaged in these key issues,” he explained.
Mr Abdulla also expressed gratitude to the TNDV 2050 technical committee, led by Ambassador Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, and to both the Zanzibar and mainland planning commissions for organising the forum, which allowed people to propose what should be included in the vision.
He noted that Union President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has emphasised the importance of a national development vision, which provides clear direction and purpose, fosters unity and motivates collective efforts towards progress.
Deputy Minister for Planning and Investments in the Union Government, Mr Stanslaus Haroon Nyongo, and Zanzibar Deputy State Minister in the Office of the President (Finance and Planning), Mr Juma Makungu Juma, also highlighted the crucial role of a development vision in achieving national goals.
Mr Shigeki Komatsubara, UNDP Resident Representative, attended the symposium and remarked that Tanzania is looking beyond Africa towards a brighter future.
“According to the IMF, the fastest-growing regions in the next 10-15 years will be the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia, with countries like Tanzania, India, and Indonesia leading the way,” he said.
Mr Komatsubara highlighted Zanzibar’s unique potential to contribute to Tanzania’s accelerated development into a middle-income status, leveraging its history, culture, and economic ties.
He praised Tanzania’s progress and future prospects, noting that Tanzania’s youthful population and its strategic location are key assets for future growth.
He also mentioned Tanzania’s strong position in the global market, its abundant natural resources, and its strategic infrastructure investments, which are crucial for regional and sub-regional economic growth.
Zanzibar’s potential in the blue economy and its connections with the Arab economy further enhance its role in Tanzania’s growth narrative.