Tanzania’s path forward: Resilience, progress and perspective after the 2025 election

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Economist published a provocative article titled “Africa’s Newest Despot” on 14 February 2026. After reading it, I noted a few points that left me, as a Tanzanian, unsettled.

Instead, I put together my thoughts and explained what I believe is right, given that President Samia continues to receive regional recognition, the latest being her endorsement as the African Union champion for mental and child health.

Decisions were made at the 39th ordinary session of the AU Assembly held in Addis Ababa this month.

The article identified Samia Suluhu Hassan as the central architect of Tanzania’s “most dangerous crisis since independence”. In my view, that isn’t entirely correct.

The world and the author of the article should bear in mind that it is equally crucial to observe Tanzania’s recent political and social developments from a balanced perspective that recognises both the genuine challenges and the substantial progress the nation is making, while also addressing concerns about political freedoms.

Tanzania is not an exception to the prevailing tensions surrounding elections, as far as I am aware and as an African nation of significance.

Similar dynamics are being experienced by nations throughout Africa and beyond that are grappling with democratic reforms, youth participation and post-election stabilisation.

Tanzania’s ongoing dedication to economic growth, regional leadership and long term development strategies that continue to benefit its citizens sets it apart and is a source of optimism. It is vital to understand the post-election period.

The general election held on 29 October 2025 saw Samia Suluhu Hassan re-elected with a commanding majority—official results indicated she secured nearly 98 per cent of the vote.

Of course, the subsequent period was characterised by civil unrest, fuelled by opposition grievances, accusations of irregularities, and, as is common in many democracies, impassioned public debate.

Some young people found themselves in the chaos without rethinking their involvement. Contested elections can be periods of heightened tension, as seen in other countries.

Elections have occasionally sparked demonstrations and calls for reform in countries such as Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Uganda, and others.

One thing the world and the author of the article need to remember is that post-election unrest has been observed in established democracies outside of Africa, including the United States and France, in response to close or controversial results.

This is a broader trend in global politics: citizens, particularly younger generations, are becoming more vocal about their desire for transparent and accountable governance.

Tanzanian authorities imposed curfews and restrictions in response to unrest to ensure peace and protect the majority of Tanzanians and their property, a move critics contend was excessive.

It is equally crucial to acknowledge that the government of Tanzania, just like any other rational government in the universe, would have taken action to restore public order and prevent broader violence in such situations, a responsibility shared by state institutions in many countries during periods of unrest.

Despite political tensions, Tanzania’s economic trajectory remains a positive narrative in Africa’s development landscape, even as individuals and reporters who use their citizenship journalism to speak out.

Under the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country has already implemented policies that have been instrumental in stabilising the economy and attracting international investment for an extended period prior to the 2025 election.

Most notably, Tanzania’s economy has been among Africa’s fastest-growing, with significant contributions from tourism, mining (particularly gold), agriculture, and infrastructure expansion, making Tanzania an economic powerhouse in East Africa.

By 2025, tourism one of the hardest-hit sectors during the global pandemic—had rebounded strongly, with record arrivals that boosted employment and foreign exchange earnings. Export revenues strengthened, narrowing the current account deficit and helping to stabilise macroeconomic fundamentals.

Inflation stood at 3.3 per cent in the 1st quarter of 2026, down from 3.6 per cent towards December 2025, marking a 6-month low.

These trends show that despite political noise, Tanzania remains economically resilient and poised for long-term growth. Another positive dimension to Tanzania’s recent history is its enhanced regional and continental engagement.

Under President Suluhu’s leadership, Tanzania has played constructive roles in advancing peace and cooperation across southern and eastern Africa—for example, by hosting major Southern African Development Community (SADC) meetings and promoting regional electoral observation and conflict resolution.

ALSO READ: Govt: 2025 Election to showcase Tanzania’s peace, unity

Coordinating high-level East African Community (EAC) and SADC summits that focused on security, economic integration, and political cooperation isn’t a small endeavor at the international level.

This leadership contributes to Tanzania’s reputation as a stabilising force in a region that faces insurgencies, transitional governments, and complex political negotiations.

While the author of the article at The Economist has accused President Samia of being the country’s most dangerous architect since independence, the author failed to appreciate the development partnerships and infrastructure achievements, as well as her leadership, which is grounded in her predecessors.

Tanzania has continued to move decisively on strategic infrastructure and development partnerships, which are essential components of long-term national stability and prosperity, both regionally and internationally.

Among these efforts are agreements to upgrade key transport infrastructure, including railways and ports, to integrate Tanzania into regional and continental trade networks; partnerships with international investors to develop logistics, manufacturing, and digital services sectors—all critical for future job creation; and important and strategic investment in major sporting and cultural infrastructure, such as the construction of the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha, expected to boost tourism and international sporting engagement during AFCON 2027.

These strides, among others, demonstrate Tanzania’s continued commitment to sustainable, diversified development, aligned with meeting SDGs ahead of time and the country’s DIRA 2050 target. What the author of the Economist article misses is recognising the culture among Tanzanians.

Amid political tensions, Tanzanian civil society organisations have played a constructive role. Groups like the Tanzania Association for Persons with Disabilities (TAJU) actively called for peace, reconciliation, and national unity after the election, emphasising the importance of sustaining a culture of peaceful coexistence.

These voices from within society highlight that many Tanzanians continue to prioritise harmony, unity and collective progress, regardless of whether one comes from Zanzibar or the mainland, meaning that merit and values have shaped the national identity of Tanzanians since independence.

While The Economist’s article frames Tanzania’s challenges in stark terms, it is important to place them in a continental context where political evolution— sometimes messy, sometimes contested—is part of democratic growth.

Across Africa, countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda, to mention a few, have experienced tense electoral cycles marked by competing narratives of legitimacy and reform.

The world knows well that South Africa, for example, continues to grapple with political realignment and youth disillusionment, even as it remains one of Africa’s largest democracies.

In the context of rapid urbanisation, demographic change, and generational shifts, nations across the continent face similar debates about electoral integrity, freedom of expression, and civil liberties.

Thus, Tanzania’s experience is not distinctive; it is indicative of the continent’s general process of maturing political institutions.

The author of the article should have acknowledged that, given the current challenges many societies face, it is time to create a space for reflection and progress. This is evident in the events currently unfolding in numerous African nations.

This is not intended to minimise concerns about democratic liberties. Constructive criticism, whether domestic or international, is essential for improving governance, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and building more inclusive political futures. In fact, any healthy democracy requires spaces for dialogue, accountability, and transparency.

That said, discussions about Tanzania and the claim that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is the nation’s most dangerous crisis since independence must also be grounded in evidence of progress and achievements, not solely in moments of turbulence.

A balanced view recognises, in my view, the need to take into account the complexity of the post-election dynamics observed in many nations today, the legitimate aspirations of citizens and civil society, the state’s responsibility to ensure security while protecting the rights of people and property, and, importantly, the importance of economic development as a foundation for social stability.

Tanzania is a strong and united nation in motion. In responding to The Economist’s sharp critique, it is important to move beyond binary labels like “despot” or “crisis state” and instead acknowledge the full spectrum of Tanzania’s journey — a story that includes significant economic growth, strategic leadership in regional integration, improvements in infrastructure, and ongoing national debates about governance.

Tanzania is not an exception. Nations throughout Africa and the world face difficulties maintaining a balance between continuity and reform, and between order and freedom.

Tanzania’s experience emphasises the enduring resilience of its society and the potential for further progress when citizens, civil society, and the state commit to constructive engagement.

This journey is underway, and the world admires how Tanzania manages its affairs. It is well known that Africa’s democratic transitions are entering a new phase characterised by highly mobilised youth populations, rapid information flows through digital platforms, and heightened expectations for transparency.

In such an environment, electoral disputes are increasingly common across the continent, and what happened in Tanzania shouldn’t be treated as alien or new in the world, since God created it.

The article in The Economist has contributed to a necessary global conversation about governance and democratic standards.

However, framing Tanzania solely through the lens of despotism obscures a more nuanced reality. Tanzania today is a nation negotiating democratic pressures within a rapidly changing regional and global environment.

It faces challenges, yes, but it also exhibits resilience, continuity, and institutional durability. Post-election tensions in 2025 should be understood not as a definitive rupture but as part of a broader democratic evolution—one mirrored in countries across Africa and beyond.

I would like to emphasise that Tanzania’s future will not be determined by a single headline or a single electoral season; instead, it will be shaped by the ability of its citizens, institutions, and leaders to turn debate into reform and tension into progress.

The post-election period of 2025 and the way the country, under the leadership of the Chief Commander of the Army Forces, a situation that could be done by any nation faced with a similar environment have also demonstrated that Tanzania is capable of preserving its peace, growth, leadership, and unity— qualities that should define its future, rather than any particular moment of political tension or a headline in a newspaper.