TZ on the right track regarding socio-economic development

TANZANIA is going ahead in a right way as far as socio-economic development trend is concerned.

The country has come up with several plans and strategies since independence in 1961, seeking to empower its people by first taking them out of poverty and consequently set base for prosperity in development.

The Sixth Phase Government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is not exceptional on this, as the government of the country that has attained a middle-income status is doing all it can to create conducive environment for its people to work, do business as well as attracting foreign investors.

While implementing major strategic projects at a huge cost, it also looks at the disadvantaged people, reaching out to them to ensure that they not only get their basic needs, but also get out of poverty, produce and get sustainable income.

The issue of development is of paramount importance and in seeking to establish it, there must be a comprehensive inquiry into the field of socio-economic development founded on an understanding that economic advancement involves transformation of society.

It needs exploring successful developmental strategies but also identify factors behind failed endeavours and the human costs associated with them. On the cards also is evaluating the role played by influential agents of development, such as the state and its institutions, international organisations and donors.

In dealing with the unprivileged households, the Government of Tanzania started implementing Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) from 2000, offering an approach to poverty alleviation that also supported the decentralisation agenda.

During 2009 – 2012, under Tanzania Social Action Fund a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) was piloted in three districts of Kibaha, Bagamoyo and Chamwino in Tanzania Mainland. The impact evaluation of the pilot showed significant impacts on health, education and household asset creation.

On the basis of this, the traditional Social Action Fund interventions evolved into a comprehensive and integrated social safety net system since 2012 with implementation of the first phase of the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN I).

On Friday we witnessed the government of Tanzania, Switzerland and Ireland inking a 20.3 million US dollars (50.13bn/-) grant agreement to support the execution of the second

Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN II) Programme coordinated by TASAF. Out of the 20.3 million US dollars financing, Switzerland is expected to dish out 18 million US dollars while Ireland eyes to extend 2.3 million US dollars.

The financing is a continuation provided by the two countries in making the programme a reality, whereas previously Switzerland issued 17.1 million US dollars and another 2.1 million US dollars was obtained from the Irish government.

As the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu Mwamba indicated that PSSN II programme is aligned with Tanzania’s Vision 2025 (TDV-2025) that guides the country’s socio-economic development.

Besides, it is further aligned with SDG number 1 that calls for an end to poverty in all its manifestations by 2030 and Africa agenda 2063 which commits to support Africa’s new path for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.