On the 7th of April 2015, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya Kikwete had
the opportunity to speak to an array of stakeholders in Washington DC, USA. The forum provided the opportunity to convey the progress and challenges that country has made. The Forum was hosted by Woodrow
Wilson Center, which was established in 1986 by Public Private Partnership that
bring together world of public ideas and the world of public policy.
As the President is set to
retire effectively as of the end of October 2015, he had the rare opportunity to
reflect and convey the concerted effort his administration had aspired to in
realizing his 2005 election promise and slogan of ‘Better life for every
Tanzanian’ (Maisha Bora kwa kila Mtanzania).
The President iterated he had ideas
while in consideration for the high office, but had rethink his idess once it was set in stone that he would be the flag-bearer for the ruling party for the 2005
presidential election. Then, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Jakaya
Kikwete had to crystallize his plans. In formulating his agenda that was
presented to the public in 2005 leading up to the election, the then presidential candidate came up with six areas of focus:
1. Perpetuating
unification;
2. Maintaining
peace & stability;
3. Promoting
fast social and economic growth;
4. Consolidating
democracy and ensure that the rule of law is observed;
5. Undertaking
the unrelenting fight against corruption; and,
6. Enhance
good relations with the neighboring countries and the international community.
After a landslide
victory in his favor of over 70 percent of votes counted, the then enthusiastic
president inherited an economy that was fragile and focused on debt repayment. In 2005, the GDP was at 14.1 billion USD and GDP per capita was 375 USD, while other
looming challenges were the political standoff in Zanzibar, Energy shortages,
high crime rates, etc.
With time most of the pressing
challenges inherited in 2005 have been resolved, through great political management that was
required to ensure the countries stability. Also in managing the different elements who were potentially wielding more political influence has helped tame the country
from instability, political and/or religious rifts, among other things.
In streamlining some of the
issues, a constitutional review was initiated, mainly with the aim of improving
governance and accountability. And, in sustaining the economic reforms in implementation
from previous administrations the President and his team has management put the
country on a path of unprecedented uplift through Tanzania’s macro-economic performance. The GDP over the last decade and a half has
been at a 7 percent average, making Tanzania among the 10 of the fastest growing economies
in Africa while also ranking among the top 20 fastest growing economies in the
world.
The outcome:
- The GDP has nearly quadrupled from 14 to 43 billion
USD, while GDP per capita has tripled from USD 375 to USD 944.
- Inflation has been tamed reaching 4.8 percent in
November of 2014.
- Revenue collection in 2005 was 177 billion
Tanzania Shillings per month now reaching 880 billion Shillings per month in 2015.
The challenge persisting is that
people at the grassroots have not benefited from the economic growth, the
growth has not trickled down. This in essence will require the coming
administration to come in with the mind-set of addressing issues pertaining to
human development as well as sustaining and perhaps enhancing economic growth
concurrently. Never the less, the President is content of having done so much
for the population and still acknowledges a lot more needs to be done, more so
in tackling the more current issues which threaten to destabilize the nation.
