President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete: A Moment of Reflection on His Administration

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.