Why 'business as usual' won't deliver Tanzania’s development aspirations

By Hellen Nachilongo

Kibaha. Public institutions must abandon the "business as usual" approach and embrace innovation, accountability and performance-driven leadership if Tanzania is to achieve its ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2050.

The call was made on Tuesday by the Minister of State in the President's Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, while opening a four-day Executive Induction Programme for chief executive officers (CEOs) of public entities.

The programme, organised by the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) in collaboration with the UONGOZI Institute, is held under the theme: From Vision to Action: Aligning Public Institution Performance with Vision 2050.

Prof Mkumbo said achieving the country's long-term development goals would depend on the ability of public institutions to translate policies into measurable results.

"Tanzania aims to increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from about $85 billion to $1 trillion by 2050, but that target will not be achieved through planning alone," he said. He urged CEOs to provide visionary leadership and ensure their institutions aligned strategic plans, budgets, performance contracts and key performance indicators with Vision 2050.

According to the minister, the Government will increasingly assess institutions based on improvements in service delivery, productivity, investment attraction, job creation and revenue generation, rather than the number of meetings held or reports produced. He identified agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, mining, construction, the blue economy, financial services and the creative industry as key sectors expected to drive economic growth.

Prof Mkumbo also called for closer collaboration with the private sector, saying it would be critical in promoting investment, innovation and employment.

"We must create an enabling environment that allows the private sector to play a full and active role in implementing Vision 2050," he said.

Permanent Secretary in the President's Office (Planning and Investment, Dr Fred Msemwa), said public institutions should become catalysts for investment and economic competitiveness through prudent resource management and stronger accountability.

His counterpart in the President's Office (Public Service Management), Mr Juma Mkomi, said the induction programme forms part of wider government efforts to strengthen leadership across the public service.

Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu said the programme was designed to ensure Vision 2050 is translated into practical results through improved institutional performance. He said more than 187 CEOs had completed the induction programme since its launch in 2024, while 57 executives are attending this year's session.

Mr Mchechu said investment in leadership development was already yielding results, with dividends and other contributions from public institutions rising from Sh637 billion in the 2020/21 financial year to Sh1.327 trillion in 2025/26, an increase of 108 percent.

He outlined five priorities for strengthening public institutions under Vision 2050: improving governance, developing leadership and human capital, strengthening performance management, expanding access to finance through public-private partnerships and capital markets, and increasing the productivity of government investments.

UONGOZI Institute Chief Executive Officer Kadari Singo said the success of Vision 2050 would depend on building an effective leadership system based on merit, clear responsibilities and accountability.

During the four-day programme, participants are receiving training in strategic leadership, governance, public investment management, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, risk management, public finance, conflict management and institutional alignment with Vision 2050.