Samia: We did well in 2024 despite challenges

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday ushered in the New Year with a reflective and forward-looking message to Tanzanians, capturing the highs and challenges of 2024 while outlining her government’s priorities for 2025.

She expressed gratitude for the resilience of Tanzanians and highlighted key milestones that have shaped the nation’s growth.

“2024 was a historic year, one that brought significant achievements and underscored our national resolve,” President Hassan declared in her address to the nation.

Among the year’s triumphs, President Hassan lauded Tanzania’s economic growth, which accelerated to 5.4 percent in the first half of 2024, up from 4.8 percent during the same period in 2023.

Inflation remained stable at 3 percent, driven by sound fiscal policies.

Investment also surged, with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) registering 865 projects worth $7.7 billion between January and November (2024), projected to generate over 205,000 jobs.

In addition, new export processing zones approved 15 large factories valued at $235 million, creating nearly 6,000 jobs.

On revenue collection, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) amassed Sh21.3 trillion by October 2024, representing a 17.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

President Hassan noted that these funds were critical in advancing national priorities.

The digital economy agenda was another highlight, with the government launching a comprehensive digital economy strategy.

“We aim to ensure every citizen is identifiable through the digital National Identification Number, facilitating access to services and enhancing efficiency,” she remarked.

Tanzania’s diplomatic standing grew significantly in 2024. The President’s visits to 16 countries culminated in major agreements, including $2.5 billion from South Korea to fund projects in education, health, and infrastructure.

These projects range from building modern training centers for railroads and aviation to constructing a state-of-the-art gemstone laboratory.

The country’s participation in global forums like the G20 further strengthened its role in energy and agricultural innovations, aligning with Tanzania’s development goals.

Despite the successes, President Hassan acknowledged the challenges, including the devastating impact of El Niño rains and Cyclone Hidaya.

These weather events caused widespread flooding, displacing communities and damaging infrastructure.

“We invested Sh136 billion to restore damaged infrastructure and allocated Sh868 billion for rebuilding projects,” she said.

Another pressing issue was road accidents, with 1,735 incidents reported, leading to over 1,700 deaths.

“The majority of these tragedies stemmed from human error, particularly reckless driving. I urge the Ministry of Home Affairs to intensify efforts to curb this menace,” she stated.

Looking ahead, President Hassan outlined an ambitious agenda for 2025, prioritising infrastructure development, social services, and youth empowerment.

Key projects include completing the Dar es Salaam-Dodoma segment of the Standard Gauge Railway to facilitate cargo transport and advancing urban decongestion efforts in major cities.

The President also reaffirmed her commitment to strategic energy projects, such as the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which has already boosted the country’s power generation capacity to 3,169 MW.

“We will continue to improve access to quality healthcare, expand rural electrification, and invest in water projects to alleviate burdens on women,” she pledged.

In preparation for the 2025 General Election, the Head of State emphasised the importance of fair and democratic processes.

She highlighted reforms in election laws and called on all stakeholders to uphold Tanzania’s reputation as a beacon of democracy.

President Hassan ended her address on a hopeful note, urging Tanzanians to embrace hard work and unity.

“As we enter 2025, let us carry forward the spirit of resilience and collaboration that defines our nation. Together, we can achieve even greater heights,” she said.