Tanzania up in key governance index

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has climbed three positions in the overall rankings of the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) to 14th out of 54 African countries in 2018 edition from 17th in 2017.

A report released recently by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation shows that Tanzania has improved its overall index to 58.5/100 in 2018 from 57.5/100 recorded during the previous edition.

This is higher than the continental average score of 50.8/100 recorded in the 2018 edition and is also higher than an average of 49.9/100.

In the East African region, Tanzania was ranked third behind Rwanda which became 8th in Africa, followed by Kenya which ranked 11th and Uganda was behind Tanzania after being ranked 20th position while Burundi and South Sudan were on the bottom of the list.

The index shows that on safety and rule of law, Tanzania remained on 14th position during the period under review, with its score improving to 63.8/100 from 62.9/100 gained during the previous edition.

On the participation and human rights, Tanzania also remained on 16th position during the two consecutive years, with the score improved to 62.1/100 on 2018 edition from 61.5/100 attained in 2017 index.

Improvements were recorded on protecting against ethnic and religious discrimination, workplace gender equality and gender parity on school enrolments.

Minister in the Office of the President (Public Service and good Governance), Mr George Mkuchika, commented on the achievements, saying it is not the first time for Tanzania to achieve such a position.

“When you look at previous public opinions you will realise that we are better off on good governance,” he said in a telephone interview.

Mr Mkuchika said anti-corruption measures which are being carried out by the fifth phase government and promotion of rule of law have helped to improve governance.

However, the country’s index on freedom of association and assembly fell by 12.5 between 2008 and 2017 while freedom of expression went down by 13 per cent over the last one decade.

On sustainable economic opportunities, Tanzania has improved five positions to 14th on 2018 edition from 19th on 2017 edition.

Major improvements were recorded on civil registration, online public services, efficiency incustoms procedures, reliable energy, access to water and transport infrastructure.

In the human development index, which comprises of welfare, education and health, Tanzania climbed three positions to 24th in 2018 from 27th in 2017.

Major improvements of human development were recorded in promotion of socioeconomic integration of youth, human resources in primary school, satisfaction with narrowing income gaps, absence of child mortality and absence of communicable diseases. The index shows that Tanzania scored badly on public health campaign which fell by half between 2007-2018 followed by education quality by 16.7 per cent and primary school completion.

Mr Mo Ibrahim, chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “We welcome progress in Overall Governance, but the lost opportunity of the past decade is deeply concerning. Africa has a huge challenge ahead.

“Its large and youthful potential workforce could transform the continent for the better, but this opportunity is close to being squandered. The evidence is clear – young citizens of Africa need hope prospects and opportunities. Its leaders need to speed up job creation to sustain progress and stave off deterioration.”

The time to act is now.”