Success of WB projects sparks pleas for continued funding
What you need to know:
- Senior World Bank Group officials are currently in Zanzibar for the mid-term review of the 20th cycle of the International Development Association (IDA20), where they also visited some of the group’s funded projects in the Islands
Zanzibar. The positive impact generated by World Bank-funded projects in the region has led to calls for sustained funding and capacity building as essential for the continued success and expansion of the initiatives.
Senior World Bank Group officials are currently in Zanzibar for the mid-term review of the 20th cycle of the International Development Association (IDA20), where they also visited some of the group’s funded projects in the islands.
IDA has a finance portfolio of $8.3 billion in Tanzania, with $7.26 billion in commitments benefiting 23 national projects and $1.05 billion in commitments to six regional projects.
WB president Mr Ajay Banga first recognised the strides made at Muungoni Village, part of the South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish).
The project, which benefits over 15,000 seaweed farmers, with 74 percent being women, has become a symbol of success. However, Banga highlighted the challenges of scaling and replicating such initiatives nationwide. “Scaling and replicating projects like this in other parts of the country are both important to the existing initiatives, but the real challenge is funding and the ability to absorb that funding on the ground," he said.
"They also need capacity to use it, so we need to provide the funding and also build the capacity," he added.
Mr Banga stressed the necessity of a close partnership with local governments for these projects to truly uplift livelihoods.
The World Bank Group’s senior managing director, Mr Axel Trotsenburg, led another delegation to the Jang’ombe Science Hub, which is one of 24 hub schools for enhanced Math, Science and English learning (MSE) supported under the Zanzibar Improving Student Prospects (ZISP) Project.
According to the Zanzibar ministry of Education’s deputy principal secretary, Ms Mwanakhamis Adam Ameir, the $35 million ZISP project, with the support of WB, was implemented to address key challenges faced by the education sector in Zanzibar.
“These challenges include a shortage of infrastructure (science laboratories, classrooms, libraries), shortage of ICT facilities, a shortage of qualified teachers on math and science subjects, and the problems of English proficiency among teachers and students,” said Ms Ameir.
Some of the key achievements from the science hubs include improved students' performance in math and science subjects in their national examination results.
“For instance, the pass rate of science subjects for students from schools served by Jang'ombe Hub has increased from 44.6 percent in 2020 on average to 48.1 percent in 2022. Similarly, in mathematics, the pass rate has increased from 13.3 to 18.3 percent in the period under review,” she said.
Mr Trostenburg echoed Banga’s remarks that the only challenge going forward is making sure that these projects and empowerment initiatives are scaled up in other parts.
“The people know what to do; what they need is some support and the WB stands ready to provide it,” he said. The WB has also, in collaboration with the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf), supported the economic empowerment projects at the Mafufuni village in Unguja through the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) programme.
According to Tasaf’s acting executive director, Shedrack Mziray, through PSSN, they implemented public work subprojects of the Mangrove Plantation subproject, whereby about 255,850 mangroves were planted, construction of three fishing ponds and construction of two sea water control bunds,” he said.
