By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga
Regional Commissioner, Anamringi Macha (pictured) has announced that more than
Sh 60 billion has been disbursed to beneficiaries under the Tanzania Social
Action Fund (Tasaf) in the region, aimed at strengthening household economies
and reducing poverty.
Speaking
on September 27, 2024, during the opening of a review meeting on the second
phase of Tasaf III, Macha emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure
that every citizen enjoys a better quality of life and national resources
through economic improvement.
"Since
2015, over Sh 60 billion has been distributed in Shinyanga to beneficiaries
under Tasaf to rescue families from poverty," Macha noted.
The
Tasaf Shinyanga Regional Coordinator, Dotto Maligisa, reported that the region
currently has 35,325 beneficiaries. Remarkably, 9,245 beneficiaries have
successfully graduated from the program, having achieved economic stability.
Tasaf
Director of Coordination at the national headquarters Haika Shayo, highlighted
that Tasaf III’s second phase began in 2021 and is set to conclude in September
2025. The review meeting, according to her, aims to assess the impact of the
program, which has seen 300,000 beneficiaries across the country graduate after
reaching economic self-reliance.
Shayo
urged those who have graduated from the program to continue investing and
participating in community-based savings groups, rather than disengaging after
exiting the direct support system. This, she emphasized, is critical for
sustained economic empowerment.
Tasaf
Head of Electronic Payments Elias Muyomba noted that currently, 361,592
beneficiaries receive their grants via mobile and online payments. Of these,
43% use mobile phones while 57% access funds through banks. He further shared
that a total of 79,926,685 transactions have been recorded so far, and the
registration for digital payments continues.
In
Shinyanga, online payment registration statistics reveal that Shinyanga
Municipality leads with 77%, followed by Kishapu at 47%, Kahama at 46%, Msalala
at 30%, Ushetu at 15%, and the Shinyanga District Council at 9%.
Muyomba
highlighted the benefits of digital payments, stating that they ensure money is
safe, accessible quickly, and significantly reduce logistical costs,
eliminating the need for extensive vehicle convoys to transport funds.
Tasaf
beneficiaries like Nyanzobe Madongola and Prisca Shija praised the government
for the transformative impact of the program. They shared that Tasaf has not
only improved their economic status but also enabled them to improve their
homes, send children to university, and invest in livestock farming.
Tasaf,
initiated in 2000, is a government-led initiative aimed at alleviating poverty
through direct cash transfers and supporting livelihood enhancement projects.
Its impact spans rural and urban areas, providing grants that have helped
millions of Tanzanians transition from poverty to financial independence.
The
ongoing Tasaf III, launched in 2012 and now in its second phase, focuses on
building resilient communities and reducing vulnerability. With over Sh 60
billion disbursed in Shinyanga alone, it highlights the program's critical role
in uplifting lives, improving education, and fostering sustainable livelihoods
across Tanzania. The wide-reaching economic empowerment brought about by Tasaf
continues to shape communities, allowing for long-term economic growth and
stability in Tanzania’s most vulnerable regions.