By Adonis Byemelwa
Tanzania has marked a significant step forward in its fight against corruption, achieving its highest score yet on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). With a score of 40 out of 100 for 2023, the country has improved steadily since hitting an all-time low of 19 in 1999.
This progress underlines the growing public and institutional commitment to tackling corruption, even as the journey remains challenging. Tanzania’s ranking has also improved globally, moving from 94th in 2022 to 87th in 2023, reflecting incremental yet notable strides toward better governance.
Despite this positive development, a recent analysis of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) reports by the WAJIBU Institute of Public Accountability highlights persistent red flags in public sector fraud and corruption.
Alarmingly, while the value of flagged corruption and fraud cases dropped by 10 percent—from Sh3.085 trillion in 2021/22 to Sh2.778 trillion in 2022/23—this decrease is overshadowed by significant concerns.
Corruption red flags surged in local government authorities, rising from Sh297.86 billion in 2021/22 to Sh641.29 billion in 2022/23, an alarming 215.3 percent increase.
In total, public authorities accounted for 44.4 percent of red flags, or Sh1.235 trillion, while the central government accounted for Sh676.66 billion, equivalent to 24.4 percent. Local government’s share stood at 23.1 percent, with Sh641.29 billion flagged.
Development projects also faced scrutiny, with red flags amounting to Sh225.39 billion, or 8.1 percent of the total. These figures reveal a troubling pattern of governance weaknesses that remain deeply entrenched.
Several examples illustrate the systemic issues. A tender by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) to construct its headquarters revealed inefficiencies and potential foul play.
Initially awarded at Sh9.80 billion in March 2022, the tender was abruptly canceled on ministerial orders. The same contractor won the re-tender at a higher cost of Sh10.48 billion, raising concerns over mismanagement and oversight failures.
Other sectors, such as the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) and Keko Pharmaceuticals Industry, also reflected similar governance challenges.
WAJIBU’s analysis identified key drivers of these issues, including political interference, systemic corruption, and weak oversight mechanisms.
The institute recommended stricter enforcement of accountability, enhanced transparency, and stronger cooperation between state and non-state actors. Calls were made for greater public involvement in demanding accountability, monitoring audit outcomes, and advocating for reforms.
On 16th December 2024, Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango urged the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to intensify its efforts as the nation prepares for the 2025 general elections.
Recognizing the growing threat of corruption in political processes, Dr. Mpango directed the PCCB to combat bribery through digital platforms and mobile money transfers, which have emerged as new avenues for illicit practices.
Dr. Mpango emphasized the critical role of ethical leadership, warning that leaders elected through corrupt means are unlikely to prioritize citizens’ needs or supervise development projects effectively.
He called for robust systems to detect, prevent, and punish corruption, stressing the importance of protecting whistleblowers and deploying modern investigative techniques.
He also urged the media to play a more active role in exposing wrongdoing, while cautioning against biased reporting that could undermine public trust.
Over the past year, the PCCB has recovered Sh18 billion through investigations and monitoring of development projects. However, systemic gaps persist. A total of 375 corruption cases were opened in 2022/23, but nearly 42 percent were closed due to insufficient evidence.
Only 41 cases made it to court, with 40 resulting in convictions. Meanwhile, 160 cases remain under investigation, highlighting the slow pace of justice in tackling corruption.
Tanzania’s fight against corruption has gained fresh momentum, marked by significant steps to overhaul governance systems and enforce accountability across public and private sectors.
Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango recently emphasized the urgency of combating corruption, particularly with the 2025 General Elections on the horizon.
Addressing the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Arusha, Dr. Mpango called for intensified efforts against bribery, especially through digital platforms.
He warned that corruption threatens national development and erodes democratic principles, stressing that leaders compromised by illicit practices cannot champion public welfare or oversee effective governance.
Tanzania’s anti-corruption strategies have a storied history. Efforts began as early as 1966 with the establishment of the Permanent Commission of Inquiry, later evolving into the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG).
In 1971, the Prevention of Corruption Act created the Anti-Corruption Squad, which eventually transformed into the Prevention of Corruption Bureau (PCB) under the President’s Office.
These institutions laid the groundwork for the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP), launched in the late 1990s as part of Vision 2025. The framework emphasized transparency, accountability, and ethical governance, mandating ministries, departments, and agencies to prepare action plans for combating corruption.
Despite these historical efforts, corruption remains deeply entrenched. Recent audits by WAJIBU Institute of Public Accountability revealed a decline in red flags from 3.085 trillion Tanzanian shillings in the 2021/22 fiscal year to 2.778 trillion in 2022/23.
While this 10 percent drop is a positive sign, the persistence of irregularities in local governments, central institutions, and development projects is alarming.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority’s mishandling of a 10.48-billion-shilling tender illustrates how oversight weaknesses can inflate costs and fuel unethical practices.
WAJIBU’s Executive Director, Ludovick Utouh, called for public vigilance, urging citizens to hold officials accountable and demand transparency in public spending.
To address procurement inefficiencies, Tanzania is transitioning to the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (Nest), replacing the older Tanzanian National e-Procurement System (TANePS).
This digital platform aims to minimize human interaction, reducing opportunities for manipulation. Analysts praise this move, highlighting its potential to enhance accountability in the 31 trillion shillings allocated for procurement in the national budget. However, they caution that challenges often emerge during contract execution, where corruption thrives.
Dr. Mpango’s directives reflect the government’s renewed commitment to eradicating corruption under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. He announced investments in advanced ICT systems for PCCB offices, modern investigative tools, and whistleblower protection to ensure transparency.
Stressing the importance of impartiality, he warned PCCB staff against bias, calling for adherence to legal standards and a strong focus on grassroots institutions like local courts and land councils. This multifaceted approach underscores the government’s intent to bridge systemic gaps and prevent funds from being misappropriated.
Civil society and media play pivotal roles in Tanzania’s anti-corruption campaign. Experts like Professor Patrick Lumumba argue that genuine political will is essential for these efforts to succeed.
He criticizes African anti-corruption institutions for often serving donor interests rather than fostering meaningful reform. In Tanzania, election cycles complicate the fight against corruption, with accusations that political parties and law enforcement tolerate or exploit bribery to secure electoral victories. Such practices weaken democratic institutions and erode public trust.
Nonetheless, Tanzania’s progress on the CPI is a testament to growing reform momentum. The government’s decision to strengthen criminal justice systems and enhance cooperation between state and non-state actors reflects a holistic approach to governance. Dr. Mpango’s call for greater citizen involvement underscores the importance of collective action in ensuring public resources are managed ethically and efficiently.
The road ahead remains long and fraught with challenges. Corruption is deeply rooted, often extending into the very institutions tasked with preventing it.
Nevertheless, with continued vigilance, innovative solutions like Nest, and sustained public engagement, Tanzania is poised to make even greater strides. Its journey offers valuable lessons in resilience and underscores the critical role of transparency and accountability in achieving national progress.