Tanzania’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba (MP), has affirmed the country’s readiness to mitigate the impact of recent changes in U.S. foreign aid policies towards Africa, saying the government has already taken bold steps to allocate domestic resources to safeguard key sectors, including health.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with Mr. Adran Ubisse, Executive Director for the African Group 1 Constituency at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Nchemba stated, “Tanzania is prepared to handle the effects of the U.S. decision to suspend aid, especially in critical areas like health, and to impose tariffs on imports from African countries. We have restructured our 2025/2026 national budget to cover those gaps.”
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings 2025, held in Washington, D.C. Mr. Ubisse had inquired about how Tanzania plans to navigate the potential challenges following the U.S. policy changes, particularly as they affect economic cooperation and development aid to Africa.
“We are redirecting funds by cutting down on non-essential expenditures and boosting allocations for social services and productive sectors,” Dr. Nchemba explained.
“Our development vision must remain intact, regardless of the changing policy landscape of other nations.”
Dr. Nchemba emphasized that Tanzania is committed to long-term resilience and development, adding, “African countries, including Tanzania, cannot afford to let their development paths be dictated by shifting foreign policies. We will take robust action to ensure essential services, economic productivity, and infrastructure development are not compromised.”
Echoing this forward-looking strategy, Stanslaus Nyongo, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), introduced the country’s new National Development Vision 2050, which is designed to enhance economic self-reliance and accelerate income growth through strategic investments in sectors such as agriculture and information technology.
“With the Vision 2050, which begins implementation in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, we aim to raise annual per capita income from the current USD 1,250 to USD 4,700 by the year 2050,” said Nyongo. “It’s a practical roadmap to transform Tanzania into a middle-income, self-sufficient economy.”
Mr. Ubisse commended Tanzania for its swift and strategic approach. “It’s impressive to see Tanzania stepping up so decisively. These measures will not only protect the economy but also ensure that citizens continue to receive essential services. At the IMF, we are also exploring how best to support African countries in strengthening their resilience through various programs,” he said.
Dr. Nchemba is leading the Tanzanian delegation at the Spring Meetings, where he serves as one of the IMF and World Bank Governors representing shareholder countries.
Accompanying him are several senior officials including Stanslaus Nyongo, Dr. Natu El-maamry Mwamba (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance), Mr. Emmanuel Tutuba (Governor, Bank of Tanzania), Mr. Nsubili Joshua (Secretary to the Cabinet), and Dr. Blandina Kilama (Economic Advisor to President Samia Suluhu Hassan).
Other members of the delegation include Eng. Felchesmi Mramba (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy), Dr. Juma Malik Akil (Permanent Secretary, President’s Office – Finance and Planning, Zanzibar), Ms. Amina Khamis Shaaban (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance), Dr. Fred Msemwa (Executive Secretary, Planning Commission), and other key government representatives.
