The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu El-maamry Mwamba, has met with the Executive Director of the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Prof Fortunata Makene, in a strategic effort to deepen collaboration between the government and the think tank in advancing Tanzania’s development agenda.
Held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dodoma, the high-level meeting focused on aligning ESRF’s research and advisory work with the government’s evolving policy priorities, particularly in economic transformation and social development.
Dr Mwamba said the government remains committed to using data and evidence to shape its policy decisions, highlighting that Tanzania’s long-term aspirations are guided by the National Development Vision 2025, while medium- and short-term targets are addressed through Five-Year Development Plans (FYDPs) and Annual Development Plans, respectively.
“The government requires robust policy support in critical areas such as poverty reduction, employment generation, and export-led growth,” he said.
“We value ESRF’s role in providing independent, timely research that helps ensure our policy choices are grounded in facts and responsive to the needs of Tanzanians.”he added
The meeting comes at a time when the government is intensifying its push for inclusive economic growth and resilience amid global and regional uncertainties.
Dr Mwamba stressed the need for enhanced synergy between public institutions and research bodies like ESRF to enable timely interventions.
On her part, Prof Makene reiterated ESRF’s commitment to supporting the government’s policy formulation processes. She outlined ongoing research initiatives in areas such as sustainable development, fiscal policy, youth empowerment, and climate resilience.
“We are ready to work even more closely with the Ministry to ensure that our research directly informs national priorities. Strong collaboration between government and think tanks like ESRF is vital for building an adaptive and knowledge-based economy,” she said.
The meeting signals continued efforts to institutionalise research-policy linkages, ensuring that policy responses are not only evidence-based but also inclusive and impactful.