Tanzania has been identified by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) as one of the countries expected to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category to developing country status, marking a significant milestone in its development journey.
The announcement was made in Dodoma by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Natu El-maamry Mwamba, during a preliminary review conducted by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Dr. Mwamba attributed the progress to consistent economic growth and robust policy reforms over the past two decades.
Between 2000 and 2024, Tanzania maintained an average growth rate of 6.2 percent, driven by structural investments and fiscal discipline.
“Per capita income rose from USD 453 in 2000 to USD 1,277 in 2023. Extreme poverty declined from 36 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2024, supported by prudent monetary policies and expanded credit to the private sector,” she said.
She further noted that inflation has remained in single digits, enhancing economic stability and easing pressure on household livelihoods.
Strategic investments such as the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma have strengthened infrastructure and boosted productivity.
According to her, reforms in education and healthcare, coupled with emphasis on industrialization and job creation, have also positioned Tanzania to meet the UN thresholds for graduation.
She pledged the government’s full cooperation with UNCTAD experts to ensure a smooth transition.
“The government is confident that this assessment will help refine policies that make Tanzania more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous for all,” she added.
UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania, Mr. Shigeki Komatsubara, reaffirmed the UN’s support for the country’s next phase of growth.
He said the assessment would be inclusive, capturing voices across society, and stressed that sustainable progress depends on participatory development strategies.
The review meeting drew participants from government institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners from both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Its outcomes will inform Tanzania’s official graduation assessment and highlight opportunities and challenges ahead of the transition.
Graduating from LDC status would represent a shift in Tanzania’s international standing, signaling stronger resilience and economic maturity.
However, it also means the country must prepare for reduced access to certain concessional financing and preferential trade arrangements, underscoring the importance of strengthening competitiveness and domestic revenue.