By Our Correspondent, Morogoro
The sixth-phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has accelerated economic growth in Tanzania by fostering public-private partnerships (PPP) and promoting inclusive development, experts say.
David Kafulila, Director of the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), said the government’s four-year leadership has delivered tangible results across multiple sectors.
Speaking at a professional conference on inclusive economic growth and the National Vision 2050, organized by PPPC and the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), Kafulila highlighted notable achievements in irrigation, mining, and power infrastructure.
“In irrigation, only 540,000 hectares were under cultivation before, but now one million hectares benefit from irrigation projects,” he said.
In mining, about 2,600 small-scale miners now hold licenses, raising their contribution to national mineral output from 20 percent to 40 percent between 2021 and 2024.
Kafulila also noted major improvements in the power sector.
“President Samia inherited a power transmission network that had expanded only 6,000 kilometres over 60 years. In just four years, it has grown by 2,000 kilometres—30 percent of what was achieved in six decades. This demonstrates the essence of inclusive economic growth,” he said.
Former Controller and Auditor General and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of MUM, Professor Mussa Assad, said the country’s economy has grown by six percent over the past four years, with improved living standards and price stability.
He compared Tanzania’s progress favorably with neighboring Kenya and Rwanda.
Prof. Assad emphasized that for inclusive growth to continue over the next 25 years, university graduates must be equipped with practical skills to actively participate in the economy.
“The government and private sector have a responsibility to train young people to contribute to inclusive economic growth,” he said.
Economist Dr. Bravious Kahyoza added that trade’s share of GDP has grown from 27 percent in 2021 to 43 percent today, reflecting expanding business opportunities.
Public-sector employment has also surged, with over 400,000 new jobs created in the past four years, surpassing employment growth in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Mzumbe University lecturer and PPP expert Moshi Derefa said global investment increasingly follows public-private partnership models, and Tanzania must strengthen collaboration with both domestic and foreign investors.
“Engaging the private sector helps bring advanced technology and expertise to accelerate development across sectors,” he said.
The conference concluded with a shared commitment to deepen public-private partnerships and sustain inclusive economic growth, a key pillar of the sixth-phase government’s development agenda.