Tanzania records strong progress in social development and justice agenda

By Our Correspondent Reporter

Tanzania has made significant strides in advancing social development and social justice under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with the agenda now firmly embedded in national policies, laws and development planning.

Addressing the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) in New York, the head of the Tanzanian delegation, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Advocate Amon A. Mpanju, said the government has prioritised people-centred development as a foundation for inclusive growth.

He said social development and social justice are anchored in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 and are being implemented in line with Tanzania Development Vision 2050, while also aligning with regional and global frameworks, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CSocD64 session, which opened on February 2, will conclude on February 10, 2026.

Advocate Mpanju told the session that Tanzania is pursuing well-coordinated policies that link economic growth with social protection, human capital development and equal access to basic services. 

He said these efforts are supported by sectoral policies that promote gender equality, youth development, education, health and the protection of special groups, notably women, older persons, children and people with disabilities, in line with SDGs 1, 5, 8, 10 and 16.

On social protection, he said the government has significantly expanded coverage through the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF). 

In the 2024/2025 financial year, more than 1.26 million beneficiaries were reached, covering all identified poor households, who received cash transfers to support basic needs.

“These interventions have strengthened household income security, improved access to education and health services, and increased resilience against economic shocks and climate-related challenges,” said Advocate Mpanju.

He noted that progress has also been recorded in gender equality, youth empowerment and social inclusion. 

Women’s participation in leadership and decision-making has continued to rise, with women now accounting for 40.5 percent of Members of Parliament. 

He attributed this growth to gender-responsive planning and budgeting, including the allocation of 10 percent of internally generated revenue by councils to provide interest-free loans to women, youth and persons with disabilities engaged in small-scale economic activities.

In education, the government has sustained the free basic education policy, which has led to increased enrolment, particularly at primary level. 

More than two million children, including 3,200 with special needs, have been enrolled under the programme. 

Investment in vocational education and training has also increased, with enrolment rising by 43 percent to about 265,000 students in the 2025/2026 academic year. Teacher training programmes have been expanded nationwide, reaching over 300,000 teachers.

Student financing has also improved. Advocate Mpanju said the number of beneficiaries of higher education loans increased from 149,472 in 2020/2021 to 245,384 in 2024/2025, while the loan budget rose from Sh464 billion to TZS787.4 billion over the same period.

“These reforms are opening doors for more young people to access higher education without financial barriers,” he said.

In the health sector, Tanzania has taken a major step towards universal health coverage following the enactment of the Universal Health Insurance Act in 2025. 

Implementation has begun, with the government allocating funds to ensure access to healthcare for vulnerable groups, including older persons, children, people with disabilities and those with chronic illnesses.

Advocate Mpanju said health infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with the number of dispensaries, health centres and hospitals increasing from 8,549 in 2020 to 12,846 in 2025. During the same period, the number of health workers has more than tripled.

“This investment has expanded access to health services across the country and contributed to a decline in under-five and maternal deaths, while improving treatment for chronic and non-communicable diseases,” he said.

On inclusive economic growth, he said the government has increased investment in agriculture, industry and mining by strengthening production systems, promoting value addition and improving market access. 

He cited the establishment of commercial farms, the launch of about 47,000 industries and the development of special economic and production zones as key drivers of job creation and income growth.

Presenting Tanzania’s national commitment at the session, Advocate Mpanju said the country will continue to promote social development and social justice through equitable, inclusive and well-coordinated policies to ensure that no citizen is left behind. 

He also underscored the importance of international cooperation in mobilising financial resources, accessing appropriate technologies and strengthening capacity to implement the Copenhagen and Doha social development commitments.

On February 4, 2026, Tanzania submitted its national report on the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action of 1995 and the Doha Declaration of 2025 to the CSocD64 session, held under the theme: “Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Equitable, Inclusive and Well-Coordinated Policies.”