Tanzania has strengthened its development partnership with the World Bank following high-level discussions on priority government projects expected to be financed under the International Development Association (IDA) 21st funding cycle.
The talks were held in Washington, D.C., United States of America, on the sidelines of the 2026 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, bringing together senior government officials and World Bank representatives to review Tanzania’s key development priorities.
The Tanzanian delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dkt. Natu El-maamry Mwamba, who held discussions with the World Bank Country Director, Nathan Belete, focusing on priority projects that Tanzania intends to finance through IDA-21.
The discussions centered on aligning national development priorities with available concessional financing, with emphasis on key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, health, and digital transformation.
Both sides reviewed project readiness and implementation strategies aimed at ensuring timely delivery and maximum impact for citizens.
IDA, the concessional financing arm of the World Bank, provides low-interest loans and grants to support development projects in low-income and developing countries, helping to drive poverty reduction and economic growth.
The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Planning Commission, Dr. Tausi Kida, alongside the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning of Zanzibar, Aboud Hassan Mwinyi.
Other senior officials included the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Rished Bade, and the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Planning Commission, Sosthenes Kewe, together with other senior government experts and World Bank officials.
The discussions took place alongside the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which bring together global leaders to assess economic trends and strengthen international development cooperation.
Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that IDA-21 resources are effectively aligned with national priorities and directed toward projects that accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and improve public services.
The World Bank expressed continued support for Tanzania’s development agenda, recognizing the country’s progress in implementing projects under previous financing cycles and its strong partnership with development partners.
Both sides agreed to deepen coordination in project preparation and implementation to ensure faster delivery, improved efficiency, and tangible benefits to citizens across the country.
