My thoughts in presentation form on what's next for Tanzania: Reflections of the past government and challenges that lie for new president after the death of the late President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli

1. What’s next for Tanzania: Reflections of the past government and
challenges that lie ahead
Name: Enock Kasimbazi
Graduate student: International & Development Economics (M.A)
University: Hochschule für Technik und wirtschaft Berlin

2. On the 17th March 2021, Tanzania lost President John Magufuli. Two days later his
Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as the first female president of
the United Republic of Tanzania
Short Biography: President Samia Suluhu Hassan
Age: 61 years
Previous work: worked with WFP (1990s)
Joined politics in 2000 and became Vice-President 2015
In 2021 became first Tanzanian female President

3. In order to understand the challenges that lie ahead for the incoming government,
we must first understand:
(1) Tanzania’s situation under the past government
(2) Her current situation

4. Overview
• Tanzania under the late President John Magufuli: His Legacy
• Critics of the late President John Magufuli
• Tanzania macro-economic and development indicators
• Challenges facing the incoming President mama Suluhu Hassan

5. • Coming to power: 2015
• Running mate: Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan
• He was a no-nonsense leader and strong belief in
hard work.
• Nicknamed bulldozer, his slogan “hapa kazi tu” which
restating his belief in hard work
• His policy priorities: Industrialization and creation of
employment, better management of public funds
and natural resources
Tanzania under the late President John Magufuli: His Legacy

6. Tanzania under the late President John Magufuli: His Legacy
Contributions of the late President’s government to
economic growth and development of Tanzania:
1. Huge ambitious infrastructure and development
projects
• Tarmac Road projects connecting all regions in Tanzania
• Construction of the Nyerere dam, one of the largest dams in
Africa (2115 MW)
• Construction of 2,561 km standard gauge railway to connect
coast to Rwanda & Burundi
• Modern road interchanges, new airport, high speed bus
project in Dar etc

7. 2. Better management of public funds
1. Fight corruption and reduce unnecessary expenditure
2. Rise tax compliance and high fines for tax evaders
3. Tax collections increased by 65% between 2015 – 2018
3. Better management of natural resources
1. Renegotiation of contracts with investors e.g., with the Barrick group to form joint venture
2. Building a wall (24.5 km) around Mererani Tanzanite mine: to control and stop smuggling
4. Free education from primary to secondary school
5. Identity cards for small informal businesses to make them do business at ease
Tanzania under the late President John Magufuli: His Legacy

8. Critics of the late President John Magufuli
A hero to most Tanzanians nevertheless he had some critics. Below are some of the
arguments by his critics mainly opposition and rights groups
1. Limitation of press freedom through 2016 Media Services Act
2. Banning cross country political rallies till campaign period
3. Deterioration of foreign relations compared to predecessors
4. Critics cited heavy hand of the government on foreign investors and businesses
5. Handling of the Corona virus: stopping to publish Corona Virus statistics and
less initiatives in following WHO protocols

9. How is Tanzania doing?
1. GDP growth according to IMF data: Between 6.2 – 7% (2015 – 2019) ; 1.9% (2020)
2. National income per capital: $980 (2015) to $1080 (2019); graduated into low
middle-income status
3. Inflation (IMF data): between 3.6% (current) and 5.6% (2015) in line with SADC &
EAC targets
4. Debt sustainability (according to AFDB bank): Stood at 39.2% of GDP in October
2020 which is sustainable contrary to its neighbours
Tanzania macro-economic and development indicators

10. 5. Number of people below national poverty line ($1.35 per day) according to
World Bank Tanzania publication (March 2021) increased to 27.2% of
population.
• Crisis could push additional 600,000 people below national poverty line
6. The same publication estimates: loss of 140,000 formal jobs (June 2020) and 2.2
mil loss nonfarm informal workers suffer loss of income
Tanzania macro-economic and development indicators

11. She is stepping into big shoes: from late president but also current period’s
unprecedented challenge. Nevertheless, many believe she will step up for the
moment. Immediate challenges for incoming President include:
1. The COVID19 pandemic response policy:
• Need for government to rethink its COVID19 strategy & restate WHO protocols commitment.
• Acknowledge economic effects of the virus to businesses and households and address them
2. Tanzanians expect the continuance of what the late President started
• Aggressive fight against corruption, accountability, protection of natural resources &
complete many infrastructure projects started by the late President.
3. Critics of late president will be looking at the current President’s stand on
• Press freedoms, political freedoms and so on
Challenges facing the incoming President mama Suluhu Hassan

12. The current President’s steps in the right direction
• The appointment of Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango a top economist as her vice president
• Appointment of a new foreign minister a top diplomat Ambassador Liberatha
Mulamula
• Her commitment to fight corruption and mismanagement of funds

13. Thank you