The current development phase, from 1986 to date

During this period, political change became a significant issue in Tanzania. The movement for a transition from a one-party system to a multi-party political system began in 1985 and reached a crucial turning point in 1990.

Key developments

1. Demand for Multi-party System:

   • Some Tanzanians began demanding political change in the mid-1980s, specifically calling for the adoption of a multi-party system instead of the existing one-party system.

2. Mwalimu Nyerere's Role (1990):

   • In 1990, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the Father of the Nation, allowed for a transparent national debate about the establishment of a multi-party system, signaling a shift in political discourse.

3. Presidential Commission of Inquiry (1991):

   • In 1991, President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania, formed a presidential commission to gather Tanzanians' views on whether to maintain the one-party system or adopt a multi-party system.
   • The commission was chaired by Former Chief Justice Francis Nyalali and aimed to collect public opinion on the issue.

4. Nyalali Commission's Recommendation (1992):

   • In 1992, the Nyalali Commission recommended that Tanzania should transition to a multi-party system. This recommendation was officially adopted in July 1992.

5. Influence of International Pressure:

   • The adoption of the multi-party system was also influenced by the World Bank and Western nations, who made it a condition for continued support.

6. Formation of Political Parties:

   • After the transition, 13 political parties were officially registered, including prominent parties like:
     • Chama cha Demokrasii na Maendeleo (CHADEMA)
     • National Convention for Construction and Reform (NCCR–Mageuzi)
     • Tanzania Labour Party (TLP)
     • Civic United Front (CUF)
   • The ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), was also re-registered.

7. First Multi-party Elections (1995):

   • In 1995, Tanzania held its first multi-party general elections, marking a significant step towards greater political competition, democracy, and media freedom.
   • The shift to a multi-party system increased accountability, transparency, and civil society freedoms, leading to improved development and participation.

8. Subsequent Elections:

   • Since 1995, multi-party general elections have been conducted every five years, contributing to the continued growth of democracy in Tanzania.

Tanzania's economic development during this period was shaped by its membership in international institutions and significant economic restructuring.

Key developments

1. International Membership:

   • Tanzania is a member of various international institutions, including:
     • World Bank (WB)
     • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
     • World Trade Organization (WTO)
     • African Development Bank (AfDB)
     • United Nations (UN)

2. Economic Recovery Program (ERP) - 1986:

   • In 1986, Tanzania adopted the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) in response to the economic crises that began in the mid-1970s.
   • The WB and IMF imposed conditions for Tanzania to implement the ERP, focusing on restructuring the economy.

3. Shift to a Free Market Economy:

   • During this period, Tanzania transitioned towards a free market economy.
   • In this system, the government creates an enabling environment for the private sector to participate in economic activities, allowing private individuals, companies, and institutions to own the means of production.
   • The government reduced its direct involvement in production, shifting to a role that facilitated economic growth through policy management.

4. Privatization and Economic Restructuring:

   • As part of the economic restructuring programs, Tanzania implemented the privatization policy, leading to the privatization of parastatal organizations, factories, and farms.
   • This allowed the private sector to take on a more prominent role in driving economic growth and competition.

5. Infrastructure Development:

   • During this period, there were notable improvements in Tanzania's infrastructure, including:
     • Construction and expansion of roads and bridges.
     • Expansion of the Dar es Salaam port to enhance trade.
     • Development of ferries and markets to support economic activities.

6. Continued Economic Growth:

   • Tanzania continued to improve its economy by participating in economic competition with other nations, leading to growth in various sectors.

Tanzania's social development in recent decades has focused on improving key social services such as health, education, housing, water, and electricity. This period saw significant efforts by both the government and private organizations to expand and enhance the quality of these services.

Key social developments

1. Health Sector:

   • Hospital and Health Centre Construction: Both the government and private organizations built and upgraded hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries across the country.
   • Community Health Education: There was a strong emphasis on providing community health education to increase awareness and improve public health outcomes.

2. Education Sector:

   • Expansion of Secondary Schools: More secondary schools were built in each ward, leading to a significant increase in student enrollment in secondary schools and tertiary institutions (colleges and universities).
   • Improvement in Teaching Infrastructure: The government invested in the expansion and improvement of teaching and learning infrastructure, which contributed to a higher quality of education.
   • Increase in Number of Teachers and Graduates: The number of qualified teachers and graduates increased, helping to reduce illiteracy rates across the country.

3. Public and Private Sector Contributions:

   • Settlements and Housing: Public and private institutions invested in housing and settlements, improving living conditions for Tanzanians.
   • Energy Sector and Water Supply: Significant investments were made in energy services and water supply, improving access to essential resources.

4. Economic Restructuring and Service Fees:

   • As part of the economic restructuring program, the government introduced user charges for education, water, energy, and health services. Citizens were required to contribute financially to the services they received from government institutions.

5. Free Education Program (2016):

   • In 2016, the government introduced a free education program in government schools for students from pre-primary to Form Four. This move aimed to reduce the financial burden on families and increase access to education for all children.

The period following the introduction of multi-party democracy in Tanzania has been marked by significant cultural development. This era has witnessed the expansion of mass media, increased freedom of expression, and the growth of civil society organizations. Additionally, there have been advancements in sports, arts, and the growth of science and technology. These developments have had a profound impact on Tanzanian culture.

Key aspects of cultural development

1. Expansion of Mass Media:

   • The expansion of mass media in Tanzania has played a crucial role in the dissemination of information and has increased the accessibility of various forms of cultural expression to the public.

2. Freedom of Expression:

   • With the rise of multi-party democracy, there has been greater freedom of expression, allowing individuals and organizations to voice their opinions and promote their cultural ideas.

3. Growth of Civil Society Organizations:

   • The increased presence of civil society organizations has helped to promote cultural awareness, preservation of traditions, and the development of new cultural activities.

4. Advancements in Sports and Arts:

   • This period saw significant development in sports and arts, with more opportunities for Tanzanians to participate in and enjoy diverse cultural activities. This contributed to the country's national identity and social cohesion.

5. Influence of Global Interactions:

   • Increased interaction with countries in Europe, Asia, and America has had a noticeable influence on Tanzanian culture. This interaction has impacted various aspects of everyday life, such as:
     • Dressing Styles: Exposure to international fashion trends.
     • Education: New methods and systems of education have been introduced.
     • Types of Food: A greater diversity in food choices, influenced by global culinary trends.
     • Entertainment: Access to global entertainment, including movies, music, and sports.
     • Language: The influence of foreign languages, especially English, in various cultural spheres.

Despite significant progress since 1986, Tanzania has continued to face a range of economic, political, social, and cultural challenges. These challenges have hindered the country's development efforts, and efforts to address them are ongoing.

Economic challenges

1. Inadequate Revenue Collection:

   • The country has struggled with poor revenue collection systems, resulting in inadequate funds for development. Many private sector companies initially failed to pay taxes, making it difficult for the government to create a conducive investment environment.

2. Failure in Privatization of Means of Production:

   • Contrary to expectations, the privatization of state-owned enterprises did not lead to the intended improvements in production. In many cases, resources such as minerals were controlled and exploited by foreign capitalist companies rather than being developed for the benefit of the nation.

3. Low Income and Inability to Pay for Social Services:

   • Many Tanzanians have low incomes, making it difficult for them to afford basic services such as education, healthcare, electricity, transport, and water. This issue prompted the government to introduce free education from pre-primary to form four in 2016 and to subsidize healthcare costs through the National Health Insurance Fund.

4. Growing Wealth Gap:

   • A significant gap has developed between the rich and the poor, leading to social inequality and economic instability.

Political challenges

1. Weak Tax Collection Systems:

   • The failure to implement efficient tax collection mechanisms in the early years led to a shortage of revenue, limiting the government's ability to fund development projects.

2. Political Instability and Party Relations:

   • There have been challenges related to improving the relationships between political parties, though the government has committed resources to fostering better cooperation and strengthening political stability.

Social challenges

1. Access to Basic Services:

   • Although free education has been introduced, many citizens still struggle to access basic social services due to income disparities and inefficient service delivery systems.

2. Health Care Costs:

   • The affordability of healthcare remains a challenge for many Tanzanians, especially those who are not part of the National Health Insurance Fund.

Cultural challenges

1. Loss of National Resources:

   • The mismanagement and exploitation of national resources, including minerals, by foreign entities have been a significant cultural and economic issue.

To address these challenges, the Tanzanian government has implemented various strategies aimed at improving the country's development:

Economic strategies

1. Improved Tax Collection Systems:

   • The government has worked on creating stable and reliable tax collection systems to minimize revenue loss and improve national income.

2. Control Over Mineral Resources:

   • New systems have been established to monitor and control the ownership, mining, and sale of minerals. For example, the creation of regional mineral markets and the Mirerani Wall to prevent Tanzanite smuggling and tax evasion have helped improve revenue collection.

3. Privatization and Investment in Public Enterprises:

   • The government has focused on improving public enterprises, such as Air Tanzania, Tanzania Railway Company (TRC), Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), and Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC), to generate higher profits and contribute to the national economy.

4. Environmental Protection:

   • To address environmental concerns, the government has implemented a ban on the manufacturing, distribution, and use of plastic bags, promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

Political and social strategies

1. Promoting Patriotism:

   • The government has emphasized patriotism to encourage Tanzanians to value and protect national resources, ensuring that they benefit the entire nation.

2. Improved Political Relations:

   • Efforts have been made to improve the relationships between political parties, aiming to foster political stability and a stronger democratic environment.