Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian government is set to launch the first draft of the National Development Vision 2050 on Wednesday next week at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Zanzibar.
This announcement, made by Prof Kitila Mkumbo, the Minister of State in the President’s Office—Planning and Investment, signals a key moment in the country’s development trajectory, positioning the Vision as a critical tool for shaping Tanzania’s future.
The launch represents not just a ceremonial step but a significant part of a broader strategy that is intended to guide the nation’s socio-economic progress in the coming decades.
The Chief Guest at the event will be Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council.
The process leading up to this launch has been marked by an extensive and inclusive consultation phase, gathering feedback from over 1.17 million citizens and stakeholders between December of the previous year and October this year.
The breadth of the feedback collection process, which involved household surveys, SMS messages (USSD), websites, conferences, interviews, and discussions with current and former leaders, is indicative of a government approach that seeks to be responsive and representative.
This phase underscores the Tanzanian government’s efforts to ensure that the Vision is not just a high-level policy document but one grounded in the lived experiences and priorities of its citizens.
“The launch of the 2050 Vision Draft will coincide with the beginning of the second phase of stakeholder feedback collection, which will focus on the validation of the Vision Draft,” Prof Mkumbo stated during a meeting coordinated by the Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Thobias Makoba.
The validation phase, which is set to conclude on January 18, 2025, will be crucial in refining the document, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring that it is a document of practical feasibility.
The validation process is expected to address potential gaps, including ensuring that the draft reflects an appropriate balance between ambition and the practical realities of implementation.
This phase could be a litmus test for how flexible the government is in adjusting the Vision based on public feedback, and whether the final document will be a consensus-driven blueprint or a government-imposed directive.
Between January and March 2025, the Vision Draft will undergo scrutiny within key government bodies such as the Permanent Secretaries, the National Planning Commission, and the Cabinet.
These bodies are expected to provide technical and political assessments of the draft, weighing its feasibility in relation to the country’s financial and institutional capacities.
This phase presents an opportunity to gauge the level of institutional commitment to the Vision and the extent to which it aligns with existing government priorities.
In the months that follow, between April and May 2025, the draft will be presented to the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania for formal approval.
This stage is particularly important because it will test the degree of political will across various sectors, as Parliament will have the power to amend or approve the Vision.
The approval process in Parliament will be closely scrutinized, as it will reveal the level of cross-party consensus on the Vision and its ability to withstand political cycles.
Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, is expected to officially launch the National Development Vision 2050 in May or June 2025.
Her formal endorsement will mark the culmination of years of planning and consultation, but it will also be a moment of significant responsibility.
Prof Mkumbo further emphasized that the preparation of Vision 2050 is aligned with the development of the Long-Term Perspective Plan (LTPP), a complementary framework that will help interpret the goals of the Vision into actionable steps.
This alignment speaks to a longer-term strategy that goes beyond short-term political cycles and election periods.
“This Vision belongs to all Tanzanians, and I urge every citizen to actively participate in all stages leading up to the official launch day,” Prof Mkumbo concluded.
This call to participation reflects an awareness of the importance of broad-based ownership of the Vision.
Public buy-in is crucial, not only for the success of the Vision itself but for ensuring that it is effectively implemented.
On behalf of the media, Mr Deodatus Balile, Chairman of the Tanzania Editors’ Forum, expressed his hope for a collaborative environment where the government and the media work together harmoniously.
“We must cultivate a culture of government delivering information to the people, and in turn, the government receiving information from the people,” said Mr Balile.
His comments underscore the crucial role of transparency and accountability in the process, highlighting the media’s responsibility in scrutinizing the Vision and holding the government accountable to its promises.
Mr Balile also shared his enthusiasm for a Tanzania that prioritizes the industrial sector and quality education—two essential components of a sustainable and inclusive development strategy.
“To advance our nation, the National Vision must be a unifying force, ensuring that any changes in leadership do not result in shifts in the priorities outlined in the Vision,” Mr Balile concluded.
His point raises an important issue: how can Tanzania ensure that leadership transitions do not disrupt the continuity of long-term development plans?
This underscores the need for institutionalizing the Vision 2050 within the governance framework, ensuring that it becomes a national asset rather than a political football.
However, in a swift rejoinder, Prof Mkumbo reassured the public, allaying concerns over potential shifts in direction, stating that the National Development Vision 2050 will be a lasting framework.
He emphasized that the Vision will be rooted in legal procedures, ensuring its permanence and alignment with the country’s long-term development goals.
This legal foundation is intended to provide stability, making it resistant to political changes and shifts in leadership, thereby safeguarding its continuity.
