Granting a brighter future: UK initiative boosts Tanzania's fight against poverty

Dar es Salaam.Tanzania's attempts to eradicate poverty have been boosted by the introduction of a new research fund, which is intended to transform poverty assessment in the country.

Tanzania has been selected as the first focus country for Data & Evidence to end Extreme Poverty (DEEP) Challenge Fund due to the need for research evidence and policy change.

DEEP is a research consortium that aims to build evidence, insights and solutions to help end extreme poverty globally.

It is led by the Oxford Policy Management (OPM) in partnership with the World Bank’s Development Data Group and is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The initiative, unveiled at the University of Dar es Salaam on Saturday, March 23, 2024, promises to support the goal of the country by harnessing modern methods of data collection and statistics that measure poverty.

Economic experts and policymakers gathered at the launch event and highlighted the urgent need for accurate statistics to drive effective poverty alleviation strategies.

Seasoned economist, Prof Samuel Wangwe who was among the participants, emphasised that the stagnation in poverty alleviation plans stemmed from the lack of precise data.

He underscored the DEEP Challenge Fund as a pivotal solution to the longstanding problem.

"Without accurate statistics, our efforts to combat poverty are like navigating in the dark. The fund heralds a new era of evidence-based policymaking, empowering Tanzanian researchers to gather the data necessary for informed decision-making," Prof Wangwe said.

One of the central themes echoed throughout the event was the disparity between economic growth and poverty reduction.

Despite Tanzania's commendable economic progress, poverty levels have not decreased at the anticipated rate.

The managing director of Oxford Policy Management in Tanzania and co-chair of the DEEP National Leadership Committee, Dr Charles Sokile, shed light on the issue.

"We cannot rely solely on economic growth to lift people out of poverty. The DEEP Challenge Fund will enable us to delve deeper into the dynamics of poverty, utilising alternative methods such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis to provide timely and accurate insights," Dr Sokile said.

The fund, which will initially provide grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000 for research projects lasting between six and twelve months, signifies a crucial investment in Tanzania's future.

By embracing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, researchers can collaborate more effectively to measure poverty accurately and inform targeted policy interventions.

Further emphasising the significance of the initiative, an esteemed development economist, Dr Janita Mbwambo, said there is a need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of poverty trends.

"Poverty is a multifaceted issue that requires ongoing scrutiny. The DEEP fund empowers researchers to stay abreast of evolving trends, enabling policymakers to adapt their strategies accordingly," said Dr Mbwambo.

The launching event also featured contributions from international experts, highlighting the global relevance of Tanzania's endeavors. A leading expert in poverty measurement from Singapore, Prof Mei Lin, commended Tanzania's proactive approach.

"Tanzania's commitment to enhancing poverty measurement aligns with global best practices. By embracing innovative methodologies, Tanzania has the potential to keep growing," said Prof Lin.

Moreover, Dr Ahmed Khan, a renowned data scientist from Bangladesh, underscored the transformative potential of leveraging big data analytics.

"Big data analytics offer unprecedented opportunities for understanding complex social phenomena such as poverty. Tanzania's embrace of these technologies signals a forward-thinking approach to development," said Dr Khan.

The launch of the DEEP Challenge Fund was complemented by an interactive workshop, providing researchers with invaluable insights into the types of data required to inform policymaking.

“By aligning research priorities with national policies and long-term development plans, the workshop laid the foundation for collaborative efforts to combat poverty effectively,” said Dr Lin.