Tanzanian experts push for policy shifts to unlock private sector’s role in Vision 2050

The event, organised by the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) in collaboration with Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET), focused on how public-private partnerships can drive Tanzania’s long-term development.

Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050 (NDV 2050) sets out to transform the country into a high-income, inclusive, and sustainable economy by mid-century.

The vision targets raising the national GDP from the current $85 billion to $1 trillion by 2050. It also aims for a GDP per capita of $12,000 and an annual growth rate of over 8 percent.

Central to this transformation is the private sector, which is expected to contribute at least $700 billion to the envisioned $1 trillion economy.

PPPC Executive Director David Kafulila said the government must now shift focus and allow the private sector to take charge in certain key areas—especially infrastructure—so it can concentrate on health, education, and social services.

“Public-private partnerships create room for the government to focus its resources on critical areas while the private sector handles the rest through structured agreements,” Mr Kafulila explained.

He said the current PPP landscape in Tanzania lacks clarity, coordination, and seriousness in implementation. “If we get the framework right, the private sector will invest. But we must also commit to honouring agreements and ensuring transparency.”

Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Dr Milanzi Mursali, stressed that the private sector must be empowered through strong policies and predictable investment environments.

“Our economy has been growing at around 6 percent annually, but public investment still dominates. If we want to reach the $1 trillion economy target, the private sector must take a leading role,” Dr Mursali said.

He emphasised the need for consistent execution. “We need to be ruthless in setting clear priorities, reforming policies, and implementing PPP projects. Consistency and commitment are key.”

University of Dar es Salaam’s Associate Professor Abel Kinyondo warned that Tanzania must avoid repeating past mistakes that undermined PPP efforts.

“PPP without institutional support and good governance will not deliver. Many countries that succeeded with PPP had strong systems. We must learn from their failures and avoid repeating them,” said Prof Kinyondo.

He added that global challenges like climate change and technology disruption require innovative partnerships, and the government must be flexible enough to accommodate dynamic private players.

A political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr Sabato Nyamsenda, highlighted the need to regain public trust in economic policies. He recalled how past government-led privatisations in the 1990s were full of promises that never materialised.

“People were told to expect a better life through privatisation. That hope was not fulfilled. Today, we must ask: do we continue to wait, or do we build new models that work?” he said.

Mr Nyamsenda called for a bottom-up approach in designing PPP frameworks, where local communities are informed, engaged, and benefit directly from projects.

An economist and former advisor to the African Development Bank, Dr Joyce Kyaruzi, suggested setting up an Independent PPP Tribunal to monitor and resolve disputes swiftly.

“Many investors fear that their contracts may not be honoured. A special tribunal can offer protection, boost confidence, and ensure projects are not delayed due to legal uncertainty,” Dr Kyaruzi said.

She also recommended the government commit to fiscal discipline and avoid crowding out the private sector by dominating borrowing from local markets.

Meanwhile, Mr Patrick Ngemera, a businessman, called for reforms in land laws and licensing procedures.

“The current system is too bureaucratic. Investors lose time and money navigating red tape. We need a one-stop investment window that actually works,” said Mr Ngemera, an argument that Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) reiterated to have already formed a one-stop centre for investment matters.

Experts agreed that if Tanzania is serious about achieving Vision 2050, it must shift from rhetoric to action. That means clear PPP policies, enforcement of agreements, protection of investor rights, and alignment of priorities across ministries.

“Vision 2050 is ambitious—but it’s possible. The private sector is ready, but the government must lead with trust, discipline, and openness,” said veteran journalist, Jenerali Ulimwengu.