Josephine Christopher is a senior business journalist for The Citizen and Mwananchi newspapers
Mwananchi Communications Limitted
What you need to know:
Tanzania is ranked as the second least corrupt country in the East African Community (EAC) after Rwanda, with a score of 40 out of 100 in the 2023 CPI report
Tabora. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential candidate and incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasised that her administration’s determined fight against corruption is translating into tangible development projects and improved public services throughout the country.
Addressing thousands of supporters at the Nzega grounds yesterday, President Hassan stated that her government’s efforts to eliminate opportunities for graft have ensured that public funds are directed toward essential projects that citizens can utilise.
“If we had allowed corruption to persist, none of the achievements we are discussing today—such as roads, water access, upgraded hospitals, and support for farmers—would exist,” she declared, eliciting loud applause.
She further explained that closer supervision of civil servants has ensured the responsible use of resources, aiding the state in fulfilling its development agenda. “Our civil servants have been monitored closely, and funds have been spent wisely,” she added.
Recognition beyond borders
The President noted that international researchers have acknowledged Tanzania’s progress in reducing corruption. She cited findings from Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which has consistently shown improvements for the country.
For instance, Tanzania is ranked as the second least corrupt country in the East African Community (EAC) after Rwanda, with a score of 40 out of 100 in the 2023 CPI report. Rwanda scored 53, while Somalia and South Sudan ranked the lowest in the region.
The index evaluates 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, utilising assessments from 13 independent sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and various global think tanks.
“Countries governed by corruption do not stand before their people to discuss achievements like these,” President Hassan told the rally. “We have worked diligently to seal off leakages, and today Tanzanians are reaping the benefits.”
Agriculture at the heart of growth
The Nzega rally, part of President Hassan’s ongoing manifesto tour through central Tanzania, highlighted how anti-corruption measures directly support the country’s agricultural sector.
Agriculture minister and Nzega Urban CCM candidate Hussein Bashe opened the rally by celebrating what he described as a renaissance in the farming sector.
“We’ve revolutionized commercial agriculture,” Mr Bashe said, citing record-breaking tobacco sales worth $400 million from 188,000 tonnes of production—the highest in the country’s history.
He pointed out that despite legal challenges facing the industry, tobacco remains “the lifeblood of Tanzanians,” with over 95 percent of production exported and only 5 percent consumed locally. The crop supports more than 60,000 growers and generates crucial foreign exchange.
Mr Bashe also highlighted the cotton boom in regions such as Igunga. “Three years ago, production was just 11,000 tonnes; now it exceeds 40,000 tonnes, with farmers earning over Sh480 billion,” he stated.
Nationally, cotton output has more than doubled, from 174,000 tonnes in 2022/23 to 282,510 tonnes in 2023/24. The government now aims for 500,000 tonnes this season—a goal driven by subsidies, improved seeds, and stricter controls against fraud in the supply chain.
In the Simiyu Region, organic cotton production has risen from 64,594 tonnes in 2020 to approximately 140,000 tonnes recently, fetching premium prices in international markets.
“These results are not mere coincidences,” Bashe told the crowd. “They are evidence of what good governance and determined leadership can achieve.”
Expanding Infrastructure and Services
President Hassan also underlined her administration’s commitment to expanding water access across the Tabora Region. She referenced ongoing and planned water supply schemes aimed at serving both rural communities and urban centers, ensuring reliable access to clean water for households.
Road infrastructure is another priority she highlighted, noting major upgrades to feeder and district roads, as well as highways linking farms to markets and towns.
These improvements are reducing transport costs and enhancing connectivity in the region.
In her conclusion, President Hassan reminded voters that the fight against corruption is about more than just punishing wrongdoers; it is about freeing up resources for national development. “What you see today is the result of plugging leakages. This is how we are building a better Tanzania together,” she affirmed. together,” she said.
