President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country’s first woman to hold the highest office, will officially unveil Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 on July 17, 2025, in a national ceremony to be held at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma, the capital city.
This long-term blueprint marks a bold step toward transforming Tanzania into an upper-middle-income country by 2050, focusing on inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development. It follows the precedent set by the late President Benjamin Mkapa, who launched Vision 2025 two decades ago to guide national transformation.
The announcement was made by Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State for Planning and Investment, during a press briefing held in Dar es Salaam on July 8, 2025. According to Mkumbo, the Cabinet approved the final version of the document, and it was ratified by the Parliament in late June 2025, giving it the legal mandate needed for long-term implementation.
“This is not a political vision—it’s a national agenda. It reflects the voices of Tanzanians from all walks of life,” said Prof. Mkumbo.
What makes Vision 2050 stand out is its people-first approach. Over 1.17 million citizens across the country contributed their opinions and suggestions via surveys (both offline and online), regional meetings, and mobile platforms. A majority—over 80%—were young people between 15 and 35 years, making the strategy deeply reflective of the country’s youthful population. As of 2024, more than 60% of Tanzanians are under the age of 25 (UN Population Data).
The vision identifies nine high-impact sectors that are expected to drive Tanzania’s transformation:
- Agriculture – vital for food security and rural income
- Tourism – capitalizing on national parks like Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro
- Manufacturing and Industry – for value addition and jobs
- Mining – leveraging minerals like gold, tanzanite, and nickel
- Construction and real estate – for urbanization and housing
- Financial services – promoting access to capital and innovation
- The blue economy – using ocean and freshwater resources sustainably
- Innovation and creative industries – especially for youth and tech startups
- The service sector – growing through education, health, and transport
The goal is to create a resilient, diversified economy that uplifts Tanzanians socially and economically, while positioning the country competitively on the global stage. The plan also emphasizes gender equality, climate resilience, and investment in digital transformation.
To guarantee continuity across successive governments, Vision 2050 has been formally legislated. This means future leaders cannot ignore or discard it without Parliamentary review—a significant departure from past strategies that often shifted with leadership changes.
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Implementation will begin on July 1, 2026, under the direction of the National Planning Commission, working in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Importantly, Vision 2050 is designed to align with the ongoing constitutional review process, ensuring that the country’s legal frameworks support its ambitions. Prof. Mkumbo emphasized that good governance, accountability, and citizens’ rights are central to achieving long-term impact.
The July 17 launch will bring together a wide range of participants—from government officials and development partners to business leaders, youth representatives, and civil society organizations. It will mark not just the unveiling of a document, but a moment of national unity and ambition.
More About the Key Elements in Vision 2050
- Upper-Middle-Income Economy: Explained by the World Bank
- Tanzania National Planning Commission (Gov site)
- Samia Suluhu Biography
- Global Trends in Development Planning (UNDP)
- Youth Population Trends in Africa (UNFPA)
- Vision 2025 Review Highlights (Gov PDF)
Vision 2050 is not just a paper plan—it is a collective dream backed by the hearts, voices, and hopes of millions of Tanzanians. From the villages of Kigoma to the coasts of Zanzibar, the nation is preparing to chart a future that is more equitable, sustainable, and promising for generations to come.