Dodoma. The President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially launched Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050), emphasizing that while the vision has been well crafted, its real test lies in implementation.
Speaking at the launch event in Dodoma, President Samia said Vision 2050 sets a bold target for the country of achieving a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of one trillion US dollars by 2050. However, she warned that such ambitions would not be met without changing the way things work and evaluate performance.
“It is clear we won’t reach this goal if we continue with business as usual. We must change our thinking, our outlook, and our actions,” she said. “We must also measure ourselves based on the results of our work.”
President Samia directed the Planning Commission and the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure that a long-term development plan is finalized before the implementation of Vision 2050 begins in July 2026.
Dira 2050 outlines specific criteria for identifying priority sectors, including their ability to generate large-scale employment, increase exports, drive growth in other sectors, add value to local products, and boost government revenue.
Currently, nine transformative sectors have been identified under the Dira 2050: agriculture, tourism, industry, construction, mining, the blue economy, sports and innovation, financial services, and the broader service sector.
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Beyond setting priorities, President Samia stressed that the true worth of Vision 2050 will be seen in how it is translated into concrete plans, budget allocations, and policy decisions.
“This means we must take collective responsibility and accountability,” she said.
President Samia becomes the second Tanzanian leader to launch a long-term national development vision. The late President Benjamin William Mkapa was the first, having launched Vision 2025 in the year 2000.
Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango, speaking at the event, noted that countries which have made significant development strides have done so by adopting long-term visions, creating institutions to interpret and implement them, and closely monitoring their progress.
“A national vision is essential because it gives us direction and expresses the nation’s aspirations,” said Dr. Mpango. “It helps unite the strength of citizens toward common goals and dreams.”
Dr. Mpango, an accomplished economist, also highlighted the importance of involving young people in the new vision.
“For a country like ours, youth are the most powerful resource. We must invest in educating them about Vision 2050 so we can unlock their innovative potential and ensure its success,” he said.
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Professor Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, pointed out that Vision 2050, like its predecessor Vision 2025, is not based on any political ideology.
He said that before Vision 2025, Tanzania had development plans, but they were not formally called “visions.”
“For example, the Arusha Declaration of 1967 was a complete national vision that guided the country’s development for three decades,” Professor Mkumbo said.
Jackline Kuwanda is a journalist for The Chanzo based in Dodoma. You can reach her at: jaquelinevictor88@gmail.com.
