US upbeat with Tanzania systems reforms

DODOMA: THE US foreign assistance agency -Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – has expressed its satisfaction with the operational systems reforms carried out by the sixth phase government in various areas including the strengthening of democracy, good governance and human rights.

This was revealed during a meeting held between a delegation from Tanzania and a delegation from the Millennium Challenge Corporation held on Thursday in Dodoma.

Speaking at the meeting, MCC Director of Policy and Evaluation, Mr Dan Barnes who led the US delegation said that in a period of three years of the sixth phase government, the corporation has been satisfied with various measures taken by Tanzania which have accelerated the economic development in the country.

Mr Barnes said following the reforms, the US Congress has approved for Tanzania to continue benefiting from MCC funding.

The decisions will allow Tanzania to continue receiving aid for development activities that will help improve the economy of individual citizens and the nation as a whole.

The decision reached by MCC is the result of the government commitment to implement reforms in its operations along with strong policies and stable leadership.

The reforms have been attained through President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 4Rs philosophy which represent Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding.

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The philosophy has fostered political, social and economic solidarity in Tanzania. It has also helped to attract various development partners worldwide, including the MCC, for the mutual benefit.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahamoud Thabit Kombo participated in the meeting which included ministers responsible for various sectors in Mainland and Zanzibar that are directly involved in overseeing the supervision of projects funded by MCC.

Contributing to the meeting, Minister Kombo said that Tanzania will continue to respect and cherish the strong relationship it has with the US for over six decades, while cooperating in various sectors including education, health, trade and investment, agriculture, energy, tourism, technology, defense and mining.

The sectors are being financed through various programmes including USAID, PEPFAR and the Peace Corps.

Minister Kombo stressed that Tanzania will continue to uphold and implement the principles of democracy, good governance and human rights, which are shared values between Tanzania and the US.

The strong diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and the US has been further demonstrated through visits by top leaders, including the 2023 visit by US Vice-President and Democratic Party presidential candidate, Kamala Harris to Tanzania.

Tanzania has been benefiting from funding for development projects from the MCC since 2005. The projects include the construction of Tunduma – Sumbawanga road, rural roads in Pemba, Tanga-Horohoro road and the roads in Mtwara corridor.

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Other projects include the Mafia Airport, the expansion of the Lower   Ruvu water pumping station and the water distribution project in Morogoro, improvements and expansion of energy distribution networks, a solar energy project in Kigoma and capacity-building projects for the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO).

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is  an independent foreign assistance agency of the US government, focused on reducing global poverty through various programmes aimed at supporting economic growth by providing grants and assistance to countries that meet strict standards of good governance, anti-corruption efforts, respect for human rights and democratic principles.