Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Tanzania Economic policy'

This paper reviews the long-term economic performance of Tanzania since independence using long-term series of key economic and social indicators constructed from a variety of sources. The disastrous export performance for most of the period under consideration can be attributed partly to domestic policy failures and partly to a hostile external environment. However inconsistent donor support to a highly aid dependent economy at times exacerbated the constraints imposed by persistent foreign exchange shortages. Greater stability in funding and a more flexible policy dialogue are needed. The extent to which a small and poor economy with a weak indigenous private sector can rely on foreign private investment to finance investment in the early stages of adjustment is questioned. Investment in human capital beyond primary school level is also needed if growth is to be sustained.

In Tanzania, fiscal adjustment policies emphasized an increase in tax revenue and cuts in public spending to correct the fiscal deficit. However, adjustment policies restricted the impact of fiscal policies in correcting fiscal deficit because they led to a low GDP growth and narrowed the tax base. The government overlooked the need to have an alternative tax base that could compensate for the fall in GDP growth. In that respect, the main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of fiscal adjustment policies in correcting the fiscal deficit in Tanzania in different adjustment periods in the 1973-2000 period. The thesis adopts a country study approach to analyse the effect of changes in the tax structure on the fiscal position using the primary balance as a proxy. The study also uses time series econometric methods to examine the impact of economic policy regime changes on public spending and GDP growth and the implications for fiscal policy in Tanzania. The study finds that changes in macroeconomic conditions either temporarily expanded or narrowed the tax bases and influenced the correction of the fiscal deficit in different years. Fiscal adjustment policies were pro-cyclical, thus leading to low GDP growth. This limited the effect of changes in the tax structure in reducing the fiscal deficit. Lastly, policy regime changes led to public spending instability and a structural break in the GDP data series. This signified that economic policy reforms caused fundamental changes in the economy, with implications for macroeconomic and fiscal policies in Tanzania. In sum, the results suggest that pro-cyclical policies are harmful for countries pursuing fiscal adjustment policies to correct a fiscal deficit.

This thesis is serves to examine the refugee policies in Tanzania and Uganda and how they have affected refugee participation in their labor market economies. I focused on two developing nations because much of refugee discourse revolves around the global north, leaving developing nations out of the conversation. This gap in discourse inspired this topic in hopes of encouraging more scholarly contributions. Considering the economic impact of refugees provides an empirical approach to humanitarian issues exposing the overlap between politics, economics, and humanity.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The process of privatisation has been prompted in many instances by economic necessity and high fiscal deficits prevalent in many developing countries in the 1980s. Although addressing fiscal prudence is commonly cited as the main objective, it has been argued that the choice of enterprises for privatisation suggest that the primary motivation for privatisation has been to secure World Bank, International MonetaryFund (IMF) and donor financial support. Privatisation of state assets has been a key element of the emerging new market orthodoxy concerned with redefining the role of the state. Market theories posit that sustainable development and achievement of more dynamic economic growth in most economies requires a greater role for the private sector. Underlying this consensus is the belief that resources will be used more productively if they are transferred to the private sector. The low saving capacity has led to the realisation by African leaders through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative that Africa's achievement of long-term sustainable development is dependent on its ability to create conducive conditions that will attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). Consequently, the importance of Multinational Corporations in privatisation transactions, especially now that most African countries have embarked on privatisation of utilities and infrastructure sector cannot be emphasised enough. This has, inevitably, led to conflicting objectives between the need to mobilise foreign investors, particularly in countries such as Tanzania where broadening of ownership is a primary objective of privatisation. It is important to note that Tanzania's Parastatal Sector Reform Programme was initiated lnthe context of broader policy changes initiated since the late 1980s. The privatisation programme has formed part of comprehensive economic reforms and Structural Adjustment Programmes(SAPs) prescribed by the World Bank and IMF. This study presents findings on the extent of privatisation in Tanzania, its process, challenges and the impact it has had on the economy since 1993. The study explores and identifies key factors that have led to the varying performance of privatised enterprises. Key lessons and experience from Tanzania's privatisation exercise are also outlined. The study concludeswith possible areas for further research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ekonomiese noodsaak en groot fiskale tekorte in menige ontwikkelende lande gedurende die 1980s het in baie gevalle aanleiding gegee tot die privatiseringsproses. Alhoewel die aanspraak van fiskale omsigtigheid gewoonlik as hoofrede aangegee word, is daar ook aangevoer dat die keuse van ondernemings vir doeleindes van privatisering daarop dui dat finansiële ondersteuning van die Wêreldbank, Internasionale Monetêre Fonds (IMF) en donateurs die eintlike motivering onderliggend aan privatisering is. Privatisering van staatsbates was 'n kern element van die opkomende nuwe markortodoksie wat betréf die heromskrywing van die staat se rol. Markteorieë postuleer dat handhaafbare ontwikkeling en die bereiking van meer dinamiese ekonomiese groei in die meeste ekonomieë 'n groter rol aandui vir die privaat sektor. Onderliggend aan hierdie konsensus is die aanname dat hulpbronne meer produktief eksploiteer sal word as dit na die privaat sektor oorgedra word. Die lae spaarkapasiteit het Afrikaleiers laat besef dat deur die New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) inisiatiewe, Afrika se langtermyn handhaafbare ontwikkeling afhanklik is van sy vermoë om bevorderlike omstandighede te skep wat direkte buitelandse investering sal lok. Die belangrikheid van multinasionale korporsies in privatiseringstransaksies, veral nou dat Afrikalande 'n poging in die werk gestel het op privatisering van gebruiksgoedere en die infrastruktuur sektor, kan derhalwe nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie. Dit is belangrik om kennis te neem van Tanzanië se Parastatal Sector Reform Programme sedert die laat 1980s wat in die konteks van breër beleidsveranderinge inisieer is.' Die privatiseringsprogram het deel gevorm van omvattende ekonomiese hervormings en strukturele aanpassingsprogramme soos voorgeskryf deur die Wêreldbank en die IMF. Bevindings oor die omvang van privatisering in Tanzanië, die proses van privatisering, uitdagings en die impak wat dit op die ekonomie gehad het sedert 1993, word in hierdie studie gebied. Hierdie studie eksploreer en identifiseer kern faktore wat tot die wisselende prestasie van geprivatiseerde ondernemings gelei het. Belangrike lesse en ervaring uit Tanzanië se privatiseringsoefening word ook toegelig. Die studie sluit af met moontlike areas vir verdere navorsing.

This thesis investigates the design, implementation and impacts of the market-smart input subsidy (NAIVS) in Tanzania's Ruvuma Region. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, where quantitative data analysis is complemented by qualitative research. Using four waves of household panel data, I found that voucher receipt had no statistically significant impact on maize yields, income poverty or the household assets owned by recipient households. The qualitative research finds that this was due to flaws in NAIVS's design and in its implementation. Weak institutional capacity was found in voucher management, especially at the lower level of government: a substantial number of vouchers went missing; inputs and vouchers were delivered late most years; and vouchers were resold by farmers. Due to an increase in real input prices, the ‘top-up' payment required for voucher use was increased, which made it difficult for poor farmers to access the subsidy. In practice, the input vouchers were obtained by elites: households with elected positions in the villages; wealthier households; and those households who were already using improved inputs prior to NAIVS. It contributed to national food security; however, because of the spill-over effects which brought a higher increase ratio in input use among non-recipient than recipient households, the observed impact on maize yields cannot be attributed to NAIVS. Because of the leakage to wealthier farmers and fraud, it did not ensure household food security for poor farmers. The thesis reveals that studies of input subsidy programmes require not only economic analysis but also social and political analysis. Such studies would require the use of a new theory of change, which uses economic analysis but places social and political analysis at the forefront, and in which a mixed-methods approach must be used.

In Tanzania, fiscal adjustment policies emphasized an increase in tax revenue and cuts in public spending to correct the fiscal deficit. However, adjustment policies restricted the impact of fiscal policies in correcting fiscal deficit because they led to a low GDP growth and narrowed the tax base. The government overlooked the need to have an alternative tax base that could compensate for the fall in GDP growth. In that respect, the main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of fiscal adjustment policies in correcting the fiscal deficit in Tanzania in different adjustment periods in the 1973-2000 period. The thesis adopts a country study approach to analyse the effect of changes in the tax structure on the fiscal position using the primary balance as a proxy. The study also uses time series econometric methods to examine the impact of economic policy regime changes on public spending and GDP growth and the implications for fiscal policy in Tanzania. The study finds that changes in macroeconomic conditions either temporarily expanded or narrowed the tax bases and influenced the correction of the fiscal deficit in different years. Fiscal adjustment policies were pro-cyclical, thus leading to low GDP growth. This limited the effect of changes in the tax structure in reducing the fiscal deficit. Lastly, policy regime changes led to public spending instability and a structural break in the GDP data series. This signified that economic policy reforms caused fundamental changes in the economy, with implications for macroeconomic and fiscal policies in Tanzania. In sum, the results suggest that pro-cyclical policies are harmful for countries pursuing fiscal adjustment policies to correct a fiscal deficit.

Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2014.
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2014.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 61-68).
Following substantial discoveries of natural gas in recent years, Tanzania has new options for economic development. The country's policy makers are faced with having to make decisions about how best to utilize the gas in order to drive economic development The options before the government are whether to export the gas or to use it domestically. Exporting natural gas can be a very lucrative source of government revenues which can in turn be invested in improving education, access to healthcare or other areas to improve the general and economic well-being of the populace. Encouraging domestic use on the other hand may not be as lucrative in terms of government revenues, but is necessary for increasing participation along the gas value chain in particular and stimulating in other sectors of the economy that benefit from easy access to gas or its downstream products. In this study, I considered the options of using the gas in the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) intended for export, as well the domestic manufacture of urea and electricity. I used a scenario analysis model to investigate and assess these options according to their direct economic value as well as their revenue generating potential. These two parameters were chosen as proxies for and economic growth and government ability to invest in public goods respectively. As part of the assessments carried out, special attention was paid to the different scenarios associated with meeting the government's national electrification plans as determined by their electricity demand forecasts. The results show that among the options considered, domestic utilization of the gas for power production will have greatest economic value while LNG exports hold the highest revenue potential. Furthermore, they demonstrate that even though using the natural gas for electricity production would be the most valuable option for the Tanzanian economy per unit of gas, allowing new generating capacity to be dominated by gas plants as has been done in some other gas rich countries would not be economically prudent. Instead a mix of technologies will provide the best balance between stimulating domestic gas consumption and providing cost effective electricity to consumers. Importantly, I find that future policy must ensure that domestic utilization of gas is not sacrificed in favor of exports even if it means reduced government revenues.
by Ekenedilinna Umeike.
S.M. in Technology and Policy
S.M.

Thesis (Ph. D. (International Politics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016
The United States of America’s (US) foreign policy towards Africa has been the subject for debate. This is partly because the country’s relationship with African countries is not consistent. By and large, such relations are shaped by a number of factors which include political orientation and material resources. Within this context, the present study uses case studies from two different parts of Africa to tease out US foreign policy towards Africa. This explorative study uses Ghana and the United Republic of Tanzania (hereafter referred to as Tanzania) as test cases to compare and critique the post-Cold War foreign policy of the US towards Africa. It does this by first analysing and constructing the theoretical material on the three pillars of the US Africa policy (oil, democracy and security) and subsequently, contemporaneously locating the US relationship with Ghana and Tanzania. Largely, the study carries a historical sensibility as it traces the US relationship with Ghana and Tanzania from as far as the colonial era. History is crucial in this regard because the past provides a sound basis for understanding the present and future. To add, in International Politics theory holds sway and history is used as a laboratory. In this thesis, the researcher proposes Afrocentricity as an alternative theoretical paradigm crucial in understanding US foreign policy towards Africa. As it shall be seen, such a paradigm (theoretical lens) remains critical in highlighting the peculiarity of the US relationship with Ghana and Tanzania. It is envisaged that a deeper understanding of the US foreign policy towards Ghana and Tanzania is achievable when its analysis and interpretation is located within a broader continental context of Africa. To realise the purpose of this study, the researcher relies methodologically on interdisciplinary critical discourse and conversations in their widest forms. With reference to the test cases for this study, the agenda for democratic consolidation features prominently on both of them while oil is only applicable to Ghana in this regard. In contrast, Tanzania distinguishes itself both as a victim of terrorism and equally so as a strategic partner on the US anti-terrorism efforts in East Africa. Yet, oil in West Africa’s Ghana is important for the US both as an economic resource and a strategic energy source during wartime periods. Overall the ‘differential’ foreign policy towards individual African states is also a significant observation which dispels the myth of a universal US foreign policy framework. Keywords: Africa, Afrocentricity, democracy, East Africa, foreign policy, Ghana, oil, security, Tanzania, United States of America, West Africa.

This thesis will examine Tanzania’s development landscape through Amartya Sen’s perspective, as per his conception of development that is put forth in Development as Freedom. Applying Sen’s conception of development to the case of Tanzania reinforces his view that development is an intricate process that is dependent on the expansion of various freedoms. It also yields unique insights about the most pressing issues that are currently impeding progress in the country. I will first clarify Sen’s framework and provide an explanation of development that corresponds with his ideals. Next, I will assess Tanzania’s state of affairs in terms of Sen’s five freedoms. I will then consider the impact of the recent expansion of technology in Tanzania, as well as discuss the question of inequality, which is a topic that Sen does not adequately address in his book. Finally, I will conclude with a discussion of the most pressing challenges that the country is facing and suggest what implications these challenges might have for Tanzania’s future.

Ecological economic is a transdisciplinary field of academic research that aims to address the inter dependence and co-evolution of human economies and natural ecosystems over time, nature and space. It is distinguished from environm ental economics, which is the mainstream of economic analysis of the environment by its treatment of the economy as a subsystem of the ecosystem and its emphasis upon preserve natural resource, long-term outcomes, and sustainable development. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/26656

This thesis first discusses the views of dependence theorists, focusing on Frank, Amin, Cardoso and dos Santos. Frank asserts that relations of production in Latin America and the rest of the Third World are capitalist, and that capitalism does not generate development in those countries, since it has not done so during the long time it has structurally dominated them. Therefore reforms within this dependence structure will bring neither autonomy nor development. Only a socialist revolution may effect any real change. U n d e rstan d in g the problems of un d e rd ev elo pm en t and dependence in terms of the logic of the worldwide accumulation process, Amin concedes that capitalism can be a source of development in the 'centre' and in the 'periphery', but in reality only a limited and skewed form of development occurs in the latter. This is because of the Third World's limited control over the accumulation process. Only a significant disengagement from current global arrangements of production and distribution can bring permanent benefits. Industrial production of essential goods, as opposed to the export of primary goods, will help greatly but will not be enough. Cardoso argues that although the structure of dependence is primarily economic, it can be changed qualitatively by social forces and political actions. In addition the structure is continually modified according to time and place, and therefore there is no reason to think that it can never change. Though skeptical of current Third World industrialization, he believes that real changes are possible through industrialization, dos Santos sees the inflexibility of social and political, rather than economic forces at both the local and global level as the major obstacles to change, and thus his solution, like that of Frank, focuses on a socio-political revolution. Critics of dependence are also discussed, showing in particular that empiricist critiques of dependence fail to conceptualize the problem, and that others, such as Warren, paint an erroneously rosy picture of capitalist development in the Third World. A particularly interesting critique of dependence through the "merchant capital" thesis of Kay is also rejected, mainly for blaming the problems of Third World development on a form of capital which ceased to operate globally a long time ago, and for ascribing to capitalism only a faultless progressive mission. Some of the critics of dependence, however, remind us all in the process that the vital ingredients required for development are capital and industrialization. This is acknowledged, and it is combined with the awareness within the dependence framework, of global structural constraints which also manifest themselves locally, to map out what anti-dependence programmes may look like. Programs of an anti-dependence strategy may differ from each other, and must be expected to be modified by the circumstances of each country. But they must focus on industrialization, and on a capital goods sector as the vital ingredient in a process of development which undermines dependence. The general measure of achievement for a country pursuing an anti-dependence strategy is whether that country has set in train a process that is reducing dependence and is more likely than not to eliminate it altogether. The pre-independence situation in Tanzania fits the theoretical thesis of the global incorporation and subordination of a Third World country, as well as demonstrating a case of original underdevelopment, which the incorporation did not change and even maintained. In 1961-1966 the Tanzanian leadership and others in society had begun to accumulate some knowledge of the incorporation and subordination. They then took some nationalist economic measures, later perceived as important but inadequate in confronting the unsatisfactory relationship with external economic interests. In 1967 the Tanzanian leadership, which had also been questioning the internal make-up of social relations and the way they were likely to develop in the future, was finally able to translate its ad hoc pre-1967 nationalist economic measures into a coherent statement of intent for changing its relations with external interests, and for confronting the internal social relations. The statement was the Arusha Declaration of February, 1967. Both the statement and the subsidiary or complementary policies subsequent to it reflected not much more than a reaction to years of economic neglect, a frustration with the slow pace of development, and the limitation of decolonization. By being reactive, the policies (the strategy, collectively) could not produce a document covering all important areas of dependence. In time, its ideological accompaniment, Socialism, became the more prominent and acquired a life of its own, thereby affecting the ability to produce a better formulation of some important aspects of the strategy. In later years the strategy was defined in more specific terms in relation to industry, identifying the type of industrialization best suited to the struggle against dependence and underdevelopment, and even following it up with a significant level of implementation. Other aspects of the strategy were not adhered to due to constraints of an economic nature, some predictable from the point of view of theorists of dependence, and some not so predictable. Some constraints merely modified the strategy in its practical application in Tanzania; others proved to be total barriers to aspects of the strategy. Programmes of an anti-dependence nature are difficult to implement, and, at the end of the period under study, there was reason to doubt that the Tanzanian version would continue.

This thesis investigates the linkages between water supply and economic inequalities within smallholder irrigation schemes, with particular focus on Tanzania, as a key example of a developing, agrarian economy in sub-Saharan Africa. In developing countries, income inequalities are critical for poverty reduction as they determine how economic growth is distributed and, thus, to which extent the poor benefit relative to everyone else. On a global scale, and in sub-Saharan Africa in particular, poverty is most prevalent in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihoods. Irrigation development is recognised as a key strategy for rural poverty reduction, although a growing body of literature questions its implications for equity and social justice. While this topic is addressed from various perspectives in the literature, there is a gap among empirical studies. Specifically, the linkages between irrigation water supply and economic inequalities at small scales have received limited attention. To research this need, this thesis carries out quantitative, qualitative and policy investigations on two smallholder irrigation schemes in southern Tanzania. The data originates from structured household surveys, semi-structured interviews with key informants, direct infrastructure observations, maps of the irrigation schemes and documentary sources. The thesis is organised as follows: First, inequality analyses using the Gini coefficient and the Theil index are used to calculate the level and decomposition of income inequalities within six smallholder irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa. Next, qualitative investigations uncover irrigators’ perspectives about the association between water supply and economic inequalities within the two Tanzanian schemes. Third, multiple regression analyses evaluate the relative impact of water supply and farm location (as well as other variables) on irrigated crop income and production within smallholder irrigation schemes. Finally, an investigation of Tanzania’s water and irrigation institutional framework highlights current policy shortfalls and possible strategies targeting greater equity of irrigation water supply. This thesis’ findings show that high levels of income inequality exist within agricultural communities in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Mozambique, and that such disparities are not properly considered by development polices based upon national statistics. In particular, within smallholder irrigation schemes, inequities in water supply affect economic inequalities in multiple ways, some of which – for example erosion of human capital and social stratification − are not adequately noted in previous literature. Household characteristics and farm location are also shown to be important for irrigated crop incomes and yields. While typically regarded as a good water management practice, the transfer of responsibilities to the local level is shown in this study to be problematic for traditional irrigators. Instead, in the pursuit of greater equity of water supply, participatory process should be considered based on six key equity aspects: quantity; reliability; obligations; benefits/externalities; decision-making; and land rights. Overall, this thesis contributes the international development and inequality literature by providing a deeper understanding of: a) the effect of irrigation water supply on economic inequalities; and b) which water policies might be changed to reduce water supply inequities within traditional irrigation systems. These findings are important to respond to rural poverty in Africa, as it is at the local scale that poverty, growth and inequality interventions can be most effective. Importantly, because a large part of the world’s rural population seeks pathways out of poverty, it is critical to ensure that income-enhancing strategies, such as irrigation, do not result in aggravated economic disparities and a barrier to sustainable human development.

Tanzania is ranked among the world’s poorest nations despite her enormous natural resource base, enviable tropical climate and geographic location as the gateway into several landlocked African countries. This abject poverty is particularly pronounced in the rural areas where almost ninety per cent of the population live. In this study, the researcher sought to unravel the complexity of participation with regard to Tanzania’s rural community development and thereby provide insight into possible policy guidelines that will result in more effective and sustainable community development. Since independence, grandiose government policies, political manifestos, different socio-political ideologies, astronomical budgets of national and donor funding as well as bona fide efforts have made little difference in the eradication of poverty in Tanzania’s rural communities. The researcher opines that Tanzania’s failure to meet its development goals and its dismal economic performance are a result of the rural communities’ lack of participation in development projects. Social inclusion as a concept and the game theory of participation were explored as dynamic and innovative analytical tools to understand the participatory process in community development. The framework was tested against the analysis of participation in multiple health, education and water projects in rural Tanzania. The key findings of this study indicate that the community members’ lack of participation has hindered development efforts but there are mitigating circumstances. The community members are, for the most part, willing to participate in development projects. However, they find themselves socially excluded by variables which include government policies, bureaucratic obstacles, conflicts arising from political alliances and deeply-entrenched corruption. Based on the findings and conclusion of this study, this study makes recommendations for the implementation of more meaningful community participation in rural Tanzania includes having more women and youth representatives at every leadership level especially at the grassroots level and giving local government autonomy. The researcher concluded that, for participation to be effective, it has to be accompanied by well-structured empowerment programmes. Wherever possible, participation by beneficiaries should be solicited from the initial stages of a project. Participation is therefore synonymous with the inclusion of all groups. The researcher’s conclusive thesis is that, should the government adopt this participatory approach, the stalled growth will gain traction and pull the nation from its position among the world’s poorest countries and place it on the path towards sustainable progress.
Development Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

This study empirically examines the impact of monetary policy on economic growth in three East African countries (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania). The role of monetary policy in promoting economic growth remains empirically an open research question, as both the empirical and theoretical underpinnings are not universal, and the results remain varying, inconsistent, and inconclusive. This study may be the first of its kind to examine in detail the impact of monetary policy on economic growth in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania – using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds-testing approach. This study used two proxies of monetary policy, namely, money supply and interest rate, to examine this linkage. The results were found to differ from country to country and over time. The Uganda empirical results reveal that money supply has a positive impact on economic growth, both in the short run and in the long run. However, interest rate was found to have a positive impact on economic growth only in the short run. In the long run, interest rate has no significant impact on economic growth. In Kenya, both short-run and long-run empirical results support monetary policy neutrality, implying that monetary policy has no effect on economic growth – both in the short run and in the long run. The results from Tanzania also reveal no impact of monetary policy on economic growth in the long run – irrespective of the proxy used to measure monetary policy. However, the short-run results only reveal no impact of monetary policy on economic growth only when the interest rate is used as a proxy for monetary policy. When money supply is used to measure monetary policy, a negative relationship between monetary policy and economic growth is found to dominate. Overall, the study finds that monetary policy is only relevant for economic growth in Uganda and only when money supply is used as monetary policy variable. Therefore this study recommends a money supply based monetary policy framework for Uganda. The study findings also suggest that monetary policy may not be a panacea for economic growth in Kenya and Tanzania.
Economics
M. Com. (Economics)