Governance is a priority integrated within all U.S. development assistance to Tanzania. Although Tanzania is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa, institutionalized democracy and good governance are challenged by corruption and poor delivery of government services. While Tanzania has a number of government accountability structures, their use by citizens to ensure greater transparency and accountability has been limited. Public oversight of Government of Tanzania resources by citizens at both national and local levels remains a gap in the fight to end corruption and improve service delivery.
USAID/Tanzania’s democracy, human rights, and governance strategy responds to these needs by promoting citizen engagement with the Government of Tanzania to ensure proper oversight and accountability of public resources. Activities include support to government institutions of accountability, capacity-building for civil society organizations in advocacy and government oversight, and increasing citizen engagement in the electoral process. Programs are working across the country portfolio to increase principles of democracy and good governance, especially in the areas of health, natural resource management, and among civil society organizations.
Support to the 2015 general elections targeted domestic election observation; civic and voter education; and greater participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities. Together these efforts helped result in high voter turnout (approximately 62 percent of eligible voters) while also creating a cadre of citizens more knowledgeable about the roles, responsibilities, and actions of government in the election process.
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