The Significant role of Tanzania's diplomacy towards economic development

Abstract

Soon after the achievement of independence and later the unification between Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. The Tanzanian government adopted several strategies to address the problem of poverty that the country experienced from the 1960s to 1990s so different programs, initiatives and strategies were introduced in order to promote economic development in the country. Diplomacy was considered to be one of the key strategies used by the government of Tanzania to promote economic growth. Before 2001 Tanzania had no comprehensive written foreign policy instead the conduct of diplomacy and other foreign relation matters was being guided by the set of circulars and guidelines including “Presidential Circular No. 2 of 1964, Arusha Declaration 1967, and Tanzania Policy on Foreign Affairs of 1967.”All these guiding documents insisted on promoting good diplomatic relationship with other countries, human dignity and equality, sovereignty of all independent states, promoting African Unity and supporting the liberation struggle of other African countries from colonialism. The social, political and economic changes including the shift from centrally planned economy to the market-led economy, adoption of multi-party system in 1992, achievement of political independence of all African states (end of colonial rule), collapse of USSR and later the rise of globalization which was characterized by the development of ICT that occurred in the early 1990s within, and outside the country has influenced Tanzania to change its focus from advocating for the liberation of African countries from the hands of colonial rule and put more emphasis on other issues of national interest to promote national development. Hence the government of Tanzania adopted a new foreign policy of 2001 which emphasizes on achievement of economic development by ensuring the promotion and protection of national interests through the execution of sustainable economic diplomacy.” This study has assessed and examined the significant contribution of Tanzania’s diplomacy towards the economic development by describing and analyzing the evolution of Tanzania’s foreign policy, major actors and players for the conduct of economic diplomacy and how the implementation of Tanzania’s diplomacy has contributed to the economic prosperity by attracting of FDI, growth of trade activities, tourism sector and development of other economic sectors in the country through the rapid increase of external assistances.”