Tanzania, like much of Africa, carries the scars of Western exploitation that continue to shape its challenges today. From colonial extraction to modern economic policies, the West has played a central role in creating the conditions under which Tanzania struggles. Any genuine perspective grounded in equity and shared humanity should demand that we confront these realities to foster a better future.
During colonial rule, Tanzania (then Tanganyika and Zanzibar) was subjected to extensive resource extraction. The Germans and later the British prioritised infrastructure such as railways and ports, not for the benefit of Tanzanians but to export cash crops like sisal, coffee, and cotton to European markets.
This focus on export-oriented agriculture left little room for developing local industries, a legacy that hampers economic diversification even today.
Post-independence, Tanzania’s attempt to break free through the socialist Ujamaa policy was met with resistance from Western financial institutions. Julius Nyerere’s vision sought to prioritise collective development, yet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank imposed structural adjustment programs in the 1980s.
These programs cut public spending on education and healthcare, dismantling much of the social progress Tanzania had achieved. For instance, primary school enrolment, which had peaked during the Ujamaa era, plummeted due to the introduction of school fees — a direct result of Western-backed austerity measures.
In modern times, Tanzania remains vulnerable to neo-colonial practices.
Multinational corporations dominate its mining sector, often extracting resources like gold and rare minerals with minimal benefit to local communities. Barrick Gold, a Canadian company, faced allegations of tax evasion and environmental degradation in Tanzania, depriving the nation of revenue essential for its development.
Climate change adds another layer of complexity. Tanzania, with its reliance on agriculture, faces erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts that threaten food security. Yet, the global North — responsible for the lion’s share of carbon emissions — has been slow to deliver meaningful climate financing to countries like Tanzania.
From a Humanistic standpoint, the West must take accountability. Reparative actions, such as debt forgiveness, fair trade policies, and investment in green energy projects, are critical. For instance, the 2022 commitment by Western nations to fund climate adaptation in vulnerable countries was a step forward, but much of the promised aid has yet to materialise.
Tanzania’s challenges are not inevitable—they are the result of historical and ongoing inequalities. True justice demands that the West acknowledge its role and work in partnership with Tanzanians to build a future based on equity, sustainability, and shared humanity.
By James Mwamba