Development Strategies and Poverty Reduction Initiatives: Analytical Discussion with Applications to Tanzania
Fidelis
Mtatifikolo and Robert
Mabele
Abstract:
This paper is about
development strategies and poverty reduction initiatives, using Tanzania as a
case study. Poverty is defined and operationalised in the global context, with
poverty in Africa being characterised as “mass poverty”. In Tanzania,
poverty is rampant and largely rural even though the urban areas are not as such
rich. Urban poverty is worse in smaller towns than in the capital, Dar es
Salaam.
Current
poverty reduction initiatives distinguish between strategic and
operational-level efforts. Regarding strategic efforts, Tanzania has had
explicit policies in the recent Reform Programme and Rolling Plans.
Operational-level initiatives see combined interventions, at grassroots level,
of the Government, the Donor Community and the NGOs.
Recommendations
emphasise continuity and consolidation of processes in which the poor themselves
are the primary actors. Participatory methods to poverty assessment and poverty
reduction should guide policy and practice.