Secretary of State Blinken and USAID Administrator Power Spotlight Democratic Progress and Reforms in Tanzania and Announce New Commitments from the United States and Major Philanthropies to Bolster Progress

New commitments announced at UN General Assembly will support government reform efforts and facilitate improvements to public services as part of USAID’s Democracy Delivers Initiative

 

Today, at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “Democracy Delivers” event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, in partnership with the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, convened philanthropic and private sector partners to invest in Tanzania and other countries experiencing democratic openings.

Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States of America Elsie Kanza, joined the event alongside leadership from USAID’s first cohort of Democracy Delivers countries – Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Malawi, the Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Tanzania, and Zambia – to discuss ways to channel new and diverse resources that will support reformers and citizens in their countries who are building democracies that deliver for all. USAID’s Democracy Delivers Initiative, launched in 2022 by Secretary Blinken and Administrator Power, aims to surge support, resources, and attention to countries experiencing moments of democratic opportunity.

“The bond between the American and Tanzanian people that has remained strong for over 60 years is based on shared values and shared aspirations. We want the same thing: a Tanzania that is peaceful and prosperous, and where all citizens can realize their full potential and exercise their basic freedoms,” said USAID/Tanzania Mission Director Craig Hart. “We applaud Tanzania and its leaders for undertaking important democratic reforms that have given greater voice to citizens, expanded civic space and media freedom, and re-engaged with the international community. These reforms are already improving Tanzanians’ lives.”.”

At USAID’s Democracy Delivers event at the UN General Assembly, the United States announced commitments to support Tanzania. USAID is working with the U.S. Congress to provide up to $5 million to support the Government of Tanzania's Ministry of Finance's efforts to develop, implement, and sustain a digital-based, public procurement system focused on the development of a digital procurement portal. This portal will increase procurement transparency and efficiency while reducing opportunities for graft and corruption.

During the event, major U.S. foundations and companies also announced investments to strengthen health systems, improve access to solar energy, and support early childhood development and youth empowerment in Tanzania.

●      The Hilton Foundation is investing approximately $8 million to strengthen primary health systems, early childhood development and youth empowerment programs in Tanzania.

●      Tanzania is one of four countries receiving $20 million from The Ford Foundation to support the expansion of democracy. This includes funding for Ford's long-standing work to strengthen the pillars of democracy, increase civic participation, and expand democratic values by fostering engagement between the government and people of Tanzania.

●      The Skoll Foundation is investing $16.9 million to strengthen health systems and to deepen partnerships between communities and Ministries of Health in Tanzania and three other countries. This funding will improve pandemic responses, enhance community level health systems, and identify innovative solutions to health systems challenges. 

●      As part of an approximately $11.2 million grant to advance access to justice, community philanthropy, and climate change solutions in Democracy Delivers countries, the Mott Foundation will demonstrate a scalable model to address climate change by improving access to solar energy within selected agricultural value chains in last-mile communities in Tanzania. 

●      Tanzania is one of six countries that will be supported by a $1.5 million commitment from the WINGS Foundation to elevate the philanthropic sector as a key partner with governments and civil society actors on localized development initiatives.  This funding supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and efforts to protect and promote democracy.

By prioritizing responsiveness to citizen needs and enhancing transparency and accountability, these commitments will strengthen the Government of Tanzania’s reform initiatives and facilitate improvements to public services, including through inclusive and locally led decision making. In total, philanthropic, and private sector partners made commitments totaling over $110 million to support Democracy Delivers countries and the broader goal of galvanizing democratic openings.

 

USAID and its partners are dedicated to ensuring that democracy delivers for all. Robust evidence links democracy to improved development outcomes. Democracies deliver public goods at higher rates than non-democracies, and they do so more equitably. USAID is calling on all organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to expanding rights and opportunity to join the Democracy Delivers Initiative in thought and action partnerships dedicated to advancing democratic reforms to deliver better lives and livelihoods.