Dar es Salaam Marks 4 Years of Samia’s Leadership

Dar es Salaam Celebrates Four Years of Development Under President Samia’s Leadership
Friday, March 21, 2025

In commemoration of four years since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office, Dar es Salaam is proudly highlighting its substantial progress across key development sectors. The city’s leadership, led by Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, showcased achievements during an official event where a symbolic cheque representing a 10% interest-free loan fund was handed over to support women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

This initiative is among many milestones accomplished since President Samia became the first female Commander-in-Chief of the United Republic of Tanzania. Her inaugural address to Parliament on April 22, 2021, set a visionary tone, and her administration has since spearheaded transformative efforts in health, education, community development, and economic sectors.

Strategic Growth in Development Funding

Over the past four years, Dar es Salaam City Council has seen consistent growth in its budget, enabled by strong fiscal support from the central government. This financial empowerment has facilitated widespread implementation of development projects.

According to City Director Elihuruma Mabelya, “Our commitment to fulfilling the CCM Election Manifesto is evident in the tangible development visible across the city. We are resolute in driving growth and ensuring every citizen benefits.”

Annual budget targets reflect this momentum:

• 2021/2022: TZS 202.4 billion
• 2022/2023: TZS 208.5 billion
• 2023/2024: TZS 255 billion
• 2024/2025: TZS 280 billion

Already, 83% of the current fiscal year’s revenue target has been achieved. Mabelya emphasized that this upward trajectory has enabled investment in strategic infrastructure projects addressing pressing community needs.

Healthcare Transformation

The health sector in Dar es Salaam has seen unprecedented improvements under President Samia’s administration. Dr. Zaitun Hamza, Chief Medical Officer for the City Council, confirmed that TZS 101.4 billion has been allocated over four years from internal revenues, central government support, and donor funding for the construction and equipping of health facilities.

Key highlights include:

• Construction of three hospitals in each constituency using TZS 35.4 billion in internal funds.
• Central government investments totaling TZS 5.2 billion for health centers in Segerea, Mchikichini, Kipunguni ‘B’, and Guluka Kwalala.
• Additional TZS 17.5 billion allocated to build centers in Mzinga, Kiwalani, Kinyerezi, Zingiziwa, Mchikichini, and Majohe, and specialized buildings like dental and insurance facilities in Kivule.

Notably, TZS 42.9 billion was used for purchasing essential medicines and medical equipment — an historic scale of investment.

Dr. Hamza also lauded initiatives like the M-Mama program, enhancing emergency maternal services and significantly strengthening the referral system.

Furthermore, emergency services have been improved at the EMD Hospital in Ukonga Magereza, and diagnostic access has expanded through new X-ray facilities at Pugu Health Center — reducing patient reliance on distant hospitals like Amana.

Major Strides in Education

President Samia’s vision for education as a development catalyst is evident in the massive strides made in both primary and secondary education sectors.

Early Childhood and Primary Education

Dar es Salaam’s Primary Education Division received over TZS 20.5 billion for the construction of:

• 437 classrooms
• Sanitary facilities
• Teachers’ houses
• New schools
• Learning materials

Subsidies amounting to TZS 7.8 billion were used to support administrative costs, special needs education, and co-curricular activities.

Locally, 31,539 desks were produced at a cost of TZS 3.9 billion, and 12 new schools were built through projects such as BOOST, LENS, and EP4R.

Boost-funded schools include:

• Mshikamano
• Kifuru Mpya
• Mnyamani
• Mzizima

Internally funded schools include:

• Zogoali
• Mizengo Pinda
• Guluka Kwalala
• Taliani
• Kipera
• Mwembe
• Nguvu Mpya

Rehabilitation works worth TZS 540 million improved facilities at 36 schools, while 297.6 million funded seven new administration blocks.

Secondary Education Expansion

In four years, TZS 35.5 billion has been injected into secondary education, with TZS 11.3 billion from the central government facilitating the construction of:

• 255 classrooms (UVIKO-19 phase)
• 310 classrooms (Pochi ya Mama phase)

Under the SEQUIP project, schools like Liwiti, Gunatra, and the new Kitunda Relini Secondary School are being built to enhance girl-friendly education environments.

From local revenue, TZS 15.5 billion supported:

• Multi-story classroom buildings in eight schools (e.g., Mnazi Mmoja, Kipunguni, Ilala Kasulu)
• Sanitation improvements
• Laboratory construction

To meet national directives ensuring all students are seated during lessons, 17,500 desks and chairs were made in FY 2023/2024 at a cost of TZS 1.4 billion.

The city also received TZS 12.2 billion to fund Tanzania’s free education policy, and TZS 216.2 million for textbook procurement from the Tanzania Institute of Education.

Citizen Economic Empowerment Through Interest-Free Loans

Through a 10% internal revenue allocation, the City Council has disbursed TZS 23.5 billion in interest-free loans to 1,465 groups, benefiting 9,399 individuals. This includes:

• 865 women’s groups (6,075 beneficiaries)
• 428 youth groups (2,875 beneficiaries)
• 172 groups for people with disabilities (452 beneficiaries)

Following a nationwide review of lending policies in April 2023, Dar es Salaam was named one of ten exemplary councils under the new integrated lending system.

TZS 15.3 billion has already been set aside under the WEZESHA system, in collaboration with CRDB Bank and NMB Bank, to finance groups through this digital platform. As of February 2025, 945 groups were already registered and in various stages of loan processing.

Conclusion

The City of Dar es Salaam’s transformation over the past four years under the stewardship of President Samia Suluhu Hassan is a testament to visionary leadership backed by efficient implementation at local levels. From improved health services and expanded education infrastructure to inclusive economic empowerment, the city reflects a model of progress aligned with national development goals.