Press Release
15 January 2007
Benn hails Tanzania's 'excellent progress'
International Development Secretary unveils £105 million budget support for next year
Tanzania’s progress in tackling poverty provides an ‘excellent example’ for other African countries to follow, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said today.
Speaking after a meeting with President Kikwete of Tanzania, Mr Benn pointed towards the development of democracy, economic growth and more effective government across Africa. He highlighted the progress in Tanzania, where:
- The number of children in primary school has doubled from 4 million in 2000 to 8 million today. Almost all children are now in primary education, with 96% enrolment
- Infant mortality has fallen by a third (in the five years to 2004), and
- There has been strong economic growth, with annual GDP increases of between 5% and 7% since 2000.
Mr Benn also announced that the UK will provide £105 million of direct budget support to Tanzania in 2007/8, up from £90 million this year. Budget support is money provided directly to the Government of Tanzania to support its own poverty reduction plan.
He said:
“We often hear more about Africa’s problems than we do about its progress. Yet across the continent, democracy is growing, conflict has fallen, and economic growth is strong.
"Tanzania is an excellent example of the progress Africa is making, with a constitutional democracy, economic growth above five percent a year, and nearly all children in primary education.
“I am proud of the part that the UK has played in supporting Tanzania’s progress, and I am pleased to announce an increase in our general budget support, to £105 million for next year.”
Notes to editors
1. The UK is the largest bilateral donor to Tanzania. UK’s aid is provided through the Department for International Development (DFID), which works with the Government of Tanzania and other donors to promote poverty reduction, sustainable development and growth.
2. Tanzania is DFID’s largest programme in Africa. Since 2000, DFID has provided £596 million of aid to Tanzania. More than 80% of DFID’s aid to Tanzania is in the form of general budget support.
3. Today’s announcement of £105 million of general budget support to Tanzania is part of an overall programme of £120 million for 2007/8. This announcement is part of the three-year Partnership Framework Memorandum with the Government of Tanzania, signed last year, which committed £310 million of UK support from 2006-09.
For further information, contact DFID Press Office on 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
Useful links
