Governance Across Presidential Reigns in Tanzania and Why it Matters? Lessons Learnt from 1961s to 2021s

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, some among global institutions have argued that the problem of persistent underdevelopment in sub-Saharan Africa is mainly due to poor governance. The current article specifically unfolds the question what did Tanzanian society learn and adopt from Presidential governance over the period of sixty years of her independence 1961 to 2021, and how has it shaped and directed the national development. The Study utilized the system theory from a sample size of 320 study participants across a section of five Regions in Tanzania, based on geo-politics of the country’s administration, It also conducted 20 key informants’ interviews to stakeholders in Tanzania. Further, and also relied on desk review, and content analysis. The study findings revealed that governance is an evolving concept which modifies its meaning depending on context and time, however, its principal values and standards are held standards. Thusly, each Presidential reign offered unique leadership lessons for learning over specific issue, at a particular time, and at specific area. Essentially, each presidential own strategy, philosophy and theories determined the success of particular issues at a particular time. The study concludes and commends lessons learnt from context specific Reign of Governance Agenda such as National State Building; in 1981 up to Transition to Industrial Economy.