TANZANIA COUNTRY OFFICE NEWSLETTER

May - July 2025

Welcome to this edition of the UNDP Tanzania Newsletter!

Dear Readers,

We’re excited to bring you another inspiring edition of our newsletter, highlighting the impactful work and stories shaping sustainable development across Tanzania.

In this issue, we spotlight the Dumisha Amani Phase Two initiative, delve into the evolving landscape of insurance and sustainable financing, and explore efforts in peacekeeping and wildlife conservation. These stories reflect our collective commitment to building resilient communities, fostering inclusive growth, and protecting our natural heritage.

As you read through, we hope you feel inspired by the dedication of our teams and partners working tirelessly to create lasting change. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Happy reading!

Portfolio Corner

SDG Investment and Financing

The Future Is Covered: Nurturing Inclusive Insurance Solutions in Tanzania

UNDP’s Insurance Innovation Challenge is driving a new generation of insurance solutions for underserved households and businesses in developing economies. In Dar es Salaam, the Insurance Innovation Showcase brought together impactful ideas designed to reshape the future of insurance in Tanzania and beyond. Organised through UNDP’s insurance and Risk Finance Facility in collaboration with the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), the Showcase celebrated solutions emerging from the Insurance Innovation Challenge Tanzania 2025.

The challenge, launched earlier this year, included a Bootcamp for 20 shortlisted innovators – eqquiping them with skills to design and refine inclusive insurance solutions. These solutions target three priority areas:
•    SMEs and Informal sector
•    Health Protection
•    Climate Risk

UNDP Champions Inclusive Growth and Resilience at Tanzania’s 28th Annual Insurance Day and Commissioner for Insurance Roundtable

UNDP Tanzania proudly participated in the 28th Annual Insurance Day, held in Arusha, alongside the Commissioner for Insurance (COI) Roundtable, reaffirming its commitment to supporting inclusive insurance solutions that drive socio-economic transformation. The event brought together key actors across the insurance value chain, including government regulators, zonal leaders, CEOs, and directors from insurance companies. Under the theme “Transforming Lives through Innovation,” stakeholders were urged to reimagine insurance not only as a financial product but as a powerful tool for inclusive growth, national resilience, and sustainable development.

UNDP Empowers Local Governments in Tanzania to Localize Sustainable Financing Through INFF Workshop.

UNDP Tanzania, through its Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Facility, organized a three-day capacity-building workshop in Morogoro aimed at strengthening the ability of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to mobilize sustainable finance for local development. Held in collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG),and the Institute of Rural Development Planning, the workshop engaged stakeholders from Regional Secretariats and LGAs in Dodoma, Dar es Salaam (Temeke MC), and the Coastal Region (Kibaha MC). The objective was to build local capacity for implementing INFF at the subnational level, aligning financing with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Tanzania’s development priorities.

Dumisha Amani II: Advancing Peace and Empowering Youth Across Tanzania

UNDP Tanzania, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and supported by the Government of China through the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund—the Secretary General's Peace and Security Sub-Fund, has officially launched the second phase of the Dumisha Amani (“Promoting Peace and Security for Sustainable Development”) project—an initiative designed to deepen peace building, strengthen community resilience, and unlock inclusive development across Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. The Dumisha Amani II project marked a key milestone in building on the success of Dumisha Amani I, which reached over 5,000 young people with skills, livelihood opportunities, and alternatives to violence across Lindi, Mtwara, Ruvuma, and Zanzibar.

Tanzania Hosts First-Ever United Nations Civilian Peacekeeping Course, Paving the Way for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan and in close collaboration with the Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre (TPTC), has successfully conducted and concluded the first-ever United Nations Civilian Peacekeeping Course in Tanzania. This initiative marks a significant step toward peace operations by equipping civilian professionals with the knowledge, tools, and values needed to serve in complex mission environments.

The course brought together 27 participants from various institutions, offering them an in-depth exploration of the legal, political, social, and operational frameworks that define contemporary peacekeeping. A strong emphasis was placed on fostering collaboration among civilian, military, and police actors alongside host governments and local communities.

Nature Ecosystem

From Poaching to Protection: Tanzania’s Wildlife Is Thriving Again

Tanzania is making remarkable strides in its fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade, thanks to an integrated approach led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP. The "Combating Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade Project" is not only protecting iconic species like elephants and rhinos but also promoting green growth and empowering communities, strengthening institutions, and leveraging innovation.

From Decline to Recovery
Poaching wave once threatened Tanzania’s reputation as a conservation leader. Today, the country is positively and steadily turning the tide. In the Ruaha–Rungwa landscape, elephant poaching has dropped by an impressive 95.8%, with just one case reported in the past year. Lion poaching has been completely halted in the country. Behind this turnaround are coordinated efforts—from law enforcement and cross-border intelligence sharing to new tools like drones and surveillance equipment.

Sustaining Tanzania’s Forest Legacy: Building Climate-Resilient Nature Reserves for Generations to Come

Tanzania’s forests are more than just trees—they are vibrant ecosystems teeming with life, culture, and opportunity. From the misty heights of Mount Hanang to the lush lowlands of Pugu Kazimzumbwi, the country’s 22 Nature Forest Reserves (NFRs) represent some of the most biologically rich landscapes on the African continent.

But these natural treasures face escalating threats—climate change, deforestation, wildfires, habitat degradation, and invasive species are undermining forest ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities who depend on them. In response, the Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), has joined forces with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to implement a six-year initiative titled “Building the Resilience of Forest Biodiversity to the Threats of Climate Change” (BUREFOBI).

Youth Catalyst

President of Finland Launches Green Catalyst Initiative at Innovation Week Tanzania 2025

One of the most significant highlights of Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 was the official launch of the Green Catalyst Initiative, led by H.E. Alexander Stubb, President of Finland. The launch marked a milestone in Tanzania’s journey toward green, inclusive, and innovation-driven development, signalling the deepening partnership between Finland and Tanzania in driving climate-smart economic transformation. In his keynote address, President Stubb drew parallels between Finland’s rise from an agrarian economy to a global innovation hub and Tanzania’s current position as an emerging leader in Africa’s innovation landscape. “What matters is not where you start, but the ecosystems you build,” he said. “Tanzania is at a turning point. With its young population, natural resources, and creative spirit, it has the potential to lead in sustainable innovation.”

With a symbolic gesture, President Stubb launched the Green Catalyst Initiative’s First Call for Funding Applications -an ambitious programme implemented by UNDP through the FUNGUO Innovation Programme and funded by the Government of Finland. The initiative offers catalytic funding and tailored support to MSMEs working in Tanzania’s forest-based value chains. Its goal: to drive green job creation, promote circular economies, and strengthen climate resilience through innovation.

FUNGUO Programme Equips SIDO and TIRDO Executives with Innovation Management Skills

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its FUNGUO Innovation Programme funded by the European Union, UK Government and the Republic of Finland, has launched a high-level three-day Innovation Management Workshop in Morogoro, bringing together executive leadership from the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) and the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO). Held at Morena Hotel from June 4–6, 2025, the workshop is designed to equip leaders with critical innovation tools, ecosystem thinking, and forward-looking leadership approaches necessary to drive Tanzania’s transition into a middle-income, innovation-driven economy.

Staff Corner

Karibu sana Flavian!

We are delighted to welcome Ms. Rachel Shuma to our team! Rachel is a dynamic Communication and Engagement professional with a strong background in strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, digital marketing, and policy advocacy. As the Communications and Engagement Specialist for the National Plastics Action Partnership (TZ-NPAP), Rachel will lead efforts to amplify the project's visibility, foster inclusive dialogue, and strengthen stakeholder engagement.

We are proud to welcome Mr. Flavian Ngeni to our team! Through the National Plastics Action Partnership (TZ-NPAP) project, Flavian will play a key role in advancing a circular plastics economy and eliminating plastic pollution in Tanzania. Flavian will be supporting the project as the NPAP Manager, contributing to coordination, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based action

Karibu sana Rachel

Photo snippets

Our Partners

Our work would not be possible without the support of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, development partners, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and think tanks who are committed to support Tanzania's development agenda:

Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar, United Nations country team, CSOs and other partners, European Union, REA, TIRDO, DIT, EWURA, Center for Youth Dialogue, Cube Zanzibar Innovation Hub, TANESCO, Global Environment Facility, Global Peace Foundation, Green Climate Fund, Mkoani District Paralegal Organization (MDIPAO), North "A" District Paralegals Centre (NAPAC), Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD), Open Map Development (OMD), Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA), Zanzibar Legal Services Centre (ZLSC), Pemba Association for Civil Societies Organization (PACSO), Romanian Agency for International Development Commission, Sikika, South Africa, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO)