Governance:

From the late 1980s and early 1990s, governance had come under severe pressure because of difficulties in the management of public sector that were reflected in: 

• financial mismanagement;

• corruption;

• poor accountability;

• an overloaded and inefficient legal system;

• ambivalence in sanctifying the fundamental human rights;

• erosion of meritocracy in public service;

• tax evasion and unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.

When the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa entered office in November 1995 he declared categorically that good governance would be the priority of his presidency. He continues to uphold this vision and His Government has the political will and commitment to give governance issues the highest priority because the Government recognizes that Governance issues play an important role in promoting socioeconomic development and reducing poverty.

The Government has undertaken among other the following measures: 

• introduction of multi-party political system; 
• appointment of a Minister of State responsible for Good Governance and formation of the Prevention of Corruption Bureau to lead the fight against corruption; 
• improvement of government-business relations; 
• establishment of the Tanzania Revenue Authority to administer revenue collection; 
• establishment of Parastatal Sector Reform Programme to manage the privatization process; 
• enactment of a law establishing a free trade union movement; restructuring the government through a Civil Service Reform Commission; 
• formation of Human Rights Commission; 
• formation of Judiciary Reform Programme;
• formation of a commission to review the Union constitution;
• introduction of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and regional sub-treasuries with the aim of increasing efficiency of budget management; and 
• formation of a ministry responsible for regional administration and local government. 

National Framework:

A National Framework on Good Governance has been issued to elaborate the priority areas for which deliberate interventions need to be focused on in a continuous but stage by stage approach by each of the key players in the Governance System in Tanzania. The players are the Central Government (The Executive, the Judiciary and Legislature); Local Government (and its agencies); Civil Society (and its organisations); Private Sector (and its organisations); and Co-operating Partners in Development. The objective of the framework is to help facilitate improved co-ordination of the various governance reforms and to identify specific areas for a targeted approach in supporting Governance initiatives. The framework has also identified institutions and reforms required in achieving the stated governance goals in the focus areas. The focus areas include: people's participation in decision making for social, political and economic development; private sector and regulatory framework; constitutionalism, rule of law, administration of justice and human rights protection; gender equity and equality; accountability, transparency, and integrity in the management of public affairs; electoral democracy; and public service.