From a growth perspective, Tanzania has been classified as a lower-middle-income country, enjoying sustained growth rates. With a population of about 68 million, mostly young, and with rapid urbanization, the World Bank estimates that Tanzania’s population will double by 2050 to around 140 million, creating major challenges for economic development, employment, and access to essential services in urban centers.
The historical presence of Italian Cooperation in Tanzania has been an important component of the country’s development. Over the years, interventions have focused on healthcare, rural development, food security, and essential services, with a particular emphasis on gender issues. Notably, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Bilateral Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Italy and Tanzania, signed on August 4, 1965.
In 2025, Tanzania was designated as a Priority Country for Italian Cooperation, reflecting the growing importance of relations with Africa in Italy’s political agenda. During the year, Italian Cooperation focused mainly on the Sustainable Development Pillars “People” and “Partnerships”, with key areas of intervention being:
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Education and vocational training, aimed at strengthening youth skills and facilitating access to the labor market.
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Healthcare, with emphasis on maternal and child health and combating communicable diseases (tuberculosis, malaria, HIV).
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Food security, through improved agricultural productivity and sustainability and reducing malnutrition.
Italian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are also very active across the country, implementing initiatives in health, inclusion for people with disabilities, human rights, and agricultural development.