The Ujamaa Programme in Tanzania: A Model for Africa’s Drive Towards Achieving Development

Abstract

This paper examines the introduction of the Ujamaa programme in Tanzania by Julius Nyerere’s administration. The cardinal point of the programme was to attain self-sufficiency and self-relience especially in the agricultural sector which is believed to be crucial in any country’s drive towards achieving development. In order to make the programme a reality, the Nationalisation and Villagisation schemes were initiated. At the initial stage of its implementation little successes were achieved especially in sisal production. It is also suggested that there was a rise in the GDP, reduction in capital flight, mobilization of domestic resources, and increase in the foreign reserve and so on. Despite some of these gains, it is observed that the Ujamaa programme did not achieve the anticipated goals due to both internal and external factors. The paper further argues that regardless the failure of the programme, it can still serve as a model for other African countries especially as they are battling with measures and alternatives for achieving development. Embedded in the Ujamaa programme is the need for African countries to strive towards self sufficiency by localising the factors of economic development and to look inward in finding solutions to their problems. The paper made use of secondary sources and internet materials.