Tanzania

Tanzania is a lower-middle-income country with a population of 61 million. The country has experienced steady economic growth in recent years. However, 27 percent of the population still live below the poverty line and an additional 8 percent live in extreme poverty.

A significant share of the population remains malnourished, with high stunting (impaired growth due to undernutrition) and increasing rates of overweight, obesity and vitamin and mineral deficiency. An estimated 20 percent of families are unable to afford a diet with sufficient calories, while 59 percent cannot afford a nutritious diet.

Agriculture plays a key role in the national economy and provides a livelihood for 70 percent of the population, with women making up most of the sector’s labour force. Despite their participation, women often have limited access to land, credit and other resources – reducing their ability to produce and generate income, and making them more susceptible to shocks. The country is ranked 146 out of 191 on the Gender Inequality Index of 2022, mainly due to high maternal mortality rates, high adolescent birth rates and low levels of secondary education for girls due to early marriages and unplanned pregnancies.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been in Tanzania since 1963, working with the Government, donors, other UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector to improve the food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations.

In line with its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2022-2027 targets inclusive economic growth through market-based interventions (such as financial inclusion and commodity marketing digital solutions), strengthened human capital, increased access to affordable nutritious foods and healthy diets, and climate action. Under the plan, WFP is expanding its operations across more regions in Tanzania’s mainland and Zanzibar, while increasing its focus on youth, women and people with disabilities.