WAJIBU – Institute of Public Accountability, in collaboration with Policy Forum, has officially launched a new project aimed at enhancing citizen participation in the oversight of public funds through efforts to increase transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption in Tanzania.

Speaking at the launch event, WAJIBU’s Executive Director, Ludovick Utouh, stated that the project—titled “Empowering Citizenry Agency for Strengthened Public Financial Governance and Sustainable Growth in Tanzania”, popularly known as the “Raia Makini Project”—is designed to build the capacity of citizens to become proactive participants and change agents in the management of national resources.

“This project is founded on the belief that in order to have effective public financial management, we need informed citizens who understand and are capable of working with the government to monitor spending, demand accountability, and fight corruption,” said Utouh.

The Raia Makini project is funded by the European Union Commission as part of its broader support for good governance in Africa. Through this support, WAJIBU and Policy Forum plan to develop and distribute simplified information about public financial management to empower citizens and stakeholders to participate meaningfully in policy discussions and public dialogues.

The project, which began implementation in 2025 and will end in 2027, is being conducted in the following local government authorities: Bahi DC, Mpwapwa DC, Lindi MC, Kilwa DC, Ruangwa DC, Mpimbwe DC, and Tanganyika DC.

In total, the project has a budget of TZS 2.64 billion, and it will be implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), Community Accountability Champions (CACs), media houses, and government institutions at different levels.

Semkae Kilonzo, Executive Director of Policy Forum, emphasized that the project’s success depends greatly on strong collaboration among stakeholders.

“We are grateful for the strong relationship that exists between CSOs, the media, and the government. The Raia Makini project is a crucial opportunity to stimulate transparency and accountability in the country—and we expect to see real change through the participation of informed citizens,” said Kilonzo.

Three Specific Objectives of the Project:

1. Public Education: To produce and distribute simplified information about public finances in order to raise awareness and encourage citizen participation in policy debates.
2. Stakeholder Empowerment: To enhance the capacity of CSOs, journalists, and other watchdog groups so they can effectively demand accountability.
3. Sectoral Collaboration: To bring together civil society, media, and citizens in working jointly with decision-makers in both national and district-level platforms.

This project will benefit ordinary citizens, the Parliament of Tanzania and the Zanzibar House of Representatives, the media, government institutions, local government authorities, and oversight bodies like TAKUKURU and ZAECA.

In his closing remarks, Utouh stressed that this is not a project for a single institution, but a platform for positive transformation across Tanzania.

“With collaboration between CSOs, government, media, and citizens, we can bring about meaningful and equitable reforms. Corruption is the enemy of justice; accountability is the engine of our development,” he concluded with emphasis.

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