Author: AGAPE GODRICH
AfricaPress-Tanzania: FIVE civil servants from the Ministry of Finance and Planning have won British government scholarships to strengthen macro-fiscal management, improve public financial management systems and increase domestic revenue.
Presenting scholarship awards to winners in Dar es Salaam, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Dr Yamungu Kayandabila, said the scholarship scheme launched in 2017 had so far benefited 20 officers and were five chances open for 2021/22.
The beneficiaries of the scholarship programme are set to travel to the UK this September to begin their postgraduate studies for one year.
“It is important for Tanzania to continue building expertise of public servants and in line with the UK’s approach to partnership with Tanzania as the value of this scheme is to help Tanzanians own and manage its own development process,” said Dr Kayandabila.
He added: “The UK education system is among the best in the world. Our beneficiaries, upon graduating, have been showing good performance and as a result, some have been allocated to more important responsibilities.”
Speaking at a farewell ceremony, British High Commissioner to Tanzania David Concar noted that the five-year scheme, which is now in its fourth year, was a testament to the strong partnership between Tanzania and the UK.
“The credit for this scholarship scheme goes to Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango,” said Mr Concar.
He said there was a need to enhance the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Finance and Planning in particular enhancing the skills of young Tanzanians who would go on to become the next generation of leaders in economic policy and public financial management.
“These students have studied all across the UK from Aberdeen to Bath and I am delighted all of them have passed their exams,” he said.
Mr Concar further explained that the scholarships were part of a broader UK government programme to support the government of Tanzania and strengthen public financial management systems and tax administration.
One of the beneficiaries of the scholarships, Mr Innocent Lema, said the Ministry of Finance and Planning had done a good job in finding opportunities for its officials to broaden their professionalism.
“This scholarship will help me develop my professional and leadership skills which in turn will help me contribute to the development of the nation. As an economist I will be ready to give factual and impactful advice on developing the country’s economy,” said Mr Lema.
