About NSGRP - MKUKUTA

The National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty, known as the MKUKUTA (Mkakati wa Kukuza Uchumi na Kupunguza Umaskini Tanzania), was approved by the Cabinet in February 2005 for implementation over a five-year period. It is the successor to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.

MKUKUTA, informed by Tanzania´s Vision 2025, is committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, internationally agreed targets for reducing poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women by 2015).

It has a strong focus on growth and governance, and is an instrument for mobilising efforts and resources toward its outcomes. The essential features in developing MKUKUTA were national ownership and consultation with stakeholders. This resulted in the strategy reflecting stakeholders concerns as well as reforms and sector plans. MKUKUTA is strongly outcome oriented and aims to foster greater collaboration among all sectors and stakeholders. One of its benefits is that it has mainstreamed cross-cutting issues (gender, environment, HIV/AIDs, disability, children, youth, elderly, employment and settlements).

The strategy seeks to deepen ownership and inclusion in policy making, paying attention to laws and customs that slow development and negatively affect vulnerable groups. The strategy requires increased resources, and the national budget will be aligned to MKUKUTA with direct links to the public expenditure review. A Joint Assistance Strategy will be developed with development partners to increase the volume and effectiveness of aid to achieve MKUKUTA objectives.

The MKUKUTA text has eight chapters and an annex with a matrix of goals and targets. Chapter I provides a background, Chapter II lays out poverty status and challenges, and Chapter III the consultation process. Chapter IV describes the strategy framework with full details in Chapter V. Implementation and monitoring arrangements are described in Chapters VI and VII, while Chapter VIII focuses on the financing.