Investing in early childhood development: A path to Tanzania’s prosperous future

Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey. With a population of 62 million - projected to double by 2050 - the country has a unique opportunity to harness its demographic dividend and drive long-term economic growth.

A new report, developed by Genesis Analytics in collaboration with UNICEF, Tanzania’s National ECD Taskforce and a coalition of government and civil society partners, illustrates the case for investment in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a cornerstone of sustainable progress.

You can read the report here: Building the Foundations Main Report LIGHT PDF 25 Feb 2025 pdf

The transformative power of ECD

The report highlights how strategic investments in early childhood interventions, including education, health, and nutrition can yield substantial socio-economic returns. Research shows that children who benefit from quality ECD programmes develop stronger cognitive and social skills, leading to better educational outcomes, higher future earnings and increased workforce productivity.

Key findings from the report include:

High return on investment (ROI): Scaling up comprehensive ECD interventions, particularly early childhood education (ECE), generates significant economic benefits, outweighing costs in the long run.
Reduced inequality: Targeted ECD programmes help bridge developmental gaps, ensuring all children, regardless of socio-economic background, have a strong foundation for success.
Cost of inaction: Failing to invest adequately in ECD risks perpetuating cycles of poverty, limiting Tanzania’s ability to achieve inclusive growth.

A call for collaborative action

Under the leadership of Tanzania’s National ECD Secretariat and the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, and Children, UNICEF has supported the development of this investment case to guide policy decisions. The report outlines actionable recommendations, including:

Innovative financing mechanisms to expand access to early learning and childcare services.
Stronger multi-sector partnerships between government, civil society and international stakeholders.
Increased public and private funding for ECD programmes.

Securing Tanzania’s future

The choices made today will shape Tanzania’s economic and social trajectory for decades. By prioritising ECD, the country can unlock the full potential of its young population, fostering a more skilled workforce, higher productivity, and sustained prosperity.

As the report underscores, investing in children is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity.