Esther Kasanga, a resident of Dar es Salaam, is one of many Tanzanians with clear expectations as voters prepare for the October 29 general election.

"For the leader who will be elected, I hope they prioritize the needs of the people — especially women, youth and persons with disabilities," Kasanga told DW.

Since its inception in 1977, Tanzania's ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has dominated the political scene in the East African nation, making it Africa's longest continuously ruling political party.

Economist Bravious Kahyoza said in many developing countries, economies often react to how elections are managed, with political tension capable of triggering shocks. "It's therefore crucial for national leaders to handle such moments wisely," he said.

Tanzania's political and economic climate remains relatively stable, signaling the likelihood of a peaceful election and continued economic steadiness thereafter, according to Kahyoza.

"The economy runs on confidence, and currently, that confidence appears solid. While full assessments come after elections, indicators look positive," he said. Economic growth is above 5%, with inflation largely stable.

3 types of voters in Tanzania

The electoral landscape has three distinct kinds of voters, according to political analyst Paternus Niyegira.

"The first group is made up of the ruling party, CCM, and its supporters, who remain largely optimistic about both the electoral process and the expected results," he said.

Then, there are the supporters of the opposition Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo parties. "This group mostly believes the election process lacks fairness and transparency," he said.

Niyegira identified a third group emerging mainly from social media spaces, calling for nationwide demonstrations on October 29. "This particular faction has recently heightened tensions in the country," he said.

The government has condemned the planned opposition demonstrations, emphasizing the need for peace and order. The army is meanwhile assuring the public that the country is calm and stable.

Despite this, there's uncertainty among citizens, many of whom are unsure what might unfold on election day, according to Niyegira.

Health care on voters' minds

"Women still face many challenges in accessing quality care," said Caro Mwisraeli, a Dar es Salaam resident. "The current administration has made progress, but more needs to be done — including building health centers closer to communities."

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Tanzania has achieved an 80% reduction in maternal mortality within seven years — from 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016 to 104 in 2022. However, despite these notable achievements, some challenges persist.

"I wish the next president would pay closer attention to private hospitals," said Philipina Shayo, one of the women who has experienced and witnessed challenges within Tanzania's health care system.

"Many private facilities operate with little oversight. At times, women in need of medical services find themselves waiting for help that isn't there. We hope the coming administration will prioritize better supervision — from proper diagnosis to ensuring enough specialists are available in hospitals."

Need for education reforms

"My wish for the next president is to carry out major reforms in education," said David Ndunguru, another Dar es Salaam resident. "We need a curriculum that aligns with today's global realities and connects directly to the job market. Teachers' welfare must also be a priority."

Resident Tobias Masalu added that the current educational model is failing citizens by neglecting to support their economic, social and political well-being, and even limiting their freedom of expression.

The system, he observed, produces students who cannot become critical thinkers about their own country, rendering them incapable of effectively utilizing available national resources. He emphasized that these vital changes must not remain abstract policies, but must be actively implemented.

According to Tanzania's National Bureau of Statistics, 83% of the population is literate.

Empowering the youth

"I hope the next president focuses on youth empowerment — especially by supporting small-scale businesses," said Daniel Mushi.

Government-led youth empowerment programs in Tanzania focus on vocational training, entrepreneurship and leadership through initiatives, such as the National Youth Development Policy and the National Youth Development Fund. These initiatives collaborate with the private sector and NGOs to offer essential loans and skills training, aiming to create employment and foster youth-led businesses.

"It is imperative for us as a country to invest more in digital affairs and to be able to produce graduates equipped with skills in various fields, especially in agriculture, technology, and business," stressed Ndunguru, adding that despite the changes introduced in education, a lot of work is still needed.

According to Policy Forum, a network of over 60 Tanzanian civil society organizations, unemployment remains a critical challenge for both the educated and uneducated youths in Tanzania. While the overall unemployment rate is 4.1%, it remains high among the youth (11.7%). Women face critically higher rates of unemployment at 14.6%, compared with men at 8.9%.

Edited by: Benita van Eyssen & C. Mwakideu