New Government of Tanzania Information Systems to Improve Delivery of Public Services

United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Dr. Inmi Patterson delivers remarks during the launch of the Government of Tanzania’s redesigned Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting (PlanRep) System and the new Facility Financial Accounting and Reporting System (FFARS) at a ceremony in Dodoma.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Inmi Patterson (on his left) and senior Government Ministers officials officiates the launch of the Government of Tanzania’s redesigned Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting (PlanRep) System and the new Facility Financial Accounting and Reporting System (FFARS) in Dodoma.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mission Director, Andrew Karas (2nd left) and the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms. Ummy Mwalimu (right), following the launch of the Government of Tanzania’s redesigned Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting (PlanRep) System and the new Facility Financial Accounting and Reporting System (FFARS) at a ceremony in Dodoma.

Dodoma (September 5) – Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa officiated the launch of the Government of Tanzania’s redesigned Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting (PlanRep) System and the new Facility Financial Accounting and Reporting System (FFARS) today at a ceremony in Dodoma. He was joined by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Inmi Patterson and a number of senior Government officials and Ministers, reflecting the wide- reaching impact of PlanRep and FFARS across sectors and government institutions.

Developed in partnership with the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), these computer-based information management systems will play complementary roles in preparing plans and budgets and standardizing financial management at every level of government. In particular, these platforms will ensure the efficient, transparent, and accountable use of funds among Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and facilities, paving the way for improved delivery of public services to citizens.

Introduced over a decade ago as a planning, reporting, and budgeting tool for LGAs, PlanRep’s redesign marks a number of improvements over its predecessor. Whereas the original version was accessed offline, with users across the government relying on different versions of the software, the updated system provides a uniform, online format accessible anytime, anywhere. Additionally, the new web-based version allows PlanRep to share documents and information with other government information systems, eliminating the lengthy, error-prone process of uploading documents manually. With over 1,500 users trained to use the new system, PlanRep will operate across all public sectors to provide a more efficient, transparent, and accountable system of providing public services to citizens.

While PlanRep assists with planning, budgeting, and reporting revenue across multiple levels of government, FFARS serves as an accounting and reporting system for facilities such as schools and health centers, where funding for public services is increasingly being managed. FFARS offers service providers a simple, standardized, set of documents and processes that enable them to record the availability and source of their funding for core services at each facility. FFARS also tracks how funds are used and ensures compliance with procurement regulations and reporting requirements.

With this information, the Government of Tanzania will maintain a more robust public financial management system that increases transparency so that service providers are more accountable to the communities and organizations they serve. “The United States is proud to partner with Tanzania as you work toward a future marked by transparent government, sustainable development and shared prosperity,” remarked Chargé d’Affaires Inmi Patterson of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam during the ceremony. “Together, these two systems will increase efficiency and improve financial management, enabling the Government of Tanzania to more effectively distribute its financial resources and respond to citizen needs.”

U.S. Government support to PlanRep and FFARS falls under the USAID Public Sector Systems Strengthening (PS3) activity. Designed in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, PS3 works in 13 regions and 93 LGAs to strengthen public service delivery through improved governance, finance, human resources, and information systems. In addition to the design and rollout of PlanRep and FFARS, PS3 recently supported the launch of a standardized website layout for regional secretariats and LGAs nationwide earlier in March of this year.