BEYOND THE HEADLINES: ANALYZING THE CCM 2025-2030 ELECTION MANIFESTO.

A manifesto is a clear statement of purpose. It lays out what matters, what will be done, and how. Released ahead of a General Election, it sets out a party’s vision, policies, and the actions it intends to take if given the mandate to govern. It turns ideas into action by offering practical steps to improve daily life, from work, health, and the economy to education, opportunity, and more. It speaks to the hopes of the people, holds leadership to its word, and acts as a compass for progress.

1. Introduction.

Election years aren’t just political rituals. They are national checkpoints. They offer a rare chance to pause, ask hard questions and demand better answers. It was in this context that Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) introduced its manifesto on May 30, 2025, not to make noise but to outline what it believes the next five years can actually deliver. Framed under the words “Kazi na Utu, Tunasonga Mbele,” the new manifesto is not pitched as a reset but as a serious engagement with real-world issues, with people’s expectations and with a future that won’t wait. It arrives at a time when Tanzanians want fewer slogans and more outcomes, and CCM is responding by putting focus, clarity and momentum on the table.

What makes this manifesto distinct is its foundation in values that do not change with trends. CCM’s vision, stated clearly, is “to see a Tanzania where prosperity reaches all, where the dignity, rights, and equality of every citizen are protected, and where the nation stands strong and self-reliant.” This has been the compass since the party’s founding and has continued through 48 years of leadership, with each manifesto adding something that reflects the country’s changing needs. The 2025 version, however, looks further ahead than any before it. It leans on that vision with urgency and follows it with clear intention. It moves away from just governing and instead opens the door to new ways of thinking. From managing systems to improving lives. It speaks to Tanzanians not as recipients of policy, but as people who are ready to take part in deciding what comes next.

Within its pages are clear and tangible priorities. These include transforming the economy through domestic value chains, making science and digital technology part of how the country grows, improving infrastructure in all regions, and giving even more attention to public services, especially health, education, and clean water. It promises more access to decent housing, better transport systems, and fair financial access for women, youth, and the informal sector. It also lays out national goals with more reach, such as helping more young people find work, raising living standards, reducing poverty, protecting democracy, keeping the country safe, and supporting arts, culture, and sports. But beyond these efforts, the manifesto speaks clearly about a future that should be fair, connected, and include everyone. It reminds Tanzanians that this is a moment to move toward a country where no one’s ability is left behind, and where everyone has room to grow.

To development partners, the message is equally clear and direct. Tanzania is not just ready but it is serious. With stable governance, an ambitious industrial strategy, a digital roadmap, and regional trade links, the manifesto positions Tanzania as a place where investment doesn’t just make profit but rather makes impact. For citizens, the promise feels personal and real. It is about dignity at work, safety at home, and fairness in opportunity. It is about schools where learning is practical, hospitals that heal more than bodies, cities that do not exclude, and villages that do not wait. CCM has stated its case clearly and in this manifesto, Tanzanians are offered more than just policy. They are welcomed into a future that is theirs to claim, to build, and to believe in.

2. The Making of CCM.

In order to understand where the manifesto is headed, it is better to remember where the party has come from. The story of CCM is closely tied to the country’s own path, from liberation to unity, from resistance to leadership. It began not as a party but as a quiet movement rising from the African soil, where voices long subdued began to gather and rise.

In 1948, out of the fracture of the African Association (AA) between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the Tanganyika African Association (TAA) was born. Though it started with a focus on non-political advocacy, it became a vessel for African identity, pride, and quiet resistance. When Julius Kambarage Nyerere stepped into leadership in 1953, it became clear that the time for silence had passed. A new constitution was drafted. The caution that once defined the movement gave way to clear political direction. And on July 7, 1954, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) emerged, inheriting not only TAA’s structure but its mission, now carried forward with greater political purpose.

Meanwhile in Zanzibar, the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) was taking form from the roots of the African Association (1933) and the Shirazi Association (1938), fusing on February 5, 1957, during the Joint Conference under the leadership of Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume and Sheikh Thabit Kombo. What began as local voices against labor exploitation had grown into a full political front. By the time Tanganyika and Zanzibar united on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanzania, their revolutionary machinery had already proven itself. Yet the political structure remained divided. TANU governed the mainland while ASP governed the Isles. Although the nation was unified in both spirit and state, its politics spoke in two voices that were distinct but moving in the same direction.

Recognizing the need for stronger unity, leaders of both parties convened at a Joint National Conference on January 21, 1977, chaired by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Aboud Jumbe. The delegates, who were carefully chosen to represent both TANU and ASP, voted unanimously to dissolve both parties. From that resolution, a new movement was born. On February 5, 1977, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was officially inaugurated. It was more than a political fusion and became a historic joining. A new chapter in the country’s life, where political unity would reflect national unity, and where leadership would no longer be split across regions but consolidated with a singular identity. The ceremony was not loud, but it was unforgettable. It carried the burden of generations who had fought for freedom, dignity, and self-determination.

3. The Promise of Progress.

In its 2025 to 2030 Manifesto, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) lays out an ambitious but deliberate vision to build a strong, modern, and inclusive economy for all Tanzanians. It includes stimulating economic and social activity throughout the country. Behind this vision is a clear and consistent promise to grow the country’s real GDP by no less than 7 percent per year, every single year. But growth for growth’s sake isn’t enough. The plan speaks to the people’s daily realities and makes sure that this economic expansion actually reaches the pockets of ordinary citizens.

Inflation will be kept in the single digits so household purchasing power stays protected. Every loan the government takes will be tied to a development project and not to routine expenditure. To help keep the economy healthy over time, Tanzania’s gold reserves will be raised to at least six tonnes. The country will ramp up exports, especially those of value-added products, while limiting the use of foreign currency on routine spending domestically and reducing imports that could easily be produced at home.

To fund these priorities and reduce reliance on foreign support, the plan sets a clear goal, which is to increase tax collection to 15.6 percent of GDP. At the same time, the manifesto explains how to improve the business and investment environment, especially for small and medium sized entrepreneurs. Loan interest rates will be lowered in banks and empowerment funds, making it easier for individuals with low and middle incomes, including young people, women, and those with disabilities, to get both short and long term loans at affordable rates. In this system, technology will not be seen as a luxury. Instead, it will be widely used to support education, farming, business, and community projects. Digital platforms will bring new efficiencies and connect more people to opportunities, from villages to every part of the country.

While the public sector sets the tone, it is the private sector that CCM sees as the engine of growth. Entrepreneurs, traders and industrialists who run businesses in Tanzania will be given a runway to fly. A national policy for private sector growth is underway, aiming to remove long-standing barriers and create more room for investment, innovation and job creation. It will not just be the big players who benefit. Special attention will go to Tanzanians running small and medium enterprises through a new fund designed to make it easier for them to access capital. That support will reach not only traders in cities but also smallholder producers and startup businesses looking for their first breakthrough.

3.1. Growth That Works.

With an eye on transforming Tanzania’s economic backbone, the CCM Election Manifesto lays out a clear plan for the agriculture and livestock sectors. Agriculture is expected to grow its GDP share from 4.6 to 10 percent by increasing irrigation from 983,466 hectares to 5 million, distributing 10,000 tractors, continuing subsidies on farming inputs, putting better food storage systems in place, and developing strategic commercial farms.

The manifesto also introduces a guarantee fund to make financing more accessible, while cooperative societies will be improved in structure, leadership, and resources to support farmers more effectively. On the livestock side, the manifesto targets a GDP contribution of 5 percent, expansion of grazing land from 3.4 to 6 million hectares, and growth of exports of livestock products from 14,000 to 50,000 tons. Public ranches will be revived with private sector involvement and veterinary and extension services will reach more communities.

In the industrial sector, the Manifesto presents a plan aiming for 9 percent annual growth. This will happen by enforcing laws to ban export of unprocessed natural resources so that more refining and manufacturing is done within the country. Industrial parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and free trade zones will be developed. The mining sector, expected to grow by 7 percent annually, will benefit from more geological surveys, local ownership, and processing of minerals locally. The government will formalize small-scale miners and reduce mineral smuggling by 75 percent to make Tanzania a regional mineral trade point. Energy goals include reaching 8,000 MW, 300 kWh and lighting up 31,532 villages with the plan also aiming to provide reliable electricity access throughout the country.

Land development takes a leading role in the CCM Election Manifesto, with plans to complete urban master plans, fast-track land title provision, and reduce land disputes that have slowed progress. Affordable housing will be introduced for low-income groups in both rural and urban areas. Contribution to GDP from tourism is expected rise from 17% in 2025 to 20% by 2030 by attracting 8 million tourists each year and doubling tourism jobs from 1.5 million to 3 million. The blue economy has been included through investments in fisheries, ports, marine transport, and coastal tourism, while fish exports and aquaculture are set to increase Tanzania’s role in regional and global seafood markets. At the same time, efforts to protect the environment will be made to help the country handle climate change better and preserve nature for future generations.

3.2. Work, Wealth, and Dignity.

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) makes clear in its 2025 to 2030 plan that job creation, income growth, and poverty reduction are not just ambitions but measurable commitments. The party sets a national goal to create no fewer than 8 million productive jobs by 2030, with at least 50 percent coming from the formal sector. These jobs will be generated within various industries, both public and private, to reduce unemployment and bring more citizens into secure, long-term economic activity. CCM also provides targeted support for youth, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly, showing that inclusive growth requires deliberate effort for groups historically underserved.

To make sure that Tanzanians can fully participate in these new opportunities, CCM is giving serious time to technical and vocational training. The goal is to equip individuals with the practical skills needed for emerging markets and industries. In addition to skills development, the party promises to assist start-ups, especially those founded by Tanzanians, through special funding programs, access to start-up capital, capacity building, and market linkages. Innovative young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be helped to become formal, job-creating businesses.

Also, the manifesto points to the importance of working closely with the private sector and other partners to accelerate job access, and will establish structured windows for business financing, including dedicated funds for local businesses. Altogether, this is not a job plan in isolation but rather a full economic empowerment model designed to increase income security, entrepreneurship, and make sure no Tanzanian is left behind.

3.3. People First.

People come first in the CCM 2025 to 2030 Manifesto, with a vision built on access to quality social services that respect dignity and fairness. In healthcare, CCM will work to make universal health insurance available to more Tanzanians. The plan also includes investing in health infrastructure, increasing medical equipment and supplies, and making sure health facilities have enough skilled staff. The manifesto further aims to make it easier for the private sector to set up local factories that produce medical and health-related products. With digital technology becoming more common in the country, the manifesto also seeks to bring mobile and digital health services closer to people, especially those in remote areas, so they can get medical advice and care without traveling far.

Education, water, social welfare, and care for vulnerable groups appear clearly as important areas for inclusive development. Free, quality basic and secondary education will continue, with more classrooms and teacher housing to handle more students and help retain teachers in rural areas. Subjects such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will be given greater concentration to equip students with practical, future-ready skills for today’s workforce, together with digital literacy.

To increase clean water access in both cities and countryside, CCM plans to create strategic and medium-sized dams and use rainwater harvesting to support existing sources. Social protection will step up its fight against gender-based violence, offer better early childhood programs, and improve services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Pension systems will be changed, adding new plans for informal workers in agriculture and fisheries. A society cannot move forward without caring for its most vulnerable, so the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) will reach more poor households.

3.4. Routes to Growth.

Chama Cha Mapinduzi puts a big priority on upgrading Tanzania’s transport and infrastructure network to open up trade, support mobility and keep the country moving forward in the long run. Pushing this forward is the completion of trunk roads that will connect all regions and neighboring countries, helping regional trade and internal connectivity. Roads in both urban and rural areas will be rehabilitated and surfaced with tarmac to make sure of reliable and safe movement of people and goods.

At the same time, efforts to make Tanzania’s railway system better will continue. The government will finalize Standard Gauge Railway sections including Mwanza to Isaka, Makutupora to Tabora, Tabora to Isaka, Tabora to Kigoma, and Uvinza to Musongati. It will also begin new lines such as Mtwara to Mbamba Bay and Tanga to Arusha to Musoma, along with other SGR projects within the country.

Urban mobility in major cities like Dar es Salaam and Dodoma will get a fresh lift through the introduction of modern metro rail systems aimed at reducing congestion and supporting clean travel, while the Bus Rapid Transit system will be made more accessible and better run in collaboration with the private sector. Flyovers will be constructed at busy junctions to help ease traffic. In maritime transport, CCM plans to raise Tanzania’s role as a trade gateway by constructing the Bagamoyo Port and making the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara larger and more modern.

Air travel is set to increase through a bigger Air Tanzania fleet and further development at Mwanza Airport, Msalato International Airport, and airports in Tanga, Lake Manyara, Lindi, and Iringa, along with new airports planned for Omukajunguti, Mugumu, Mikumi, and Singi. In technology, CCM considers science and innovation important, with plans to support local talent and turn ideas into economic value through wider access to digital infrastructure and tools in sectors like agriculture, health, education, and business.

3.5. Tanzania on the Move.

CCM’s agenda for 2025 to 2030 sets out its commitment to fairer democracy and good governance by respecting rule of law, involving citizens, and making public service more accountable. Specific directives include completing the constitutional review process, continuing the fight against corruption and abuse of office by giving more capacity to institutions like the Ethics Secretariat, PCCB, and the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, and introducing new legislation to establish professional boards and a National Council of Professions, which will advise the government on professional and technical matters.

The manifesto defends civil liberties by protecting the independence of civil society and the media. It also aims to raise public servants' professionalism through a national human resource audit, better pay, fair working conditions, ethical standards, and protection of trade unions. Moreover, local governments will be given more room to take part in grassroots development and democratic participation.

Continuing its long-standing values, CCM is pledging to safeguard the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar as a foundation of national unity, while taking practical steps to maintain peace, stability, and internal security. This involves actions to combat cybercrime, trafficking, and other threats, modernize defense forces, and engage citizens in national security by raising awareness, inviting participation, and instilling a sense of patriotism. It also works with regional and international partners in matters of security, renews youth training programs to inspire national pride and practical skills.

On the global stage, CCM is working toward better economic ties, consistent follow-up on international agreements, involving the diaspora in development, and increasing the use of Kiswahili in diplomatic spaces. Tanzania will continue to hold a non-aligned position, establish new embassies, open up more chances for young people to study abroad, and contribute to peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected regions.

4. Zanzibar Rising.

CCM’s strategy for Zanzibar is built on a clear priority to secure peace and development. Through its Zanzibar-specific commitments, CCM says it will continue supporting the Revolution’s gains by rolling out programs based on inclusive economic growth. Main targets include generating 350,000 new jobs in both formal and informal sectors by 2030 and raising the GDP growth rate from 7% to 10% annually, keeping inflation below 5% and increasing per capita income from USD 1,241 in 2023 to USD 1,880 by 2030. People will gain better access to credit, with special attention on youth and women, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from better training, digitized markets, and tax-friendly environments.

To help modernize business, CCM aims to reduce the trade gap from a negative trade balance of 22% of GDP in 2024 to a smaller negative balance of 11.9% by 2030, while increasing trade volume from TZS 1.825 trillion to TZS 2.708 trillion. New projects include an International Trade Centre to be built at Dimani, upcoming modern testing labs in Pemba and Unguja, and fully digitized business registration systems under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency.

Plans are underway to construct a large-scale port at Mangapwani, featuring cargo handling areas, container storage, ship docking space, oil and gas storage zones, and facilities for port offices and administration. Passenger ports will be developed at Mpigaduri and Kizimkazi in Unguja, as well as at Shumba and Wete in Pemba, while Malindi is set to be transformed into a cruise ship terminal. A world-class tri-modal port that connects ferry services, sea planes, and public transport is also in the works.

According to the CCM 2025–2030 manifesto, the goal is to register 200 local vessels, up from the current 81, and to increase the number of international ships from 973 to 2,500. It also aims to raise the sailor workforce from 4,466 to 6,000. Furthermore, the Zanzibar Maritime Authority is expected to boost its contribution to government revenue from TZS 2.225 billion to TZS 5 billion. In manufacturing, the goal is to raise industry’s GDP share from 20.8% to 25%, meet 60% of local demand with locally made goods, and set up Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Chamanangwe and Dunga with full infrastructure. Industrial parks will cater to small producers, and packaging standards will be raised with modern labs.

4.1. People and Progress.

CCM is setting out to make everyday life better by putting real attention on education, healthcare, and care for those who need it most. By 2030, it wants every child to be in early childhood and primary school. Right now, enrolment stands at 67.9 percent for early years and 86.7 percent for primary, so the push is to reach full participation by building 1,000 new classrooms. Secondary enrolment is also expected to rise from 63.7 percent to 90 percent. Over 7,000 new teachers will be hired, and in-service training will help them stay current.

In health, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital will undergo renovation, four new regional hospitals will be built, and a referral and teaching hospital will open in Binguni. The plan also includes better epidemic response, well-equipped labs, and easier access to basic care and medicines. In social protection, the goal is to reach 60 percent of households, up from 41.7 percent, with monthly TZS 70,000 pensions for everyone over 70 and more support for women, children, elders, and people with disabilities.

Zanzibar’s future takes flight in CCM’s ambitious manifesto, presenting a clear plan to better the Isles’ transport network by making both air and road links more effective to support the economy and attract investment. Passenger numbers are expected to rise from 2.14 million to 2.82 million through developments at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, including new terminals, a control tower, an aircraft maintenance hangar, more fuel stations, logistics facilities, and extra parking space.

There are also plans for runway upgrades and airport projects in Pemba and Nungwi, plus a new airstrip at Paje. On the ground, CCM intends to handle over 1,500 kilometers of roads, covering city flyovers, feeder roads, rural access, bridges, traffic lights, street lighting, and better public transport. The efforts are part of CCM’s overall development plans for Zanzibar, aiming to create jobs, increase productivity, and raise the quality of life for its people.

5. Conclusion.

Politics is not a game, it is an earnest business, Winston Churchill once said, and in that business, a manifesto is more than a promise. The CCM 2025 to 2030 Election Manifesto is not just ink on paper. It is not written just for the campaign season. It is the continuation of a much longer story that began in the trenches of a liberation movement and still holds the depth of that legacy. This is a document that asks to be read with both memory and foresight. When viewed beyond the headlines, it doesn’t shout or decorate its message with inflated claims. It moves steadily, building a rhythm around figures, directions, and a long-held political identity. It reminds readers that real politics is not theater. It is process, it is work, and it is responsibility, even in the face of shifting times and changing expectations. CCM, through this manifesto, shows it has not forgotten that.

Within the CCM 2025 to 2030 Election Manifesto lies more than just plans. It carries intentions, timelines, and measurable directions for nearly every sector of public life. From industry and education to technology, natural resources, youth empowerment, and public service, it sketches out a vision that seeks balance between ambition and ability. What stands out is not just the content but the careful calibration. Every point connects with Tanzanians, whether on the farms, in the cities, by the coast, or near the lakes, from boardrooms to classrooms. It doesn’t aim to impress but to deliver real outcomes such as water that flows, clinics that heal, farms that yield, schools that teach, and jobs that wait for people entering the workforce. It doesn't avoid the burden of that responsibility. It responds with preparation, not performance. Tanzania will be a place where the economy is not just growing, but growing with its people.

That’s why the 2025 general election will be less about noise and more about real solutions. It won’t be about who commands the stage but about who has walked the streets, sat in the rooms, and stayed long enough to understand what everyday life really looks like. Behind the social media buzz, the slogans, and the podium speeches, Tanzanians are left with a single question that asks who knows them well enough to plan for them, not just promise them. The CCM 2025 to 2030 Manifesto offers a response that sticks to the point. It lays down specifics. It sets goals tied to timeframes. It carries the posture of someone not seeking applause, but accountability. At a time when noise often overshadows real work, CCM’s document feels serious, built to bring real development to Tanzania and Tanzanians. And that may be what matters most.

And so this article ends not with a verdict, but with an observation. “BEYOND THE HEADLINES” was not written to repeat the obvious, but to bring light to what hides in plain sight. This manifesto, when read beyond its summaries and scanned pages, feels less like a pitch and more like an open file that is a record of intent and a test of readiness. Whether you agree or disagree with CCM’s stance, what cannot be ignored is that the party has put its track record, policy vision, and strategic direction plainly in front of the voters. There is something to be said for that kind of transparency. In the end, the story won’t be told by who shouts loudest but rather by who prepared most quietly and who meant every word even when no one was clapping.

In the end, it’s not about who shouts change, but who quietly prepares for it.

Thank you.

Written by Christopher Makwaia
Tel: +255 789 242 396

— The writer, is a University of West London graduate (formerly Thames Valley University) and an expert in Management, Leadership, International Business, Foreign Affairs, Global Marketing, Diplomacy, International Relations, Conflict Resolution, Negotiations, Security, Arms Control, Political Scientist, and a self-taught Computer Programmer and Web Developer.