More than 500 stakeholders are expected to gather in Arusha from June 2 to 6, 2025, for Civil Society Week (AZAKI Week), a flagship national event that brings together actors from civil society, government, the private sector, and development partners. The week aims to foster inclusive dialogue, innovative thinking, and strong partnerships to support Tanzania’s transition toward an inclusive and high middle-income economy.
This year’s event, organized by the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and its partners, is particularly significant as it comes at a time when Tanzania is preparing to launch the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2050 — a strategic roadmap to guide national development over the coming decades.
With a theme that calls on civil society organizations to align vision with action, the 2025 Civil Society Week will focus on inclusive growth, civic participation, and the strengthening of democratic governance.
Speaking during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam, Justice Rutenge, Executive Director of FCS, said:
“The Tanzanian civil society community is fully committed to shaping our development future. Through this year’s Civil Society Week, we aim to build strong partnerships to ensure the promise of development is fulfilled for every Tanzanian.”
Rutenge emphasized that this year’s sessions will feature high-level discussions on TDV 2050, with a strong focus on human capital development and building a skilled, innovative, and inclusive workforce.
“Civil society has played a critical role in interpreting the vision and contributed meaningfully to the development and approval of the Long-Term Development Planning Framework,” he added.
The event will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices, as well as advancing discussions on civic participation, accountability, and inclusive policy-making.
Nesiah Mahenge, Chairperson of the AZAKI Week Steering Committee and Director of CBM Tanzania, emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration:
“As a Steering Committee comprising 26 civil society organizations, we’ve built strong partnerships to support the successful delivery of Civil Society Week 2025,” said Mahenge.
She highlighted that this year’s key issues include amplifying youth voices and strengthening inclusive governance systems.
Mahenge also extended gratitude to the development partners supporting the event, including the European Union (EU), Ford Foundation, Wilde Ganzen, TradeMark Africa, UK International Development, and the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania.
Ismail Biro, Deputy Executive Director of Tanzania Bora Initiative (TBI) and a member of the Steering Committee, stressed the significance of youth engagement:
“This year’s Civil Society Week must foster youth-led innovation, promote gender equality, and ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities. We are committed to amplifying youth voices, advocating for inclusive policies, and influencing governance in ways that reflect the realities of marginalized communities,” Biro said.
He further added:
“As Tanzania stands at a critical juncture in its development journey, Civil Society Week 2025 is expected to be a transformative platform — not only promoting democratic engagement but also positioning civil society at the heart of shaping our long-term national vision.”
Doreen Dominick, Head of Public Sector, Business, and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting community-centered development initiatives:
“This marks our fourth consecutive year partnering with Civil Society Week, and we remain committed to supporting Tanzania’s development. Our efforts include empowering youth and women entrepreneurs through our business incubator, promoting financial literacy, and enhancing financial inclusion,” she said.
Civil Society Week 2025 is poised to be a landmark event — offering a space for meaningful dialogue, collective problem-solving, and renewed commitment to ensuring that Tanzania’s Vision 2050 becomes a shared journey for all.
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