Tanzania's Paradox: Natural Riches Yet Deep Poverty

Photo by Hendrik Cornelissen on Unsplash

Tanzania is a country rich in natural resources, yet it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. With a nominal GDP per capita of only $1,122, Tanzania ranks among the poorest nations globally. However, the country possesses vast deposits of gold, diamonds, tanzanite, coal, nickel, uranium, natural gas, and oil. Additionally, Tanzania has huge tracts of arable land, forests, rivers, and mineral-rich soil. So why has the abundance of natural wealth not translated to economic prosperity for Tanzanians? There are several complex reasons for this paradox.