Dira 2050 Execution: The Ultimate Leadership Challenge
Dira 2050 Execution: The Ultimate Leadership Challenge
By Bakari S. Machumu
A quick glance at the crowd gathered at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma last week for the launch of Dira 2050 might tempt you to believe Tanzania has already arrived - securely in the upper-middle-income bracket.
Let us park that thought for a moment.
Three weeks ago, after a round of golf at TPDF Golf Course, a casual conversation turned serious. A colleague - an investor from one of Tanzania’s friendly African neighbours shared his frustrations. He had just thrown a challenge to his leadership team, tired of what he called their “I-don’t-care” attitude.
Here is how the conversation went, as reconstructed for context:
Q: What is the current population of Tanzania?
A: Around 67 million (as per 2022 census projections).
Q: Of the 67 million, how many have completed secondary education?
A: Let us say about 50%. That is 33.5 million.
Q: Of those, how many have gone on to university?
A: Perhaps half again - about 16 to 17 million.
Q: Of those, how many are in formal employment?
A: May be 5 million.
Q: And how many hold managerial or leadership roles?
A: Roughly 10% - that is 500,000.
Q: Senior management?
A: Just 1% - approximately 5,000 people.
Then came the million-dollar question(s)!
Do you realize what is expected of you?
Do you understand that over 60 million Tanzanians are relying on you to get it right - for their livelihoods, dignity, and future. 
It’s a massive burden.
Back to our parking lot, Dodoma. That analogy haunted me as I scanned the crowd.
In the room were the full ranks of leadership: the executive arm - past and present; the legislative top brass - current and former; the judiciary; and, of course, the so-called “fourth estate,” represented in strength.
Also present: the crème of the public service, corporate Tanzania, the startup ecosystem, politicians, civil society, diplomats, security leaders, entertainers… you name it.
Make no mistake: over 75% of those in attendance, by global standards, are not poor.
They were well-dressed (I should say, we were), articulate, and they represent a chunk of the population whose income contributes significantly to Tanzania’s GDP - the same GDP that gets divided by population to determine per capita income.
So why did they show up for a launch about a future they seem to have already secured?
This is where the real essence of leadership comes in.
As President Bill Clinton once quipped (in another context), “It is the economy, stupid.”
Here, let me borrow and adapt: It is about leadership at all levels - stupid!
If each attendee paused to ask themselves, “Why me?”
They would realize it was not just an invitation - it was a calling. A sacred responsibility to serve beyond self.
Think of millions of Tanzanians still trapped in abject poverty.
Think of the millions of youth without jobs, without food, without hope for tomorrow.
Leadership, therefore, cannot be limited to positions and titles. We need leadership without position - a call to influence, to act, and to serve from wherever you are seated.
Take the bold statement by prominent businessman Rostam Aziz at the launch. He challenged the government to better support Tanzanian investors. Fair point.
But as the Swahili saying goes, “Ukishikwa, shikilia.”
Why should the government keep bailing out those who have squandered opportunities, only to give the private sector a bad name?
A senior government official seated next to me sympathized but shared her own struggle: “Our local contractors - wasumbufu hao.” Difficult to work with.
This is why we need a critical mass of transformational leaders - people who turn privilege into purpose, not just for themselves, but for the underprivileged.
And it begins at the individual level. That is where the 3i Leadership Philosophy comes in: One; Ignite the fire within you – cultivate inner drive and purpose. Two; Inspire progress. Let that personal growth lead to tangible change. And then, Inspire generations… create impact that ripples across time.
By the time we reach 2050, leadership will either be crucified - or crowned. And not just any leadership.
Ethical. Purposeful. Accountable. Selfless.
If you are among the 5,000 extremely fortunate leaders in this nation, know this: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48).
This, you carry the ultimate responsibility. The future is in your hands.
Bakari S. Machumu is the Founder and CEO of BSMWashauri (TZ) Ltd., a knowledge-based business firm specializing in Business & Leadership Advisory, Strategy, and Media & Communications Solutions.
This article was first published in The Citizen.