Different times, same story: the (un)changing dynamics of structural dependence in Tanzania

Abstract

Synthesising results of field study research and statistical data analysis, we scrutinise development models pursued by Tanzania and examine to what extent they changed the structure of the country’s economy. Particular attention is devoted to the mining sector and its role in keeping Tanzania at the periphery of the global economy. Our findings suggest that not only does the structural dependency continue to the current period, but its presence extends to new spheres. We argue that the implementation of the Norwegian model of hydrocarbon sector management in Tanzania is an exemplification of institutional dependency.

Keywords:

• Tanzania
• structural dependency
• institutional dependency
• gold mining
• natural gas

Acknowledgements

We extend our gratitude to Prof. Scott Pegg and the two anonymous referees for their insightful comments which substantially improved our manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, under grant number UMO-2015/17/B/HS5/00473.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, under grant number UMO-2015/17/B/HS5/00473.

Notes on contributors

Wojciech Tycholiz

Wojciech Tycholiz graduated from the Wrocław University of Economics and the University of Wrocław. In his research work, he focuses on capital flows to and within the Sub-Saharan Africa, natural resource revenue management (including the resource curse phenomenon), and inequalities in the least-developed countries. He is also the current president of the Polish Centre for African Studies, where he regularly publishes papers and comments on the contemporary economic developments in the sub-continent. He leads several research projects and oversees relations with other research centres across the globe. He is an author of several academic publications in both Polish and English that were published in peer-reviewed journals (including African Affairs, Africa Spectrum, African Studies Review, African and Asian Studies, and Third World Quarterly), reports, working papers and newspaper articles. One of his most recent publications (‘The Norwegian Model of Oil Extraction and Revenues Management in Uganda’) discusses the questionable adaptability of the Norwegian model of resource revenue management to the Ugandan socio-economic context. During the last few years of his academic career he has conducted research projects in Angola, Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

Andrzej Polus

Andrzej Polus, PhD, is Professor at the Institute of International Studies, University of Wroclaw. He is the former president of the Polish Center for African Studies. His research work focuses on the political economy of hydrocarbon management and the current political situation in Sub-Saharan Africa. In his work, he also looks for paradoxes in international relations theories. He participated – as principal investigator or co-investigator – in 14 research projects devoted to development studies in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has conducted field research in Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He recently published ‘David versus Goliath: Tanzania’s Efforts to Stand Up to Foreign Gas Corporations’ (Africa Spectrum), ‘The Norwegian Model of Oil Extraction and Revenues Management in Uganda’ (African Studies Review) and ‘Extraction Equation in Uganda’ (African and Asian Studies).