Event Agenda

Arrival of guests

CSO Week 2025 will officially begin with a high-level Opening Ceremony that sets the tone for a week of dialogue, learning, and collaboration. The event will feature welcoming remarks, keynote addresses from delegates, including government leaders, private sector representatives and development partners, and reflections on the role of civil society in shaping Tanzania's future under Vision 2050.

This high-level keynote will open CSO Week 2025 with a forward-looking conversation on the role of culture and human capital in realizing Tanzania's Vision 2050. The session will reflect on how values, education, skills, and national identity shape the country's long-term development trajectory. It will also explore the investments and partnerships needed to nurture an empowered, ethical, and capable citizenry prepared to drive inclusive and sustainable progress.

This session will seek to reaffirm the core value-proposition of civil society in a changing geopolitical landscape. The presenter will revisit assumptions about identity, purpose and relevance and the panel will discuss whether these assumptions are still relevant in today's and tomorrow's world. The panel discussion will aim to share experience on how civil society ecosystems in Africa are responding, adapting and evolving to survive and thrive in a changing world.

Participants will explore youth leadership and democratic participation in Tanzania, examining the invisible infrastructure of national progress democratic sensibility. Through data-driven discussion, including 2020 voter turnout trends, the session will unpack barriers to youth engagement in elections and governance and identify strategies to foster meaningful participation and leadership.

An AI Agent for managing funding applications at scale | Kipimo Solutions

This keynote address will explore the future of Tanzania's economy in the age of intelligence, where data, digital infrastructure, and innovation drive inclusive growth.

This session will explore structural barriers to equity in Tanzania's economy and showcases interdisciplinary solutions through dialogue among civil society and business leaders.

This keynote address will explore the future of Tanzania's economy in the age of intelligence, where data, digital infrastructure, and innovation drive inclusive growth. The session will unpack opportunities for civil society to engage in shaping a tech-driven, people-centered economy aligned with Vision 2050.

In the face of multiple crises, this interactive session by Twaweza invites civil society actors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their core purpose. Through guided exercises and peer dialogue, participants will explore strategic clarity—why we do what we do, whether it's working, and how to stay aligned with our values amid uncertainty.

This clinic will showcase a tailored digital solution designed to simplify data collection and enhance real-time monitoring and evaluation. Participants will get a hands-on look at how the software supports CSOs in tracking progress, generating insights, and improving program effectiveness.

This session will facilitate a candid conversation with development partners on power dynamics, financing flows, and agency in development cooperation. It will include a presentation of the OECD DAC recommendations on enabling locally led development, followed by a dialogue on how to move from intent to action. Participants will explore what it takes to center local actors in decision-making, funding, and accountability, and co-develop practical ideas for shifting the development paradigm in Tanzania.

Women in Leadership

This session will examine the challenges of donor dependency in legal aid services by CSOs and explore sustainable, context-specific models to ensure long-term access to justice. It will discuss alternatives like Legal Aid Funds, public-private partnerships, state support, and community financing. Drawing on global best practices, the session aims to develop practical recommendations to strengthen CSO resilience and financial independence.

This session will showcase real-life stories of resilience, resistance, and civic action drawn from communities across Tanzania. Attendees will engage in facilitated dialogues exploring how visual storytelling can challenge harmful norms, amplify marginalized voices, and catalyze social and policy change.

This session will explore how CSOs can be strategically positioned to contribute to the success of Tanzania's Vision 2050. The discussion will surface practical approaches to strengthen CSO capacities, amplify citizen voices, and forge more constructive partnerships with government and other actors in the Vision 2050 journey.

This masterclass invites participants to reimagine the role of government as a proactive, citizen-responsive force for public good. Through interactive discussion and practical examples, it will explore how civil society can help shift narratives, rebuild trust, and promote governance that is accountable, transparent, and people-centered. The session will equip participants with tools to advocate for systemic reforms and re-anchor government in service of its citizens.

This activity aims to gather practical input that will inform future planning and ensure the platform remains responsive, relevant, and inclusive.

This session brings together government regulators, private sector actors, and civil society to explore how fair markets can be promoted and protected in Tanzania. Participants will discuss consumer rights, responsible business practices, and opportunities for collaborative action to create more transparent and equitable marketplaces.

This session will offer participants a moment to pause and reflect on key learnings and actionable insights from the week. Together, participants will assess progress, challenge assumptions, and explore whether the ideas surfaced throughout the week are pointing toward a new, viable direction for civil society in Tanzania.

This session will distill insights from the week to identify what's needed—politically, financially, institutionally—for civil society to play its fullest role in Tanzania's development. It will engage participants in co-creating a set of conditions and commitments that can guide future collaboration, influence, and impact.

This debate will confront a defining question: Is Tanzania genuinely on course to achieve upper middle-income status by 2050, or are we chasing an unrealistic dream? Speakers from across sectors will present competing views on the country's readiness, the gaps we must confront, and the bold shifts required to turn vision into reality.

Master of Ceremony: Taji Liundi, Entertainment: Tanzania Bora Initiative, Closing Remarks: Prof. Kitila Mkumbo (Minister, President's Office, Planning and Investment), Dr. Stigmata Tenga (President, Foundation for Civil Society), Vote of Thanks: Nesia Mahenge (Country Director, CBM International, CSO Week Steering Committee Chairperson)