| Tanzania has been one of the major recipients of aid in South-Sahara Africa since 1960's.In the financial year 2010-2011,approximately 33%of the government spending was financed by foreign aid while in the financial year 2016/2017 only 28%out of the total budget was funded by donors1.Foreign aid,including concessional loans still covers more than 10 percent of the government budget and a disproportionate share of the financing for development and investment2.The aid donor's contributor to Tanzania are the World Bank,United States of America,China and other donors.The general objective of the study to assess Chinese and USA foreign aid and its roles towards Tanzania development.Specifically,the study explored the motives behind both donors' aid to Tanzania,through assessing the role of both donors in areas related to social economic development and to assess recipient country people's perception on foreign aid for social economic development.Various literature were reviewed including the "two-gap" formulation for analyzing foreign help as discussed by Chenery and Strou3.This two-gap model hypothesis asserts that Official Development Assistance speeds up economic development through the implementation of national resources.The conceptual framework demonstrated the effectiveness of aid motives,normally used to practically link the relationship of the variables under study so as to clearly understand the problem under investigation.The methodology used in the study included a qualitative research method.A preliminary desktop study was undertaken to analyze existing information on the subject matter on impact of both China and US foreign aid to the development of Tanzania.This desktop study comprised of a review of the existing literature with the aim of exploring the leading arguments on the topic and identifying gaps in literature.China-Tanzania relations are traced from diplomatic ties since 1960s.Involving two approaches in the relations,China-Zanzibar relationship before the birth of the United Republic of Tanzania and Bilateral China-Zanzibar relationship since 1950's.In as far as the motives behind China(SINO)-Tanzania relations are concerned,the study shows that perceptions from Tanzanians identified on number of motives such as promotion of Chinese Medical Care while providing medical assistance,promotion of Chinese diplomacy which is the base of its international support,promotion of Chinese investment in Tanzania with characteristics of "non-conditional" foreign aid and transfer of technology,promote of the spirit of Chinese internationalism "carrying forward the spirit of Bethune" whereby Chinese doctors receive low income benefits including "little salary",but they always work hard serving the local people and win a good reputation.The study also shows that Tanzania(Zanzibar)and-US have the oldest relationship,which began in 1837 with the arrival of the first American Consul to Zanzibar.With regard to the US foreign aid,the study shows that its aid comes in two categories to Tanzania i.e.General foreign aid targeting the Union Government of Tanzania and specific US cooperation with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.The study also demostrates the motives behind US foreign aid to Tanzania.Unlike China,the study found out that the main interest of USA is to promote its power and position.The study demonstrates the foreign aid motives to include strengthening of security,excelling power/influence,capturing of commercial interests and promotion of democracy in Tanzania and humanitarianism.As a general conclusion of the study,analyses of the study findings shows that the two donors'aid to Tanzania is perceived differently in Tanzania,in terms of;fund amount,aid targets(priorities),coordination of the aid and conditions tied to them.The analyses also demonstrates that USA relies on both international and local NGO's to implement its projects,while China aid to Tanzania is of bilateral terms between the two governments,and the findings show that both donors through various aid package support not only Tanzania as the recipient country to implement policy initiatives but also provide aid to fulfill their home interests.Results of the study also show that Chinese aid serves a wider purpose than the West expect.Similarly,perceptions from Tanzanians people have shown that Chinese foreign aid are more recognized for their hard work and commitment compared to the American in Tanzania.In general,while China's aid to Tanzania is not different from that of the West,it is effective because it treats the recipient country as equal partner.Furthermore,the study shows that Chinese foreign aid allows knowledge and technology transfer,while the USA aid is mostly based in funding projects.Therefore,in achieving a country's foreign policy.Overall,it can be asserted on the basic of the study that International Political Economics theories on foreign aid development approach are most suitable while establishing countries aid relations because as demonstrated from the study,unlike USA foreign aid to Tanzania,Chinese Aid to Tanzania is based on mutual cooperation. |
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