Abstract:
This study examines Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s vision of Africa’s economic self-sufficiency,
grounded on the fundamental ideas of Ujamaa, African socialism, and Pan-Africanism as
essential components of his post-colonial development strategy. Nyerere's worldview aimed at
dismantling the dependency patterns imposed by colonialism, supporting sustainable
development, and promoting common welfare among African states. The study highlights
significant deficiencies in the current literature, especially about the practical obstacles Nyerere
encountered in executing his programs and the wider ramifications of his vision for modern
African development methods. The article utilizes a qualitative technique, applying thematic
content analysis to historical materials, including Nyerere’s speeches and policy frameworks
like the 1967 Arusha Declaration, alongside case studies of Tanzania’s post-colonial growth
trajectory. The study critically explores the historical and ideological background in which
Nyerere’s policies arose and evaluates their practical outcomes in areas such as agriculture,
education, and industrialization. The findings of this study reveal that, while Nyerere’s concept
was ideologically valid and connected deeply with African leaders wanting economic
independence, the implementation of Ujamaa socialism faced substantial hurdles. Agricultural
collectivization encountered opposition from rural communities, and the anticipated
productivity improvements were not achieved. Additionally, Tanzania’s reliance on external
loans and unpredictable global commodities prices hampered the goal of self-sufficiency.
However, Nyerere’s emphasis on education and human capital development was successful,
setting the framework for future economic engagement. The findings indicate that Nyerere’s
vision is pertinent today, especially considering initiatives such as the African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to promote regional integration and diminish reliance on
external markets. The article concludes that the African states need to reconcile Nyerere’s ideas
of self-reliance with selective engagement in global markets while fostering regional
collaboration, sustainable development, and diversification of economies to build resilience
against external economic shocks.
