Pray for Tanzania

The Republic of Tanzania on the east coast of Africa has a strong sense of nationalism that has enabled its people to live peacefully for decades. The nation’s stability relies on the universal use of Swahili and early political reforms that united over 120 distinct tribes into a single, cohesive national identity after independence. Bordered by eight countries, including Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south, Tanzania has the highest peak in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and it shares three of Africa’s largest lakes. The abundant wildlife in the Serengeti attracts many tourists as well. The “spice islands” of the Zanzibar archipelago off the eastern coast brought a strong Arabic influence to Tanzania as the republic was formed in 1964.

After gaining independence from the British, the nation tried to implement socialist economic policies. In this mostly agricultural economy, they met with little success. While agriculture remains an important export, Tanzania’s exports are now much more diversified, including gold, tourism, manufactured goods, minerals, and agricultural products. Tanzania has one of the smallest industrial sectors in Africa, and aging transportation, communication, and power infrastructure further inhibits growth. More than a quarter of Tanzanians live below the international poverty line. HIV/AIDS and an influx of refugees fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries have both negatively impacted the economy. Tanzania has experienced steady economic growth in recent years. Recovery is slow, but revenues continue to grow from gold mining and tourists visiting Tanzania’s beautiful attractions.

Christianity predominates much of the mainland, while Islam is especially influential along the coast and on Zanzibar. This Christian majority and Muslim minority live side-by-side with very little conflict. Tanzania is home to one of Africa’s strongest evangelical movements, with evangelical Christians making up roughly 20 to 25 percent of the total population. These evangelical churches are growing through local evangelism, active discipleship, and church planting in both urban centers and remote rural villages. They serve their communities by operating schools, medical clinics, and orphan care programs. This mission is extending far beyond their own borders. Tanzanian congregations are actively sending out their own missionaries to reach unreached people groups across East Africa and beyond.