Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has urged community development officers across Tanzania to take a more assertive and strategic role in national development, emphasizing their vital contribution to inclusive, sustainable progress.
Speaking at the Annual Conference of Community Development Professionals held in Dodoma, Dr. Biteko stressed the importance of these officers being fully engaged in development planning from the grassroots level up.
“Wherever you are, make your presence felt,” he said. “Don’t wait for a crisis to be noticed. Be proactive, make your role clear, and demand inclusion in every stage of planning and implementation.”
Dr. Biteko applauded President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her strong commitment to the profession, highlighting the creation of a dedicated ministry and a 50% increase in employment for community development officers during her leadership.
“President Samia has restored the dignity and visibility of this profession. Now, it’s your turn to step up and deliver real impact,” he said.
He emphasized that community development officers should not be limited to administrative tasks such as NGO registration or managing loan programs but must be included as key players in shaping development strategies.
The Deputy Prime Minister also reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to working closely with the officers in advancing national goals such as rural electrification and the promotion of clean cooking energy.
He referenced the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy (2024–2034), which aims to ensure 80% of Tanzanians use clean energy by 2034. Subsidies are already being provided on gas cylinders to encourage adoption, especially in rural areas.
“You are agents of transformation, not just support staff,” he said. “We need your expertise to help communities adapt, grow, and thrive.”
Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, echoed this sentiment, noting that the over 1,200 professionals in attendance represented a powerful force behind many of Tanzania’s development gains.
“Community officers are the bridge between government policy and real change on the ground,” she said.
CODEPATA President Victor Kabuje added that professionals are actively mobilizing citizens ahead of the 2025 general elections and leading clean energy campaigns.
“We’re reshaping mindsets, one household at a time,” Kabuje said, citing his own distribution of 280 clean cookstoves.
The event closed with a call for increased resources, including transportation and operational funding, to empower officers to better serve their communities.