Working Side by Side with WAJIBU for Greater Accountability

Last week, our new Executive Director had the privilege of visiting our cherished partner, WAJIBU. It was more than just a courtesy visit; it was a celebration of a partnership rooted in shared values: accountable public systems, informed and engaged citizens, and constructive engagement with government to foster transparency and trust.

Many know Mzee Ludovick Utouh as the former Controller and Auditor General (CAG) of Tanzania,  widely regarded as the father of accountability in our nation. Upon his retirement, both Mzee Utouh and Twaweza saw the urgent need to sustain the accountability momentum and safeguard the gains made under his stewardship. Out of this shared vision, and in collaboration with other like-minded partners, WAJIBU was established in 2015.

From its early beginnings as a small think tank, WAJIBU has since grown into a respected and independent institution, influencing public financial accountability not only in Tanzania but across the region.

Turning vision into action

WAJIBU’s strategic plan (2021–2025) sets out four objectives:

• Strengthening citizen awareness to demand transparency and accountability.
• Building the capacity of strategic stakeholders, from elected representatives to the media, in public financial accountability.
• Advocating for policy and systemic changes to improve governance.
• Enhancing WAJIBU’s own institutional capacity as a leading think tank.

Their innovative approaches continue to inspire us: simplifying complex audit reports for citizens, producing Braille versions for visually impaired people, establishing youth accountability clubs and essay competitions, reaching over 15 million Tanzanians through community radios, supporting Parliament in using CAG reports to drive reforms, and opening doors for SMEs, women, and persons with disabilities to access public procurement.

Our relationship with WAJIBU is not about one side investing in the other; it is about mutual support, shared victories, and growing together. Over the years, we have stood side by side:

• Participating in their accountability lecture series and essay competitions.
• Joining forces at CSO Week for joint sessions on governance and accountability.
• Collaborating on public procurement reforms and training SMEs in the NEST system.
• Sharing communications strategies and learning from each other’s outreach methods.

Through these efforts, we have not only contributed to strengthening accountability in Tanzania but also gained a deeper understanding of WAJIBU. From them, we continue to draw insights into the practical realities of working with government systems and how to influence the way institutions think, feel, and behave.

As we look to the future, we are excited to deepen this partnership. Together, Twaweza and WAJIBU will continue to push for transparency, nurture citizen agency, and ensure that public resources serve the common good.

This meeting was not just a review of progress; it was a reminder that accountability is not a one-time achievement, but a living, breathing commitment. And with partners like WAJIBU, we know that commitment will endure.