The Agricultural and Financial Cooperatives as Driver for Tanzania's Economic Sustainability: Promoting SDG 8 and 9.

Abstract

This study addresses the critical role played by Cooperative societies in promoting economic sustainability in Tanzania, with specific focus on Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Cooperatives are most important drivers of inclusive financial services, employment creation and value-added industrialization, this is according to the analysis that uses a mixed method approach and drawn from Tanzania Cooperative Development (TCDC) National statistical bulletins, TCDC Cooperative reports, Annual Financial Inclusion report and other few academic studies on Cooperatives. The results highlight that in 2024 Licensed Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) rose to 961 and distributed 1,890,123 loans with worth TZS. 1.203 trillion, improving low-income population's access to financial inclusion, concurrently to ensure steady famer payments, Agricultural marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) marketed produces that valued at TZS. 4.2 trillion up from 3.75 trillion from 2023. By December 2024, Cooperatives owned and ran 328 industries creating 2,816 direct industrial jobs as well 153,982 total jobs nationwide where 43,096 are formal employment and 110,886 are casual jobs. The study concludes that the Tanzanian Cooperative Model which is characterized by its community-centered approach and member owned structure, strengthened by launch of the Cooperative Bank of Tanzania (CBT) and adoption to digital innovation initiatives, are the powerful tool to promote decent works, encourage industrial growth and creating economic infrastructure offering important lesson for the Global South.