Transparency and public money accountability in Tanzania: a bench learning approach of selected Civil Society Organizations (CSOS)

Abstract

Transparency and Public Money Accountability (TPMA) is ubiquitous theme in current discourse. Using the Content Analysis (CA) of CSOs performance reports coalesced with the Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), this paper reports six success stories on the role of CSOs in enhancing TPMA in Tanzania. Generally, the findings suggest that CSOs have the potential to enhance TPMA through a robust analysis and demonstration of expertise in research, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and stakeholders’ engagement. However, despite the few success stories registered, the current trends in CSOs working environment in Tanzania indicate a dark and difficult future. This paper highlights those challenges facing CSOs and offers policy implications to reverse the situation and locate areas for further research.