Isaac W. Jackson, the basis of your criticism against the speaker and the reference point you rely on are flawed.
Comparing Tanzania in 2015 to Liberia in 2023 to make a point why a Liberian President should not travel shows that you are oblivious of the state of affairs in both countries and the objective conditions that may have led Magufuli to look inwards and JNB to look outward in their 1st year.
For the record, I unequivocally oppose the unnecessary large group behind the JNB on his foreign trips but support his outreach. We have been calling for a review of travel regulations to make foreign travel more need-base and less PER DIEM-Based and by that reduce waste.
Specifically, we have proposed the use of credit cards for foreign travels instead of putting money for hotel, food, and transportation in people’s pockets. All the countries or organizations we go to beg for money, this is what they do to reduce foreign travel waste. Our module predicts that Liberia can save up to 21M in 2025 to invest in chairs for schools in 2026 if we move per diem from people’s pocket to gov credit cards.
Back to the main topic:
In 2015, when Magufuli took over, Tanzania was already a 100+ billion economy with per capita at 2, 348 USD. If you divided the money in Tanzania on its citizens in 2015, each would get 2,348 USD.
Today, Liberia’s GDP is 4 billion, over 25 times less than Tanzania. Per capita in Liberia is 662 USD, more than 3 times less than Tanzania.
When Magufuli took over, the Tanzania economy had already recorded 7% growth and was now classified by the IMF as an economy NOT IN NEED of financial support from IMF but only Policy Support Instruments ( PSI) to guide the growth on the ground. Today, Liberia is looking for an IMF credit facility.
Unlike Liberia whose current path to growth is built on extracting natural resources and will need immidiate foreign investment to do unlock opportunities, in 2015 the strategic growth direction of Tanzania was on the back of the local service sector ( financial, communication, transportation and construction).
Magufuli only needed full control of the growth that was already led by the domestic service sector, while JNB needs foreign direct investment and even significant aid to unlock growth. International showing, presence, and engagements are key to JNB’S agenda. We only hope that after all these engagements, JNB will focus more inward during year-two and use envoys to follow up.
It is better to know the objective conditions that may have informed Magufuli’s decision and not just rely on the populist news flash about he not traveling. It is wiser to understand the basis of JNB’S travels and not just condemn it because of “politics.”
Ambulah Mamey is an economic development practitioner working on food security programs in fragile countries. He campaigns for socio-economic reforms in Liberia.
