NBS NEWS LETTER

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

Statistics in a changing world

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

Tanzania GDP rises to 7.1 percent

Tanzanias Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) provisional
growth in the Fourth Quarter of
2015 increased to 7.1 percent
compared to 4.1 percent
recorded
during
the
corresponding period a year
before. The quarterly GDP
estimates will be revised on
availability of the revised data.
The National Bureau of
Statistics (NBS) made the
revelation through its website
attributing the growth to
improved performance in some
key sectors.

Services (1.7 percent) and

agriculture which recorded a
growth of 2.6 percent.
Explaining the trend of the GDP in
the 4th quarter, Prof. Deus
Ngaruko, who is an economist
based at the Open University of
Tanzania, said the growth was
impressive but more efforts were
needed to ensure there would be
sustainability in the country.
The growth rate was good during
the period under study. It must be
recalled that the country was also in

the middle of holding its

General Election. Most
government resources were
directed into funding that
crucial
democratic
responsibility, and before that
the New Constitution matter,
he said.
He also observed that some of
those who gained financially
from the General Election,
including artists, did not
spend what they collected in

Fourth Quarter GDP Growth Rates,

2006 - 2015

The lead sectors in the growth

included Information and
Communication that grew at
23.0
percent,
Public
Administration and Defence
(19.7 percent), Finance and
Insurance (13.6 percent), and
Mining and Quarrying which
grew at 10.6 percent.
However, there were sectors
whose performance was dismal.
These included electricity and
gas which grew at 0.1 percent,
water supply (1.4 percent),
accommodation and food

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

The growth rate was good during

the period under study. It must be
recalled that the country was also
in the middle of holding its
General
Election.
Most
government
resources
were
directed into funding that crucial
democratic responsibility, and
before that the New Constitution
matter, he said.
the country, but used a big
part of their proceeds making
new records outside the
country.
The Don urged the
government to encourage
more investments in sectors
that can employ more people
such as agriculture, arguing
that this would lead to
improved production and
hence widen its tax base.
The government should
promote industriatilisation,
this will help boost
agriculture, hence farmers
incomes would also improve,
Prof. Ngaruko said.

He argued that widening of tax

base was crucial for improved
economic growth in the
country. Emerging sectors
such as real estate and even
small and medium enterprises
could play a crucial role.
The economics professor noted
that fighting graft and
embezzlement of public funds
should be continued in order to
enforce fiscal discipline and
accountability
in
the
government system.

so as to plough back the benefits into

pushing the countrys economic
growth.
According to 2014/15 Intergrated
Labour Force Survey (ILFS), in a
day, Tanzanians use 18.5 percent of
their time in income generating
activities.

Widening of tax
base was crucial
for
improved
economic growth
in the country.
Emerging sectors
such as real estate
and even small
and
medium
enterprises could
play a crucial
role.

He stressed the need to exploit

natural resources prudently--

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

March 2016 inflation rate drops to 5.4

THE headline inflation rate for
March, 2016 decreased to 5.4
percent from 5.6 percent recorded
a month before.

for the month of March

compared to the speed of priceincrease recorded in February,
2016, he said.

The National Bureau of Statistics

(NBS) Director for Population
Census and Social Statistics, Mr.
Ephraim Kwesigabo, made this
revelation as he addressed
reporters in Dar es Salaam.

Mr. Kwesigabo said that the

monthly inflation rate for the
month increased by 0.5 percent
compared to an increase of 0.7
percent recorded in February,
2016; whereas, the 12 month
index change for non-food
products increased to 3.0 percent
in March from 1.9 percent
recorded in the previous month.

The decrease of inflation rate for

March, 2016 was due to the
decrease of speed of priceincrease for commodities--

However, he said the overall--

index increased to 101.93 in

March from 101.44 recorded in
February.
The director added that, the
increase of the overall index was
mainly attributed to price
increase of both food and nonfood items. Food items that
resulted to such increase
included cassava flour which
increased 4.8 percent, fruits by
4.5 percent, beans by 3.6 percent
and fish by 3.7 percent.
On other hand, non-food items
which contributed to such-NBS Director
of
Population
Census and
Social
Statistics,
Mr. Ephraim
Kwesigabo
briefs
the
media about
Consumer
Price Index
figures for
March, 2016
in Dar es
Salaam.
Right is NBS
Manager for
Price
and
Labour
Statistics,
MS.
Ruth
Minja.

Issue NO: 12
increase included garments
for women which increased
by 5.4 percent, charcoal by
7.3 percent and firewood by
2.5 percent.

The decrease of
inflation rate for
March, 2016 was
due
to
the
decrease of speed
of price-increase
for commodities
for the month of
March compared
to the speed of
price-increase
recorded
in
February, 2016,
he said Mr.
Kwesigabo.

Date: March, 2016

Moreover, he said the inflation
rate for food consumed at home
and away from home slightly
decreased to 8.0 percent in
Marchfrom 9.1 percent in the
previous month while inflation
rate which excludes food and
energy increased to 2.8 percent
from 2.5 percent recorded a month
earlier.
Not only that but also he said that
food and non-food alcoholic
beverages inflation rate for March
slightly decreased to 8.3 percent
from 9.5 percent recorded in
February.

The purchasing
power
of
Tanzanian
Shillings
100
reached TZS 98
and 11 cents in
March, 2016 from
December, 2015.

Movement of National Consumer Price Indices

(NCPI) and Inflation Rates from March, 2015
March, 2016. (Dec., 2015 = 100)

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

Kapala nominated 2015 NBS Best Employee of the

Year
to find the directorate level
candidate who will compete
against finalists from other
directorates.

NBS Staff clapping hands to congratulates the winner of the

process of nominating 2015 National Bureau of Statistics
(NBS) Best Employee of the year in Dar es Salaam recently.

It was all smiles for Mr. Abert

Kapala after he emerged the
overall winner of the process of
nominating 2015 National
Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Best
Employee of the year.
Mr. Kapala, who is the
Regional Statistical Manager
for Dar es Salaam, garnered 55
out of 111 votes, which is
equivalent to 49.5 percent; the
remaining percentage was
shared among four other
finalists.

The nomination process within

NBS is always very
competitive because almost all
members of staff have the
potential to win. However,
there have to be only one
winner.
The process starts at the
departmental level where a
member is nominated by peers
through secret ballots.
The nominees from different
departments then contest --

In the 2015 NBS Best Employee

of the year Mr. Kapala was
contesting against four other
finalists
namely;
Benedict
Mugambi
(Directorate
of
Statistical Operations), Veronica
Mwangoka (Economic Statistics),
Lilian Karumuna (Finance,
Administration and Marketing)
and
Stephano
Cosmas
(Population Census and Social
Statistics).
On D-Day all the five finalists
were given five minutes each to
explain
themselves
before
management and staff at NBS
Headquarters Conference Room
why they should be the best
nominee of the year.
After the passionate contest, it
was time for members of floor to
vote.
The annual event of nominating
the winner was coordinated and
by NBS Workers Union, a branch
of the Tanzania Union--

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

Contesters of
National
Bureau
of
Statistics
(NBS) 2015
Best
Employee of
the
year
posed for a
photo before
the
nomination
process
in
Dar
es
Salaam
in
March, 2016.

of Government and Health

Employees (TUGHE).
The NBS Director General and
other members of the
management graced the event.
The result of the vote showed
that Mr. Mugambi got 22 votes,
Mr. Cosmas (15), Ms. Karumuna
(13) and Ms. Mwangoka (6).
Speaking after he was
announced the winner; Mr.
Kapala gave a note of thanks to
the entire NBS team for
recognition.
All contesters were qualified to
become
winners.
The
competition was tough but I--

am happy that you decided I

should be a winner, thanks you
all, he said with a broad
smile.

It was all smiles for

Mr. Abert Kapala
after he emerged the
overall winner of the
process
of
nominating
2015
National Bureau of
Statistics (NBS) Best
Employee of the
year,

All contesters
were qualified to
become winners.
The competition
was tough but I
am happy that
you decided I
should be a
winner, thanks
you all, he said
with a broad
smile
7

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

NBS STAFF ZONE

SANGO SIMBA Retired Manager of
Environment Statistics
and Statistical Analysis.
Appointment 12/10/1984
Retired

25/12/2015

Historical Background
Sango Simba was born on December 26, 1960 in Tabora
Region. He attended Kabanga Primary School in Kigoma
Region from 1970 to 1976.
He then joined Pugu Secondary School in 1977 and completed
O-level studies in 1980 before he joined Azania Secondary
School in 1981 to 1983 for A-level studies.
Mr. Simba joined the National Service at Mafinga Barracks
and completed the mandatory year in 1984. He joined the
Institute of Statistics (EASTC) in 1986 and completed his
studies in 1988, where he was awarded a Diploma in Statistics.
From 1991 to 1993 he joined the University of Dar es Salaam
and was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Statistics. In 1997,
joined the University of Botswana for Post Graduate studies in
Population and Development.
He then undertook his Masters Degree in Demographics at the
University of Dar es Salaam in 2005.

Short courses
Mr. Simba attended various short courses both within and
outside the country. Some of these included:

Management and Preparation of

Development Projects in April,
1999 (University of Dar es
Salaam).
Statistical Analysis using SPSS
progamme, Report Writing and
Presentation in April 2003
(EASTC in Dar es Salaam).
Methods of Control Data in
August, 2007 (ISI Lisbon in
Portugal).
Analysis of Statistics in Poverty
in September 2008 (Stockholm
Sweden).
Training
on
Governance
(Gaining New Perspective) Management
Training
&
Consultancy Limited in United
Kingdom (UK) and Dubai in
September 2009 (Conducted in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania).
8

Issue NO: 12
Training on Development change and
Leadership for the Global Perspective (Global
Leadership of Change) in Kuala Lumpa,
Malaysia in August 2010.

Employment
He secured a job with the Government of Tanzania in
October, 1984 after completing National Service
Training (JKT) and retired in December 2015.
In his public service, he served in three ministries:

Prime Ministers Office and

First Vice Presidents Office in
October 1984 to June 1995.
President's Office, Planning
Commission from July 1995 to
June 1999.
National Bureau of Statistics
from July 1999 to December
2015.

Key duties/functions
At the Prime Minister's Office; First Vice
President and the President's Office, Planning
Commission his core duty was to prepare,
manage and evaluate programmes of regional
development.
He was a Government advisor in financial--

Date: March, 2016

resources to the detriment of national

interest.
At the National Bureau of Statistics, he
collected, analyzed, interpreted economics
data and information for easy use by
government officials;
He was also a member of various
committees and professional groups.

Positions
He served in various capacities:
From December 1984 to June 1994 he
worked as an Assistant Planning Officer at
the Office of the Prime Minister and First
Vice President.
July 1995 to June 1999, he served as
Planning Officer at the President's Office,
Planning Commission.
August 1999 to July 2008, Senior
Statistician at the National Bureau of
Statistics.
August 1999 to June 2003, Regional
Statistics Manager in Kilimanjaro Region.
July 2005 to July 2007, Manager of the
Statistical Methods, Standards and
Coordination at NBS Headquarters.
August 2007 to July 2008, Head of the
Department of Environmental Analysis and
Analysis of Data NBS Headquarters.
August 2007 to December 2015, Manager
of Environment Statistics and Statistical
Analysis NBS Headquarters.

Issue NO: 12

Challenges in career life

Mr. Simba shared the challenges he faced in his career
life. Some included:
Unwillingness of some decision makers in
using statistics.
Lack of awareness among citizens about the
importance of statistics in planning,
monitoring and evaluating their development
programmes.
Lack of resources, including man power and
finance.
Lack of competence among some government
employees.
Poor access and distribution of official
statistics to informal and small and medium
businesses.

Challenges after
retirement

Date: March, 2016

His advice
Mr. Simba advised NBS Staff to implement
various matters in order to cope with the Fifth
Phase Government and its policy of Hapa Kazi
Tu.
Preparation for Retirement: To retire
one must prepare oneself from the first
day of securing a job. One must decide
of the location and time of his/her
retirement.

Change of Mind Set: This comes from

the Tanzania Statistical Master Plan
(TSMP) which resulted in the
amendment of the Statistics law
(Statistical Act) which also changed the
system of producing Official Statistics.
Before TSMP, NBS was only the
producer of Official statistics in the
country but after amendments, NBS
gave room to other organizations and
stakeholders to produce official
statistics. This situation results to
competition of research work.

Existence of equal rights and decision

making (Fair Play and Natural Justice):
This is the main pillar of the NBS in
accomplishing tasks and increase
productivity among employees of NBS.

Mr. Simba explained the challenges in three

categories.
Mind Set: This is the first major challenge for
any officer who retires. Its a huge challenge
for many civil servants as they cannot cope
outside the systems they grew in. As a result
many suffer from health challenges such as
hypertension, ulcers and the like.
Sudden reduction of income: Poor planning
and early preparations is still a big problem as
most of those retiring experience a significant
drop of their incomes, while they continue
facing more or same obligations.

Change of social circles: Retirement

causes one to change friends and close
associates. Early preparations are the
key to managing this aspect of the
retirement time.

10

Issue NO: 12
Each who serves in NBS should consider himself a
family member of NBS and cooperate with others
freely.
Attitude towards NBS mandates: Bureaus
staff should work hard and not by habit.
Statisticians should train and be competent
in all Statistical jobs including preparing
proposals for research, managing, and
analyzing, iInterpreting and presenting
statistical information in order to increase
productivity and efficiency at work.

Solidarity at Work (Team Work): NBS

team should form solidarity both within
and outside the office.

Date: March, 2016

Mind Set: This is the first

major challenge for any
officer who retires. Its a
huge challenge for many
civil servants as they
cannot cope outside the
systems they grew in. As a
result many suffer from
such health challenges as
hypertension, ulcers and
the like.
NBS Retired
Manager of
Environment
Statistics
and
Statistical
Analysis,
Sango
Simba
delivering
his remarks
during
a
farewell
ceremony
conducted in
Dar
es
Salaam in
March, 2016

11

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

Key quotes in statistics

"On this World Statistics Day, I urge all partners and stakeholders
to work together to ensure that the necessary investments are made,
adequate technical capacity is built, new data sources are explored
and innovative processes are applied to give all countries the
comprehensive information systems they need to achieve
sustainable development," United Nations Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon, October 20, 2015.

The successful implementation of Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) would help to improve the
lives of Tanzanians because the 17 goals form
programmes focusing on improving the living standards
of the people, World Bank Country Director
(Tanzania), Ms. Bella Bird, (October 8, 2015).

Ban Ki-moon

Ms. Bella Bird

"Given the importance of Statistics in the implementation of

17 goals and 169 indicators of Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), the National Bureau of Statistics is well
organized to ensure all required data is available, the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Director General, Dr.
Albina Chuwa, (October 23, 2015).
Dr. Albina Chuwa
A single piece of statistical information is worth a thousand
words. The manner in which one person extracts information
for ones story can help users to better understand the graphs
and tables. Failure on the side of the journalist to grasp the key
message can make the story very boring and complicated, The
Senior Statistician of NBS, Mr. Stephano Cosmas (2016).
Mr. Stephano Cosmas
12

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

NBS PICTORIAL NEWS

Mr. Benedict Mugambi elaborating his strength to try to convince NBS Staff to nominate him as a NBS best
employee of the year during the process of nominating 2015 NBS best employee of the year in Dar es
Salaam in March, 2016.
NBS Director
General, Dr.
Albina
Chuwa
interviewed
by BBC
reporter John
Solombi
during the
launching of
official
database of
people with
disabilities in
Dar es
Salaam
recently.

13

Issue NO: 12

Date: March, 2016

NBS PICTORIAL NEWS

NBS Director of Finance, Administration and Marketing, Stanley P. Mahembe giving his remarks during the
nomination of 2015 NBS best employee of the year in Dar es Salaam recently.

The Acting Director for Economic Statistics Ms. Joy Sawe, delivering her remarks during a farewell
ceremony to Mr. Sango Simba who retired. The event was held in Dar es Salaam in March, 2016.

14

NBS Regional Offices

Mara
Contacts
P.o Box 769

Arusha
Issue NO: 12
P.o Box 7108
Tel: 027-2502009
Email
rsmarusha@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0755-373111

Dodoma
P.o Box 891
Tel: 026-2963113
Email
rsmdodoma@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0754-697765
Iringa
P.o Box 739
Tel: 026-2702771
Email
rsmiringa@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0754-048116
Kagera
P.o Box 1299
Bukoba
Tel: 028-2220836
Email
rsmbukoba@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0752-202726
Manyara
P.o Box 89
Babati
Tel: 027-2530297
Email
rsmmanyara@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0786-203565

Musoma
Tel: 028-2622447
Email
rsmmusoma@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0754-482280
Kigoma
P.o Box 953
Tel: 028 2803360
Email rsmkigoma@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0659-419713

Mbeya
Ruvuma
P.o Box 841
P.o Box 397
Tel: 025-2502612
Date: March, Songea
2016
Tel: 027-2530297
Email
E-mail
rsmmbeya@nbs.go.tz
rsmruvuma@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0754-823544
Mobile: 0754 844366
Morogoro
P.o Box 581
Tel: 023-2604974
Email:
rsmmorogoro@nbs.go.tz

Kilimanjaro
P.o Box 1
Moshi
Tel: 027-2751662
Email rsmmoshi@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0752-202726

Mobile: 0788-800932
Mtwara
P.o Box 56
Tel: 023-2333313
Email
rsmmtwara@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0713-547488

Dar es Salaam
P.o Box 42444
Tel: 02-22203108
Email rsmdsm@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0768-202240

Lindi
P.o Box 506
Tel: 023-2202680
Email rsmlindi@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0754-279581

Singida
P.o Box 807
Tel: 026-2502078
Email rsmsingida@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0713-495663

Mwanza
P.o Box 1932
Tel: 028-2502005
E-mail
rsmmwanza@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0713-356969

Rukwa
P.o Box 797
Sumbawanga
Tel: 025-2802711
Email rsmrukwa@nbs.go.tz

Shinyanga
P.o Box 2134
Tel: 028-2762901
E-mail
rsmshinyanga@nbs.go.t
z
Mobile 0786-210343
Tabora
P.o Box 703
Tel: 026-2605202
Email
rsmtabora@nbs.go.tz
Mobile 0754-870512
Tanga
P.o Box 566
Tel: 027-2646332
Email
rsmtanga@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0713-755965
Pwani
P.o Box 30080
Kibaha
Tel: 023-2402275
Email
rsmpwani@nbs.go.tz
Mobile: 0715-883137

For comments and suggestions please contact: - Director General: National

Bureau of Statistics 18 Kivukoni Road P. O. Box 796, 11992 Dar es Salaam Tel.
+255 22 2122722/4 Fax: +255 22 2130852 E-mail: dg@nbs.go.tz, Website
www.nbs.go.tz