Partners Chart the Next Chapter for the Kigoma Joint Programme

Kigoma, 2 October 2025 – The Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) Steering Committee met this week to review progress and agree priorities for the coming year. The session was co-chaired by Kigoma Regional Government authorities and the United Nations in Tanzania, bringing together representatives from central and local government, development partners, and participating UN agencies.

Representatives of Ireland and Norway were in attendance, alongside government counterparts and UN colleagues. Members reviewed the 2024/25 Progress Report together with the Mid-Term Review, and endorsed joint workplans for 2025/26. Discussions highlighted continued gains enabled through pooled support from Ireland and Norway via the SDG Acceleration Fund.

Results noted included: a rise in regional water supply coverage (57% in 2019 to 77% in 2025), improved school attendance where meal provision now lifts attendance to 90%+ in targeted schools, a continued decline in gender-based violence prevalence (from 42.6% in 2016 to 34.1% in 2023), strengthened community health services contributing to fewer severe malaria cases and referrals, increased birth registration coverage, and progress in women’s and youth economic empowerment through formalization, finance, and market access.

“The Kigoma Joint Programme shows what is possible when government leadership, development partners and the UN work hand in hand to improve people’s lives,” said Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, UN Resident Coordinator. “Building on lessons from the 2024/25 report and the Mid-Term Review, the 2025/26 workplans focus on high-impact priorities and sustainability so communities continue to benefit.”

For the remainder of the programme, partners reaffirmed emphasis on Health and Nutrition; Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children; Agriculture and Economic Empowerment; and Governance, with a strong push for government ownership, local financing, and private-sector engagement to sustain results.