Improving Accountability Mechanisms in Public Sector Institutions: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This paper critically examines the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms in public-sector institutions in Tanzania, drawing on comparative insights from other African countries. Drawing on evidence from recent audit findings, anti-corruption performance reports, civil society monitoring assessments, and donor-supported governance evaluations from 1977 to 2025, the study identifies persistent challenges that undermine accountability. These include political interference, limited institutional autonomy, weak public financial management systems, irregular procurement, and constrained civic space. Cases such as the billions of Tanzanian shillings recovered by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in 2023/24, recurrent revenue leakages identified in the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) audits of Local Government Authorities, and procurement failures such as the terminated Ibanda–Kiwira Port trunk road contract demonstrate weaknesses in oversight and enforcement. At the same time, reforms such as the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan Phase IV (NACSAP IV), the expansion of ICT-enabled systems such as TANePS and GePG, and increased donor collaboration highlight opportunities to strengthen accountability. The paper recommends that sustainable improvements require enhancing institutional independence, scaling digital accountability tools, expanding civic participation, and aligning donor interventions with national governance priorities. The findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers, researchers, oversight institutions, and civil society actors seeking to strengthen accountability.