Dar es Salaam
In East Africa, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been managing projects in Tanzania and Kenya from 1991. Since the early 1990s, Tanzania has been going through a political and economic transition process towards a pluralistic political system and a free market economy.
The Foundation supports its partners to build political leadership and party structures. We assist in strengthening civil society for democratic legitimate governance that guarantees and protects freedom of opinion, freedom of assembly, accountability and that creates opportunities for development and growth. The Foundation supports political partners to foster pluralistic societies and multiparty political
News
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To vote or not to vote?
As Tanzania approaches its 29 October 2025 general election, public trust in the process is waning. Veni Swai, FNF Tanzania Project Manager, highlights growing voter apathy, the silencing of platforms like Jamii Forums, and the heavy presence of security forces linked to opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial. With major opposition parties disqualified, the ruling CCM and President Samia Suluhu Hassan appear set for an unchallenged victory. For many citizens, the election feels less like a contest and more like a hollow exercise.
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Shaping Tanzania’s liberal future with FNF
In a world grappling with challenges to democracy, human rights and gender equality, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) stands as a beacon of hope. Rooted in liberalism and inspired by the German thinker Friedrich Naumann, this political foundation champions freedom, responsibility, the rule of law and human rights.
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A nation with deep political roots and democratic resolve
Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment as it prepares for the 2025 General Elections. With a legacy shaped by visionary leaders like Mwalimu Nyerere, the nation’s democratic journey, from single-party rule to multi-party politics, faces new tests. Internal party conflicts, legal challenges, and ethical concerns raise critical questions about the future of fair political participation.
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Zanzibar’s elections need robust regional and international observer missions
Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992, elections in Zanzibar have repeatedly fallen short of the benchmarks for credibility and inclusiveness. In our first multiparty vote in 1995, presidential election results were tampered with and reversed to hand over power to the incumbent who had lost. In 2000, the forced seizure of ballot boxes and the cancellation of results in 16 key constituencies fuelled mistrust and post-election violence.
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Safe community for development
In Tanzania's Siha district, a groundbreaking initiative is challenging the deeply rooted practice of Female Genital Mutilation within the Maasai community. Led by FNF and KWIECO, the Safe Community for Development project is more than a fight against FGM—it’s a movement for human rights and community empowerment. Watch our short film showcasing inspiring stories of resilience, hope, and activism as communities break the silence on FGM.
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How education, entrepreneurship are ending FGM in Siha District
THE reduction of FGM in Siha District, particularly in its pastoralist communities, is a direct result of collaborative efforts between the Tanzanian government and key stakeholders. These initiatives have primarily focused on raising awareness, promoting education on human rights and providing sustainable alternatives to the harmful tradition. One of the most successful aspects of this movement has been the role of education, delivered by organisations like the FNF in partnership with KWIECO.
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A myth of free and fair elections: Reflections from the hospital’s window
From a hospital bed, Dr. Nasra Nassor Omar reflects on Tanzania's marred local government elections, rife with voter suppression, fraud, and violence. She recounts attacks on colleagues like Erick Yugalila Venance and the erasure of opposition candidates. Watching life outside her window, Omar draws strength from the resilience of Tanzanians who stood against corruption. Despite the pain, she grapples with democracy’s worth, concluding that the fight for justice and equality is essential.
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Dr Nasra Nassor Omar’s path has never followed a straight line. From treating patients in the clinics of Zanzibar to navigating the realities of grassroots politics, her journey shows what determination looks like when public service becomes a calling. In this conversation, Nasra reflects on her early inspiration to join politics back in 2015, her years volunteering at party level, and the lessons she learned as her party transitioned from CUF to ACT Wazalendo. She also speaks openly about the pressures young women face in Tanzania’s political environment, an environment where merit often takes a back seat to loyalty. Today, Nasra stands as a newly sworn-in Member of Parliament following the October 2025 elections. She shares what it means to step into this role while still holding her identity as a medical doctor, and how both worlds have shaped her leadership. Nasra is an alumna of the Africa Liberal Network’s inaugural Women Leadership Programme (2019) and the IAF Academy, experiences that broadened her exposure and deepened her belief in mentorship and intergenerational learning. Now, she is committed to using her platform to expand opportunities for women and youth, whether through economic empowerment, fair access to land and loans, or increased political participation. She also touches on Tanzania’s current political climate, her hopes for stability, and the responsibility she believes leaders carry in strengthening democracy. This is more than a political journey. It’s the story of someone choosing to stand in two worlds, medicine and politics, not because it is easy, but because her country needs both.
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At the end of August 2025, Candace Eslick stepped onto the Falling Walls Lab Cape Town stage and shared a project close to her heart: Breaking the Wall of Clean Cooking in Africa. Her passion and clarity earned her the top spot and a ticket to Berlin, where she joined young innovators from around the world on 6 November. In this video, Candace talks about what clean cooking really means for African families, why access to safe and modern cooking fuels matters, and how the experience of being surrounded by like-minded researchers opened her eyes to what’s possible. She also reflects on the value of genuine collaboration between Africa and Germany, and why African voices need to be part of the decisions shaping the future. You’ll also hear from other African participants speaking about the “walls” they are breaking in their own fields, from energy access and agriculture to women’s visibility in science. A reminder that breaking walls is not just about innovation, it’s about people, community, and creating space for new voices to be heard.
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Botswana’s diamonds shaped a nation, but what does responsible mining really look like in today’s ESG-driven world? 💎🌍 In this last episode of Season 6, we unpack the industry’s impact, the rising pressure for ethical sourcing, and what it means for Africa’s future. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://iono.fm/e/1622313
