About Tanzania

Tanzania has enjoyed four decades of peace and political stability since it gained its independence from Great Britain. Tanganyika achieved independence on December 9, 1961; in 1964, it united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania on April 26, 1964. Tanzania’s 37.1 million people speak Kiswahili, Swahili, and English, along with Arabic and numerous other local languages. About thirty percent are Christian, thirty percent are Muslim, and thirty five percent practice indigenous beliefs. Tanzania’s capital is Dar es Salaam, and it is home to Mt. Kilimanjaro (the highest point in Africa), Lake Victoria (the second largest lake in the world), and the Great Rift Valley.

For decades, Tanzania has been either at or near the top of the list of African nations in per capita receipt of international aid. Its principal cash crops of coffee, cotton, sisal and tobacco have been affected by instability in world market demand and rising costs of imported fuel, fertilizers, and equipment. HIV/AIDS, with 1.3 million cases in Tanzania, represents a serious health concern. With 1 physician per 20,511 people, life expectancy is 51 years for men and 53 for women. Outside donations have helped fund much of the progress made in human services.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), a member of the Lutheran World Federation, is made up of over 2.5 million people in 20 dioceses, approximately 6.5% of the population of Tanzania.  The ELCT organizes its ministry into four categories: finance and administration, mission and evangelism, social service and women’s work, planning and development. In the area of finance and administration, the ministry includes investments, scholarships, and personnel. Mission and evangelism includes outreach both within Tanzania and abroad, as well as youth ministries. Social service and women’s work includes health care, education, and women’s programs. Planning and development consists of economic development projects, disaster relief and readiness, financial co-ops, and advocacy.

Due to the rapid growth of the ELCT, it emphasizes leadership development by providing educational opportunities. The Tumaini University System now has six branches with more then 9,000 students. It offers degrees in theology, ministry, education, special needs education, business, law, medicine, mathematics, and music to name a few. The Tumaini University system develops leaders not only for the ELCT but also for the nation. Makumira University College, one of Tumaini’s branches, includes the largest Lutheran seminary in Africa. It serves Tanzania and surrounding countries.

The Dioceses of the ELCT own and operate an extensive health care system including 21 hospitals and numerous dispensaries. ELCT provides more than 15% of the health care services delivered in Tanzania. In addition to medical and surgical services, the ELCT is in the forefront of HIV/AIDS education and prevention, the treatment and prevention of malaria, and hospice and palliative care.

The ELCT and her dioceses own and operate 47 secondary schools throughout the country, as well as schools for the deaf, special needs, teachers’ and nurses’ training, vocational training, and Bible schools. These schools have a long history of providing quality education and attracting qualified students.

Through the churchwide ELCA Global Mission unit, the ELCA relates to and is in bilateral relationship with over 80 companion churches and institutions. The ELCA Global Mission unit stewards a church-to-church relationship with the ELCT. That relationship is deepened and extended by the relationships, through the ELCA Companion Synods program, between these ELCT and ELCA synods:

Arusha Diocese and Northern Illinois Synod

Central Diocese and Southeastern Minnesota Synod

Dodoma Diocese and Northwestern Ohio Synod

Eastern & Coastal Diocese and Northern Great Lakes Synod

East Lake Victoria Diocese and Southern Ohio Synod

Iringa Diocese and Saint Paul Area Synod

Karagwe Diocese and Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod

Konde Diocese and Lower Susquehanna Synod

Mara Diocese and Delaware-Maryland Synod

Mbulu Diocese and Southeast Michigan Synod

Meru Diocese and Greater Milwaukee Synod

Morogoro Diocese and Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

North Eastern Diocese and Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod

Northern Diocese and Nebraska Synod

North West Diocese and Metropolitan New York Synod

Pare Diocese and Southeastern Iowa Synod

Southern Diocese and Western Iowa Synod

South Central Diocese and Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod

Ulanga Kilombero and Eastern Washington–Idaho Synod

Southwest Diocese and South Carolina Synod