Regional Development since Independence and Basic Structural Features of Rukwa Region

Rukwa Region ²²³ has an area of about 70,000 sq.km and is situated on the border with Zambia and Zaire, over 1,000 km from Tanzania’s most important consumption and trading centre, Dar es Salaam. ²²⁴ The population was estimated at some 700,000 people in 1988, divided among 336 registered villages. From 1978 to 1988, population growth was, at 4.3 %, well above the national average of 2.8%. The average family is estimated to number 5.3 people. ²²⁵ Compared with other parts of the country, Rukwa Region is considered to be underdeveloped. ²²⁶ Communication and transport problems hamper both intra- and interregional trade and thus economic development to raise the region above subsistence level. 95% of the population make a living from agriculture, which is characterized by a low level of diversification and specialization and a high proportion of production for subsistence. Outside the regional capital, Sumbawanga, there are few opportunities for non-agricultural employment.