Integrating infrastructure, higher education strategy, and national vision policies for sustainable economic growth in Tanzania: A review and conceptual

Abstract

Sustainable economic growth in Tanzania requires effective integration of infrastructure development, higher education strategies, and national vision policies. This study adopts a narrative and conceptual review approach to synthesize academic literature, national policy documents, and institutional reports in order to examine how these three pillars interact to support economic transformation. The review focuses on transport, energy, and digital infrastructure; higher education’s role in human capital development, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and the strategic guidance provided by Tanzania’s Vision 2025 and 2050. The findings indicate that infrastructure investments are consistently framed as enablers of industrialization and regional connectivity, while higher education is positioned as a driver of skills development and innovation. However, the review identifies persistent challenges, including policy fragmentation, skills mismatch, funding constraints, and regional disparities, which limit effective integration. Based on the synthesized evidence, the study proposes a dynamic conceptual framework illustrating the pathways through which coordinated infrastructure, education, and policy interventions can promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The paper contributes to policy and academic debates by highlighting integration mechanisms and gaps that require attention for effective development planning in Tanzania.