Tanzania’s citizen-led prosperity index redefines development priorities

Community-driven research model bridges gap between policymakers and urban poor in Dar es Salaam

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (MNTV) — A groundbreaking initiative led by the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) is reshaping how prosperity is defined and measured in Tanzania’s urban communities, placing citizens at the center of data collection, analysis, and advocacy.

The Citizen Prosperity Index, launched in January 2025, is the first citizen-led prosperity measure in Africa. 

It draws from the “Maisha Bora” (Good Life) Study, a community-driven research effort conducted in partnership with the Centre for Community Initiatives (CCI), a Tanzanian NGO working in informal settlements of Dar es Salaam.

Focusing on three densely populated neighborhoods—Mji Mpya, Bonde La Mpunga, and Keko Machungwa—the study empowers local residents to define prosperity based on lived experience rather than externally imposed economic benchmarks. 

Through extensive qualitative research, including over 160 interviews and focus groups, the study produced the Maisha Bora Model, a framework encompassing five core domains: secure livelihoods, health, opportunity, social identity, and political inclusion.

Citizen scientists, trained through the UCL Citizen Science Academy, translated this model into a detailed survey. 

Data collected from 1,000 households formed the basis for the Maisha Bora Index, offering policymakers a nuanced view of prosperity levels across different communities.

In Mji Mpya, residents used the index findings to prioritize interventions such as improved drainage systems, clean energy solutions, and affordable health services. 

Collaborative working groups comprising community members, entrepreneurs, and public officials have begun testing local innovations supported by Fast Forward 2030 Africa.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those promoting inclusive societies, sustainable infrastructure, and community well-being. 

It also reflects the UNDP’s emphasis on local governance and grassroots data for development.

UCL’s approach challenges traditional top-down models by equipping citizens—many with no formal research background—to become social scientists. 

The Citizen Science Academy, active in countries including the UK, Lebanon, Kenya, Thailand, and the Caribbean, underscores the global relevance of citizen-led research.

By redefining prosperity through local narratives and fostering co-created solutions, the Maisha Bora Study exemplifies a transformative model of development—where communities not only participate but lead in shaping their future.