With an adult illiteracy rate of 18.2% (NBS, 2022) and nearly 330,000 students (MoEST, BEST, 2022) dropping out of formal schooling in 2022 alone, Adult and Non-Formal Education (ANFE) is not a peripheral concern; it is a national development imperative. Yet despite Tanzania's overall education budget of TZS 7.39 trillion for FY 2025/26, ANFE holds a striking distinction: it has zero dedicated budget line in the national accounts.

In this Policy brief, we explore the structural financing gap facing ANFE in Tanzania. We analyze Tanzania's Ministry of Finance budget estimates, regional comparisons with Kenya and Uganda, and global frameworks including the Marrakesh Framework for Action (MFA) and UNESCO's GRALE 5 — to make the case for urgent, targeted reform and offer tangible recommendations for decision-makers.

• Establishing a dedicated ANFE Sub-Vote in the FY 2026/27 national budget, growing to at least 1% of the education budget
• Revitalising ANFE committees and departments
• Broadening the funding base through partnerships and introducing an annual public ANFE Status Report to drive accountability

Tanzania has the policy frameworks. It has the infrastructure. What it needs now is the political and financial will to make adult learning visible and to fund it accordingly.

Download the Full Policy Brief