Effectiveness Of Exit Strategies On Sustainability Of Development Projects In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Selected World Vision Tanzania Projects

ABSTRACT 

This study assessed the effectiveness of exit strategies in development projects in Tanzania through two selected projects in Bahi District. These are the Agriculture and Food Security and Leadership Development projects intervened by World Vision Tanzania through Chipanga Area Development Programme. The study, therefore, analysed the design and implementation of exit strategies adopted; evaluated their success and finally, examined challenges experienced in the course of implementation. Both simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used. Qualitative data were collected using document analysis technique, interview, Focus Group Discussion and observation while quantitative data were collected using questionnaire. Analysis of qualitative data was done by using content analysis technique while quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS computer software. Study results have shown that the exit strategies were designed three years before projects phase out. The strategies were neither refined nor assessed before implementation. Further, it has been found that establishment of partnership with both private and public sectors, capacity building for community members and SHIMACHI leaders and transferring of projects portfolios to SHIMACHI were too weak to ensure successful exit strategies. The study also found that most exit activities in the final year of the projects were not implemented, food security did not improve and SHIMACHI leaders lacked managerial, financial and mastery of necessary skills to function. To tackle these obstacles, among others, the study recommends designing of exit strategies during projects inception, mobilisation of enough funds, and review of SHIMACHI constitution.