Abstract:
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ABSTRACT
This study assessed the effects of manufacturing sector on economic growth in Tanzania: A case
of Mbeya region. The specific objectives of the study are: to examine the trends and patterns of the
manufacturing sector in Tanzania, to analyze the relationship between the manufacturing sector
and economic growth in Tanzania and to investigate the effects of international trade on the
economic growth in Tanzania. The researcher used a descriptive research design for this study.
Quantitative research approach was adopted, specifically, a time-series analysis of secondary data.
In this research, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis process.
Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution, and percentage
were used to describe the characteristics of the data collected. Inferential statistics such as
regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the manufacturing sector and
economic growth in Tanzania. The findings of the study revealed that the manufacturing sector in
Tanzania has witnessed significant growth, marked by the expansion of firms and product
diversification. This growth is attributed to investments in technology, infrastructure, and human
capital. The study establishes a positive correlation between the manufacturing sector's contribution
to GDP and overall economic growth, emphasizing the sector's role in driving innovation, job
creation, and increased productivity. Moreover, the research underscores the substantial positive
impact of international trade on economic growth in Tanzania. Increased trade, both in terms of
exports and imports, is associated with higher economic growth, aligning with the role of trade in
facilitating technological progress and knowledge exchange. The study provides practical
recommendations for policymakers, advocating for continued support of the manufacturing sector,
open trade policies, investments in human capital, and a focus on regional disparities for more
inclusive economic growth
