In Tanzania, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania is driving the systemic change necessary to enhance food security and nutrition, inclusiveness and green growth. By 2030, it aims to bring 350,000 hectares of land into profitable production, transition 100,000 small-scale farmers into commercial farming, create 420,000 new employment opportunities, and, ultimately, lift 2 million people out of poverty.

What can the international partnering landscape tell us about cross-sector partnerships for sustainable development? When setting up a new initiative, understanding what has gone before is arguably as important as local context and future ambition.

In all but the simplest collaborations, problems, inefficiencies, issues to overcome will always arise. This is not surprising. The intricate dynamics of partnerships are constantly changing within a complex and often muddled set of influencing factors: the socio-economic-political context; the varying characteristics, needs and resources of the partners, donors and stakeholders; shifting partner priorities and commitment; and key people changing and therefore a need to rebuild relationships.