
“The poor Tanzanians with rich possessions.” It’s a phrase Abraham Byamungu once used to describe the paradox of communities sitting on vast natural wealth while living in poverty. Today, that paradox is the focus of his PhD research—and the mission that drives him to challenge the status quo in resource-rich developing nations.
Abraham, a PhD student in International Development at the University of Reading, is no stranger to the world of economics, finance, and rural transformation. With over 15 years of experience in international development, including a decade with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), he has led investment initiatives across East and Southern Africa—from Tanzania to Lesotho—and advised projects as far afield as Southeast Asia.
“I’ve always worked at the intersection of finance and development,” he explains. “But I started to realize that the biggest questions I had weren’t being answered by project work alone. I needed to dig deeper—to research the systems behind the outcomes.”
Abraham’s academic path is as rich as his professional one. He holds a Bachelor’s in Finance and Banking from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Master’s in Financial Economics from the University of Leicester in the UK. During his studies at Leicester, he also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, sharpening his academic and analytical skills.
But it’s his PhD journey that has brought everything full circle.
His research, titled “Good Governance, Natural Resources, and Prosperity: The Case of Gold Mining in Tanzania,” investigates why countries blessed with abundant resources often struggle to achieve meaningful development. Specifically, he’s examining how governance can be the difference between gold-fueled prosperity and gold-laced poverty.
Having recently passed his Confirmation of Registration (CoR) milestone, Abraham is now refining chapters of his thesis for academic publication. “I received strong feedback on the quality of my data collection,” he says. “With my supervisors, I am now taking a lead into shaping one chapter into a co-authored paper.”
The aim is not just academic recognition—but policy impact. His research zeroes in on mining communities in Tanzania, exploring the root causes of underdevelopment despite gold wealth. From this, he’s developing a practical framework that communities and policymakers can use to better harness resource revenues—frameworks he believes could be replicated in other mineral rich countries across Africa and beyond.
Empowering communities with knowledge
“For me, this research isn’t just about theory,” Abraham insists. “It’s about lives, livelihoods, and lost potential.”
He sees his work as a tool for empowering rural communities—those often left behind in national development plans. “We need to shift the narrative. Natural resources should be a blessing, not a curse.”
His presentations have already drawn attention: In June 2024, he was a finalist at the University of Reading’s “Research as a Bedtime Story” competition with his poignant tale, “The Poor Tanzanians with Rich Possessions.” That same month, he presented at the Development Studies Association (DSA) PhD Masterclass at SOAS, University of London.
Lessons from the field
Reflecting on his journey, Abraham shares key lessons for aspiring researchers. First, choosing the right university and supervisor can make or break the PhD experience. “I was lucky. My supervisor, Dr. Jo Davies has been phenomenal. She helped me focus my research and encouraged me to seek co-supervision with Dr. Sanzidur Rahman strengthen the quantitative side.”
He also emphasizes the importance of engaging with academic communities: “Conferences and forums offer more than feedback—they give you energy, connection, and a sense of purpose.”

Beyond research to impacting communities
Looking ahead, Abraham is clear about his mission: publishing research that matters, influencing policy, and contributing to sustainable development. He hopes his work will not only transform thinking in development circles but also bring tangible change to communities in countries like his own.
“I want to be part of the solution,” he says. “To use research to ensure that rural communities in resource-rich countries are not just seen, but heard, empowered, and transformed.”
From banking halls to gold mines, and now to global policy debates, Abraham Byamungu’s journey is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful development starts with asking the right questions—and refusing to accept the unacceptable.