While both Tanzania and Zambia have experienced significant economic growth in the 21st century, Tanzania has been able to translate that growth into poverty reduction while Zambia has not. A contextual picture of the two countries' economic growth trajectories is provided, with an emphasis on understanding how specific policies and changes in their governance have affected growth, poverty reduction, inequality, and overall development. After considering each respective country's economic growth and constraints, the effectiveness in translating that growth into development, as espoused through national poverty reduction strategies, is reviewed.