Author: Giza Mdoe

Africa is still in the early stages of the energy transition, and this includes the economic, financial, and societal aspects. Across economies, many of the technologies to produce low-emissions steel are relatively nascent, with issues to solve. Increasingly, policymakers are realizing that making energy transition from fossils to clean energy is costly. Net-zero, an energy transition from traditional sources of fuel that pollute the environment to green energy and renewable sources, is the new global call for companies and organizations. So far, there has been tremendous momentum, especially in the adoption of wind and solar power, electric cars, heat pumps.…

China pledges closer economic and trade ties with Africa at 2024 FOCAC Summit. Mulit-million dollar deals signed between Africa and China at key summit. Annual trade volume between China and Africa to reach $300Bn by 2035 The just concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit has opened new possibilities for Tanzania and Africa’s industry as a whole. Held in Beijing, China, this ninth summit was attended by all 53 African Heads of State or their representative hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The FOCAC summit has seen President Xi pledge over $50 billion in aid and loans to support what he…

China commits to refurbishing TAZARA railway system during the just concluded FOCAC Summit in Beijing. China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been awarded the tender. TAZARA capacity is now set to increase to two million metric tonnes. TAZARA, a decades-old China-Tanzania railway that is vital in the East African country’s industry is set for modernization as a new pact to turn it into a fast train transportation system comes into force. Last week, a historic milestone was reached when Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema signed a Memorandum of Understanding…

The African pharmaceuticals market is projected to reach $34 billion by 2027. Egypt has been tipped to contribute most to Africa’s pharmaceutical industry’s growth. What implication does this change present to global pharmaceutical giants? Africa pharmaceutical investment is well underway, and for the first time, the continent seeks to produce and distribute medicinal drugs but, what would be the impact on the global industry? “The failures of the global health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic—when export restrictions, lockdowns, and hoarding sent supply chains into frantic disarray—made local manufacturing of pharmaceutical supplies a top priority for African leaders,” notes global health writer…

African nations commit to creating a soil health fund to support research, innovation, and capacity building on fertiliser usage. AfDB agrees to mobilise financing to ease fertilizer availability, de-risk farmer investments, and support policy reforms across the continent. In Nairobi, governments commit to formulating policies that will serve to create a conducive environment for fertilizer and soil health interventions. Africa fertilizer supply is a multi-billion dollar industry that at the moment, is tapped by Western countries, particularly and ironically, Russia and Ukraine. Just as hard lessons were learnt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so was the need to invest…

 Globally, seaweed is increasingly becoming the go-to organic medicine option, and Zanzibar is betting big on this avenue.  Already, the East African Island’s government is investing in the commercial growth of seaweed. What’s more, Zanzibar and the EU are in talks to develop the Island’s aquaculture sector. Zanzibar seaweed output is increasingly becoming a viable commercial project as the island is tapping as part of diversifying its economy. Increasingly, Zanzibar is putting emphasis on seaweed farming because the global industry of seaweed is growing very fast, especially due to the discovery of critical medicinal properties. It is reported that diseases…

Second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) underway in Bali, Indonesia, almost clashing with the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. Zanzibar President Mwinyi woos Indonesia investors to Zanzibar as he eyes a pie of the $3.5Bn in investment deals. The forum has, however, attracted far fewer participants from Africa compared to the 2018 meeting. The Africa-Indonesia Investment Forum 2024 which is currently underway in Bali, Indonesia, is expected to generate a whopping $3.5 billion worth of investments. In attendance is the Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Mwinyi. President Mwinyi is representing the Tanzanian Union President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan…

The 1,300Km of railway from Zambia to Tanzania will be completed by 2029. The US, UK, and others sign MoU to develop the Lobito railway project. Top nickel producer Lifezone Metals secures project tender. Nickel prospects in Tanzania have spurred the US to extend the Washington-backed Zambia-DRC railway project to the East African nation, creating a strategic link between West and East Africa. Helaina Matza, the US acting special coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment has announced US plans to expand its West and Central Africa railway project to the shores of the Indian Ocean through Tanzania.…

Across Africa, mega-stores and wholesalers are increasingly selling directly to consumers. As a result, last-mile retailers find it difficult to remain relevant and competitive. However, digital tech systems such as the End-to-End (E2E) approach offer sales and growth solutions to these retailers caught between a rock and a hard place. End-to-End (e2e) approach to doing business may be the only lifeline to save African retailers in this digital, mega-business age, as an increasing number of wholesalers deploy systems to reach out to customers directly. With a spirited push from wholesalers, many retailers have found themselves pushed to the margins of…

Tanzania sets up first Fairtrade-certified cashew nuts processing plant in Mtwara region. The country’s cashew nuts market is poised to reach $860.25 million by 2029. Cashew nut exports generate $227 million in 2023/2024. Tanzania’s cashew nuts industry is getting a big boost with the construction of the first Fairtrade plant to add value to the produce within Mtwara region. The industrial park in Mtwara is poised to tap into the region’s massive production to boost the income of millions of farmers. According to the Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT), exports of the crop generated a total of $227 million in…