Author: Giza Mdoe

To transition from fossil fuels to cleaner more sustainable energy, we need innovation and new technology. The earth has an array of minerals that carry huge energy potential that has little to do with burning. The World Bank: Harnessing natural resource wealth provides an opportunity to improve fiscal and debt sustainability of African countries The race to combat global climate change challenge is offering Africa a fresh opportunity to attract investments in the decarbonization industry as countries adopt clean energy. The known patterns are gone, we now have unpredictable weather changes and ever-so-frequent catastrophic weather events all caused by global…

At least three Australian firms have signed a handful of agreements including Evolution Energy Mineral Limited, EcoGraf Limited, and Peak Rare Earth Limited. This is the second mineral exploration and processing deal that Tanzania has signed in as many months and the government says there are more in the pipeline. Global markets are experiencing a rising demand for rare earth minerals, critical elements that are used in the manufacture of a vast array of electronic devices, and electric vehicles. Australia, a vast country that hugely powers its economy through a vibrant mining industry, is bringing its expertise to Tanzania, East…

Lender AfDB is looking to harness global equity funds to finance climate change mitigation in Africa. AfDB statistics show that only 14 percent of $29.5 billion that was invested in climate finance for Africa in 2020 was from the private sector. AfDB is set to hold climate change financing meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, this May. An increasing number of people across Africa are grappling with unpredictable but definite cycles of failed rains, flash floods or severe drought as climate change-induced weather patterns become the norm in the continent that is one of the least polluters globally. “Africa, the…

Tanzanite is so rare that it is only found in one place in the entire world, Tanzania and hence its name, tanzanite For years, Tanzania has complained bitterly over how India has been benefitting from the sale of tanzanite, a rare gem The mineral’s value chain extends far beyond its borders across the seas in India’s city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. After decades of smuggling allegations, conspiracies of misappropriation and outright accusations of value theft, Tanzania and India have finally come to common ground on mineral research. For a long time, Tanzania has lamented how India has…

Tanzania gives six months tax break to domestic start-ups, usually Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs). Foreign companies in Tanzania enjoy a five-year tax holiday as permitted by the investment law. At the moment, new Tanzanian businesses are required to full tax payments despite the availability of this six months’ tax break provision Start-ups in Tanzania are given six months of tax holiday as the government looks to boost the private sector competitiveness but a quick survey on the ground by The Exchange shows the program still lags behind. The move to extend a tax holiday comes in the wake of…

Tanzania’s government has banned institutions from using charcoal and firewood for their energy needs. Tanzania has lost 16 percent of its forest cover to human-related activities. 85 percent of Tanzania’s energy needs are met with charcoal and firewood burning. To curb the destruction of forests, Tanzania has set a deadline for its own institutions to stop using charcoal and firewood, an ambitious gesture for a country whose 85 percent of energy needs are met through the burning of charcoal and firewood. As a result of this high dependence on forests for its energy needs, Tanzania’s forests are being depleted at…

Africa Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanisms (AFFM) to boost purchase of the critical farm input across the continent. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that Africa is spending less on agriculture development than the rest of the world. AFFM has already secured $10.15 million in new funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Shortage of fertilizer in Africa continues as the war between its main suppliers Russia and Ukraine enters the second year. To increase food productivity and security, African countries need increased access to fertilizer, nut until this dilemma is resolved,…

Zanzibar has entered into a deal with Belgium to attract more tourists to the East African coastal Island. The number of tourist arrivals in Tanzania is projected to increase in 2023. The country saw 62.7 per cent jump in new arrivals between January and July last year. Tanzania received a total of 100,600 tourists from USA in 2022 followed closely by France that was the source of 100,371 holidaymakers. Zanzibar’s tourism development initiative under its Blue Economy agenda is starting to pay dividend with the isles setting its sights on attracting tourists from Belgium. Isle’s President Hussein Mwinyi recently met…

According to UN estimates some 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was generated around the world in 2019. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimate that the annual generation of e-waste will reach 74.7 Mt by 2030. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy or principle that is designed to promote total life cycle of products. Mobile phone manufacturers release new devices almost every other quarter. Ever wondered what happens to the old ones? Actually, what happens to old (or not so old) electronics that are simply out-paced by newer technology? Well, just like used cars and clothing, they are exported to…

71 LGAs paid $4.3 million (TZS10.08 billion) to various suppliers and clients without demanding receipts. About $32.7 million in revenue from rental charges for shops and houses located at the council’s bus stands and markets was not collected. Audit has prompted President Samia Suluhu Hassan to dissolve the board of Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA). An audit in Tanzania has exposed massive corruption and misuse of public finances across Local Government Authorities (LGAs) that led to the loss of billions of shillings, yet another pointer to why the country of nearly 65 million people still ranks high globally on corruption.…