Author: Padili Mikomangwa

One remarkable shift at AGRF 2023 was the role accorded to Africa’s youth in shaping the discussions and actions concerning agriculture and food system transformation. Young innovators and farmers took center stage alongside heads of state, providing firsthand insights into the complex realities of farming in Africa. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan amplified the youth’s voice in these critical conversations, recognizing their pivotal role in the agrarian revolution. President Samia shed light on the challenges faced by Africa’s youth in the agriculture sector, including access to information, land, capital, pest and disease management, and the ever-pressing issue of climate change.…

• Oil and gas discoveries in Tanzania have caught the eye of energy giants Equinor, ExxonMobil, and Shell.
• Tanzania is strategically positioning itself for the commercialization of its energy resources.
• The upcoming Tanzania Energy Congress on September 20-21 will showcase the country’s potential in the sector.

Tanzania’s vast natural gas reserves have attracted the attention of energy giants Equinor, ExxonMobil, and Shell, marking a significant leap forward in the nation’s economic prospects. With a recent discovery of oil reserves in Wember-Eyasi, Tanzania’s energy landscape is poised for a transformative shift. Analysts note that oil and gas will bolster the country’s position as an emerging player in the global energy sector.

Strategic positioning in global gas market

Mirroring the ambitions of Africa’s top oil-producing nations, such as Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Angola, and Egypt, Tanzania is strategically positioning itself for the commercialization of its energy resources to fuel both its own industrialization and …

• Heads of State from China, Brazil, and India, except Russia will attend the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg South Africa, starting August 22.
• President Vladimir Putin will participate in the summit virtually but will be represented in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• The bloc is also expected to discuss how to boost local currency fundraising and lending within the New Development Bank.

The five nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are now a band of economies showcasing their ambition to maximize their emerging economies potential, across geopolitics axis. In one day time, heads of state from China, Brazil, and India, (except Russia) will attend the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg South Africa from August 22-24.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to discuss a number of items as …

• Fresh financing will bolster Ethiopia’s progress in achieving wheat self-sufficiency.
• Data shows Ethiopia’s wheat productivity has struggled to match the demands of a rising population, urbanization, and economic expansion over the past decade.
• Statistics show that Ethiopia’s annual wheat imports average roughly $600 million.

Ethiopia, the second-largest wheat producer in sub-Saharan Africa, has received a significant boost from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in the form of an $84.3 million grant aimed at propelling the nation’s wheat production to new heights.

The grant, a collaborative effort between the AfDB, the Government of the Netherlands, agribusiness firm OCP Africa, and the Global Center on Adaptation, holds the promise of not only enhancing wheat production but also bolstering exports.

CREW initiative in Ethiopia’s wheat production

As wheat gains prominence as a major crop cultivated across the vast expanse of African plains, Ethiopia strategically positions itself as a pivotal player in the sub-sector.…

• The Negomano-Roma Road was financed by the African Development Bank.
• President Nyusi finds the road reminiscent of the two nations’ Pan-Africanism aspirations.
• Road will facilitate residents with transportation services for health, education and local economic needs.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi has commissioned a critical cross-border link road, Negomano-Roma connection that was financed by the African Development Bank.

The road, which stands to be a key link for intensifying regional integration with Tanzania, stretches from the nation’s northern province. At the moment, the road is facilitating residents with decent transportation services for health, education and local economic needs.

Mozambique-Tanzania Pan-Africanism aspirations

Constructed under 42 months, and with the inclusion of 417 local workers under the framework of promotion and inclusion of local content, President Nyusi finds the road reminiscent of the two nations’ Pan-Africanism aspirations.

“The road is a great gain for the viability and maximization of regional integration. It is …

• Africa is the new battlefront where Russia and the US are vying for prominence.
• The battle is not new. During the Cold War, Russia and the US sought to expand their influence by supporting various African governments.
• The outcome will determine not only the fortunes of the competing powers but also the trajectory of African nations.

In the vast expanse of Africa, a new chapter in geopolitical influence is being written, with Russia and the US vying for prominence. As the continent rises in global importance due to its resources, burgeoning markets, and strategic significance, the world powers are engaging in a multifaceted competition for the hearts, minds, and resources of African nations.

Historical echoes of Russia and US maneuvers

The geopolitical dance between Russia and the US in Africa is not entirely novel. During the Cold War, both powers sought to expand their influence by supporting various African governments, …

• The central role of human capital in development is fast catching up with the developing world.
• Tanzania President Suluhu Hassan says there is no right time to deliberate on the human capital issue than now.
• President Ruto of Kenya says Africa must deliberately to make it possible for the youth to access job opportunities.

The vital role of Africa’s human capital is indispensable. It is a powerful tool in driving the growth of economic investments in the continent of 1.3 billion people. Africa has a combined GDP of nearly $3.1 trillion and over 40 percent of the population is under the age of 15 years and younger. It is therefore important that Africa’s human capital is aligned optimally to foster growth.

The central role of human capital in development is fast catching up with the developing world. It is in light of this that the just ended Africa Human Capital …

• A survey shows that school students in Tanzania face shame, and fear when speaking in English.
• Unlike in many parts of neighbouring Kenya or Uganda, English is not used as a language of instruction in schools in Tanzania until the learners join secondary schools at the age of 14
• How can Tanzania’s young people compete favourably with peers for global work opportunities?

A startling finding in Tanzania could see policymakers in the education sector go back to the drawing board after a survey revealed that school students face shame, and fear when speaking in English.

Unlike in many parts of neighbouring Kenya or Uganda, English is not used as a language of instruction in schools in Tanzania until the learners join secondary schools at the age of 14.

With most teachers translating many lessons into the national language Swahili, English is not used as a language of instruction in Tanzania’s …

• In May, Tanzania took a bold but risky step by banning fishing on Lake Tanganyika for three months.
• In the Lake Victoria fishing zone, a new challenge, the smuggling of fish maws, is denying the government revenues.
• Statistics show that Tanzania is also experiencing reduced volumes of Nile Perch caught in Lake Victoria.

Tanzania’s water bodies alone hold plenty of economic activity potential, including the opportunity to harness the country’s billion-dollar fishing industry.

Records from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries show that the industry employs nearly 200,000 people directly. Another 4.5 million individuals benefit from the fishing industry’s value chain in Tanzania.

Tanzania’s fishing industry share of GDP

Tanzania’s fisheries contributed 1.8 per cent to the GDP last year and expanded by at least 2.5 per cent. The sector, despite displaying plenty of potential for creating jobs and powering the economy is facing a myriad of challenges. From Tanzania’s …

Therefore, carbon trading—producing and selling carbon offsets is becoming a new, lucrative, and transformative business in Tanzania. At least 20 companies are venturing into climate action-inspired business, pouring over $20 billion worth of investment.…