Browsing: Tanzania

• Somalia has signed multiple socio-economic, and security pacts with Tanzania.
• In the agreements, Somalia asserts commitment to regional development, security
• Somalia looking to rebuild image, enhance regional cooperation and trade with its East African trading partners.

Somalia is steadily carving out a key role within the East African Community bloc under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Despite being a latecomer to the bloc, the nation is making decisive strides toward regional diplomatic leadership.

In the latest development, Somalia has deepened its regional ties by signing five key economic agreements with Tanzania, marking a new chapter in the two countries’ bilateral relations. These memoranda of understanding (MOUs) span critical sectors such as foreign affairs, health, tourism, defense, and education, underscoring a shared commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable development.

The event was chaired by Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Saalax Ahmed Jaamac, who seized the opportunity to underscore Somalia’s …

• Rwanda signs investment pact with US comedian Steve Harvey joining a list of countries in Africa tapping Hollywood stars to promote tourism.
• New deal will establish an academic institution in Kigali.
• Steve Harvey to invest in education, health and film in Rwanda.

Tourism in Rwanda is growing and to help speed up the process, the country has signed a deal with a renowned famous American entertainer, Steve Harvey. The move is part of strategies being deployed by African couintries to uniquely market their tourism offering to the world. Kigali’s move follows similar steps taken by Tanzania, which signed a pact with Hollywood star Idris Elba to launch a film studio in Zanzibar, an archipelago in the East African nation.

In Rwanda, the deal was signed at the end of 2024 between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and BILT LLC, an American company owned by Steve Harvey. In a media …

• Activists and critics are intensifying their opposition to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), citing concerns over its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.
• Recent protests erupted in Uganda and Tanzania in response to the announcement that Chinese state-owned entities would fund the controversial pipeline project.
• Delays in financing have caused jitters among investors, leading EACOP shareholders to increase their equity stake from 40% to 52% as the project continues to face scrutiny.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is once again at the center of controversy, as activists and critics intensify their opposition to the energy project. Detractors are raising alarms over its potential to inflict severe environmental and socio-economic damage, adding to the growing chorus of opposition.

In a fresh wave of protests, demonstrators took to the streets of Uganda and Tanzania, voicing their dissent against the EACOP project. The peaceful rallies were sparked by a recent …

• Wildlife corridors serve to protect Tanzania’s megadiversity.
• Tanzania has over 340 large mammals species that migrate annually.
• Tourism contributes 17% of Tanzania’s GDP and more than 25% of foreign revenue.

Tanzania’s wildlife corridors are lifelines for the nation’s iconic biodiversity, ensuring the survival of some of the planet’s most magnificent species. Nestled in the tropics near the equator, Tanzania is a global biodiversity hotspot, boasting an extraordinary array of habitats, ecosystems, and climatic zones that support an unparalleled variety of life.

Home to over 340 species of large mammals, Tanzania’s landscapes teem with everything from forest dwellers to plains herbivores and the formidable carnivores that hunt them. This rich tapestry of wildlife, complemented by vibrant birdlife, embarks on annual migrations, weaving through established corridors that are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and protecting these majestic creatures. These migration paths are the blueprint for the creation and conservation of Tanzania’s vital …

• The trials for the East Africa Electric Highway power supply project are underway.
• This initiative on power sharing is forecast to earn Ethiopia $200 million annually. 
• Currently, Ethiopia produces all power for its national grid from renewable sources.

The East Africa Electric Highway project is lighting up a new era of regional integration, with power supply trials now linking Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. This ambitious initiative, poised to transform energy trade in the region, is expected to generate an impressive US$200 million annually for Ethiopia in its initial phase.

Following the successful completion of an advanced power connection between Ethiopia and Kenya, the project has extended its reach to Tanzania. With the power infrastructure now in place, distribution trials are underway, marking a significant milestone in East Africa’s quest for sustainable energy solutions and economic collaboration.

“This regional power connection is set to enhance cooperation among the involved nations by …

• Tanzania fishing industry earns 10% of national foreign exchange. 
• FAO conducting sustainable fishing initiative in Tanzania.
• More than 4 million people earn their livelihoods from the fisheries sector.

With a stretch of coastline in excess of 1,400km and inland freshwater covering an estimated 54,300 square km, fishing is one of Tanzania’s major agricultural practices.

According to the Tanzania National Statistics Bureau, the fisheries sector contributes an average of 1.4 per cent to the GDP and earns about 10 per cent of the national foreign exchange.

To add on, more than four million people earn their livelihoods from the fisheries sector according to the country’s latest fisheries statistics.

Across the continet, Tanzania is one of the largest fishing nations according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the country is ranked in the top 10 countries having one of the largest total capture fisheries production.

FAO reports that the annual …

• Zanzibar has an ambitious plan to become the leading hub for blue economy in the East African Community (EAC).
• However, adverse impact of climate change is affecting the establishment of blue economy systems in the Island.
• To counter the challenges, the AfDB is supporting human development in Zanzibar as basis to setting up blue economy.

Zanzibar aims to be the leading hub for blue economy activities in the Western Indian Ocean region even as adverse impacts of climate change threaten to derail the island’s plan to tap into the emerging sector. At the moment, Zanzibar recognises the role of the blue economy in promoting socio-economic development through better stewardship of the sea and related resources.

This affirmation is made in the introduction of the Zanzibar blue economy policy by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Ambassador Mohamed Ramia Abdiwawa.

The policy holds that the sector will prioritize fisheries and aquaculture, …

• Ban places Air Tanzania among 129 airlines barred from EU skies due to non-compliance with international safety standards.
• The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) identified safety deficiencies as the basis for the ban.
• These concerns also prevented Air Tanzania from securing a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization, a critical certification required for non-EU airlines to operate within the zone.

Air Tanzania has suffered a huge setback following its inclusion in the European Union’s Air Safety List, effectively banning it from operating flights to and within EU member states. This decision, announced after a review by EU aviation safety experts in Brussels on November 19-21, signals a major reputational and operational blow to Tanzania’s flag carrier.

The ban places Air Tanzania among 129 airlines barred from EU skies due to non-compliance with international safety standards, as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, …

• Tanzania has food surplus and is now exporting to neighbours.
• This raises hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable.
• AfDB is now calling for the implementation of Dakar 2 Food Summit commitments.

Tanzania has been recognized for its steady steps to achieve food self-sufficiency attributable to its expanding agricultural industry.

“Tanzania is setting new benchmarks in food self-sufficiency across Africa, raising hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable,” notes the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Dr. Adesina made this observation during a high-level session at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa, US where he was moderating the talks. He lauded Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan after she announced that her country had reached 128 per cent food security and is now exporting surplus to neighbouring countries.

Speaking during a session …

• AfDB slaps 12-month sanctions on China Railway Construction Engineering Group over scandal involving Tanzania’s Msalato International Airport Project.
• The hit stems from findings by AfDB, which uncovered fraud in the company’s bid for phase one of the airport project.
• However, the firm remains eligible to participate in AfDB-funded projects during the penalty period provided it adheres to strict compliance measures.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has placed China Railway Construction Engineering Group under a 12-month conditional non-debarment following a fraud investigation linked to Tanzania’s Msalato International Airport Project.

This decision, effective from November 7, 2024, stems from findings by AfDB’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, which uncovered fraudulent practices in the company’s bid for phase one of the project.

The investigation revealed that the Chinese company failed to provide accurate information about its experience during the bidding process, a breach it admitted constituted fraudulent activity.

Despite the sanction, China …