Browsing: Tanzania

• The transformative power of AI-powered innovation in empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge to protect their livelihoods and improve food security.
• Innovative solutions such as AI-powered climate information systems and blockchain technology for digital wallets are improving smallholder farmers’ productivity and driving their resilience.
• UN’s IFAD notes that innovation is not limited to cutting-edge technologies but can also be found in rural communities and among farmers themselves.

In Tanzania, AI-powered innovation is revolutionizing the agricultural industry, showcasing the immense potential of technology to drive resilience and productivity among smallholder farmers.

By leveraging an innovative app that analyzes images of pest-infected crops and provides locally available treatments, farmers have collectively saved an estimated US$100 million in lost crops.

This success story from Tanzania shared with the world during the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 47th Governing Council in Rome, Italy, underscores the transformative power of AI-powered innovation in empowering …

• Tanzania-based clean energy company, TRí, is introducing electric tricycles to the country’s transportation sector to reduce carbon emissions.
• On average, the oil-powered motorcycle is estimated to be 10 times more polluting per mile than a passenger car, light truck, or SUV.
• The move to roll out electric motorcycles aligns with Tanzania’s Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Program, which aims to promote zero emissions by 2030.

The transport industry accounts for a significant amount of carbon emissions in Tanzania and around the world. Through players in the private sector, Tanzania is turning the tide with green transport startup, TRí, launching electrical tricycles in the market.

These tricycles promise cost savings for thousands of riders, especially small-scale traders who dominate the country’s transport industry.

With the rising cost of fuel, electric tricycles are becoming the go-to option for traders who are keen on protecting their margins, with TRí’s market survey showing that their …

• In 2023, Tanzania’s telecommunication sector earned approximately US$2.2 billion.
• The TCRA reports that the telecom sector is growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 4 per cent.
• Mobile money subscriptions in Tanzania reached 44.35 million subscribers last year.

Tanzania’s telecommunication sector growth

The total service revenue of Tanzania’s telecom sector reached US$2.2 billion in 2023, and the market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 4 per cent until 2028, according to global data.

A report titled “Tanzania Telecom Services Market Overview” attributes the sector’s performance to the increasing contributions from mobile data and fixed broadband service segments.

The report also notes that initiatives such as the Digital Tanzania Initiative, aimed at achieving 80 per cent broadband penetration by 2025 in partnership with the World Bank and mobile operators, and the adoption of 5G services will drive the market …

• By 2030, partners of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) aim to cultivate 350,000 hectares of land for profitable production.
• Using the SAGCOT model, Tanzania aims to achieve self-sufficiency in food production to feed Africa by the same year.
• Agriculture in Tanzania currently contributes nearly 30 percent of the country’s GDP and employs over three-quarters of the nation’s workforce..

The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) has achieved significant success over the last decade since its establishment in 2010. Tasked with promoting inclusive, sustainable, and viable agricultural value chains in southern Tanzania, the organization has notably enhanced agricultural productivity.

SAGCOT has established production clusters, including Ihemi, Mbarali, and Kilombero, in southern and Morogoro. Through these agricultural clusters, SAGCOT has successfully increased food production, developed value chains, and elevated household income for farmers.

“I am truly impressed with the work of the SAGCOT Centre Limited and its …

• The Romania-Tanzania alliance is taking shape with President Iohannis signing two major trade MoUs with the African country.
• This is part of Tanzania President Samia’s move to woo European investors to her country’s agriculture sector.
• Romania-Tanzania ties seem to offer immediate gains with the European country assuring Dar es Salaam of food security even as the Ukraine-Russia war persists.

A fresh alliance, Romania-Tanzania, is taking shape, with the European country betting on the East African nation to grow its presence and influence on the continent significantly as it forges “strategic approaches to Africa.”

President Klaus Iohannis made the assertion during his recent visit to Tanzania. In a four-day state tour, he engaged with the government and investors in Tanzania’s mainland and the island of Zanzibar.

During his visit, at least two Romania-Tanzania agreements were signed by President Iohannis and his counterpart, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Romania-Tanzania strategic partnership

While the …

• Tanzania and India have agreed to trade in local currencies weaning off the use of the US dollar.
• There are advantages of using local currencies in trade versus the traditional dollar.
• Tanzania and India have also agreed on military, maritime, and space technology cooperation.

India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Dammu Ravi has met with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan with reports emerging that the two leaders have among other things, agreed to trade in Rupees, the sub continent’s local currency.

The decision implies that the two countries, with long-running business ties, will effectively wean off using the king dollar as their ‘gold standard’, instead embracing the Indian Rupee as their common currency in exchange for value.

“When international transactions are denominated in local currencies, countries can avoid currency fluctuations and the associated risks. This stability helps to mitigate exchange rate volatility, reducing uncertainty and facilitating more accurate planning …

• Climate change is causing droughts, which, in turn, are to blame for the persistent power cuts in Tanzania.
• To address this challenge, Tanzania projects that completing the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere hydropower dam will double the country’s hydro capacity.
• Currently, approximately 95 per cent of Tanzanian households rely on biomass for fuel.

Tanzania power cuts are becoming increasingly common, with blame apportioned to poor infrastructure maintenance, drought, flooding, and huge gaps in the country’s electricity production.

The net effect is, however, all too obvious: millions of dollars in lost opportunities for families and businesses as they are forced to endure long hours without electricity.

The irony is that Tanzania enjoys one of the biggest energy potentials in Africa, enough to produce adequate electricity for domestic needs and exports.

“Maintenance issues and climate change-induced water shortages have caused a 400-megawatt electricity shortfall in Tanzania, triggering power rationing across the East African nation,” …

• Tanzania sugar shortage is sparking unrelenting hike in prices.
• The government of Tanzania has approved the import of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar.
• President Samia has pledged to increase sugar production by 2025.

A biting sugar shortage in Tanzania is causing the price of the commodity to skyrocket over the last few months. On the one hand, the sugar shortage is blamed on heavy rains at the end of last year while on the other hand, there are allegations of hoarding and price setting by industry cartels.

With little to no evidence of the latter, the speculations remain just that, mere allegations. However, what is undisputed is sugar shortage and the attendant surge in prices for the sweetener.

Sugar shortage in Tanzania has persisted for almost an entire year now. So profound is the problem that President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan was forced to issue a public statement explaining the …

• Tanzania Agricultural and Horticulture Association (TAHA) is leading sector revival.
• The global horticulture market is projected to reach US$40.24 billion by 2026.
• The Tanzanian horticulture industry has the potential to earn US$3 billion per annum.

The fresh produce market is projected to reach US$40.24 billion by 2026 growing at an annual rate of 10.2 percent and Tanzania is angling for a pie of these billions from its horticulture sector.

These statistics by Global Market Estimates (GME) show that the global horticulture market averages US$20.77 billion in 2021 and is growing rapidly.

However, African countries such as Tanzania, which has enormous agricultural production potential still lag behind and only get to enjoy a small percentage of the over US$30 billion horticulture market.

“We believe, when we ensure access to information and knowledge including the adoption of appropriate technologies, market access, and advocating for business enabling environment, there is a potential of …

• Kenya-DRC and Tanzania-DRC Corridors have been identified as the key links that will drive East Africa trade.
• Within the Southern Africa region, higher integration will drive its share of total intra-Africa exports to a third by 2035.
• The MENA Region and the Middle East-East Africa corridors will also be substantial, with combined trade volume expected to reach almost USD200 billion by 2035.

Increased infrastructure interconnectivity by the African states has been identified as the key driver that will lead to success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Kenya-DRC and Tanzania-DRC Corridors have been identified as the key links that will drive East Africa trade.

This comes after members after some member states expressed concern that the African trade system has failed to grow beyond the estimated 14–15 per cent over the last three to four years.

However, prospects are now positive that intra-Africa trade will grow 3.9 per …