Browsing: Tanzania

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has set aside Ths.127.3 billion ($55.3 million) for funding agriculture projects in the country for three years beginning January 2020.

A State House statement said that IFAD president Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo revealed this on 20^th May 2019 when he held talks with President John Magufuli.

Houngbo who was in the country for a three-day official visit hailed president Magufuli`s government for the strong efforts in implementing various development projects including those funded by IFAD.

He said after setting aside the funds, IFAD is now waiting for the Tanzanian government to indicate key areas for the money to be allocated, noting that he hopes the projects will be implemented since Tanznaia is a peaceful country, and given the way the government has shown its commitment.

In his remarks President Magufuli thanked the international agency for the support and promised that the working …

Towards the June 1^st deadline for the use of plastic bags in the country, the government is in talks with 15 industries that manufacture alternative bags to increase production.

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Joseph Kakunda said in his 2019/2020 ministerial estimates speech that the government welcomes new investors to help raise available alternative shopping and wrapping material.

Environment friendly bags can be made from easily available raw materials like cotton and sisal, among others, in like manner as baskets and straw bags of various sorts.

Mufindi Paper Mills is one among industries instructed to produce substantial amounts of paper bags to meet the demand, he said.

The minister asked the legislature to approve Tshs.100.3 billion ($43.6 million) for the financial year whereby Ths.48.8 billion ($21.2 million) meets the recurrent needs while Tshs.51.5 billion ($22.3 million) is used for development purposes.

The government has taken various strategic steps …

The country`s coffee production is projected to dwindle by 23 per cent in the 2019-2020 season.

Africa`s fourth biggest coffee producer, Tanzania said the overall production in coffee would drop by 23 per cent in the next period due to delayed rainfall in the Northern regions, according to the Tanzania Coffee Board.

The crop for the season that starts in July may decline to 50,000 tonnes, the Tanzania Coffee Board stated on Monday 13^th May, 2019 in a statement. It said last month that the country had experienced dryness in many growing areas, and that farmers would start collecting crops in May in the Kagera and Mara regions of the country.

After missing earlier targets to boost production, the country is considering distributing seedlings to farmers in an effort to double supply in five years. Arabica coffee accounts for more than half of Tanzania`s output, and it mainly ships …

Data and M-pesa transactions accounted for almost 50 per cent of Vodacom Tanzania Plc`s income last year thanks to an over Tshs.170 billion ($73.9 million) investment to expand and modernize the network.

Vodacom`s Finance Director, Jacques Marais said in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 14<sup>th</sup> May 2019 during a briefing to investors and the media of the company`s annual results for the year ending March 2019.

Marais said M-pesa remained a leading revenue growth with an increase of 14.5 per cent during the period with seven million customers using the service regularly transacting a record Tshs.49.3 billion ($21.4 million) per month.

`During the year, we added 620,000 new M-pesa customers, a growth of 9.7 per cent M-pesa transaction volumes increased 16.4 per cent and M-pesa values transacted grew 16 per cent,` he said while noting that `Lipa kwa M-pesa` platform had 11,000 merchants who processed Tshs.1.1 trillion ($478.2 million) …

Blockchain Association of Africa (BAA), a South Africa based non-profit pan-African organisation, announced its strategic partnership with Afriplains Digital, Tanzania(AFD) and  Blockchain Worx, Singapore (BCW) to leverage synergies and further its efforts to equip the community and stakeholders in Africa with hands-on Blockchain education, acumen and tools to shape Africa’s future.

The partnership will focus on the common vision of driving technology evangelization, community outreach, capacity building and local talent building.

This will be targeted towards driving adoption, helping the implementation of this cutting-edge technology and bringing sustainable, unparalleled business-value to Africa. As a part of the alliance, the three parties will kick-off their collaboration by deploying Blockchain Worx’s Blockchain Innovation Centre across local chapters in South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda & Tanzania.

The Blockchain Innovation Centre is a digital centre of excellence, designed to explore possibilities, forge alliances and accelerate innovation within institutions and communities.…

The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the government towards achieving its industrialization strategy and middle income status by 2025.

The European Union Charge d`Affaires to Tanzania, Charles Stuart made the remarks on Thursday in Dar es Salaam during the commemoration of the 69^th anniversary since the signing of the Schuman Declaration which marked the birth of the EU.

The occasion was also attended by heads of diplomatic mission in the country, government officials, representatives of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations.

He said that Tanzania and the EU have been partnering in ensuring high quality livelihood, peace, stability and unity, good governance, educated and learned society. He mentioned others as a competitive economy capable of producing sustainable growth and shared benefits. He said the above mentioned matters have been worked together since that partnership began.

` Our trade and economic relations are maturing …

South Korea has managed to maintain its first position on 2018 Bloomberg Innovation Index for the fifth consecutive year.

The 2018 Bloomberg Innovation Index results published on January 22, 2019 which compiles the index based on data from sources including the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), credits South Korea`s top ranking to Samsung. The electronics giant is South Korea`s most valuable company and has received more US patents than any company other than IBM since the start of the millennium.

This innovation trickles down the supply chain throughout South Korea`s economy. It was divided into seven assessment categories namely, research and development (R&D), manufacturing, Hi-tech density showing the number of domestic high-tech companies, tertiary efficiency showing the total enrollment in tertiary education, research personnel and activity showing resident patent filings, total patent grants and patents in force per million population.…

Tanzania`s vast geographical boundaries and mobile phone penetration among its demographics have attributed to a shift of many Tanzanians from traditional cash transactions to emerging mobile payment solutions.

Mobile solutions are being used to send money home, facilitate informal business transactions, pay bills, or buy pre-paid electricity. Notably, low-income people, especially in the rural areas, find value in remote digital payment solutions.

According to the second National Financial Inclusion Framework 2018-2022 (NFIF2), mobile payment solutions have contributed to an increasing number of adults in the formal financial systems, from 58 per cent in 2013 to 65 per cent in 2017.

The framework further asserts that the combined efforts between the government and the private sector are a main factor for the upsurge in financial inclusion.

The World Bank also maintains that the inclusion of people in the formal financial system will enable communities, especially businessmen to access financial services with …

Less than a fortnight after a thousand visitors from the Middle East toured Tanzania, the country has just received the first batch of expected 1,000 tourists from the Far East.

Landing at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) on Sunday 13^th May, 2019 evening, more than 350 tourists from China kicked off their itinerary by sampling Northern Zone attractions, including the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti National Park.

They were received at the airport terminal by the Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, who described the entourage as yet another indication that Tanzania is becoming a lucrative destination for visitors and investors from overseas.

The 10,000 visitors from China will be touring Tanzania through the `Tour Africa – New Horizon` program coordinated by Touch Road International Holding Group, which in addition to opening doors for tourists from the Far East, is hatching a new initiative where some visitors are going to identify potential …

China`s economic miracle is a combination of several factors, including globalization, openness and cooperation, a prominent Chinese national stated.

Speaking during a high-level business talk in Dar es Salaam, board member, deputy secretary and member of the party committee at Moutai Group, Wang Yan, said 40 years ago, China was poorer than most African countries at present.

The business talk, which was graced by former Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda held in Dar es Salaam, was part of the `Cultural Moutai, Colourful Guizhou` – China Kweichow Moutai Belt and Road Branding Initiative in Tanzania.`

The business talks also coincided with the launch of Moutai liquor in Tanzania.

`Africa is still developing. China`s development miracle from being the poorest country in the world to today has showcased the profound power globalization, openness and cooperation have over people`s lives……I remember vividly that over 40 years ago, the income of these families was extremely …