Tanzania: Nyerere’s Indelible Impact On Tanzania’s Health Sector

As Tanzania commemorates the 25th anniversary of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s passing, his contributions to the nation’s health sector remain a lasting legacy.

Nyerere, born on April 13, 1922, in Butiama, Mara Region, passed away on October 14, 1999, in a London hospital where he was receiving treatment.

After gaining independence in 1961, Nyerere declared a war against three major challenges: poverty, ignorance, and disease.

His government prioritized universal access to free healthcare, establishing numerous health facilities across the country through the Ujamaa policy, which aimed to ensure that all citizens could receive medical care close to home.

Prior to independence, health services were predominantly available in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved. Recognizing the vital link between health and national development, Nyerere’s government worked to expand access to healthcare services.

Health initiatives became integral to national development plans, with the First Five-Year Development Plan (1964-1969) emphasizing the establishment of regional hospitals and enhancing specialist care.

Subsequent plans focused on preventive measures to combat communicable diseases and improve healthcare access in both urban and rural areas.

The Third Five-Year Development Plan (1976-1981) aligned with the global call for primary healthcare established at the Alma Ata conference in 1978, aiming for health for all by the year 2000.

The groundwork laid by Nyerere’s administration set the stage for ongoing improvements in Tanzania’s health sector.

ALSO READ: Mwalimu Nyerere, a rare visionary leader

Today, six decades post-independence, the country has witnessed significant advancements in primary healthcare, largely due to the stable foundation established by Nyerere, who recognized disease as a primary enemy.

Successive governments have continued this mission, implementing robust health policies in collaboration with religious institutions, private organizations, and community stakeholders.

The number of health facilities has soared from just 1,343 before independence to 11,040 by March 2023, including 430 hospitals and 1,030 health centers.

As of March 2023, Tanzania boasted 95,868 hospital beds, reflecting a growing capacity to meet the healthcare needs of the population.

Government efforts have ensured a steady supply of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies, while specialized services are increasingly accessible through various hospitals across the country.

Tanzanians no longer need to travel abroad for complex medical procedures like kidney transplants and cochlear implants, which are now available at Muhimbili National Hospital.

The Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute has also made strides, performing over 1,190 closed-heart surgeries and 345 open-heart surgeries within three years.

Investments in the Ocean Road Cancer Institute have enhanced cancer care, allowing the facility to treat up to 300 patients daily and ensuring that essential cancer medications are fully stocked.

Meanwhile, the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute has conducted significant numbers of spine and brain surgeries, demonstrating advancements in specialized care.

The government’s initiatives have not only improved local healthcare but also strengthened medical tourism, attracting patients from neighboring countries seeking specialized services.

In conclusion, Nyerere’s vision for a healthier Tanzania continues to thrive, with his legacy shaping the country’s health sector and ensuring that all citizens can access the care they need.

Source: allafrica.com

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Dar reaps big from China-US jostle for minerals in DRC, Southern Africa

China is putting $1 billion in the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara), a major corridor linking Tanzania’s commercial capital and main port of Dar es Salaam and Zambia’s Copperbelt.

Beijing sees Tazara as crucial in facilitating mineral exports from Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the race for critical metals in the production of electric vehicle batteries and fuelling the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies heats up between China, the US and the European Union.

Tanzania and its partners are rehabilitating the 1,860-kilometre railway and China’s leader Xi Jinping says he is ready to push for new progress in improving the East African sea rail combined transport network, “and make Tanzania a demonstration zone for deepening China-Africa high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Addressing the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing last month after holding talks with Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan, President Xi pledged support for the Tazara project, which Tanzanians see as crucial to ensuring they stay relevant in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI is Beijing’s programme to connect allies with infrastructure to support trade. In 2022, Tanzania joined the initiative, and Beijing elevated their relations to strategic status.

“The Tanzanian side highly appreciates the BRI put forward by President Xi and is glad to witness the re-activation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway,” President Samia said when she met with Xi on September 5.

Samia had been to China earlier in November 2022 on a State visit, in which the projects were discussed.

“Tanzania is ready to actively work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation and bring more tangible benefits to the people,” she said.

The Tazara project was part of the discussions that President Samia held with President Xi during her November 2022 and September 2024 visits to China.

During the November 2022 visit, 15 bilateral agreements were signed. These included an upgrade of the Tazara, a $13.49 million debt waiver, and a $56.72 million concessional loan for Zanzibar’s International Airport terminal.

But, as Beijing develops the Tazara, which it sees as “a symbol of China-Africa friendship” and China’s largest-ever African foreign aid project, America is also scrambling to exert its influence on the same region, with Tanzania now caught in between and poised to reap huge benefits as a logistical hub.

Washington is banking on the Lobito Corridor, a 1,300km stretch of railway line from the port of Lobito on the Angolan Atlantic Ocean coast to the town of Luau on the northeastern border of Angola with the DRC and within reach of northwestern Zambia. The railway line extends a farther 400km into the DRC to the mining town of Kolwezi.

And the US last month announced the official joining of Tanzania to the project, in what is seen as a response to China’s plans for the Tazara. It is more practical to use the Indian Ocean coast in the East for the transportation of minerals than the Atlantic to the west.

But still, for the Western interests, led by the US and the European Union, linking the Copperbelt with the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean through Tanzania is also a geopolitical counter move in their race to counter Beijing.

The US has been critical of China’s grand infrastructure projects for what it says is unsustainable levels of debt African countries end up taking on.

Helaina Matza, US acting Special Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), said that Washington is approaching the Lobito Corridor infrastructure differently — implying that the US is not keen on piling up debt on the African countries involved in the project.

“What we’re doing is not trying to expand upon the debt of the countries we’re working in. We’re working directly with not only the host governments but private partners in how to finance these projects. And this is why that’s important,” Matza said during her visit to Tanzania at the end of August.

The African Finance Corporation (AFC), the lead developer of the Zambia-Lobito project, recently signed a concession agreement with the governments of Zambia and Angola to develop and operate the rail on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, during which US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a technical assistance grant of $2 million to the AFC for an environmental and social impact assessment.

“The Lobito Corridor – connecting Angola, Zambia, and the DRC – is one of our biggest projects,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the ceremony. “The ultimate goal is infrastructure connecting the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Today, Tanzania is also joining conversations about the Lobito Corridor for the first time – something we very much welcome.”

The expansion of the Lobito Corridor to include Tanzania is meant to allow the project to run all the way to the Indian Ocean to facilitate transportation of nickel and other minerals.

Mr Blinken said that so far, the US and its partners have committed over $4 billion to Lobito Corridor projects.

USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong said the project would facilitate economic activity, trade and critical minerals development between the Port of Lobito in Angola and Zambia’s Copperbelt.

“This project will help reshape the economic landscape of Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it will foster trade while uplifting the people whose livelihoods will be tied to economic activity along the corridor,” Dr Ebong said.

“Support for the rail line will contribute to the development of the Lobito Corridor, a US government priority under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) that seeks to provide a private sector-driven, sustainable and transparent option for emerging markets seeking infrastructure investment to accelerate inclusive economic development.”

Samaila Zubairu, President and chief executive of AFC, said that once completed, the Zambia Lobito Rail Corridor will establish a transcontinental trade corridor that will facilitate trade and investment across Africa and in various sectors, including mining, agriculture, energy and tourism. Other partners are the European Union and the African Development Bank.

The US says it does not intend to use the Lobito Corridor to exploit minerals but instead said their model is designed for economic growth in Angola, Zambia, DRC and Tanzania.

“This model really is not designed to be extractive. It’s designed for economic growth, which I know sometimes sounds like a buzz word, but that’s why we’re focused on trade moving in both directions,” Matza said. “It’s not about, for us, extracting ore.

Angolan authorities say the Lobito Corridor should be up and running after they circulated wagons on the railway line between Benguela and the border with DRC, from where they return with minerals.

Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu, Angola’s Transport Minister, said that an average of five trains a week operate on the line.

Whether by China or the US, the countries tapped in these projects see opportunity to expand their own infrastructure. Last week, Luanda signed the concession agreements for the financing, construction, ownership and operation of the rail transformation project, which aims to establish a link between Angola and Zambia.

This project involves the construction of a new railway line, about 800 kilometres long, to connect the Benguela railway in Luacano, Angola, to the existing Zambian railway line in Chingola.

The agreements were signed with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the government of Angola, represented by its transport minister, and the government of Zambia, represented by Mr Frank Tayali, Minister of Transport.

Last month, President João Lourenço asked the Benguela provincial government to pay special attention to the Lobito Corridor project, which he said, “will allow the province to gain a lot of investment.”

Regional logistics link

According to the President, Angolan government hopes to turn the Lobito Corridor into a primary regional logistics line and a gateway to development in sub-Saharan Africa, with an increase in import and export traffic.

“The province is therefore going to gain a lot of investment, not just in the transport and logistics sector, but, by extension, other sectors of the province’s economy will also benefit from this mega project that is the Lobito Corridor,” President Lourenço said.

Yet, one likely winner could emerge from the race. China, for instance, says it plans to carry out 30 major related projects in the next three years to support African connectivity.

Tazara is among them. In Tanzania, a Chinese state-owned firm is expected take over the concession of the railway by end of 2024.

“We are ready to assist in the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area and deepen logistics and financial cooperation for the benefit of trans-regional development in Africa,” President Xi said in September.

Five decades after it was first built, Tazara had fallen into disrepair and is in financial doldrums, with only 10 locomotives in use, instead of its capacity of 50.

The minerals in Zambia and DRC are critical in the production of electric vehicle batteries. China currently dominates the market for the strategic supply chains for the energy transition.

The International Energy Agency has estimated that between 2020 and 2040, demand for nickel and cobalt will increase by twentyfold, for graphite 25 times, and for lithium more than 40 times.

This projected surge in demand for CRMs has driven interest in the Lobito Corridor, and with it an inevitable scramble for access.

The DRC, as the world’s largest producer of cobalt, estimates are consistently around 70 percent of global production, has found itself at the epicentre of this scramble, as has Zambia, and now Tanzania, as the logistics hub.

Additional reporting by Arnaldo Vieira

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Tanzania: BoT – Few Tanzanians Access Banking System

Tanzania: BoT – Few Tanzanians Access Banking System

The government, through the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), aims to increase integrated financial services access to 80 per cent of citizens by 2028.

Currently, Tanzania’s banking sector penetration is low, with less than 40 per cent of the adult population holding an account at a bank or financial institution, indicating significant room for expansion.

During the launch of Access Bank Tanzania, BoT Deputy Governor, Ms Sauda Kassim Msemo reported that financial services have reached only 76 per cent of the population, while banking services cover just 22 per cent.

As of January, only 23.3 per cent of people aged 15 and older had an account at a financial institution, the same as the previous year.

The peak penetration rate for bank accounts was recorded at 46.8 per cent in 2021. As of December, 2020, Tanzania had 53 registered and licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions.

Ms Sauda emphasized that financial services inclusion is crucial for sustainable economic growth.

“The government continues to create a conducive investment environment, while the central bank ensures that loans, especially for agriculture, are accessible to stimulate investment and economic growth,” she stated.

She also highlighted that BoT has reduced the conditions for financial service agents to broaden access.

Also read: CRDB embraces AI to enhance customer care

At the launch event, Deputy Minister of Information, Communications, and Information Technology, Eng. Maryprisca Mahundi, noted that the establishment of Access Bank demonstrates a thriving Tanzanian economy.

She urged the bank to ensure its services reach citizens in remote areas.

Access Bank Tanzania CEO, Mr Imani John, shared that the bank was launched following the acquisition of ABC Bank.

“This marks the beginning of our efforts to provide better services and foster economic growth, while also opening opportunities for businesses and citizens,” he stated. He added that the bank plans to expand services into rural areas.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tough job for team reviewing Tanzania’s tax regime 

One of the biggest tasks facing Tanzania’s recently launched Tax Reforms Commission will be to resolve complaints about weaknesses and malpractices in tax administration that came to a head about four months ago, when domestic and foreign investors confronted the government demanding action.

The nine-member team has only just got down to business after being officially flagged off on October 4, long after President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed it on July 31, and as a result it may find its work more difficult due to recent developments. 

Several key government officials involved in talks with local traders over constant clashes with the taxman, and who the investors through diplomats in Tanzania had asked specifically to be present at the roundtable have since been replaced by newcomers who are still settling in.   

The commission’s mandate covers a review of the country’s entire taxation regime and conducting fresh assessments of disparities in rates imposed by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) on taxpayers at all levels, fines for non-compliance, and matters of transparency in relation to TRA’s collection system. 

The overall aim is to strike a balance between the interests of taxpayers and tax collectors in compliance with existing laws while maintaining the business and investor-friendly environment that the Samia administration has painstakingly strived to rebuild after a period of tight shackling under her predecessor John Magufuli. 

Former State House chief secretary Ombeni Sefue will lead the task force, which also includes former central bank governor Prof Florens Luoga, former chief government auditor Prof Mussa Assad, and former TRA commissioner-general Rished Bade. 

Other members, drawn from the private sector, are Leonard Mususa, Aboubakar Mohamed, Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar, David Tarimo and Maimuna Kibenga.

No deadline has been announced for the team to conclude its assignment and submit a report.

The commission’s formation is the result of rising discontent over questionable taxation practices that bubbled over mid-June, when traders at Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam and other major urban markets went on strike for several days, protesting harassment by TRA compliance inspectors caused by the perceived lack of transparency. 

The go-slow happened at a particularly bad time for the ruling establishment, with elections around the corner, and prompted government to temporarily defuse tensions through a series of persuasive talks with traders’ representatives in the administrative capital Dodoma.

Around the same time, on June 26, ambassadors and high commissioners from 10 countries based in Tanzania wrote to the then Foreign Affairs minister January Makamba requesting a formal meeting with relevant high-level government officials to address similar investor grievances over TRA’s conduct.

The envoys’ letter cited, among other things, “unevidenced” tax notices demanding payments and account reconciliations dating back 15 years, extraordinary tax bills not supported by law, and TRA’s rejection of tax concession agreements with the Tanzania Investment Centre — another state agency — on the grounds that they had not been gazetted.

The envoys who signed the petition were from the United States, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and South Korea. 

They quoted investors’ claims that TRA agents were threatening them directly with actions such as “freezing or seizure of their assets and bank accounts without notification nor timely legal recourse” if they protested or appealed.

Among officials whose attendance they said would be key were the TRA commissioner-general and the minister of industries and trade, posts then held by Alphayo Kidata and Ashatu Kijaji respectively. 

Mr Makamba wrote back immediately, pledging to convene the roundtable to address the concerns raised. But shortly after, he, Mr Kidata and Dr Kijaji were removed from their positions, leading to speculation in some quarters that one of the underlying objectives may have been to officially scuttle the meeting before it was held.       

The new seat officials, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (Foreign minister), Yusuph Mwenda (TRA boss) and Selemani Jafo (Industries and Trade minister), are still not settled in their new roles.

The Sefue commission will also be working against the backdrop of new quarterly record figures announced by TRA last week, which indicate that the agency beat its tax collection target for July to September, with Tsh7.79 trillion ($2.88 billion). 

In TRA’s statement published on October 1, Mr Mwenda said the new numbers had surpassed annual Q1 revenue collection targets for the first time ever and asserted that they were “partly due to improved tax compliance and effective tax administration.”

TRA has been given a total collection target of Tsh29.41 trillion ($11.31 billion) in the 2024/2025 budget as the country aims to cover 67.4 percent of its Tsh49.35 trillion ($18.98 billion) expenditure plan through domestic financing.

Large taxpayers, including multinational investors, account for between 60- 70 percent of total expected collections.

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Tanzania joins IMF-World Bank climate scheme

Tanzania has been named as the second beneficiary, after Madagascar, of a joint initiative launched by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support efforts to address climate change. 

The two Bretton Woods institutions said on October 10 that Tanzania’s inclusion in their Enhanced Cooperation Framework for Climate Action was based on an IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement for the country that was approved in June and the World Bank’s ongoing engagement with Dodoma on climate action programmes.

They said through the framework, the IMF and World Bank would work with other development partners to support Tanzania’s agenda to build its resilience against the risks and challenges posed by climate change to its social and economic growth.

“This will be done through an integrated, country-led approach to policy reforms and public and private climate investments, including through complementary and well-sequenced reform measures.”

Areas of focus will include climate-resilient public financial management; energy, water and other reforms; disaster risk management and social protection; and supervision of financial sector climate-related risks.

“The IMF will back the introduction of climate resilient public investment regulations and reporting, while the World Bank Group will focus on supporting sectors that help strengthen Tanzania’s resilience to climate change, such as energy, water, social protection, and agriculture.” 

The IMF-World Bank Enhanced Cooperation Framework for Climate Action was launched in Washington DC on May 31 this year to help countries scale up action to confront the threat of global climate change.

Madagascar was endorsed as the first beneficiary on June 21.”Within their respective mandates, the World Bank Group and IMF will leverage their analytics, technical assistance, financing, and policy expertise to enhance country-driven climate strategies and reform programs,” they said in May.

The World Bank says it aims to start channelling 45 percent of its annual financing to climate change adaptation and mitigation by 2025. 

The IMF, meanwhile, is deploying its Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) programme, which became operational in October 2022, for the same purpose of helping countries build resilience to climate change.

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Africa: Community Health Plan for Tanzania Needs 0m for Expansion

A five-year plan for Tanzania requires a total of $360m for a phased implementation of the Integrated and Coordinated Community Health Workers program to advance the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. The first year alone will cost $40m.

The cost was released at a workshop held by Africa CDC from 2 to 6 September 2024 in collaboration with donors and implementing partners who supported the Ministries of Health of Tanzania and Zanzibar in Dar es Salaam to develop their country Community Health Acceleration Plan.

The Integrated and Coordinated Community Health Workers (iCCHE) program seeks to scale up Coordinated Community Health Workers programs to increase countrywide coverage of life-saving interventions, contribute to universal health coverage and end preventable maternal and child deaths by 2030, said Dr. James Matthew Guwani, head of Community Health Division at Africa CDC.

The plan covering mainland Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar runs from 2024-2028. It was launched in 2023 by the Tanzania’s Ministry of Health in collaboration with the President’s Office-Regional Administration and local government and partners.

The aim of the iCCHW is to provide a framework for aligning efforts, coordinating activities, mobilizing resources and achieving impactful outcomes in the realm of community health delivery services.

The iCCHE program will prioritise, expand, and professionalise the community health workers workforce by deploying 137,294Community Health Workers in 4,263 Mitaa and 64,384 Hamlets countrywide.

“This iCCHW is a top priority in the government’s transformation plans which will contribute to the country’s vision of a healthy society with improved maternal, newborn, child health, nutrition, sanitation, and a reduction in NCDs (Non communicable diseases), thus contributing effectively to individual and national development,” said Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, Director of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health Tanzania.

Dr Kapologwe indicated that health financing should be broad to include issues such as Universal Health Coverage, which currently stands below the 66% average. To address this, effective integration and coordination of Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential.

Dr. Ntuli encouraged the use of advocacy tools to attract donors and secure additional funding. “Learning from successful models and the progress made in Zanzibar can enhance their resource mobilization efforts,” he said adding a disease-focused approach was not ideal for this programme, rather a system-focused strategy would be useful to avoid fragmentation.

Dr Barnabas Kwame Yeboah, a Community Health Specialist at the Africa CDC called for institutionalising, integration and sustainability of community health programs and emphasized the importance of political commitment and leadership at global, continental, and national levels. “There is need for structured support and sustainable financing to maintain effective community health initiatives,” he said.

Key recommendations were made to sustain and consolidate the overall gains achieved so far through the implementation of the plan. In Tanzaniahigh-level advocacy meetings with government, funding agencies (new and old) should be held to mobilize resources for the implementation of the Community Health Acceleration Plan.

An investment case should be developed as a tool to guide the resource mobilization efforts and advocacy and include resource mapping to gather resources for the Integrated and Coordinated CHW Program. Fast tracking the roll out of community health workers training for the first three clusters, which amounts to 28,000 community health workers from the ten priority regions must be considered. The Integrated Community Health Service Package and Training Curriculum needs to be revised to facilitate training and deployment of community health workers and a process to develop a comprehensive Community Health Strategy in alignment with the existing national roadmap and priorities for of Tanzania.

Zanzibar will need to continue the roll out of the training program for the 3,000 community health workersand hold high-level advocacy engagements to mobilize resources to procure 3,000 community health workers kits before their graduation.The trained 3000 community health workers will need to be deployed upon completion of the training across Zanzibar.

Dr. Salim Slim, Director of Preventive Service and Health Education at the Ministry of Health Zanzibar said Community Health Workers are a key solution to the shortage of healthcare workers in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

CHWs were instrumental in advancing antenatal care. Zanzibar is now measles-free due to the dedicated work of CHWs, he said. The first case of measles in Zanzibar was identified by a CHW, underscoring their important role in detection, prevention and response in disease outbreaks. “We provide each CHW with the tools to reach 100 community members,” Dr Slim said.

He called for a collective commitment to meet health goals and address challenges like Mpox, urging the development of robust systems to tackle these issues.

He said Zanzibar’s President recently launched a 6-month programme for community health worker recruitment, training and deployment. Dr Slimappealed to partners to contribute significantly for Zanzibar to acquire 3,000 CHWs deployment Kits before the first cohort of CHWs graduate in the next 6 months. Seventy-six participants including Africa CDC staff, ministry of health officials and about 12 different implementing and donor partners attended the meeting. The workshop was a follow up to the Africa CDC-UNICEF country consultation in May in Addis Ababa. Africa CDC has committed to the achievement of the decision of Heads of States and Governments to recruit, train, and deploy 2 million Community Health Workers on the continent, by 2030.

Source: allafrica.com

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Africa: Why Tanzania Is a Promising Investment Destination in East Africa

TANZANIA: TANZANIA is increasingly emerging as a top choice for investors worldwide, reflecting the sixth phase government’s achievements in enhancing the business environment. The country stands out as a beacon for investors seeking stability and growth in East Africa, leveraging its strategic geographical position and political stability to promise returns on investment.

The surge in investment is evident in the recently concluded first quarter (Q1) of the 2024/2025 financial year (FY), where Tanzania registered 256 new projects, a significant increase from 137 projects in the same period last FY.

Mr. Gilead Teri, Executive Director of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), briefed journalists in Dar es Salaam, stating that the value of investments in Q1 reached 3.9 billion US dollars (about 11 tri/-), compared to 2.1 billion US dollars (about 5.7 tri/-) during the corresponding period of the 2023/2024 FY.

Mr. Teri highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to welcome both domestic and foreign investors, underscored by a proactive economic diplomacy approach.

“President Dr Samia has prioritized the investment sector as a key driver for economic growth and poverty alleviation,” he said.

The new Investment Act of 2022 has also played a pivotal role by providing various incentives, allowing investors to enjoy import duty exemptions for capital goods such as machinery, while the deemed capital goods benefit from a 75 per cent import duty relief.

Furthermore, the Act lowered the capital threshold for domestic investors to 50,000 US dollars (about 133m/-) from 100,000 US dollars (about 267 m/-).

In addition to favourable legislation, Mr. Teri noted that collaborative efforts involving Tanzania’s embassies, TIC and other public entities have effectively promoted the country’s economic opportunities and tailored incentives for investors.

ALSO READ: Tanzania seeks foreign investors for energy transition projects

The TIC reported a substantial increase in investment during the last FY’s fourth quarter (Q4, April to June), where 198 projects worth 1.6 billion US dollars (about 4.3 tri/-) were registered, creating over 96,000 jobs.

This represented a 53 per cent increase from the previous year’s Q4, which had 129 projects valued at 1 billion US dollars (about 2.7 tri/-), generating 14,631 jobs.

In terms of sector performance in Q4, the manufacturing sector led with an estimated capital of 637 million US dollars (1.7 tri/-), followed by commercial building, human resources, transportation and tourism.

Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) constituted a notable share of overall approved investments, valued at 938 million US dollars (about 2.6 tri/-), while domestic investments made up about 12 per cent, amounting to 681 million US dollars (about 1.9 tri/-).

Mr. Teri emphasised that the consistent upward trends in project registrations, capital inflows and job creation reflect growing business confidence in Tanzania, supported by TIC’s facilitation efforts.

In an interview with the Daily News, economist and investment banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo praised Tanzania’s business-friendly environment and low-risk landscape, noting its exceptional economic potential due to a beneficial tax system and regulatory framework.

“Tanzania’s pivotal location within the East African Community (EAC) enhances its attractiveness to investors,” Dr Shayo remarked, citing the ongoing construction of critical infrastructure, including the electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Business expert Dr Sylvester Jotta on his part attributed the country’s investment success to predictable business policies and laws, as well as reforms in ministerial structures, which have amplified the government’s commitment to boosting investments.

Economic diplomacy expert, Professor Kitojo Wetengere highlighted Tanzania’s strong diplomatic relations within the EAC and SADC, enhancing its position as a gateway to these markets.

He urged the government to continue improving transport infrastructure to accelerate regional trade and investments.

With abundant natural resources, including gas, minerals and fertile land, Tanzania presents a wealth of opportunities for investors.

Mr Akberalis Jozer, Director and Founder of Akberalis Hardware and Electric Limited, noted that good governance under President Dr Samia has reduced bureaucracy, fostering a supportive environment for business operations.

In her end-of-year speech on December 31, 2023, President Samia announced that the TIC registered a total of 504 projects worth 5.6 billion US dollars (about 14 tri/-) in 2023, a 58 per cent increase from 292 projects in 2022, with 55 of those being expansion projects, further testament to investor’s’ confidence in Tanzania’s business climate.

As Tanzania continues to enhance its investment landscape, it stands poised as a promising destination for global investors seeking growth and stability in East Africa.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Govt Vows to Modernise Tanzania Postal Services

Tanzania: Govt Vows to Modernise Tanzania Postal Services

The government has assured that it will continue to strengthen the services provided by Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC), focusing on modernising its operations and transitioning to a more advanced system.

Speaking during his visit at the headquarters of the TPC in Dar es Salaam, the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa said the improvements focus at boosting the postal services.

“The ongoing efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that postal services keep up with technological advancements, enabling them to offer more efficient, reliable and accessible services to the public.”

He added that TPC is a major institution in this country and it has long been at the forefront of connecting people and providing essential services, from communication to financial transactions.”

Mr Silaa said Posta is set to establish the Jamii Exchange, a platform that allows customers to access multiple services in one place. Through Jamii Exchange, citizens can obtain vital services such as National ID (NIDA), birth and death certificates (RITA), driving licenses, passports and other essential documents.

He added that the innovative platform is part of a broader government initiative to streamline service delivery and improve efficiency across public institutions.

“By bringing together various services under one roof, Jamii Exchange aims to simplify procedures that often require citizens to visit multiple offices, thus saving time and resources,” said the Minister.

According to Mr Silaa, the integration of the services marks a significant step in making government services more accessible to the public and that it ensures that no one is left behind in Tanzania’s digital transformation.

“I commend the efforts of the Posta team for their relentless work ethic in driving progress. The implementation of integrated systems is crucial as we strive to make Tanzania a digital nation and we have made remarkable strides in this direction,” he explained.

The Head of International Postal Affairs, Mr Elias Madulesi pointed out that despite misconceptions, postal services have evolved significantly.

“We have taken measures to raise awareness and educate the public about the modern services that Posta offers. Many believe that Posta is a relic of the past, but that’s far from the truth,” he said.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Who Is Freeman Mbowe? Why Tanzania’s Ruling Party Is Targeting the Opposition Leader

Tanzania’s opposition leaders have recently been the target of government crackdowns against political dissent. A planned march in late September 2024 to protest against the abduction and murder of an opposition figure was stopped by the police, and its organisers were detained.

This renewed crackdown on opposition leaders dashes the promise of a more even political field conjured by the initially conciliatory tone taken by President Samia Suluhu.

Among those recently held by the police was Freeman Mbowe, the chairman of the country’s main opposition party, Chadema (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo). Mbowe has been the target of arrest and harassment by current and previous Tanzanian regimes.

Since taking over as chairman of the party in 2004, Mbowe has built a political machinery that threatens the supremacy of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi. The ruling party, which grew out of the independence party Tanzania African National Union, has dominated politics in the east African nation since independence in 1961.

Tanzania amended its constitution in 1992 to allow for a multi-party system. However, it has not been possible for an opposition party to win the presidency. The constitutional changes were largely cosmetic and kept the ruling party in control of decision making in government and parliament. This has constricted the space for opposition.

Between the 1995 and 2015 general elections, however, there were gains in opposition parliamentary seats. In 1995, the first election after the constitutional amendments, 55 seats (23.7%) out of the available 232 went to opposition members of parliament. By 2015, out of 377 seats, 114 seats (30.2%) went to the opposition.

Read more: Tanzania is ruled with impunity – four key issues behind calls for constitutional reform

Over this period, different opposition parties took leading positions. Between 1995 and 2005, for instance, NCCR-Mageuzi and the Civic United Front were the dominant parties.

In 2005, Chadema fielded its first presidential candidate: 44-year-old Mbowe. Since then, Mbowe has spearheaded the party’s growth.

I have researched opposition politics in Tanzania for over a decade. In a recent paper, I traced how adaptive Mbowe has been in a changing environment. In my view, the ongoing clampdown is largely the price Chadema and its leadership are paying for posing a serious threat to the survival of an unpopular ruling party ahead of Tanzania’s presidential elections in 2025.

Mbowe’s chairmanship redefined Chadema’s growth strategy. He focused on party organisational building in terms of party structures, policies, agenda and branding; financing and sustainability; and ground operations and mobilisation.

The fruits of these efforts are evident. In the 2015 elections, Chadema’s presidential vote share increased to 40% from 6% in 2005.

Who is Freeman Mbowe?

Prior to entering party politics in 1992, Mbowe was a businessman. He also worked at the Central Bank of Tanzania.

His father, Aikaeli Mbowe, was a wealthy businessman who supported then president Julius Nyerere in the independence struggle. His father-in-law, Edwin Mtei, is the founder of Chadema and was the first governor of Tanzania’s central bank.

In his book, Mtei narrates how impressed he was with Mbowe’s ability to organise and campaign for the party in the 2005 elections. Scholars such as Dan Paget have published on the pragmatism and organising capabilities of Mbowe, and his role in strengthening Chadema’s organisation and financing capabilities.

As chairman, Mbowe led membership mobilising and party building operations between 2005 and 2010. His campaign in 2005 introduced the opposition party to citizens across the country through the use of helicopters – a first in Tanzania at the time.

The gains of this work were evident in the 2010 election results, where Chadema’s presidential vote share increased to 26%. The party fielded Wilbrod Slaa, a member of parliament, as its flagbearer.

With these results and the countrywide presence of Chadema, the party politics structure of Tanzania became a default two-party system. Chadema continued to establish its political presence and pushed for an anti-corruption agenda. Between 2010 and 2015, the party gained even more strength as a dominant opposition party.

In the 2015 elections, Chadema got 40% of the presidential vote with Edward Lowassa, a former prime minister under president Jakaya Kikwete, as its candidate. However, Mbowe faced criticism for this decision as Chadema had profiled Lowassa as one of the ruling party’s corrupt leaders.

There are a couple of explanations for Chadema’s high vote share in 2015. First, Lowassa had the resources to launch a broad campaign. Second, Chadema had put in a lot of groundwork between 2010 and 2015.

Tanzania’s political landscape

Arguably due to the results of the 2015 elections, Tanzania’s ruling party changed its strategy and the government took a more autocratic approach under President John Pombe Magufuli.

Under this regime, Tundu Lissu, Chadema’s vice chairperson, was shot multiple times. Mbowe was attacked and arrested. His assets and businesses were destroyed.

During the Magufuli administration, Chadema couldn’t organise using the traditional means of rallies. In June 2016, the president banned opposition rallies, ostensibly to prevent incidences of civil disobedience. Further, the government restricted public funding flows to Chadema.

Nevertheless, the party deployed other strategies to reach the masses, such as organising at the household level in an operation known as ChademaNiMsingi (Swahili for “Chadema is in its branches”) and Chadema Digital. These operations were systematically carried out in a restricted political space. The party’s “walking rallies” drew huge crowds.

Where to from here

Being a dominant opposition party with formidable strengths, Chadema is a constant target of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi government. The ruling party sees Mbowe as the force behind Chadema’s success as an organised opposition party. There have been state-sponsored calls against him being a party chairman for 19 years.

In 2021, her first year as president, Suluhu’s government arrested Mbowe and charged him with non-bailable terrorism charges. He stayed in jail for eight months. Surprisingly, after his release, Mbowe agreed to reconciliation talks with the president. This move led to criticism from within and outside Chadema.

Mbowe’s rationale was pragmatic: given the country’s political situation, Tanzania’s problems could only be addressed by engaging with the president.

Read more: Tanzania’s Hassan has made changes: but the ruling party retains a tight grip

Prior to these reconciliation talks, the political situation in the country was at a stalemate following the 2020 elections. They had been described by analysts and observers as the most rigged and violent ones Tanzania had ever had.

The reconciliation talks created the space for Chadema to reorganise and mobilise after Suluhu lifted the ban on rallies. However, with the rejuvenation of Chadema’s presence ahead of the forthcoming elections, Suluhu’s administration has gone into a repressive mode, clamping down against Mbowe and the party.

In this political context, Mbowe and Chadema’s leadership will need to persist in their push for political reform. This will require embracing creative ways to organise, mobilise and fundraise ahead of elections.

Aikande Clement Kwayu, Independent researcher & Lecturer, Tumaini University Makumira

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Uncovering Shadows – Exposing Illicit Financial Flows in Tanzania’s Mining Sector

The mining sector has long been a cornerstone of Tanzania’s economy, significantly contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment.

For example, the 2024/25 national budget states that in the year 2023, the mineral sector contribution to GDP rose to 9.0 percent from 7.3 percent in 2021.

At the same time, the Ministry of Minerals also indicate that by March 2024, the mining sector had created approximately 19,356 jobs in larger scale mining, with 97 percent of these jobs going to Tanzanians. This equates to 18,853 jobs for Tanzanians and 505 jobs for foreigners.

However, beneath the surface of this vital industry lies a troubling reality: the persistent issue of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

Here, literature defines IFFs as cross-border movements of illegally earned, transferred, or utilized financial capital that deprive countries of essential resources, undermining development and the well-being of citizens.

IFFs exist in Tanzania’s mining sector, with a good example being the seized 15.78 kilogrammes of gold that was smuggled at the Dar es Salaam Port, last month, valued at approximately 3.4bn/-.

In Tanzania’s mining sector, the mechanisms behind IFFs are complex and deeply entrenched. One prevalent tactic is mis-invoicing, where investors either underreport the value of exported goods or overstate the cost of imported goods, thereby siphoning off profits and evading taxes.

This practice is particularly common in the mining, oil, and gas industries, where the high value of commodities makes them susceptible to manipulation.

Another common method involves using complex corporate structures, shell companies, and tax havens to obscure the true ownership and origins of wealth.

By exploiting loopholes and regulatory gaps, both domestic and multinational companies operating in the mining sector can shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions, depriving Tanzania of vital revenue.

The Tanzanian government has also identified transfer pricing–where parent companies charge their subsidiaries inflated prices for goods and services–as a significant contributor to IFFs. This practice effectively shifts profits out of Tanzania, reducing the tax base and limiting the government’s ability to fund essential development initiatives.

From a regional perspective, the problem of IFFs is not unique to Tanzania; it is a widespread challenge across the African continent. In neighbouring countries, similar patterns have emerged.

For instance, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the mining sector has faced significant illicit outflows, with estimates suggesting that the country loses billions of dollars annually through various forms of mis-invoicing and tax avoidance.

In Kenya, the extractive industry also suffers from IFFs, with an estimated loss of USD 1.8 billion per year due to trade mis-invoicing alone. These practices hinder economic development and deprive local communities of the rightful benefits of their natural resources.

The consequences of IFFs in Tanzania’s extractive sector are far-reaching, impacting both local communities and the nation as a whole. At the community level, revenue losses deprive host regions of vital resources for infrastructure, healthcare, and education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and underdevelopment.

The impact of IFFs on Tanzania’s economy is illustrated by examining key economic indicators over the past decade. Tanzania’s GDP growth rate has fluctuated significantly, reflecting the volatility introduced by IFFs.

ALSO READ: Local content realised in mining sector

According to World Bank data from 2021, the GDP growth rate peaked at 7.0 percent in 2013 but has since declined, reaching a low of 4.8 percent. This downward trend suggests that IFFs have undermined the country’s economic stability and resilience, constraining its ability to maintain consistent, high-level growth.

Tanzania’s tax revenue as a percentage of GDP has remained relatively stagnant over the past decade, hovering around 12-14 percent.

This low tax-to-GDP ratio is a direct consequence of the erosion of the country’s tax base due to IFFs, as companies and individuals engage in various forms of tax evasion and avoidance. The inability to mobilize sufficient domestic resources has limited the government’s capacity to invest in critical public services and development initiatives.

Dr. John Euseby, an economist at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) Mwanza Campus, supports the literature by stating that tax evasion fuels IFFs. According to his experience, many investors seek profits beyond average expectations, which drives tax avoidance in Tanzania’s mining sector. Consequently, many investors view corporate tax, as well as loyalty and corporate social responsibility requirements, as burdensome.

Furthermore, a lack of geological data exacerbates IFFs. Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) often take months to secure minerals, and when they finally obtain these resources, the levies and taxes they face differ significantly from their investments in time, money, and energy, hence, tax avoidance.

Dr. Euseby notes that: – “Geological data is of utmost importance to indicate mining claims full of minerals. This will help the miners to have what they seek, in the targeted time- frame, and therefore see no reason for tax avoidance.”

Mr. Hassan Kulwa, an ASM and Deputy Information Officer for the Federation of Miners’ Associations of Tanzania (Femata), comments that IFFs in the mining sector are largely driven by the complex revenue collection systems.

This includes multiple taxes, as miners do pay on both raw and processed minerals, on top of levies they give to several government agencies, including the National Environment Management Council, Occupational Health and Safety Authority, and local councils.

Moreover, the government loses considerable revenue by excluding Minerals Associations from efforts to combat IFFs, even though these associations are well aware of traders buying minerals above international market prices.

“The business beyond the market price is a money laundering scheme conducted in haste. We, the associations, are well-positioned to tackle it since we are constantly on-site. Let the government make use of us” he explains.

Mr Francis Mihayo, the Assistant Commissioner for ASMs in the Ministry of Minerals, acknowledges that IFFs, particularly through mineral smuggling and tax evasion, are serious issues.

Historically, smuggling has been exacerbated by a lack of mineral markets near mining, with the government being installed at-least 100 as of now, country-wide, to fight such a challenge.

At the same time, he states that a task force is currently working at mining sites to track production levels and ensure that all consignments reach designated buying centers.

The stakeholders, including the Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, Geography and Economic Department, Prof. Abel Kinyondo, say that despite the government efforts to combat IFFs, the Global Financial Integrity Organization states that Tanzania still loses approximately $3.5 billion, annually, following trade-based money laundering and IFFs.

And in East Africa, the loss is estimated to be $6bn/-, he said during the Journalists’ training on Domestic Resource Mobilization that was organized by the Policy Forum in Dodoma, recently.

In efforts to address the negative impacts of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Tanzania, the stakeholders recommend, among others, the strengthening tax administration and enforcement, that it is imperative to invest in enhancing the capacity and resources of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

This investment would help improve tax collection, auditing, and compliance monitoring. Additionally, robust transfer pricing regulations should be implemented and enforced effectively to prevent multinational corporations from engaging in profit shifting and tax avoidance.

Increasing transparency in the extractive industries by requiring comprehensive public disclosure of payments made by companies to the government is also crucial.

Source: allafrica.com

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