Tanzania: Tourism, Export Sectors Upsurge Boost Earnings

TANZANIA: Tanzania has seen notable uptick of tourism and export sectors in the year ending July, significantly contributing to sustained economic growth.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) latest economic monthly review for July shows that the increase of tourists not only boosts revenue for local businesses but also contributes to the national economy, enhancing foreign exchange earnings.

“The rise in travel receipts arises from the recovery observed in the tourism industry, reflected by the increase of tourist arrivals by 22 per cent to 2,026, 378,” states the central bank report.

ALSO READ: Tanzanians urged to promote local tourism

According to the BoT report, travel receipts increased by 531.8 million US dollars to 3.53 billion US dollars.

Overall, during the period under review, services receipts increased 6.70 billion US dollars from 5.54 billion US dollars in the corresponding period last year with much of it emanating from travel and transport services.

Meanwhile, transport earnings, predominantly from freight charges, increased to 2.60 billion US dollars compared to 2.09 billion US dollars in the corresponding period last year supported by increased trade relations with neighbouring landlocked countries.

Month-on- month, services receipts amounted to 503.1 million US dollars in July, compared to 594.8 million US dollars in the similar period last year.

According to the report, exports of goods and services reached 14.67 billion US dollars up from 13.03 billion US dollars during the same period last year.

“The increase was largely driven by higher service receipts, particularly from tourism and increased exports of gold, traditional goods such as tobacco, cashew nuts, and horticultural products,” BoT said.

Traditional exports reached 1.07 billion US dollars compared to 782.5 million US dollars in the previous year, with notable growth in tobacco and cashew nuts.

According to the report, non-traditional exports amounted to 6.45 billion US dollars up from 6.29 billion US dollars last year.

The rise was largely driven by gold exports, totalling 3.14 billion US dollars representing 48.8 per cent of total non-traditional exports.

Additionally, horticultural exports nearly doubled to 437 million US dollars compared to 296.5 million US dollars in the previous year, driven by increased shipments of vegetables.

On a monthly basis, exports of goods increased to 858.3 million US dollars in July compared to 760.7 million US dollars in July last year.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading

Tanzania: Digital Payment System Reduces Fraud

Tanzania: Digital Payment System Reduces Fraud

ZANZIBAR — THE Zanzibar government has reported that the implementation of e-payments in its financial systems has significantly reduced fraud.

Minister for Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, Dr Khalid Salum Mohammed informed the House of Representatives that the adoption of technology in various financial systems has helped identify and close many loopholes that previously resulted in financial losses within public institutions.

Dr Mohammed was speaking on behalf of Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, the Minister of State in the Office of the President (Finance and Planning), who was absent during the session.

His remarks were in response to a question from Mr Bakar Hamad Bakar, the representative for Wawi constituency, who inquired about the benefits of digitalisation in the financial system.

“The transition to digital payments has improved financial discipline and minimised fraudulent activities by dishonest public servants,” Dr Mohammed stated.

He also emphasised the ongoing push for cashless transactions and urged customers to utilise e-payment options instead of cash.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading

Tanzania: Plan International Encourage Girls to Speak Out

DAR ES SALAAM: PLAN International Tanzania has encouraged girls nationwide to step forward and articulate the challenges they face in pursuing their goals, including leadership roles.

The organisation’s Director, Ms Jane Sembuche, made the call during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam about the upcoming International Day of the Girl Child celebrations.

Ms Sembuche announced the launch of two campaigns, “Girls Take Over” and “Hear Our Voices,” aimed at empowering girls to express their concerns to relevant authorities.

The celebrations are expected to attract hundreds of girls from over 60 countries where the organisation operates, advocating for these campaigns.

The International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding girls’ rights and promoting their empowerment globally.

Ms Sembuche urged the government to address challenges hindering girls from achieving their aspirations, including the revision of the Marriage Act of 1971 to eliminate the influence of early marriages.

ALSO READ: THN urged to enhance girls’ participation in economy

She also called for enhanced protection for girls, particularly against sexual violence, and increased investment in their well-being.

Alumna of the “Girls Take Over” campaign, Ms Jacqueline Mtamya, highlighted the programme’s impact on her leadership skills and ambassadorial positions.

Meanwhile, Ms Zafaran Ramadhan, a graduate from the University of Dar es Salaam, stressed the importance of encouraging girls to pursue science subjects to navigate the evolving landscape of science and technology.

She noted that more girls in these fields would enhance efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Ms Mariam Surve, a student at the Lugalo Military Medical School of Science and Medicine and a mental health advocate, emphasised the opportunities offered by Plan International’s campaigns, particularly “Girls Take Over,” as a significant platform for building confidence and showcasing leadership abilities.

“I believe that through the ‘Girls Take Over’ campaign, I will become open-minded and gain exposure to fulfill my dreams.

Through our ‘Hear Our Voices’ campaign, I urge governmental and non-governmental organisations to support us. We, as girls, possess the power, strength, determination, and dreams. What we lack is hope and the support to create a conducive environment to achieve our dreams,” stated Ms Surve.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading

Zungu: Jamii ijitenge na taarifa zisizo sahihi

Dar es Salaam. Jamii imeaswa kutofungama na makundi ya watu yenye lengo la kubomoa umoja uliojengeka baina yao kwa kusambaza taarifa zisizo sahihi na kuibua chuki na taharuki.

Wito huo umetolewa leo Septemba 28, 2024 jijini Dar es Salaam na Naibu Spika wa Bunge, Mussa Zungu katika siku ya pili ya mkutano wa 53 wa Jumuiya ya Waislamu wa Ahmadiyya Tanzania.

Zungu amesema kila mtu katika jamii anapaswa kujiona ana wajibu wa kulinda amani na kuisaidia Serikali katika kuhakikisha wanaofanya vitendo vya uvunjifu wa amani wanachukuliwa hatua za kisheria.

Ametoa wito kwa viongozi wa dini kuiombea nchi na kuendelea kuhubiri masuala ya amani na upendo kwa waumini.

Vilevile ameipongeza jumuiya hiyo kwa kuendelea kutoa elimu kwa jamii juu ya athari ya kuchanganya masuala ya dini na siasa.

“Kuchanganywa kwa masuala ya dini na siasa kunaweza kuleta mkanganyiko na kuzalisha mianya ya ama wanasiasa kuitumia dini vibaya au watu wa dini kutumia siasa vibaya kwa ajili ya masilahi yao binafsi,” amesema.

Katika mkutano huo, Zungu pia amezungumzia mmomonyoko wa maadili hasa kwa vijana, akitaja utandawazi na matumizi yasiyo sahihi ya mitandao kama baadhi ya visababishi.

Amesema ili kuondokana na changamoto hiyo ni muhimu wazazi kuhakikisha wanahimiza na kusimamia watoto kupata elimu ya darasani pamoja na ya dini.

Vilevile amewataka viongozi wa dini kuhakikisha jamii inapata mafunzo sahihi ya dini ili kuwajenga kuwa na hofu ya Mungu.

“Elimu sahihi ya kimaadili mnayowapa watoto wenu ndiyo inayojenga jamii imara yenye kujenga waumini wenye maadili. Mtu hawezi kuwa mpenzi wa Mungu kisha akaacha kufanya wema kwa viumbe wengine hasa wanadamu,” amesema.

Kwa upande wake, Mkurugenzi wa Elimu Msingi, Abdi Maulid amesema mtoto akipata elimu ya darasani na ya dini itasaidia kuzalisha wanataaluma katika fani mbalimbali wenye maadili.

Amir wa jumuiya hiyo, Khawaja Ahmad amesema madhehebu hayo yamekuwa yakifanya mkutano kila mwaka kwa lengo la kuwakutanisha waumini na kuwakumbusha wajibu wao kama binadamu hapa duniani ikiwemo kumcha Mungu.

Amesema mkutano huu unalenga kuongeza hofu ya Mwenyezi Mungu, kuhimiza kuepukana na maovu, kuchochea moyo wa huruma na upendo na kuwakumbusha waumini kuendeleza tamaduni ya kuisaidia jamii katika nyanja mbalimbali, ikiwemo utoaji wa huduma za afya, elimu na misaada ya kibinadamu kwa wenye uhitaji bila ya kujali itakadi ya imani zao.

“Vilevile kuwaelimisha na kuwahimiza vijana kuwa na mienendo bora ya kimaisha na kuwa raia wawajibikaji kwa nchi yao, na kuwa viongozi waadilifu katika jamii kwa mustakabali wa jamii na Taifa bora,” amesema.Continue Reading

Tanzania: TZ Registers Notable Progress in Road Network Expansion

DAR ES SALAAM — MASSIVE road infrastructure projects are being implemented across Tanzania, positioning the country among the sub-Saharan African nations with the largest road networks.

Over the years, the government has taken deliberate measures and committed resources to expand the road network, leveraging Tanzania’s strategic advantage as a bridge economy linking the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets.

During a press conference held yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Acting Managing Director of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Mr Ephatar Mlavi noted that the sixth phase government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan continues to prioritise road, bridge, and airport construction to ease transportation and enhance connectivity with other countries.

This is in line with the Third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) 2021/22 – 2025/26, which aims at unlocking the country’s infrastructural potential.

Key objectives include completing 2,500 kilometres of paved roads, decongesting major cities and constructing an additional 6,006 kilometres of new paved roads.

The plan also emphasises building 14 new bridges and completing seven others, along with airport development and maintenance.

This ambitious infrastructure initiative also aligns with the ruling party CCM Election Manifesto for 2020- 2025, which calls for strengthening strategic infrastructure to create an enabling environment for citizens to carry out their activities efficiently and effectively.

ALSO READ: Serious investor? Tanzania is your destination

Detailing, Mr Mlavi said that TANROADS supervises road network stretching over 37,000 kilometres, which includes more than 12,300 kilometres of trunk roads and 24,889 kilometres of regional roads.

He said that during Dr Samia’s three-year presidency, TANROADS has completed 38 projects across 17 regions.

This impressive performance is attributed to the government’s consistent allocation of funds, averaging 1.5tri/- per year for the Ministry of Works, which supports TANROADS’ projects.

For the past three years, approximately 1,198 kilometres of roads have been constructed at tarmac level, while another 2,031 kilometres are under construction to bitumen standard.

Additionally, Mr Mlavi, who also serves as the TANROADS Director of Infrastructure and Planning, mentioned that over 2,052 kilometres of roads and two bridges are currently undergoing feasibility studies, with plans for construction at tarmac level.

He also said that the government has constructed nine major bridges, including the Tanzanite and Wami bridges in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions, respectively.

Currently, major projects underway include five significant bridges: Kigongo-Busisi, Pangani, Lower Mpiji, Mbambe and Simiyu.

“The government is committed to completing all remaining projects and upcoming initiatives,” Mr Mlavi stated.

He also noted that TANROADS has received funding to install streetlights across the country.

Currently, streetlights have been installed in several regions, including Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Rukwa, Ruvuma and Shinyanga.

Furthermore, TANROADS has constructed seven airports, including Terminal Three at Julius Nyerere International Airport and facilities in Mwanza, Geita, Mtwara, Ruvuma, along with runway and airfield ground lighting installations at Songwe Airport.

There are eight ongoing airport projects, including Msalato, Iringa, Musoma, Tabora, Shinyanga, Sumbawanga, Kigoma and Moshi airports, aimed at strengthening the country’s aviation sector, highlighted by the revitalisation of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), the state airline.

Overall, he said the construction of transport infrastructure has been providing immense job opportunities to local contractors who have been engaged in undertaking all the renovation projects across the country.

He said an average of 1,067 projects were awarded to local contractors per year pertaining to renovation of roads, bridges and airports in which, a total of 411bn/- was spent for implementation of the projects.

However, he said local contractors still face lack of capital and modern equipment to run major projects.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading