Sheria mpya ya madini itakavyodhibiti utoroshaji madini, vito

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Dar es Salaam. Baada ya mabadiliko ya sheria ya madini yaliyofanyika mwaka 2017, Serikali ya Tanzania imedhamiria kufanya mabadiliko mengine ili kuimarisha udhibiti wa matendo maovu katika sekta hiyo, ukiwemo utoroshaji madini.

Dhamira ya mabadiliko hayo ni kuhakikisha vitendo vya utoroshaji madini na vito vilivyokithiri katika migodi mbalimbali nchini vinadhibitiwa.

Akizungumzia hayo hivi karibuni, Naibu Katibu Mkuu, Wizara ya Madini, Msafiri Mbibo amesema pamoja na mambo mengine, sheria hiyo inatarajiwa kumpa waziri mamlaka ya kuamua gharama za kodi na kwa kuanzia itakuwa asilimia 20 kwa kila anayezalisha madini.

“Kufanya hivi kutasaidia kutatua changamoto zilizopo kwenye masuala ya uchimbaji madini ambapo kuna kipengele kinawataka wachimbaji na wafanyabiashara kufuata taratibu za kisheria, lakini hawafanyi hivyo kwa madai ya utitiri wa kodi,” amesema.

Amesema Tanzania haipo tayari kuruhusu madini yake yatakatishwe katika mataifa mengine, akidokeza kufanya hivyo kunaiondolea nchi sifa yake.

“Kutokana na uaminifu ambao Tanzania imejiwekea, ni ngumu kutumia njia zisizofaa. Hivyo kutumia njia wanazotumia wengine ni kujiondolea sifa ya uaminifu ambayo tumejiwekea kimataifa,” amesema.

Mratibu Mkuu wa Miradi SwissAid, Alice Swai, amesema usafirishaji wa dhahabu usio na mfumo rasmi ndiyo chanzo cha kukosekana kwa taarifa za wachimbaji wadogo.

Kwa mujibu wa Swai, taarifa hizo hazijahusishwa katika ulinganisho wa taarifa za Taasisi ya Uhamasishaji Uwazi na Uwajibikaji katika Rasilimali za Madini, Mafuta na Gesi Asilia (TEITI), hivyo kuondolewa kwenye taarifa za kila mwaka za fedha.

“Kukosekana kwa taarifa za wachimbaji wadogo kumepelekea kuwepo na mianya ya kuruhusu usafirishaji wa dhahabu kwa mfumo usio rasmi,” amesema Alice.

Amesema kuna haja ya makubaliano ya nchi zinazopokea na kufanya biashara za madini kama uchakataji ili kuwa na mfumo wa pamoja kwa ajili ya kufuatilia taarifa za ugani katika mnyonyoro wa biashara ya kuuza na kununua madini.

“Kuna haja ya kupunguza mlolongo na kurahisisha mfumo wa kusafirisha madini nje ya nchi na kupunguza matamko, ili kukabiliana na usafirishwaji wa vipande vidogo vidogo kwa mtu binafsi kwa njia ya mabegi na ndege,” amesema.

Kwa mujibu wa Swai, Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT) inapaswa itoe bei ya ushindani ili kuhamasisha wafanyabiashara licha ya kuwepo kwa muswada wa sheria ya fedha ya mwaka 2024, unaopunguza mrahaba kutoka asilimia sita hadi asilimia mbili na msamaha wa kibali cha kodi kwa asilimia moja.Continue Reading

Tanzania proposes law changes to encourage diaspora investment

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By APOLINARI TAIRO

Targeting more foreign investments, the Tanzania government has proposed amendment of its laws to grant special status to Tanzanians in diaspora, to set up business in key priority economic sectors.

Relaxing its prohibitive laws and legislations, the government has tabled to Parliament for debate, Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2024, which seeks to grant special status to Tanzanians living in other countries to set up business back home.

The proposed amendments to immigration laws are set to grant inheritance rights and investment incentives to Tanzanians living in other countries through the Diaspora Tanzanite card.

Land and property ownership in Tanzania have been limited to Tanzanian citizens only. The Miscellaneous Amendments Act, 2024 which was published on June 26, proposes changes to the Immigration Act, Cap 54 and Land Act, cap 113 to allow Tanzanians living in other countries to access land occupancy titles.

Read: Samia perfects Ruto’s game to attract trade, investment

Tanzania is among African countries with restrictive immigration laws and regulations imposed to foreigners and locals with dual citizenship on land ownership rights.

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President Samia Suluhu Hassan had earlier promised to review the Immigration Act. While addressing Tanzanians in South Korea during her six-day official visit in Seoul in June, she said her government would ensure that Tanzanians living in other countries would be given special status, including the ability to take up residence in Tanzania without passing through a complicated visa process.

She pledged a legal environment that would enable Tanzanians in the diaspora to remit money through their families back home for investments, expertise and technology needed mostly for agricultural production, manufacturing and services.

Tanzanians in the diaspora have invested about Tsh280 billion ($106 million) through housing, while others bought shares worth Tsh6.45 billion ($ 2.4 million) in the UTT Asset Management and Investors Services (UTT AMIS) by 2023, Samia told the Tanzanians in Seoul.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has been encouraging East African Community (EAC) citizens to establish joint businesses in Tanzania through harmonised regulations in the EAC region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the East African Co-operation established a diaspora database aiming to recognise and assist Tanzanians in diaspora to register for business and investments, banking on ample and available land suitable for investments.

Despite its rich agricultural land, Tanzania had lacked vibrant investments in agriculture with little returns from cash crops and poor agro-industrial base.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows that Tanzania possesses a total of 44 million hectares of land for cultivation, but only 15 million hectares are under cultivation for both cash and food crops.

Investment in livestock has been rated among lucrative business, banking on the big number of livestock and pastureland available in Tanzania.

Statistics from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries indicate that Tanzania has a stock of about 38 million heads of cattle, about 28 million goats, nine million (9 million) sheep and four (4) million pigs.

It is second in Africa with big numbers of livestock after Ethiopia, but poorly developed for higher revenue gains. Traditional livestock breeding and lack of ranching investments have slowed down livestock revenue gains.

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Matobo kisheria yanavyochochea migogoro ya ardhi-3

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In: Swahili News

Jana tuliona jinsi migogoro ya ardhi inavyoendelea kuongezeka nchini na tafiti zikitaja mipaka isiyoeleweka, ongezeko la watu na rushwa kama chanzo, huku Serikali ikieleza inayoyafanya. Leo tunaangazia athari za matobo yaliyomo kwenye sheria. Endelea…

Wakati migogoro ya ardhi iliyopokewa wizarani ikiongezeka mara sita zaidi mwaka 2023/2024 ikilinganishwa na mwaka 2021/2022, wataalamu wa sheria wanasema miongoni mwa sababu ni mkanganyiko na mianya iliyopo katika sheria zinazohusu ardhi.

Sheria zinazohusu ardhi nchini ni pamoja na; Sheria ya Ardhi ya Vijiji Namba Tano, Sura ya 114 iliyofanyiwa maboresho mwaka 2019, Sheria ya Ardhi Sura ya 113 ya mwaka 2002, Sheria ya Utwaaji Ardhi Sura ya 118, Sheria ya Usajili wa Ardhi Sura ya 334, na ile ya Mipango Miji Sheria namba 8 ya mwaka 2007.

Miongoni mwa ombwe lililoibuliwa ni sheria za ardhi nchini kujikita zaidi katika ardhi iliyosajiliwa kisheria na mara nyingi hazitoi mwongozo kamili kuhusu jinsi ya kuuza ardhi ambayo haijasajiliwa.

Moja ya sheria inayotajwa kuleta mkanganyiko na mwanya wa migogoro, kwa mujibu wa mwanasheria na mtafiti wa masuala ya kisheria, Luccian Lucelo ni Sheria ya Ardhi ya Vijiji Namba Tano, Sura ya 114 iliyofanyiwa maboresho mwaka 2019 ambayo inatoa mamlaka ya usimamizi wa ardhi kwa Serikali ya kijiji na haki ya umiliki (Customary right of occupancy) kupitia kifungu 20(1) cha sheria hiyo.

“Hii imekuwa miongoni mwa sheria ambazo zimekuwa na mianya, hasa kwenye utaratibu wa kuuza ardhi ambayo haijasajiliwa, tofauti na iliyosajiliwa kupitia Sheria ya Ardhi namba 4 Sura ya 113,” anasema Lucelo.

Mbali na hilo, Lucelo anatoa mfano wa kesi ya Kilango Semu Mjema vs Abdallah Mohamed Mnalindi (Land Appeal No. 8 of 2023) ukurasa wa 11 kuwa ilionyesha mwanya katika sheria hiyo.

“Sheria ya Ardhi Sura ya 114 haijatoa utaratibu wa uuzaji wa haki ya kutumia ardhi ya kijiji, badala yake wanatumia kifungu namba 10 cha Sheria za Mikataba, Sura ya 345.

“Pia Sheria ya Ardhi ya Kijiji Sura ya 114 haitoi moja kwa moja utaratibu wa uuzaji wa ardhi ambayo haijasajiliwa kupitia Sheria namba 5 ya Ardhi, badala yake sheria ipo kimya juu ya utaratibu sahihi wa uuzaji wa ardhi ambayo haijasajiliwa,” anasema Lucelo.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Taasisi ya Hakiardhi, Cathbert Tomitho anasema mkanganyiko mwingine katika sheria zinazosimamia ardhi ni kutoa mamlaka ya umiliki wa ardhi kwa Kamishna wa Ardhi na Serikali ya kijiji.

“Miongoni mwa mapungufu yaliyopo ni katika sheria ya ardhi ambayo inatoa mamlaka ya umiliki wa ardhi kwa Kamishna wa Ardhi kupitia kwa ofisa ardhi na Serikali ya mtaa, kwa hiyo unakuta kunakuwa na mkanganyiko.

“Mara kadhaa inatokea ardhi inauzwa na Serikali ya kijiji, lakini ukifika kwa ofisa ardhi kwa ajili ya taratibu nyingine, ikiwemo ya urasimishaji, kunakuwa na mkwamo kwa sababu sheria zimewapa nguvu wote,” anasema Tomitho ambaye pia ni mtafiti wa masuala ya ardhi.

Hoja ya Tomitho inarandana na Mwanasheria Kamanda Fundikira anayeyanyooshea kidole mabaraza ya ardhi ngazi ya kijiji na kata kufanya shughuli kinyume cha sheria kutokana na Sheria ya Ardhi ya Vijiji kuwapa mamlaka wanayoshindwa kuyatafsiri.

“Kumekuwa na changamoto sana katika sheria iliyoleta baraza la kata kwenye kutatua migogoro ya ardhi, kwani yamekuwa yakifanya uamuzi badala ya kupatanisha kama sheria inavyowataka,” anasema Fundikira.

Anasema kikwazo kingine ni sheria hiyo kuwapa nguvu katika masuala ya ardhi viongozi wa vijiji, lakini kutokana na kutokuzijua vyema wanavunja utaratibu hasa wa usawa wa kijinsia. Sheria inaelekeza kunatakiwa kuwe na usawa kati ya wanawake na wanaume.

Hoja ya wenyeviti wa vijiji wanaounda baraza la ardhi la kata kutofahamu sheria za ardhi na kusababisha baadhi ya migogoro ya rasilimali hiyo, pia imezungumzwa na Mkuu wa Idara ya Ardhi na Mipango Miji, Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mkuranga, Said Salehe anayesema wao wanajitahidi kutoa elimu.

“Katika eneo hili (wenyeviti wa vijiji) changamoto kweli ipo, na sisi (Mkuranga) tunajitahidi kufanya nao semina za mara kwa mara na kuwapitisha katika sheria, ili wayajue majukumu yao kwa usahihi,” anasema Salehe.

Miongoni mwa mapendekezo yanayotolewa kuziba mianya ya sheria hizi ni kufanyiwa marekebisho au kutungwa nyingine.

“Wadau tunaendelea kupigia kelele kurekebishwa sheria zote zenye mianya au kutunga sheria mpya zitakazoziba mianya iliyopo, ili tudhibiti ardhi isiuzwe kama nyanya sokoni. Hii ni rasilimali muhimu,” anasema Tomitho.

Kuhusu maboresho ya sheria, Naibu Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Katiba na Sheria, Dk Khatibu Kazungu alipotafutwa na Mwananchi kujua kama kuna marekebisho yoyote yaliyoletwa wizarani katika eneo hilo, aliomba watafutwe Wizara ya Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi kwa maelezo zaidi.

“Samahani ni vyema ukiwatafuta Wizara ya Ardhi wanaweza kuwa na majibu mazuri zaidi, kwa sababu Tanzania ina sheria zaidi ya 400, hivyo wao wenyewe watakuwa wanajua kama kuna utaratibu unaoendelea,” anasema Kazungu.

Alipotafutwa, Naibu Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Geophrey Pinda anasema mwingiliano wa baadhi ya majukumu katika sheria za ardhi si ombwe, bali ni miongoni mwa changamoto za kisheria na zitafanyiwa kazi.

“Hilo siyo ombwe, unajua sheria ni kama binadamu, unaanza kuwa mdogo na unakua na kuna mahitaji yanaongezeka. Sheria inafika mahali inazeeka na ikifika kipindi hicho hufanyiwa marekebisho au ikibidi kubadilishwa kabisa, vivyo hivyo inafanyika katika sheria za ardhi,” anasema Pinda.

Anasema kuna michakato mbalimbali (hakutaka kuiweka wazi) inaendelea kwa ajili ya kuziboresha sheria zinazosimamia ardhi nchini.

Hata hivyo, wakati wadau wengine wakilalamikia sheria hiyo kutoa mianya, Mhadhiri wa Sheria aliyebobea katika ardhi Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dk Laurean Mussa anasema hauoni mkanganyiko wa kisheria katika migogoro ya ardhi.

Pia, anasema miongoni mwa suala linalopigiwa kelele la kuwahusisha viongozi wa Serikali za vijiji na mitaa katika ununuzi wa ardhi ni jema, kwani wao wanayafahamu zaidi maeneo yao.

“Sidhani kama kuna migogoro ya ardhi inayosababishwa na sheria, kwa sababu Serikali ya kijiji/mtaa kupitia kamati zao kazi yao ni kumshauri Kamishna wa Ardhi ambaye katika ngazi ya wilaya, ofisa ardhi ndiye anakasimiwa madaraka.

“Mwenyekiti wa kijiji kuhusika katika utambuzi na uuzaji wa ardhi ni suala jema kwa sababu yeye ndiye anayetambua eneo husika kwa ukubwa,” anasema.

Msimamo wa Waziri

Sakata la wenyeviti wa vijiji na mitaa si mara ya kwanza kuibuka, Desemba 22, 2023 katika kikao na Jukwaa la Wahariri Tanzania (TEF), Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Jerry Silaa alisema kazi ya uuzaji wa ardhi itafanywa na maofisa ardhi wa wilaya.

Pia, Waziri Silaa alitaka wananchi wasikubali kutoa asilimia 10 kuwapa viongozi hao (wa mitaa/vijiji) wanapofanya mauziano ya ardhi.

“Ili kuwa kwenye mipango miji wananchi epukeni kununua ardhi kwa wenyeviti wa vijiji na ikitokea unataka kununua, basi hakikisha unaitishwa mkutano wa kijiji na taratibu zote zinafuatwa, watakueleza masharti yao ikiwezekana chukua video ya huo mkutano siku mambo yakiharibika tuthibitishe,” alisema Silaa.

Nini kifanyike

Ili kupunguza mianya hiyo, Lucelo anapendekeza kufanyiwa marekebisho kwa sheria hizo na kutoa elimu ya kisheria miongoni mwa wananchi wanaouza na kununua ardhi.

“Sehemu yoyote yenye mwanya kisheria inatakiwa ifanyiwe kazi na kurekebishwa, pia elimu ya kisheria itolewe kuhusu haki na majukumu ya pande zinazoshiriki katika mauziano ya ardhi unaweza kusababisha kukosekana kwa makubaliano ya pamoja au uelewa sahihi, hivyo kuchochea migogoro kutokana na utaratibu kutoelezewa vizuri na sheria husika,” anasema.

“Upatikanaji wa njia za kisheria za kutatua migogoro ya ardhi uwe mkubwa, ili kuwe na mchakato mfupi katika kutatua migogoro,” anasema Lucelo.

Tomitho anatoa rai kwa wananchi kununua ardhi kwa kufuata sheria na si kiholela, ili kuepuka migogoro ya kisheria na mingine.

“Kila siku tunatoa elimu kwa wananchi, wasinunue ardhi kama nyanya au bidhaa nyingine, sheria zifuatwe ili kuepuka migogoro,” anasema Tomitho.

Itaendelea kesho, tutazungumzia talaka zinavyoathiri wanawake katika umiliki wa ardhi mkoani Pwani.

Kama una maoni kuhusu habari hii, tuandikie ujumbe kupitia WhatsApp: 0765864917Continue Reading

Tanzania: World Bank Group Launches New Framework for Inclusive, Private Sector-Led, and Resilient Growth in Tanzania

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Washington — The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has endorsed the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Tanzania to support the country in consolidating its status as a middle-income country, achieving a high level of human development, and contributing to the World Bank Group’s (WBG) mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet.

The new strategy maximizes the impact of the One-WBG approach, coordinating and leveraging the strengths of the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in the country over the period FY2025 to FY2029.

The new CPF prioritizes several key areas. First, it aims to support the country’s human development agenda. This includes providing transformative support in education, healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and shock-responsive social protection programs, building upon the strong momentum already established by the Tanzanian government.

Secondly, the CPF will bolster the government’s goal of fostering a better environment for private sector-led growth. This will involve deepening support for reforms that strengthen the business climate, investing in infrastructure and connectivity to facilitate economic activity, and modernizing Tanzania’s productive sectors. Additionally, the CPF aims to leverage the country’s strategic geographic location to promote inclusive growth both domestically and throughout the sub-region.

Finally, the CPF will support Tanzania’s crucial and multi-prong resilience agenda, focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, alongside efforts to strengthen the country’s economic resilience. Progress toward these objectives is underpinned by two cross-cutting priorities: increased empowerment of women and youth and improved government effectiveness with more efficient, transparent, and accountable institutions.

“We have seen tremendous progress with recent policy changes, such as increasing access to education for all girls coupled with broader reforms such as vocational training,” said Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director. “Girls and boys now have multiple pathways to complete their secondary education and the Fee-free Basic Education Policy has had an incredible impact, opening doors for 4.5 million new students. With such renewed commitment to human development and inclusion by the government, the outlook for inclusive growth and poverty reduction is favorable.”

The CPF is informed by extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders as well as a country opinion survey and is aligned with the priorities identified in Tanzania’s Third Five-Year Development Plan and Zanzibar’s Five-Year Development Plan. The CPF’s focus on private sector-led growth is consistent with IFC’s Creating Markets Strategy which aims to support conditions for private enterprises to efficiently contribute to inclusive development.

“Private sector participation is critical to any economy’s growth and development. To address Tanzania’s development goals, including poverty reduction and job creation, the country has an opportunity to further leverage private sector-driven economic growth. IFC will continue to work closely with our public and private sector partners, as well as with our colleagues across the World Bank Group, to unlock the conditions needed to further support inclusive finance, agribusiness, manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure through investments, advisory and upstream support,” said Mary Porter Peschka, IFC’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

“In recent years, MIGA has seen a significant increase in investor interest in Tanzania, thanks to reforms undertaken by the government,” said Șebnem Erol Madan, Director of Economics and Sustainability at MIGA. “As part of the new CPF, MIGA will continue to support financial inclusion and climate finance initiatives and will leverage the new World Bank Group guarantee platform to support the country in attracting and mobilizing private capital in other sectors, including renewable power and digital.”

The CPF builds on a well-performing WBG portfolio in the country. Through the CPF 2018-2022, the World Bank provided over $9 billion dollars of financing that delivered important improvements for Tanzanians, such as:

  • Increased access to safe water for nearly 4.7 million people which helped reduce the disease burden and improved school attendance and completion rates, particularly for girls.
  • Improved secondary education benefiting 2.7 million students, especially girls, by providing better-equipped secondary schools. Additionally, technical and vocational education enrollment tripled and 64% of female graduates found employment.
  • Expanded access to electricity for 7.9 million people in rural areas, which enhanced their livelihoods, health, and learning opportunities.

IFC’s investment portfolio in Tanzania stands at over $400 million with investments focused in key sectors including financial institutions, agribusiness, and real estate. The IFC advisory portfolio reached $11 million in 2024. Over the last few months, MIGA has issued its first political risk guarantees in a decade in Tanzania, with guarantees in the mobile money and banking sectors. As a result, MIGA now has a portfolio of $151 million in the country and a strong pipeline in the renewable energy and digital sectors.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Fake Star Newspaper Front Page Claims Tanzania Will Legalise Same-Sex Marriage

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Tanzania: Fake Star Newspaper Front Page Claims Tanzania Will Legalise Same-Sex Marriage

Fake Star newspaper front page claims Tanzania will legalise same-sex marriage

IN SHORT: Fake newspaper front pages are nothing new on Kenyan social media platforms. One example, apparently from the Star newspaper, claims that Tanzania is about to legalise gay marriage.

An image of what appears to be the front page of Kenya’s Star newspaper has been posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the headline: “Tanzania to legalize gay marriage.”

The front page is dated 5 June 2024 and features a photo of Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu.

The subheading on the front page reads: “Majority of MPs in the Tanzanian parliament are expected to vote for the passing of the bill into law.”

The front page has also been posted on Facebook.

Same-sex marriage isn’t just unrecognised in Tanzania – it’s illegal.

Same-sex marriage is still frowned upon in much of conservative East Africa. Given this, is this a legitimate front page of the Star newspaper? We checked.

‘Fake,’ says the Star

On 6 June, the Star posted the circulating front page on its social media accounts with the word “fake” printed in red.

“This post is not associated with us in any way and should be treated as FAKE. Get the real copy on our official verified pages,” the Star said on its official Facebook page.

Africa Check also looked through the Star’s front page archive and found a different one for 5 June. The authentic front page headline reads: “Counties blow Sh146bn on pay, projects suffer.”

The front page circulating on social media is fabricated and should be ignored.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Power Supply Exceeds Demand – Ministry

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

ELECTRICITY generation in Tanzania has surpassed the increasing demand driven by the expanding economy and rapid urbanization, largely due to significant contributions from the partially operational Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project Plant.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, highlighted this development during his visit to the Ministry of Energy’s pavilion at the ongoing 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Tanzania is blessed with diverse energy sources including biomass, natural gas, hydro, coal, geothermal, solar, wind, and uranium, many of which remain untapped.

As of December 31st, 2023, the total installed energy capacity reached 1,938.35 Megawatts. Recently, two turbines with an installed capacity of 235 MW each at the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project Plant were commissioned in March and April this year, raising the total installed capacity to 2,408 MW.

The country’s peak demand was recorded in August 2023 at 1,482.80 MW. Eng. Mramba encouraged Tanzanians to expand their investments in sectors requiring electricity, emphasizing that supply is currently reliable and sufficient.

“Despite the existence of power sources like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which has significantly increased our installed capacity to meet current and future demands, we remain committed to diversifying our energy sources,” Eng. Mramba highlighted.

He continued, stating that efforts are underway to increase capacity through various energy sources, with a focus on renewable energy.

“Projects such as the Kishapu solar power project (150 MW), wind power projects in Singida and Makambako (300 to 400 MW), Malagarasi Hydropower Project (49.5 MW), Kakono Hydropower Project (87 MW), Songwe Dam and Hydropower Plant (180.2 MW), Rumakali Hydropower Project (222 MW), and Ruhudji Hydropower Project (358 MW) are part of our strategy.”

In related news, the PS commended Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) for strengthening its operations to ensure adequate power supply.

“TANESCO has been working tirelessly to fulfill its duties, ensuring the country has sufficient electricity,” he acknowledged.

However, he urged the state-owned utility to innovate further to enhance service quality and affordability.

“Research and technology adoption in the energy sector should be a priority for us to remain competitive globally,” he emphasized.

Regarding the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, he directed stakeholders to continue researching ways to improve citizens’ lives by reducing the cost of clean cooking equipment.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania Sees New Dawn in Advanced Cooking Stoves

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Tanzania Sees New Dawn in Advanced Cooking Stoves

In efforts to support the government’s campaign in using clean energy, efforts are underway to distribute nationwide technologically- advanced and environmentally safe cooking stoves.

The move the whole country embraces will likely save a million acres of forest from destruction.

Following the intended move, Tanzanians living in rural and urban areas have been encouraged to take the incoming technology of environmentally environmentally-friendly cooking stoves.

Speaking with the Daily News in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the FJM Workshop Manager Epimack Damas said the move aims to implement President Samia’s campaign to create clean and environmentally safe cooking.

The company produces modernized gas stoves, steel fabrication, and selling construction materials as well.

“As a company we have employed about 60 youth in the country and we expect to reach more people. I, therefore, encourage youth who are beneficiaries of the company to use their creativities and make a product so as to earn a profit, “he noted

Additionally, he elaborated recently at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), the company met with the clean energy government executives and discussed how they can produce stoves and distribute them to people at affordable price in rural and urban areas.

On his part, the JFM Marketing Manager Eugen Malkiory said that the company’s mission aims to improve operational service to save customers time noting that they produce quality products at an affordable price.

He, therefore, said they will continue to serve Tanzanians in all parts of 26 regions in the country.

The company also produces steel materials such as roofing sheets, shapes, and iron bars.

Through those products, they intend to expand the scope of foreign markets.

Source: allafrica.com

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Why Kenya trails Tanzania in democracy index

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

The Kenya democracy index continues to trail Tanzania for four consecutive years on poor scores on electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties and functioning of government, the report shows.

The Democracy Index 2023 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), shows that Kenya scored an overall democracy index of 5.05 behind Tanzania’s at 5.35. This score shows no improvement from last year’s index, which has been remained the same since 2020.

Regionally, Kenya was ranked position 14 and globally 92.

EIU is the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, a leading source of international business and world affairs information.

According to EIU, “the democracy index is a thick measure of democracy that assesses each country across five categories-electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.”

The electoral process and pluralism metric analyse ability to hold free and fair elections. The functioning of government involves assessing corruption, transparency and accountability by the state. Civil liberties comprise indicators related to freedom of expression and media freedoms.

democracy big

Photo credit: John Waweru | Nation Media Group

 Kenya scored poorly on electoral process and pluralism with 3.5 out of 10 in 2023.

Other areas that the country scored dismally are civil liberties (4.1 out of 10) and functioning of government (5.3 out of 10).

The report notes; “The failure of political incumbents to uphold democratic values and deliver good governance and economic progress has discredited electoral democracy for increasing numbers of Africans.”

 Based on the 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey,57.3 percent of respondents perceived corruption level to be high in the country, with 24.7 percent citing high cost of living as the main reason.

 Notably, the freedom of assembly though guaranteed by the Constitution has been undermined in Kenya. The police responded to Opposition protests in March 2023 with tear gas and live ammunition.

Three years after the Covid-19 pandemic, which translated to a rollback of freedoms across the world, the 2023 democracy results for Kenya indicate a continuing democratic malaise and no forward momentum.

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Kuonana na nabii mbinde, malipo yake mamilioni-2

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In: Swahili News

Dar es Salaam. “Kama una Sh500,000 nenda pale kaandikishe jina lako uende kumuona nabii.”

Hii ni kauli ya mhudumu wa kanisa mojawapo la maombezi, akiwatangazia waumini, ikiwa ni sehemu ya kile ambacho Mwananchi limebaini katika mfululizo wa uchunguzi wake kuhusu waumini wa makanisa hayo wanavyokamuliwa mamilioni ya shilingi na viongozi wa dini ili waombewe au kubarikiwa.

Katika sehemu ya kwanza jana, tulibainisha jinsi baadhi ya makanisa jijini Dar es Salaam yanavyowafukarisha waumini kwa kuwatoza fedha nyingi kwa ununuzi wa maji, mafuta, au vitambaa, huku wengine wakilazimika kuuza mali zao.

Leo tunaangazia jinsi ilivyo vigumu na aghali kuwafikia manabii na mitume wa makanisa hayo, zikihitajika fedha nyingi kati ya Sh500,000 hadi Sh1.5 milioni na wakati mwingine hata zaidi ya hapo, huku ikielezwa kuwepo ushuhuda wa kuandaliwa ili kuuhadaa umma.

Katika moja ya makanisa ambayo Mwananchi limeyatembelea wilayani Temeke, ili uonane na kiongozi wa kanisa hilo, sharti utoe ada ya Sh500,000, bila kuhesabu sadaka nyingine wanazotozwa waumini.

Mchungaji huyo hurusha matangazo kwenye vyombo vya habari na mitandaoni kuhusu huduma zake, jambo ambalo limemvutia umati mkubwa wa waumini kusali kanisani hapo kila siku kuanzia Jumatatu hadi Jumapili.

Mwandishi wa Mwananchi alihudhuria baadhi ya ibada katika kanisa hilo, zikiwemo siku za Jumapili ambapo ibada huanza saa 1:00 asubuhi. Waumini hufika kanisani mapema asubuhi kusubiri uponyaji na unabii.

Kiongozi huyo mwenye walinzi wengi, aliingia kanisani saa 3 asubuhi akiwa kwenye msafara wa magari manne ya kifahari yaliyoandikwa jina lake.

Umati wa watu uliokuwa umefurika kanisani ulitoka kumlaki mtumishi huyo wa Mungu ambaye alishuka kutoka kwenye gari lake akiwa na walinzi sita. Moja kwa moja alielekea madhabahuni na kuanza ibada, ambapo baadhi ya waumini, hasa wanawake, walianza kupiga kelele na kugalagala wakidaiwa kuwa na mapepo na walitolewa nje.

Ndani ya ibada, mhudumu wa kanisa hilo alitangaza kuwa anayetaka kumuona mtumishi na kuombewa anatakiwa kutoa Sh500,000 ili atabiriwe na kupata uponyaji.

“Kama una Sh500,000 nenda pale kaandikishe jina lako uende kumuona nabii,” alisema msaidizi huyo.

Pia, alisema hadi saa nane mchana mtumishi alitangaza kila mtu awe amenunua maji yanayouzwa Sh2,000 ambayo yangeombewa, agizo ambalo waumini wengi walilitekeleza.

Kana kwamba haitoshi, waumini hao walitangaziwa kutoa sadaka yenye alama ya namba tatu, ikimaanisha Sh30,000, ambayo ilikuwa maalumu kwa ajili ya kufungua uchumi wa waumini hao.

Baada ya tangazo hilo, baadhi ya waumini walikimbilia bahasha zilizokuwa zikitolewa na mtumishi mwenyewe. Awamu iliyofuata, waliitwa wale kutoa Sh3,000, kima ambacho kilinyanyua wengi zaidi, na awamu ya mwisho ilihusisha kila mwenye kiasi chochote hata Sh100.

Baada ya kila mtu kutoa ‘alichonacho’, mtumishi huyo alitangaza ataonana na watu watatu tu waliotoa ada ya fomu ya Sh500, 000 na alifanya hivyo kwenye chumba maalumu baada ya kuhitimisha ibada.

Kutokana na umati mkubwa uliojaa karibu na chumba hicho, msaidizi wa mtumishi huyo alitoka na kutangaza kuwa wale tu walio na Sh500,000 ndio wangemuona mtumishi siku hiyo na kuwa wengine waliotoa pungufu wangeonana naye siku inayofuata.

Kila mtu aliyekuwa pale alijiandaa kuonana na mtumishi kwa viwango tofauti, wakidai Sh500, 000 ni nyingi. Wengine waliambatana na wagonjwa.

“Nipo hapa tangu jana nimelala hapa, tayari nimelipa Sh50,000 niliambiwa ningemuona leo, lakini leo naambiwa niongeze hela. Hii niliyotoa niliikopa na hapa nina nauli peke yake,” alisema Upendo Ngowi, mkazi wa Pwani, alipokuwa akiwabembeleza walinzi wa ‘mtumishi wa Mungu’.

Madai ya Upendo ni kuwa siku hiyo alikuwa amebakiwa na Sh10,000 za nauli ya kurudi nyumbani.

Jumapili aliambiwa aongeze fedha na arudi Jumatatu akiwa na walau Sh300,000, ili apate fomu ya kumuona mtumishi.

Hata hivyo, alishindwa na akawa anadai arejeshewe fedha zake akisema siku inayofuata asingeweza kuhudhuria ibada kwa kuwa anatokea mbali. Hata hivyo, fedha zake hazikurejeshwa.

Martha Urassa, mkazi wa Kimara ambaye anasumbuliwa na uvimbe kwenye titi, alisema amekuwa akihangaika kupata fursa ya maombi bila mafanikio.

“Niliambiwa nilipe hela ndio nionane na mtumishi, nimelipa Sh35,000 na bado sijamuona, naambiwa nikiwa na Sh500,000 ndio rahisi kumuona, huu umasikini ni mbaya sana,” alisema.

Kwa Suguye kwatajwa, afafanua

Katika Kanisa la The Word of Reconciliation Ministries (WRM), mmoja wa wahudumu ambaye hakutaka kutaja jina lake alieleza utaratibu wa kumuona Nabii Nicolaus Suguye katika siku za Jumatatu, Jumanne au Jumatano nako ni lazima uende na picha moja kwa ajili ya usajili, kisha mengine yatafuata.

Ukishaandikishwa na kusajiliwa, alisema pale utakapoonana na nabii huyo utatakiwa uwe na sadaka kuanzia Sh150,000 hadi Sh350,000 kwa ajili ya kuombewa.

“Wale waliosajiliwa kuna viti vyao kabisa kwa ajili ya kuonana ana kwa ana na Suguye na unapoonana naye lazima uwe na hela ya sadaka kuanzia Sh150,000 hadi Sh350,000 na ukishatoa fedha hizo utapatiwa mafuta, stika, maji na kitambaa,” alisema.

Hata hivyo, akizungumza na waandishi wa habari Machi 28, 2024 jijini Dar es Salaam kuhusu maadhimisho ya miaka 17 ya kanisa hilo, Suguye alikanusha kuwatoza fedha waumini wake.

“Hatutozi fedha katika kanisa kuombea watu, hata ukiwatafuta wanaokuja kujisajili mpaka sasa hakuna chochote na maombezi yangu ni bure na nayaendesha kwa kuwawekea mikono na baada ya hapo watu wanaondoka,” alifafanua Suguye baada ya kuulizwa.

Wakati Suguye akisema hayo, muumini wa kanisa hilo aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Amina Salehe alidai yeye ana zaidi ya miaka mitatu anaabudu katika Kanisa la WRM na alitamani siku moja na yeye aguswe na nabii huyo lakini kutokana na kipato chake kuwa kidogo anashiriki kwenye ibada ya Jumapili pekee.

“Natamani na mimi nikutane na Nabii Suguye nifanyiwe maombi ya peke yangu, lakini kumuona ni gharama, kumuona kuanzia Sh150,000 na kuendelea, ila mimi nilienda kumuona nikiwa na Sh50,000, nilipofika kwa mtenda kazi (mhudumu) niliambiwa hela yangu ni ndogo,” alisema muumini huyo.

Wengine hadi mamilioni

Mwandishi wetu aliyepiga kambi katika kanisa mojawapo lililopo Kimara, Dar es Salaam, aliambiwa ili kuonana na kiongozi wa kanisa hilo sharti alipe Sh1.5 milioni.

Mwandishi aliambiwa ajaze fomu inayoitwa jina ‘nguzo ya ujenzi’ ambayo alitakiwa kuilipia Sh1.5 milioni.

“Ukitoa hiyo sadaka, unamuona mapema sana, lakini hivihivi, itakulazimu usubiri foleni na ni kubwa mno,” alisema mtendaji ambaye jina lake limehifadhiwa.

Akifafanua zaidi, mtenda kazi huyo alisema: “Kadi ya nguzo ni Sh1.5 milioni ambayo ukimaliza kuilipia inagongwa muhuri na baba mwenyewe (anamtaja jina) kisha unapewa nafasi ya kwenda kuonana naye moja kwa moja ofisini kwake, unamweleza matatizo yako,” alisema.

Alisema kadi hizo anazitoa mwenyewe (nabii) pale madhabahuni na zinaweza kulipiwa kidogo kidogo hadi mtu amalize.

“Ukimaliza kuilipia Kadi ya Nguzo hausubiri foleni, hiyo ni ‘fasta’ tu, gharama ya awali ya kuipata hiyo kadi ni Sh10, 000, kama unailipia kidogo kidogo, kila unapolipa sadaka yako inaandikwa hadi ukimaliza baba mwenyewe anaigonga muhuri, unapata kibali cha kwenda kumuona moja kwa moja,” alisema.

Ushuhuda wa kupanga

Katika uchunguzi wa makanisa hayo kumebainika udanganyifu na uwepo miujiza ya uongo inayoenea kwa kasi nchini Tanzania, ambapo watu binafsi wanatumiwa kutunga miujiza na ushuhuda kwa lengo la kuuaminisha umma.

Hii inahusisha kundi la watu, mara nyingi kutoka nje ya nchi, wanaodai kuteseka na maradhi sugu kama saratani na kisukari.

Uchunguzi umebaini kuwa baadhi yao wana ulemavu bandia kama wa kutokusikia na upofu.

Timoth (si jina halisi), mshiriki wa zamani kwenye moja ya makanisa, anaeleza kuwa huwa wanatoka nje ya eneo la ibada ili kuepuka kutambuliwa na kueleza tatizo fulani.

Baada ya miezi kadhaa, wanarudi wakidai wameponywa kimiujiza, jambo linaloshawishi wafuasi kuweka imani na fedha zao katika madhabahu hizo. Timoth anasema wachungaji huweka mazingira waumini kushindwa kufikiri kwa makini na kuwataka wajitenge na wapinzani.

Hata Beatrice (pia si jina halisi) anaeleza wameandaliwa kujifanya wameponywa wakati wa ibada na kupiga simu kupitia redio ay TV ambapo ‘mtu wa Mungu’ anatoa unabii.

Hali hii nchini inatia wasiwasi, ingawa haijafikia viwango vya Kenya na Afrika Kusini. Wachungaji hufikia hatua ya kutumia nguvu zisizo za kawaida kutoka Nigeria ili kuwavuta waumini.

Itaendelea toleo lijalo, tukiangazia vifaa mbalimbali wanavyonunua waumini ka uponyaji na miujiza.

Kama una maoni kuhusu habari hii, tuandikie ujumbe kupitia WhatsApp: 0765864917.Continue Reading

Tanzania’s Amsons makes 0m Kenya’s Bamburi buyout offer

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
alushula

By PATRICK ALUSHULA

Tanzania-based conglomerate with diverse interests in energy, construction, food and transport has made a $180 million bid to acquire the entire stake of Bamburi Cement in what will mark one of the largest takeover deals in the East African region.

Amsons Group, which is a family-run business with operations in Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi said Wednesday it has signed a binding offer with Bamburi Cement. The deal could see Bamburi, one of Kenya’s iconic blue-chip companies, delisted from the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi said the proposed deal will deepen the group’s position in the cement sector in East Africa as part of the regional economic development and market integration ideals.

“We have great plans to deepen our investment in Kenya and in Bamburi,” said Mr Nahdi on the impending deal.

“Our offer to acquire shares in Bamburi is part of our corporate market expansion plan and will mark the formal entry of Amsons Group into the Kenyan market, where we plan to make investments in other industries in the coming months.”

The group issued the notice of intention to launch the public take-over offer through its Kenyan subsidiary and investment vehicle, Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, in a deal that will see Bamburi shareholders paid Ksh65 ($0.51) per share.

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At Ksh65 ($0.51)per share, Amsons’ cash offer represents a premium of Ksh20 ($0.16) per share or 44.4 percent gain, given that Bamburi share closed Wednesday trade at the NSE at Ksh45 ($0.35) a share.

Bamburi is majority-owned by Holcim through two investment vehicles—Fincem Holding Limited and Kencem Holding Limited—with a combined stake of 58.3 percent.

“This agreement to sell our stake in Bamburi Cement advances Holcim’s strategy of extending our leadership in our core markets as the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions,” said Martin Kriegner, regional head of Asia, Middle East & Africa at Holcim.

Read: Bamburi Cement issues profit warning

Amsons Group was founded in 2006 in Tanzania and now has more than $1 billion in annual turnover. Its main business operations historically involved bulk oil and petroleum products importation under the Camel Oil Tanzania retail brand.

The group has, over time, grown its portfolio in the manufacturing sector with a 6,000 metric tonnes per day cement manufacturing capability, including through the recently acquired Mbeya Cement facility.

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