Haitakuwa lazima tena kwa kila mhitimu wa Shahada ya Sheria kupita Taasisi ya Mafunzo ya Uanasheria kwa Vitendo Tanzania (LST), iwapo hana mpango wa kufanya kazi za uanasheria katika utumishi wa umma.Continue Reading
Billionaire investor Baloobhai Patel and Standard Investment Bank’s Mansa X Fund bought 10.23 million Bamburi shares in July in the wake of Tanzanian conglomerate Amsons Group’s buyout offer of the cement maker, eyeing capital gains and a potential special dividend payout.
Amsons offer triggered a rise in the trading price of Bamburi shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) —from Sh45 to an average of Sh62 since the July 10 publication of the firm’s offer documents.
The Tanzanian firm offered to buy the shares at Sh65 each —or Sh23.59 billion in total— hoping that the premium would entice shareholders to look at its bid favourably.
On Wednesday, Bamburi shareholders received a counteroffer from Kenyan firm Savannah Clinker Limited at a price of Sh70 per share, or Sh25.41 billion in total. The Bamburi share price closed at Sh65.75 on Wednesday.
Amsons filings showed that Mr Patel, through his investment vehicle Aksaya Investment Holdings Limited, held 30.52 million Bamburi shares as at June 30, 2024, equivalent to an 8.41 percent stake in the company.
The acquisition notice published by Savannah shows that by July 31, his stake had climbed to 37.73 million shares, indicating an acquisition of an additional 7.21 million shares during July.
As per Wednesday’s closing price, the additional stake is valued at Sh474 million, with his total holding now valued at Sh2.48 billion.
His share in the company has now more than doubled since the beginning of the year, when he held 14.96 million units.
The filings by Savannah also show that SIB’s Mansa X Fund now holds 3.02 million Bamburi shares, with a current value of Sh198.9 million. The fund was not listed among Bamburi’s top 10 shareholders in the June 30 register.
The shares acquired by Mr Patel and Mansa X were mainly supplied by retail investors, whose collective stake in Bamburi dropped by 8.2 million shares in July to 32.72 million units.
NSE data shows that between July 10 and July 31, investors traded a total of 10.23 million Bamburi shares.
The price increase when the Amsons offer was disclosed provided an incentive for retail shareholders to cash in on their stock, especially when the NSE market price nearly matched the offer price.
The price appreciation effectively gave investors a chance to book their offer profit early without waiting for the conclusion of the Amsons deal, whose timelines are dependent on regulatory approval with a long-stop date of November 2025.
For those buying the shares, the incentive lay in the potential of further capital gains upon the progression of the deal, with the counteroffer now opening an additional avenue for further hikes in the offer price as the parties compete to convince shareholders to favour their deal.
Bamburi shareholders are also eyeing a potential special dividend from the Sh12 billion sale of the company’s stake in its Ugandan subsidiary Hima Cement earlier this year.
Both the Amsons and Savannah offers acknowledge the right of the existing shareholders to receive the special dividend if and when it is announced by Bamburi.
Dr Faustine Ndugulile of Tanzania was elected as the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa on Tuesday at the ongoing session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo.
He received 25 out of 46 votes, defeating candidates from Rwanda, Niger and Senegal. He was supported by 25 African countries, including Kenya.
A former deputy minister of Health in Tanzania, Dr Ndugulile will succeed Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti of Botswana, whose two five-year terms end at the session.
Dr Ndugulile, a medical doctor specialising in microbiology, has extensive experience in public health.
Read: Tanzania speaker to lead global parliamentary body
In his campaigns for the position, he said his priorities include transforming African health systems to achieve universal health coverage, improving maternal and child health and strengthening health security, innovation and research.
“My candidacy represents a collective effort to transform the health landscape of Africa. By prioritising universal health coverage, maternal and child health,” he had told The EastAfrican earlier.
He also said he would aim at strengthening partnerships between African governments and health institutions.
Dr Ndugulile emphasised the need to improve the service index for universal health coverage, which remains below 50 percent in many African countries.
Dr Ndugulile is currently the Member of Parliament for Kigamboni Constituency in Dar es Salaam and serves as Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and NEAPACOH.
meelezwa kuwa hadi sasa hakuna mgonjwa aliyethibitika kuwa na maambukizi ya ugonjwa wa homa ya nyani (Mpox) nchini Tanzania hivyo wananchi wanatakiwa kutokuwa na hofu bali waendelea kuchukua tahadhari.Continue Reading
Brazzaville — Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile has been nominated as the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, taking the reins from Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who has served two five-year terms at the helm.
African Member States voted to nominate Dr Ndugulile during the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Other candidates were Dr Boureima Hama Sambo (proposed by Niger,) Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall (proposed by Senegal) and Dr Richard Mihigo (proposed by Rwanda).
Dr Ndugulile’s nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, which takes place in February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The newly appointed Regional Director will take office thereafter for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr Ndugulile expressed commitment to advancing health of the people of the region. “I’m truly honoured and humbled to be elected to the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa. I thank Member States for the trust shown in me. I promise to work with you and I believe that together we can build a healthier Africa,” said Dr Ndugulile.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, congratulated Dr Ndugulile on his election as Regional Director for Africa, and praised Dr Sambo, Dr Fall and Dr Mihigo on their campaigns.
“Dr Ndugulile has earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region to be elected the next Regional Director for WHO Africa. This is a great privilege, and a very great responsibility,” said Dr Tedros. “I and the entire WHO family in Africa and around the world will support you every step of the way.”
Dr Tedros also thanked Dr Moeti, the outgoing WHO Regional Director, for 10 years of commitment and excellence in service of the countries and people of Africa.
“I thank my sister Dr Moeti for everything she has done for the health of the people of Africa, but also for who she is,” said Dr Tedros. “I thank her for the example she has set, and the legacy she has left.”
Dr Moeti congratulated Dr Ndugulile and wished him success. “I would like to congratulate you for being elected as the Regional Director for Africa. This is an extremely fulfilling role. Despite the many challenges, I know you will take the baton and go on to accelerate the gains already made, putting the health and well-being of the people of Africa at the centre,” said Dr Moeti.
Source: allafrica.com
Sumbawanga. Aliyefungua kesi ya kudai fidia ya zaidi ya Sh306.6 akwaa kisiki Mahakama Kuu Tanzania.
Limi Mchome mwenye ualbino, alifungua kesi ya madai akiwadai Kamanda wa Polisi (RPC) Mkoa wa Katavi na wenzake wawili, zaidi ya Sh306.6 milioni kama fidia, baada ya watu wasiojulikana kuukata mkono wake wa kulia na kuondoka nao, licha ya kuwahi kutoa taarifa ya uwepo wa watu waliokuwa wakimfuatilia.
Uamuzi wa kuitupa kesi hiyo ulitolewa jana Jumatatu, Agosti 26, 2024 na Jaji Abubakar Mrisha wa Mahakama Kuu kanda ya Sumbawanga, na kumwamuru pia alipe gharama za kesi baada ya kukubaliana na pingamizi la awali lililowasilishwa na wadaiwa.
Limi alikatwa mkono wake wa kulia na watu wasiojulikana na wakaondoka nao, hivyo akafungua kesi ya madai akidai fidia hiyo kwa kile alichodai ni uzembe wa RPC na wenzake kutochukua hatua ya kuzuia uhalifu huo.
Katika madai yake alisema miezi kadhaa kabla ya kukatwa mkono, mkuu wa upelelezi Mkoa (RCO) Katavi, alijulishwa juu ya uwepo wa kundi lililokuwa likimtafuta, lakini hakuchukua hatua ya kumlinda, wakati huo akiwa na umri wa miaka 30.
Tukio hilo lilitokea usiku wa Julai 14, 2015 katika Kijiji cha Mwachona Wilaya ya Mlele mkoani Katavi, watu wasioujulikana walivunja mlango wa chumba alichokuwa amelala, huku wakimfungia kaka yake kwa nje ili asitoke.
Limi alifungua kesi ya madai namba 6 ya 2023 dhidi ya RPC Katavi kama mdaiwa wa kwanza, Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi kama mdaiwa wa pili na Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (AG) kama mdaiwa wa tatu.
Hata hivyo, wadaiwa hao waliwasilisha pingamizi la awali wakisema kesi hiyo ni mbaya mbele ya macho ya sheria kwa kuwa imefunguliwa nje ya muda wa miaka mitatu unaoruhusiwa kisheria, hivyo wakaiomba mahakama iitupilie mbali kesi hiyo.
Katika kesi hiyo, Limi anayejulikana pia kama Remi Luchoma, aliomba alipwe Sh215 milioni kama fidia ya kukatwa mkono wake wa kulia na Sh85 milioni kama kipato ambacho angepata kama angekuwa na mkono wake kwa miaka 35.
Mbali na madai hayo, alikuwa anadai Sh5 milioni kama malipo ya kupoteza huduma, apewe matunzo ya watoto wake ikiwamo kuwasomesha kwa kuwa hana tena uwezo wa kuwasomesha lakini pia kupatiwa mkono wa kisasa wa bandia.
Hoja za kisheria za pingamizi
Baada ya kufungua kesi hiyo, wadaiwa wakiwakilishwa kortini na wakili wa Serikali Mjahidi Kamugisha, waliwasilisha pingamizi la awali wakisema kesi hiyo imepitwa na muda (time barred) huku Limi akiwakilishwa na wakili Gadiel Sindamenya.
Akitetea pingamizi la awali, wakili Kamugisha alisema kwa kuangalia hati ya madai, kiini chake ni madai ya uzembe na kwamba madai ya aina hiyo yanatakiwa yafunguliwa mahakamani ndani ya muda wa miaka mitatu tangu uzembe utokee.
“Hii ina maana muda wa kikomo wa kufungua shauri hilo kwa uzembe uliotokea Julai 13,2013 ulimalizika Julai 14,2015. Huu ndio msimamo wa sheria. Madhara ya kufungua kesi nje ya muda ni mahakama kuitupa kwa gharama,” alisema.
Hata hivyo, wakili Sindamenya aliyekuwa akimtetea Limi katika hoja zake alisema pingamizi hilo halina mashiko akisema hoja za wadaiwa zimejikita katika kipengele cha 6 cha sheria ya ukomo sura ya 89 kama ilivyofanyiwa marejeo mwaka 2019.
Kwa maoni yake alisema hiyo sio sawa na ni madai yenye makosa makubwa na kueleza kuwa kosa hilo lilitendeka Julai 14, 2015, upelelezi ukafanyika na watu sita wakakamatwa na kufikishwa kortini kwa kosa la kujaribu kumuua Limi.
Wakili huyo aliongeza kusema kuwa Oktoba 23,2019, washitakiwa 5 walitiwa hatiani na kuhukumiwa kifungo cha maisha jela, akieleza ilikuwa vigumu kufungua kesi kwa wadaiwa wakati kesi ya jinai ilikuwa bado inaendelea kortini.
Alieleza kuwa baada ya washitakiwa kutiwa hatiani, Limi alikusanya ushahidi wa uzembe anaoulalamikia wa Mkuu wa Upelelezi mkoa (RCO) Mkoa wa Katavi kwa kushindwa kutimiza wajibu wake wa kulinda raia na mali zao.
Zaidi ya hayo, Sindamenya alisema kulikuwa na siku 60 za kukata rufaa baada ya hukumu ambazo zilimalizika Desemba 23, 2019 na kwamba ni kanuni ya asili kuwa hukumu ya Mahakama Kuu ni lazima ipate baraka za Mahakama ya Rufani.
Wakili huyo alieleza kuwa Februari 8, 2021 alitoa notisi ya siku 90 kwa wadaiwa, hivyo kwa kuhesabu kuanzia siku ya hukumu hadi siku ambayo alifungua kesi hiyo ya madai, kesi hiyo itakuwa ilifunguliwa ndani ya muda wa kisheria unaotakiwa.
Aliiomba mahakama kuzingatia ibara ya 107(A)(2)(e) ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na kuepuka kufungwa na mambo ya kiufundi ambayo yananyima haki ya msingi, hivyo alitupe pingamizi hilo na kusikiliza kesi ya msingi.
Uamuzi wa jaji ulivyokuwa
Akisoma uamuzi wake kuhusiana na pingamizi hilo, Jaji Mrisha alisema ni jambo ambalo halibishaniwi kuwa mdai alifungua kesi hiyo ya madai ya uzembe dhidi ya wadaiwa, lakini hoja iliyoko mbele yake ni kama kesi imefunguliwa nje ya muda.
Jaji Mrisha alisema mawakili wa pande mbili wanakubaliana kuwa msingi wa kesi hiyo ni madai ya fidia, yanayotokana na uzembe na muda wa kisheria wa kufungua kesi ni ndani ya miaka mitatu na kwamba huo ndio msimamo wa sheria.
Alisema madai ya mdai ni uzembe uliosababishwa na wajibu maombi kwa kushindwa kumlinda asikatwe mkono na kueleza kuwa msingi wa uzembe huo ulitokea 14 Julai 2015, lakini kesi ilifunguliwa Julai 17, 2023.
“Hii inaonyesha ni baada ya miaka sita. Kwa hiyo mdai (Limi) alipaswa kufungua kesi ya madai ya uzembe uliotokea ndani ya miaka mitatu,” alisema Jaji Mrisha.
Hata hivyo, Jaji Mrisha alisema katika wasilisho la mdai aliondoa muda wa usikilizwaji wa kesi ya jinai na tarehe ya hukumu na akaondoa pia muda wa washitakiwa kukata rufaa pamoja na siku 90 za notisi aliyowapa wadaiwa.
Alisema ni msimamo wa sheria kuwa pale kesi inafunguliwa baada ya kupita muda uliowekwa na sheria, mdai ni lazima aonyeshe kwenye hati ya madai sababu za upekee wa kesi yake na Jaji akarejea baadhi ya kesi zilizobeba msimamo huo.
Kutokana na msimamo huo, Jaji alisema alipata muda wa kupitia hati ya madai ya kesi hiyo iliyofunguliwa Julai 17, 2023 na kugundua hakuna aya ambayo mdai anaelezea sababu za kupata msamaha wa kutozingatia sheria ya ukomo.
“Hata kama nitachukua wasilisho lake kuwa mdai alichelewa kufungua kesi kwa sababu alikuwa akisubiri ushahidi wa kutosha katika kesi ya jinai iliyokuwa ikiendelea kortini, kwa maoni yangu sababu haina mashiko mahakama kuikubali,” alisema.
Jaji akaongeza kusema “Msimamo wa sheria uko wazi kwamba mwathirika katika kesi ya jinai hazuiwi kufungua shauri la madai ya fidia mahakamani, kwa kuwa mahakama ya jinai sio sahihi kupima madai ya mtu anayeomba fidia”
Katika uamuzi wake huo, Jaji Mrisha alisema suala la ukomo wa muda ni jambo linalokwenda kwenye mzizi wa mamlaka ya mahakama na haiangukii katika Ibara ya 107(2)(e) ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ya mwaka 1977.
Jaji alisema kwa hoja alizozieleza anakubali pingamizi lililowasilishwa na wadaiwa na kukubaliana nao kuwa kesi imefunguliwa nje ya muda, hivyo inatupiliwa mbali na mdai atawajibika kulipa gharama za kesi hiyo.Continue Reading
Kenya on Tuesday unveiled the candidature of its former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) at a colourful ceremony graced by several East African Community (EAC) heads of State.
President William Ruto led the launch at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted East African Community (EAC) Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the president of South Sudan, Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is greeted by President William Ruto after delivering her speech during the launch of Kenyan candidate Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AU) chairmanship at State House Nairobi on August 27, 2024. Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Also in attendance were Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, Rwanda State Minister for Foreign Affairs James Kabarebe, former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete and his Nigeria counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo, among other dignitaries.
Read: EAC leaders in Nairobi for Raila AUC bid launch
Speaking at the event, Dr Ruto said Mr Odinga enjoys a positive reputation as a zealous Pan-African who has consistently demonstrated strong faith in Africa’s possibilities, and exemplary commitment to the cause of laying a robust foundation for Africa’s transformation.
The head of State showered Mr Odinga with praises, noting that he is the best candidate for the position and that he would do all it takes to make him win the February 2025 election.
“I know that Raila Odinga not only possesses the requisite credentials but he is also the ideal candidate to lead the AUC. Accordingly, Kenya endorses his candidature unreservedly and we commit wholeheartedly to support his candidature, vision and leadership,” he said.
“Mr Odinga’s remarkable leadership and exemplary career make him a perfect fit to sit at the helm of the AUC and drive Africa’s transformation and Agenda 2063. He is an ardent champion of African unity, African Integration, infrastructural connectivity and youth empowerment.”
Mr Odinga’s strategic focus, he said, is to harness Africa’s rich and vast human and natural resources for the benefit of Africa’s peoples— making him the “optimal choice” for this position.
“I therefore welcome the continent to rally behind Mr Odinga’s candidature to propel Africa to sustainable peace and a new era of shared prosperity.”
Kenyan candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship, Raila Odinga, speaks during the launch of his bid at State House Nairobi on August 27, 2024. Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
During the State House event, Dr Ruto launched Mr Odinga’s campaign secretariat, which will be jointly led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and former US Ambassador to the United States Elkanah Odembo.
Mr Odinga said that he was ready to serve Africa.
“My heart is ready, my hands are steady and with your support, I shall get the opportunity to be of service to Africa, the cradle of mankind. I am made in Eastern Africa for Africa,” he said.
He exuded confidence that he would win the seat in the first round of the elections.
Mr Odinga will contest against Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritius Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan and Richard James Randriamandrato, a former Madagascar Foreign Minister.
Read: Youssouf: My pledge to Africa as AUC chair
Mr Odinga pledged to push for scrapping of visa for intra-Africa travel and removal of trade barriers as he spelled out his vision of a united continent characterised by peace and prosperity for all.
“As a lifelong Pan-Africanist, I will offer participatory leadership to ensure delivery on the priorities of the African people as envisioned in the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said.
“This is Africa’s century… We must harness our vast human and natural resources, and integrate the energy of our youth with the vision and wisdom of our leaders.”
Read: AUC top seat contenders face age-old problems
He added: “Kindly buy my vision, the charge is 34 plus votes in the first round. I particularly appeal to fellow East Africans, that we walk this journey together and go to Addis as a team in February 2025.”
Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, an arch-rival of Mr Odinga on Kenya’s political scene, described the launch as a “great moment for our country.”
“We are here to unveil Kenya’s finest to go and lead Africa. The people of Kenya have been united behind Raila to be AUC chair and Africa, our motherland deserves the best,” he said.
Read: Odinga AU ambitions halt his local moves
President Suluhu lauded Mr Odinga, saying “he is not only a wise statesman but one who can make a strong case for Africa”.
“With Raila Odinga, we envision an ever strong and growing Africa and the Republic of Tanzania assures Kenya of its for support. Tanzania says Baba anatosha achaguliwe (Raila fits the bill and should be elected).”
South Sudan President Salva Kiir arrives at State House Nairobi for the launch Kenyan candidate Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AU) chairmanship on August 27, 2024. Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
President Kiir said his presence in the country was to confirm South Sudan’s endorsement of Mr Odinga.
“As chairman of EAC, I strongly appeal to the region to rally behind Raila as the region’s candidate. Let us talk to our friends across the continent to enable Raila be the next chairman of African Union Commission,” he said.
Mr Museveni described Mr Odinga as a Pan-Africanist who is not just a job seeker but qualified for the post.
“He is the one to lead us in that big battle for prosperity and is the candidate who is fit for this job,” he said.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks during the launch Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AU) chairmanship held at State House Nairobi on August 27, 2024. Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
He said he was glad that President Ruto, DP Gachagua and other Kenyan leaders had united for the sake of Mr Odinga’s candidacy.
Zanzibar — A total of sixty best performing students in Pemba Island who scored Division I in this year’s Form VI National Examination have been awarded undergraduate scholarships.
The announcement was made by President Hussein Mwinyi during a luncheon hosted at the State House at Pagali in Pemba for the best performing students in Form VI and Form IV national examinations for 2023/2024 academic year.
He said that the government will continue motivating students to work hard by awarding scholarships, laptops and money to those who score Division I “Because we want to eliminate failures and target to produce experts in different fields including science, technology and art.”
He said that currently when the country faces shortage of teachers for science subjects, the government will continue hiring teachers to fill the gaps.
Also read: Zanzibar records current account surplus
Regarding school infrastructure development, Dr Mwinyi said his government is already implementing its plan of building new primary and secondary schools, including renovating the old ones.
He expressed his happiness following the records that for the first time, Pemba has made history by eliminating Division Zero in the Form VI results this year.
According to the Zanzibar Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa, Form IV students who scored Division I are 175 and Form VI are 220, making a total of 395 students.
Escorted by their teachers the students attended a special luncheon event, where the minister promised to encourage parents, teachers and students to strengthen collaboration to maintain and improve students’ good performance.
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Last year, during a ceremony to award best students President Mwinyi said that his government would continue to prioritise education due to its significance in development.
“We cannot execute development projects without enough experts; therefore, education must be priority number one,” Dr Mwinyi stressed.
He said the government will continue to build high rise buildings in primary and secondary school infrastructure to end the system in which students attend classes in shifts.
“We want one classroom to accommodate 45 students only.”
The president added that this year, the government expects to construct 2,000 additional classrooms and employ more teachers for Mathematics and Science subjects for secondary schools.
He also instructed the Ministry of Education to continue with school’s inspections programme so that teachers can follow the stipulated guidelines and teaching procedures carefully.
Source: allafrica.com
On July 29, this year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched the Tanzania Digital Economy Strategic Framework.
The framework names the pillars of any digital economy as an enabling digital infrastructure, governance and enabling environment, digital literacy and skills development, digital innovation culture and enabling technologies, nurturing digital inclusion and accessibility and digital financial services. Correspondent PETER KEASI recently held an exclusive interview and briefly discussed the strategy with the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka. The Chief Secretary said the government is encouraging the private sector to rise to all emerging opportunities. He said that since the framework has been launched by the president, all Tanzanians and people living in Tanzania, more so the youth, have the duty of building an economy driven by digital technologies and the internet…
QUESTION: Tanzania’s 10-year Digital Economic Strategic Framework was launched by President Samia Hassan on July 29, 2024, is that right?.
ANSWER: Correct. The president launched the strategy during the 15th meeting of the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC). The meeting was held at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
QUESTION. But some people argue that not much light has been shed on this development of national importance. How do you, very briefly, describe the context of this strategy? How did it come about?
ANSWER: Tanzania belongs to a transformative world. I have had an opportunity in the recent past to state that the entire world is fast moving towards digital transformation. I said Tanzania cannot afford to remain behind. World economies of the future will be propelled and indeed economies are already being driven by digital technologies and the internet. That is why I said Tanzania cannot afford to remain behind.
That fact appreciated, we had to do some homework to achieve the goal of having Tanzania’s economy being part of that kind of emerging world economy. TNBC has working groups of experts that sits over identified subjects and come up with expert proposals or solutions. So the council appointed the TNBC Digital Transformation Working Group. It did a wonderful job. The working group drew Tanzania Digital Economic Strategic Framework that was finally adopted by the government. What I want to emphasise here is the fact that the government cooperated fully with the private sector in formulating this strategy. It adopted it and endorsed its use so that Tanzania can build a competitive economy.
This is the background against which the Tanzania Digital Economic Strategic Framework 2024-34 was conceived, adopted by the government and finally launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on July 29, 2024.
QUESTION: Can you, in simple terms, explain what a digital economy framework would mean in any country?
ANSWER: It would mean a theoretical design or model of principles of a digital economy. When you want to build a digital economy, you have to have a model to refer to. In the digital economy package, you will find on one side the Information Communications Technology (ICT) and on the other the digital media and the content on those media. The TNBC working group put it well to answer your question. It said a digital economy framework refers to a conceptual model or structure that describes the key components and principles of an economy driven by digital technologies and the internet.
One will realise that digital technologies and the internet are of paramount importance in driving a digital economy.
In our case, the digital economy framework outlines how Tanzania can harness the power of digital technologies to boost economic growth, create jobs and improve the lives of its citizens.
QUESTION: In a recent interview with journalists, you were emphatic about involvement of the Tanzanian youth in implementing the digital economic framework.
ANSWER: Yes I was. This framework is about transformation; it is about seeing our economy growing healthily, it is about unearthing job opportunities; in short, it is about improving lives of Tanzanians. Young people are the majority of Tanzanians; they need jobs. We need to have an economy that is creating jobs for them. That economy has to be a ticking economy. If you want to have a healthy, growing economy, majority of participants must be young people who are capable of using and benefiting from digital technologies and can use the internet. This is what we are saying. We are encouraging the private sector to rise to this opportunity, to harness the power of digital technologies so that our economy grows fast, in a healthy manner and it creates jobs for young people.
But young people are not expected to sit by, idle around and complain. They need support, alright, but they too have to rise to opportunities; they have an inescapable duty of searching for and using affordable digital literacy and digital technologies; they have to struggle to acquire requisite skills to be employable, employ themselves and creating jobs for others.
In short, we are saying the government has presented the framework and it is encouraging the private sector to rise to all emerging opportunities; the framework has now been launched by the president, all of us, more so the youth, have the duty of building an economy driven by digital technologies and the internet. This is important for us all.
QUESTION: The President’s Office, Local Government and Regional Administration (TAMISEMI), as a ministry, has a unique position in strengthening regional and district TNBC councils. We are told it is using its position positively to ensure TNBC councils promote robust businesses and investment. Is this what is happening on the ground?
ANSWER: Yes, because as you have said, TAMISEMI has a special position that can be used to strengthen TNBC councils at district and regional levels. The meeting adopted a resolution relating the urgent need and importance of strengthening our councils at those two levels.
QUESTION: What would you want to see being done to accommodate the urgency and the importance the TNBC meetings called for?
ANSWER: I would want to see many things done and in a better way. Meetings are of paramount importance. Councils must meet in a scheduled manner. Every district, every region is unique in its own way. The kind of businesses and investment opportunities in one district are different from those you find in the next district or next region. So investment and business challenges in districts and regions can be best addressed right there in TNBC meetings that bring together representatives of private and public sectors. I would want to see one stop centres established, in all districts, to serve the private sector. I would like to see by-laws that are friendly to and promote businesses in every district. Nuisance by-laws do not promote doing business; they undermine investment efforts. It is not only important to have stable and predictable policies and laws at national level, but it is also important to have by-laws in districts that serve our central national mission.
I would like to see TAMISEMI encouraging every district and every region to work towards getting the annual presidential award. The award is given to a region that has done well in creating a helpful and favourable environment for doing business and in attracting investments. The award is a big honour to a recipient region.
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I would like to see TAMISEMI helping regions and districts which have underperformed in creating conducive environment for doing business and attracting investments. This can be done by way of appropriate facilitation: giving training and requisite resources to leaders of our TNBC councils so that they can perform their duties efficiently. Maybe there is a need now for exploring ways of punishing underperforming regional and district leaders on this particular issue.
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I would like to see all districts and regions being enabled by TAMISEMI to provide online services in order to cut down the cost of doing business. Similarly, I would like to see digital collection of revenue from the private sector in all districts and regions.
I would like to see robust cross-border trade in border districts and regions. It is in our national interest to eliminate all obstacles to healthy cross-border trade. We need to increase exports and earn foreign currency. We shall succeed by reducing permit application costs, licence rates and by building strategic border markets.
In November 2019, TNBC published an interesting study report titled ‘Best Practices and Lesson from Regional and District Level Public Private Dialogues’. This publication is still very relevant and important for all of us to read.
QUESTION: You underscore the need for increased exports in order to increase foreign currency. Ports are important in increasing exports?
ANSWER: That is correct. The meeting called for proper supervision relating to consolidation and de-consolidation in our ports.
QUESTION: Was there a resolution on tax administration and laws relating to incentives between Zanzibar and Mainland?
ANSWER: There was one. It called for having fresh look on the two aspects and remove hindrances.
QUESTION: What did the meeting say on tourism?
ANSWER: The meeting called for diversification of tourism products. It also called for a convincing strategy that will help Tanzania promote coastal tourism. It also called for promotion of southern circuit tourism.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania and Japan have agreed to continue working closely to strengthen their existing relationship and cooperation for mutual benefits.
The two countries reached the agreement during a bilateral meeting held between the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Cosato Chumi and the Deputy State Minister of Japan Kyoto Tsuji, at his office in Tokyo.
The two leaders agreed to continue working closely to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship and cooperation for the mutual benefits.
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Speaking during the meeting, Chumi expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for its contribution to the Tanzania’s development in various sectors, including infrastructure, investment, education and health.
He said Tanzania is committed to increasing trade and investment levels between the two countries, thereby fostering economic and social development for the mutual benefits.
In response, Tsuji reaffirmed Japan’s readiness to continue collaborating with Tanzania and strengthening the existing relations for the benefit of both nations, adding that Japan would continue to partner with Tanzania and other African countries so as to expand trade with the African continent to help and facilitate development in the continent.
Chumi is in Japan to attend the 9th Ministerial level of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that started yesterday and ends today in Tokyo.
Source: allafrica.com
