Tanzania’s private sector body commits to greater inclusion of stakeholders in reforms

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, prioritising technology, youth, and women within its development agenda. This initiative seeks to tackle the challenges faced by its members—predominantly businesspeople—and to bolster their involvement in shaping national economic policies.

The commitment was underscored during a meeting held in Dar es Salaam on 20th November 2024, where proposed amendments to TPSF’s constitution were discussed. These amendments form part of a broader reform strategy aimed at modernising the organisation and strengthening its representation across Tanzania’s diverse economic sectors.

Speaking to the press, TPSF’s Executive Director, Mr Raphael Maganga, highlighted the centrality of inclusivity in the reforms.

“Today, we are reforming to make the organisation more inclusive for youth, women, and technology. We are also increasing the number of sector clusters from 14 to 25, ensuring all economic sectors have a voice in major national decisions,” said Mr Maganga.

He observed that the previous structure had left many members inadequately represented. By expanding sector clusters, TPSF aims to provide members with a more direct platform to present their challenges and proposals to the government.

Mr Gaston Kikuwi, Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Business Associations of Tanzania (Vibindo), emphasised the importance of integrating smaller businesses into TPSF’s framework.

“TPSF has often been viewed as an organisation for large businesses. We are working to ensure that small, medium, and large enterprises are equally represented,” Mr Kikuwi explained.

He stressed the significant role of small businesses, which comprise 96 percent of industries and 66 percent of employment in Tanzania.

“Including small businesses will enable them to address issues such as policy barriers, access to land, and social services, leading to substantial benefits for the sector and the nation as a whole,” he added.

As part of its reforms, TPSF is contemplating a name change to reflect its evolution from being perceived as an aid-based organisation to a federation representing a diverse range of sectors.

Mr Mustafa Hassanali, Chairperson of the Tanzania Designers Association, voiced his support for the proposed changes, particularly the creation of a dedicated platform for designers.

“TPSF’s inclusivity will streamline the presentation of challenges, proposals, and tax matters to the government. This aligns with Tanzania’s national vision for 2050,” Mr Hassanali noted.

On her part, Ms Mwajuma Hamza, Executive Director of the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), highlighted the need for increased representation of businesswomen within TPSF.

“This will connect women entrepreneurs with the government, providing a platform to share ideas and drive growth and innovation,” said Ms Hamza.

TPSF member, Mr Otieno Igogo, expressed optimism about the reforms, believing that greater inclusion will stimulate economic growth for private sector businesses by fostering stronger connections with the government.

The proposed reforms signal TPSF’s resolve to transform itself into a more inclusive and effective organisation, empowering Tanzanian entrepreneurs of all scales to actively contribute to the nation’s economic development.Continue Reading

Windfall as Tanzania’s avocado land in China

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Arusha. The first-ever container loaded with avocados grown in Tanzania arrived in China on Monday, a key moment in what industry captains hope will be a financial jackpot for farmers and exporters, significantly enhancing their business prospects.

The maiden shipment, containing 24 metric tonnes of the Hass avocado variety, worth $18,500, was shipped by sea on October 28, 2024, and arrived at Hong Kong Port on November 18, 2024.

The breakthrough is the result of a joint effort between Africado Ltd, a pioneering Tanzanian avocado company and member of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha), along with international partners such as Westfalia South Africa and the Chinese company Mr Avocado.

According to Africado’s Certification Manager, Mr Festus Nkuru, the container went through Chinese customs inspections smoothly, heralding a major commercial success for the industry.

“As we speak our first ever container loaded with Tanzanian avocados arrived at Mr Avocado’s South China Ripening and Distribution Center and the butter fruits are set to be distributed across retail supermarkets” Mr Nkuru noted.

For six years, Tanzanian authorities and Taha have been working closely to open the Chinese market to Tanzanian avocados. Africado, Tanzania’s largest avocado grower and exporter, is known for its vast operations.

Recognised as a leading producer in the region, Africado’s expertise in avocado cultivation becomes the first company to export premium-quality avocados to China.

“As we celebrate our first shipment of avocados to China, we are thrilled to mark this significant milestone for our company and Tanzania’s avocado industry,” said Mr Nkuru, highlighting the growth potential this market holds for local producers.

Africado Ltd, targets to meet the growing demand for high-quality Tanzanian avocados, contributing to its broader goals of international expansion and tapping into the rising global appetite for premium butter fruit.

The giant firm acknowledged the central role of the Tanzanian government, the Ministry of Agriculture Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), Taha and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose collaborative efforts facilitated the opening of this lucrative new export market.

Mr Nkuru said that the breakthrough not only boosts Africado’s position as a leading exporter, but also provides significant economic opportunities for local growers, promising higher returns and supporting Tanzania’s broader economic growth.

“As Tanzania’s largest grower and pioneer in the avocado industry, Africado Ltd, is optimistic about the economic multiplier effects of this development on both the company and the country’s agricultural sector” he explained.

During President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s inaugural state visit to Beijing, Tanzania and China signed a crucial protocol on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements. This landmark agreement, reached during her engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, facilitates the entry of Tanzanian-grown avocados into China’s vast market, often referred to as the “butter fruit.”
China’s increasing demand for avocados, fueled by a growing health-conscious middle class, has transformed this once-unrecognized fruit into a prominent player in the imported fruit market.

Taha CEO, Ms Jacqueline Mkindi sees it as a significant opportunity for local farmers and exporters while strengthening bilateral trade ties between the two nations, has embraced this development.
Ms Mkindi expressed her gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Hussein Bashe, for his tireless efforts in liaising with Tanzania’s Embassy in China.

His work has been instrumental in ensuring that local companies meet the necessary standards to obtain SPS clearance. She also noted that China’s decision aligns with its broader strategy to rebalance trade by increasing African imports, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the resource-rich continent.
With over 1.4 billion people, China, the world’s 10th largest avocado importer, is poised to become a leading destination for Tanzanian avocados.

Previously, Tanzanian producers struggled to penetrate international markets mostly limited to Europe and the Middle East due to a lack of necessary SPS measures.

As the third-largest avocado producer in Africa, after South Africa and Kenya, this new market access represents a significant advancement.

“I am deeply thankful and proud of our President, Dr. Samia, for her exceptional diplomacy, opening up this lucrative market of a 1.4 billion population nation after six years of continuous efforts,” Ms Mkindi remarked.

The initial push to access China’s vast market began in 2018 when Taha identified its potential and urged the government to deploy diplomatic strategies to overcome trade barriers.

This initiative also aligns with Tanzania’s national goal to boost horticultural export value to $2 billion annually from the current $420 million.

Moreover, it promises substantial employment opportunities for youth and women throughout the value chain by 2030.

Official data from 2023 indicates that Tanzania exported 26,826.3 metric tonnes of avocados, generating approximately $73 million in revenue, showcasing the industry’s promising trajectory towards exponential growth between 2023 and 2033.Continue Reading

Tanzania revokes 1,505 mining licenses in Chunya to empower small-scale miners

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Chunya. In an effort to empower small-scale miners, the government has revoked 1,505 mining licenses in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, citing neglect and abandonment of allocated plots.

The Ministry of Minerals announced that the revoked areas will now be redistributed to small-scale miners, known locally as MBEREMA.

Chunya, rich in gold deposits, is crucial to the economic growth of both the region and the country. However, many mining plots had been left underutilized by wealthy operators, known as ‘Madigala’, depriving small-scale miners of opportunities.

Chairman of the Mbeya Small-Scale Miners Association (MBEREMA), Saddam Kyando, praised the government’s decision, calling it a game-changer for local miners. “This move opens doors for many miners who have struggled without proper licenses. We are focused on encouraging miners to join MBEREMA to fully benefit from these allocations,” Kyando said. He also announced plans to establish association branches across the district and work with local ward offices to mobilize miners.

Msabira Miraji, a gold buyer in Chunya, welcomed the initiative but urged the government to introduce banking services at the local mineral market. “This will improve efficiency and ensure the safety of our earnings,” he said.

Mbeya Regional Mining Officer Laurent Mayala lauded the redistribution process, which addresses the challenges of small-scale miners who lacked access to mining plots. District Commissioner Mbaraka Batenga explained that the move aims to better utilize Chunya’s abundant resources, which include gold and agriculture, especially tobacco farming.

Highlighting mining’s role in national revenue, Batenga emphasized that empowering small-scale miners will contribute to sustainable economic growth and strengthen Chunya’s economic impact.

The government’s decision reflects a commitment to fostering inclusivity in the mining sector, addressing long-standing issues faced by small-scale miners.Continue Reading

Zanzibar First VP calls for thorough investigations into mysterious deaths

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Unguja. Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud, has called on the government to fully investigate and clarify the circumstances surrounding the recent deaths of four individuals in a mysterious incident.

He urged the affected families to remain patient as authorities work to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.

The tragedy occurred on the night of November 9, 2024, when a Dayna vehicle, driven by Msina Sharif (39), crashed into a tree, leading to the deaths of the driver and his assistant, Abdala Bakari (28).

Two young passengers, Mohamed Issa (10) and Hamza Abdalla Abasi (10), both pupils from Kidoti Primary School, sustained injuries.

Initial reports from the Zanzibar Police, released on November 10, stated that the vehicle lost control and crashed after attempting to flee from a police check point.

Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, Zubeir Chembera, confirmed that a special committee had been set up to investigate the incident further, especially in light of social media rumors and claims that the victims were shot by police officers.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into this tragic event. A committee has been formed to examine why the vehicle fled, why other vehicles attacked police officers, and whether shots were fired by the police,” Chembera said. “Once the investigation is concluded, we will share our findings with the public.”

The incident occurred during a police operation in the North A District of Kidoti Village, where officers had stopped a Toyota Dyana truck with no registration plates.

According to Chembera, the driver ignored orders to stop, honked the horn, and attempted to flee. Other vehicles joined in, allegedly throwing stones at the police.

In response, police fired warning shots in the air, but the driver continued to evade them, eventually losing control and crashing into a tree.

Chembera reiterated that while the crash is believed to have caused the fatalities, the investigation is ongoing to determine whether any police actions contributed to the deaths.

Meanwhile, the ACT Wazalendo party has called for full accountability. Hamad Mussa Yussuf, a spokesperson for the opposition party, condemned the incident as an act of ‘murder’ and demanded the police reveal the identities of those responsible for the deaths and take swift action against them.

“This is a grave tragedy, and we demand justice. The police must publicly disclose who was responsible for these deaths and ensure that those involved face the law immediately,” Yussuf said.

VP visits grieving families

During a visit to the families of the victims on November 15, 2024, First Vice President Othman Masoud expressed his condolences and reiterated the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.

He emphasized that it was the government’s duty to thoroughly investigate such incidents and provide the public with clarity, especially when lives are lost under mysterious circumstances.

“This is a tragic event, and it is the responsibility of the government to investigate it fully. The truth must be revealed without concealment, so the community can understand what happened. This process is crucial for ensuring justice and preventing similar incidents in the future,” Othman stated.

In his remarks, Othman praised the families for their patience in the wake of this tragedy, acknowledging the difficulty of their situation while assuring them that the government would pursue justice.

He called on the public to remain calm, as they had demonstrated during the incident, and to allow the ongoing investigation to proceed.

Othman’s statement, issued through the First Vice President’s office, underscored the importance of transparency and accountability. He added that without a full understanding of the facts, it would be difficult to address the deeper issues that led to the deaths and prevent such occurrences in the future.Continue Reading