Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has made significant progress in its gold reserve programme and remains optimistic about achieving its annual target of six tonnes through various incentives.
One key incentive is offering a premium price and encouraging both large- and small-scale miners to sell 100 percent of their gold to the central bank.
Since the programme gained momentum in October last year, BoT has acquired more than two tonnes of gold.
BoT’s financial analyst, Dunga Nginilla, outlined potential investment strategies once the gold reserve reaches sufficient levels.
These include gold deposits, swaps, leasing and other gold-related investments.
“Our target for this year is set, but moving forward, we will conduct a risk assessment to determine whether to expand our investments,” he said, adding that larger acquisitions are expected as inflows increase.
BoT’s gold acquisition strategy is designed to boost national gold reserves while diversifying foreign exchange holdings.
Additionally, the initiative supports local miners by purchasing gold directly from them and authorised brokers, ensuring ethical sourcing while avoiding conflict minerals and child labour.
“Since October, BoT has been actively purchasing locally mined gold, ensuring proper registration and certification through the Mining Commission. Verification of purity is conducted by Geita Gold Refinery (GGR), Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery (MPMR), and Eyes of Africa Refinery (EOA) before submission to BoT,” he explained, emphasising that pricing aligns with London Bullion Market rates.
Initially, the bank faced challenges in acquiring gold due to payment delays, but the governor has streamlined the process, now guaranteeing transactions are completed within 24 hours.
To further attract miners, BoT has introduced VAT exemptions, foreign trade incentives, and premium pricing for unrefined gold.
Under export regulations, miners are required to sell 20 per cent of their gold exports to BoT, positioning the central bank as the preferred buyer.
According to BoT, foreign reserves play a crucial role in Tanzania’s economic stability by supporting foreign payments, currency stabilisation, and revenue generation through strategic investments in fixed-income instruments and money market deposits.
Furthermore, these reserves bolster investor confidence by strengthening the country’s financial standing, serve as emergency buffers against economic crises, facilitate trade, and support monetary policies.
BoT’s reserves are refined to 99.5 per cent or 99.9 per cent purity, ensuring maximum investment returns while reinforcing Tanzania’s position as a major gold player.
Looking ahead, BoT aims to support national objectives by strengthening local refineries for certification and addressing financing challenges for gold sellers.
Additionally, the bank seeks to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks to simplify gold operations, maintain competitive pricing, and enhance tax incentives to attract more local sellers.
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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
