Dar es Salaam. The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) yesterday signed a $900,000 (Sh2.3 billion) grant agreement for a project that seeks to integrate the strengths of the private sector and civil society to promote green economic growth.
Dubbed “Private Sector and CSOs for Inclusive and Greening Trade,” the project is expected to drive sustainable economic growth and inclusive trade practices as it addresses systemic challenges in Tanzania’s trade sector.
The three-year project targets marginalised groups such as women, youth and people with disability, who encounter barriers to full participation, as it also fosters consumer rights.
FCS executive director Justice Rutenge highlighted the importance of consumer protection initiatives outlined in the agreement.
“Consumer protection is crucial in today’s global market. Our collaboration with TMA is a monumental step towards establishing fair and green trade practice in Tanzania. We are dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of trade expansion are shared by all, particularly the most vulnerable sectors of our society,” he said.
Civil society organisations will play a crucial role in voicing opinions, suggestions, complaints and seeking redress through various channels.
Mr Rutenge also underscored the agreement’s focus on enhancing inclusivity and sustainability by increasing trade opportunities for marginalised groups.
“We will prioritise businesses with value chains promising sustainability,” he added.
TMA Tanzania country director Elibariki Shammy echoed the sentiment, emphasising the project’s potential to stimulate sustainable and inclusive trade growth.
“Empowering women is not only a moral imperative but a developmental one,” he said.
“This project is central to our strategic objectives to stimulate trade growth while ensuring that it’s sustainable and inclusive. We believe that through strategic collaborations like this, we can make a significant impact on Tanzania’s trade landscape,” Mr Shammy added.
The initiative will be able to dismantle barriers which marginalised groups encounter so as to create a trade environment that foster prosperity for all, he added.
Through the collaboration, TMA will support marginalised communities through smart agriculture practices and market readiness programmes, contributing to their sustainable growth.
Additionally, the project will focus on developing innovative digital technologies, including e-learning platforms for smart agriculture practices, enhancing market readiness and improving the global competitiveness of Tanzanian products.
The initiative seeks to improve trade resilience to climate change, thereby contributing to the long-term viability of Tanzania’s economy and environmental sustainability.
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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
