Tanzania’s exports of goods and services increased to 11,940 million US dollars during the period to November last year from 9,733 million US dollars in the previous year driven by non-traditional goods exports and services receipts.
Meanwhile, the overall balance of payments was a deficit of 1,940.4 million US dollars compared to a surplus of 1,953.4 million US dollars in the previous year driven by higher payments abroad.
According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) monthly economic review for December, the exports of goods increased by 7.5 per cent to 7,241.4 million US dollars with non-traditional exports rising by 5.7 per cent emanating from exports of coal, diamonds, iron and steel, textiles, fish products and fertilisers.
During the period, coal worth 141.6 million US dollars was exported in the period ending November last year, higher than 13.2 million US dollars in the corresponding period in 2021, largely explained by rising demand for an alternative source of energy following the short supply of crude oil and natural gas amid the war in Ukraine.
Most of the coal was destined for neighbouring countries, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, and other countries including Poland, Hong Kong, India and Senegal.
Good performance was also recorded in exports of diamonds, which increased to 63.1 million US dollars from 8.4 million US dollars in the year to November 2021. The increase was explained by the resumption of production at Williamson Mines following a period of closure for maintenance.
During the period under review, gold exports which accounted for 46.5 per cent of goods exports also recorded a slight increase to 2,826.3 million US dollars from 2,816.5 million US dollars on account of volume effect.
Regarding traditional goods, exports increased to 760.9 million US dollars from 628.8 million US dollars supported by the rise in exports of cotton, cashew nuts, sisal and tobacco.
While the increase in value of cashew nuts and tobacco was owing to the volume effect of cotton due to a rise in price in the global market. As for sisal, the increase was on account of both volume and price effects.
On monthly basis, traditional exports rose to 126.5 million US dollars from 108.2 million US dollars in November 2021 while non-traditional exports were 488.4 million US dollars broadly unchanged from 486.3 million US dollars in November 2021.
Services receipts amounted to 4,698.6 million US dollars in the year to November higher than 2,997.2 million US dollars in 2021 explained by higher travel and transport receipts.
Travel receipts almost doubled to USD 2,446.8 million from USD 1,250.7 million, consistent with the rise in the number of tourist arrivals by 53.4 per cent to 1,412,060.
On monthly basis, services receipts were USD 414.6 million, higher than USD 327.4 million in November 2021.
According to the BoT monthly economic review for December, the external sector of the economy continued to endure challenges of commodity prices, tight financial conditions, high inflation among trading partners and supply-chain disruptions caused by the resurgence of Covid-19 and war in Ukraine.
The current account balance recorded a deficit of 5,116.1 million US dollars in the period ending November last year wider than 2,185 million US dollars in the preceding year due to high import bills.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
