How to make the most of investments in Zanzibar

How to make the most of investments in Zanzibar

Dar es Salaam. Economists have advised Zanzibaris to make the most of the current investment influx, whilst there still is a need for the government to create a level playing field for local and foreign businesses.

According to the President’s Office, Labour, Economy and Investments, so far the archipelago has registered 215 projects worth $3.3 billion (Sh7.6 trillion) during the first two years of President Hussein Mwinyi’s term.

This, according to the isle’s government, is expected to deliver 13,000 jobs to the Zanzibaris.

At the same time, economists who spoke to The Citizen have urged that one thing is certain for Zanzibaris to ensure that the investment is inclusive.

This they say means that the benefits should not just be limited to large businesses, but should also be shared by small and medium-sized enterprises as well as individual citizens.

Senior consultant and economist, Prof Samuel Wangwe said the investment incoming will have a trickle-down effect on the economy first in the form of foreign exchange.

“However, the design and framework should consider prioritising the local content, joint ventures, and partnerships so as to have the locals as involved in this growth,” he said.

Prof Wangwe said it is also for Zanzibaris to research and identify the needs and what is in demand from the investors, so as to create and produce products and/or services that align with those opportunities.

His views also complement that of fellow erudite Prof Humphrey Moshi who agreed that the influx of investment is, to a large part, equivalent to an improved economy.

He said while it will foster more improvement in business, entrepreneurship, and job creation; these investments create a tax collection source, allowing the government to fund its budget.

“The investment is also likely to spur development in the region, as infrastructure projects and other initiatives are funded and implemented. This will have an impact on single Zanzibaris,” he said.

The isle is also coming back to its commercial era, as the main economic activity of tourism rebounded from its pre-Covid-19 glory.

According to the Tourism Statistical Release No 73, Zanzibar recorded 548,503 arrivals in 2022, compared to 538,264 that were recorded in 2019.

The report which was prepared by the Office of Chief Government Statistician in collaboration with the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism and the Immigration department points towards a brighter future with January 2023 reaching record numbers.

According to the release, Zanzibar recorded 68,813 international visitors in January 2023, with tourists arriving from Italy surpassing Poland and Ukraine as the top two countries.

This represents a 62.1 percent increase over the 42,443 visitors recorded in January 2022 and an increase of 3.1 percent over the 66,720 visitors recorded in December 2022, according to the report.

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Tanzania's opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
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Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy

Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.

The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.

Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.

The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.

“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.

To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.

The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.

In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.

Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.

The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.

Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.

Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.

Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading

Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’
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Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’

Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’

Monrovia — The Rwanda Minister of State responsible for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, cautioned that while the country is beginning to see positive signals in its fight against the Marburg virus, the outbreak is “not yet over”. He, however, expressed hope that  “we are headed in that direction”. The minister said the epidemiology trend, since the disease was first discovered in the country more than a month ago, is moving towards fewer cases.

Dr. Butera, who was giving updates during an online briefing yesterday, said in the past two weeks, only two deaths were recorded while 14 people recovered from the disease. He said Rwanda was expanding its testing capacity with 16,000 people already inoculated against the disease.

The priority right now, Butera said, is “rapid testing and detection”.

Marburg is a highly virulent disease transmitted through human-to-human contact or contact with an infected animal. The fatality rate of cases, which has varied over the period, is more than 50%, according to the World Health Organization.  WHO said the highest number of new confirmed cases in Rwanda were reported in the first two weeks of the outbreak. There’s been a “sharp decline” in the last few weeks, with the country now tackling over 60 cases.

At Thursday’s briefing, a senior official of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, said mpox – the other infectious disease outbreak that countries in the region are fighting – was been reported in 19 countries, with Mauritius being the latest country to confirm a case. He said although no new cases have been recorded in recent weeks in several countries where outbreaks occurred previously –  including Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, and Gabon – Uganda confirmed its first Mpox death. This, he said, is one of two fatalities reported outside Central Africa.

Dr. Ngashi revealed that there was an increase in cases in Liberia and Uganda. He said mpox cases were still on an upward trend.

“The situation is not yet under control.”

Source: allafrica.com

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