Dar es Salaam. The Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) has categorically denied claims circulating on social media that KLM and Air France will temporarily suspend their Zanzibar routes due to a $44 tourist travel insurance fee.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 19, 2024, the ZAA clarified that the suspensions are routine seasonal adjustments and not related to any new fees.
“This information is incorrect,” said ZAA Director General, Mr Seif Abdalla Juma. “Both airlines have clarified that the temporary suspensions are routine adjustments based on seasonal demand and are unrelated to any travel insurance requirements.”
Air France will temporarily suspend its Paris-Zanzibar route between 22nd March and 25th May 2025 due to the “green season,” a traditionally quieter period for tourism.
KLM, on the other hand, will pause its Zanzibar service from Amsterdam during the IATA summer season (March to October 2025) and resume operations in the winter season.
Mr Juma urged the public to be cautious about unverified information. “We call upon the public to disregard such misinformation from unreliable sources and instead refer to official airline communications or reputable news outlets for accurate updates on flight operations,” he emphasised.
The clarification comes in the wake of concerns raised by tourism stakeholders after Air France and KLM announced the suspensions. As previously reported, French tourists have become a key market for Zanzibar’s tourism industry, contributing significantly to visitor numbers.
Stakeholders worry that the suspension of direct flights may impact Zanzibar’s appeal, given the convenience and comfort of direct routes.
A tourism professional, Frédérique Duvignacq, noted earlier that “such changes could prompt travellers to consider alternative destinations such as Kenya or South Africa.”
Despite these challenges, the ZAA reassured stakeholders of its commitment to supporting Zanzibar’s tourism sector. The authority also highlighted the importance of addressing misinformation to prevent unnecessary panic.
Both airlines have assured the public that operations will resume as scheduled, with Air France returning in May 2025 and KLM resuming in October 2025. Travellers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly.
For accurate updates, the ZAA advises travellers to consult official airline channels or credible sources. “Let us ensure that only factual information is shared to maintain confidence in Zanzibar’s tourism and travel industry,” Mr Juma concluded
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income
Insurer and financial services provider Britam posted a 22.5 percent jump in net earnings for the half-year ended June 2024, to Sh2 billion, buoyed by increased investment income.
The rise in half-year net profit from Sh1.64 billion posted in a similar period last year came on the back of net investment income rising 2.5 times to Sh13.27 billion from Sh5.3 billion.
“We are confident in the growth and performance trend that Britam has achieved, supported by its subsidiaries in Kenya and the region. Our business is expanding its revenue base while effectively managing costs,” Britam Chief Executive Officer Tom Gitogo said.
“Our customer-centric approach is fueling growth in our customer base and product uptake, particularly through micro-insurance, partnerships, and digital channels.”
The investment income growth was fueled by interest and dividend income rising 34 percent to Sh9.1 billion, which the insurer attributed to growth in revenue and the gains from the realignment of the group’s investment portfolio.
Britam also booked a Sh3.79 billion gain on financial assets at a fair value, compared with a Sh1.8 billion loss posted in a similar period last year.
The increased investment income helped offset the 12.7 percent decline in net insurance service result to Sh2.13 billion in the wake of claims paid out rising at a faster pace than that of premiums received.
Britam said insurance revenue, which is money from written premiums, increased to Sh17.8 billion from Sh16.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Kenya insurance business and regional general insurance businesses, which contributed 30 percent of the revenue.
The group has a presence in seven countries in Africa namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Britam’s insurance service expense hit Sh13.6 billion from Sh11.3 billion, while net insurance finance expenses rose 2.6 times to Sh12.3 billion during the same period.
“Net insurance finance expenses increased mainly due to growth in interest cost for the deposit administration business driven by better investment performance. This has also been impacted by a decline in the yield curve, which has led to an increase in the insurance contract liabilities. The increase has been offset by a matching increase in fair value gain on assets,” said Britam.
Britam’s growth in profit is in line with that of other Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurers, which have seen a rise in profits.
Jubilee Holdings net profit in the six months increased by 22.7 percent to Sh2.5 billion on increased income from insurance, helping the insurer maintain Sh2 per share interim dividend.
CIC Insurance Group posted a 0.64 percent rise in net profit to Sh709.99 million in the same period as net earnings of Liberty Kenya nearly tripled to Sh632 million from Sh213 million, while Sanlam Kenya emerged from a loss to post a Sh282.2 million net profit.
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