Arusha. Tanzania is among a few African countries whose economies are forecasted to excel this year.
The five top performing economies in the continent are expected to grow by over 5.5 percent during 2023/24.
“They will reclaim their position among the world’s ten fastest-growing economies” the African Development Bank (AfDB) said.
Tanzania’s economy is projected to grow by 5.6 percent this year, according to AfDB’s report dubbed ‘Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook’.
The country will trail Rwanda, whose economy is projected to grow by 7.9 percent, followed by Côte d’Ivoire 7.1 percent.
The economies of Benin and Ethiopia will during the period (2023/24) grow by 6.4 percent and 6 percent respectively.
The AfDB projections corroborate with the World Bank’s forecasts that Tanzania’s economy will expand by 5.3 percent in 2023.
During his recent meeting with the editors, the deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of Finance Mr Lawrence Mafuru said the economy was on an expansion tempo.
The government’s policies for 2023 will also dwell on stimulating growth while simultaneously mitigating external shocks being a small economy. “As the developed economies struggle with rising inflation rates, Tanzania will find it difficult to acquire its development financing at affordable interest rates,” he said.
Among the measures to be taken is fast-tracking the development of the planned $30 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant to give the economy its growth momentum.
Tanzania’s economic growth for the year will be way above sub-Saharan Africa’s average growth forecast of 3.6 percent.
“Growth across all five African regions was positive in 2022 and the outlook for 2023–24 is projected to be stable,” the report said.
Tanzania and the four other countries were top economic performers in Africa prior to Covid-19 pandemic.
A clutch of other African countries that are also expected to grow their economies by more than 5.5 percent in the same period.
These include Niger (9 percent), Senegal (9.4 percent), DR Congo (6.8 percent), The Gambia (6.4 percent), Mozambique (6.5 percent) and Togo at 6.3 percent. In east Africa, growth is projected to rise from 4.2 percent in 2022 to 5 percent in 2023 and 5.4 percent in 2024, with Rwanda leading the region. Uganda and Ethiopia are also projected to grow strongly in 2023 and 2024, exceeding 5 percent.
This is attributed to developments in the oil sector for Uganda and continued infrastructure spending for Ethiopia. Growth in West Africa is projected to rise from 3.6 percent in 2022 to 4.1 percent in 2023 and 4.3 percent in 2024, with Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal boosting the region’s growth. Central Africa is projected to see a slight decline from 4.7 percent in 2022 to 4.3 percent in 2023 and to stabilize at 4.2 percent in 2024.
The southern African region, weighed down by economic woes in South Africa, has the lowest growth rates, despite standout performer, Mozambique. In the medium term, however, persistent weakness in South Africa will continue to weigh on the region. The real output in what was once Africa’s largest economy is projected to decelerate to 2.3 percent in 2023 before rising to 2.8 percent in 2024.
Growth in the south will be primarily driven by Mozambique, which will see economic growth boosted by investment in liquefied natural gas and allied industries.
In northern Africa, growth is projected to stabilise at 4.3 percent in 2023, supported by an expected strong recovery in Libya and Morocco. Africa will be the fast-growing part of the world economy this year despite the soaring fuel and food prices globally.
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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
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