Did you know that nearly 60% of the waste in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is food waste? It ends up in waste disposal sites where it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas whose reduction is critically necessary to reduce global warming.
Tanzania is embarking on a journey to address methane emissions, through collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing urban resilience and tackling climate change. Tanzania will be one of 15 countries to be included in a global methane initiative spearheaded by the World Bank, that aims to reduce emissions of this potent greenhouse gas. As part of the World Bank Climate Action Plan, reducing methane emissions was identified as a cost-effective way to reduce the rise in global temperatures and its impacts.
Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that stands out for being 80 times more potent and dangerous than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Addressing it is a significant challenge and but one that has major benefits in the fight against global warming.
Tanzania will focus on reducing methane produced from its livestock and agriculture sectors, and from solid waste produced in the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam. It will be a collaborative effort among the Government of Tanzania, private sector, civil society, communities, and households. The British High Commission, Government of Sweden, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Netherlands, and the World Bank have joined the effort as part of a broader push to improve solid waste in Dar es Salaam. Livestock emissions will be supported as part of the Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development in Tanzania and proposed World Bank financing that would improve the competitiveness of livestock operations.
Livestock and Methane
The livestock sector contributes 14.5% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions globally, with the largest contribution from the methane produced coming from animal digestive systems. In Tanzania, a single cow emits over 80 kg of methane per year and Tanzania’s livestock sub-sector, which is home to 36.6 million cattle, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. As populations grow and the demand for livestock products rises, mitigation strategies are crucial for the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, who rely heavily on livestock. These strategies include optimizing feeding practices and implementing efficient manure management practices that reduce emission intensity while improving production. Analysis shows that mitigation interventions, along with control of animal numbers over the next six years, could reduce emissions by 13%, while increasing production by 29%.
The World Bank is developing a Results Framework for monitoring methane emissions in livestock operations in Tanzania, helping track progress and foster consistent project assessments and accurate emission baselines, enhancing the efficiency of methane emission reduction efforts.
Solid Waste and Methane
In Dar es Salaam, solid waste is the largest emitter of methane, accounting for 55% of methane emissions from the city. Between 2024 and 2040, these emissions are projected to increase further by over 90%. However, it can be managed; by deploying established technologies at scale, it is possible to reduce up to 80% of the emissions from solid waste.
“Dar es Salaam boasts numerous innovative programs tackling food waste, with vast potential to mitigate the city’s impact on global climate change; the World Bank initiative aims to collaborate with these groups, leveraging their expertise and local insights on climate change to scale them at a city level,” says John Morton, Senior Urban Specialist at the World Bank.
Nipe Fagio, a local environmental organization, is utilizing insects (black soldier fly larvae) for food waste processing, converting food waste into compost and insect protein. Kinondoni Municipality’s Mabwepande Composting facility, is also processing food waste from the city’s markets. Scaling both initiatives could result in a significant reduction in methane emissions. Reducing food waste during distribution and at households also has a large potential to reduce emissions and will be targeted under the initiative.
Investing in Methane Mitigation
Tanzania’s methane mitigation will be supported by the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP), aiming to modernize the city’s waste management infrastructure, focusing on reduction, reuse, recycling, and treatment. Nyariri Nanai, the DMDP Coordinator, emphasized “Tanzania is committed to methane reduction through comprehensive waste management strategies as part of the DMDP, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future for all Tanzanians.”
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While efforts aim to reduce emissions they also aim to increase production, and the planned Tanzania Livestock Resilience and Competitiveness Project will help transform the livestock sector, focusing on building economic growth and ensuring a sustainable future capable of meeting global food demands while addressing climate change.
The global imperative to reduce climate change is generating international interest in contributing to the initiative. “The UK’s vision is to work with partners to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change, and protect nature. Through this project, we have the opportunity to work with Dar es Salaam city authorities and the World Bank, to simultaneously improve urban resilience and the city’s waste management systems,” said Kemi Williams, Development Director, British High Commission, Tanzania.
The success of the methane initiative hinges on the collective efforts of various stakeholders including government, NGOs, the private sector, the informal sector, financiers and donors, and the community at large. Through united efforts, the initiative aims to set a benchmark for sustainable urban development and climate resilience in Tanzania.
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
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.
European Union Bans Air Tanzania Over Safety Concerns
Kampala — The European Commission added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, banning the airline from operating within European Union airspace. This decision follows the denial of Air Tanzania’s Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), citing significant safety deficiencies.
The EU Air Safety List includes airlines that fail to meet international safety standards. Commissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of passenger safety, stating: “The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards. We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift action to address these safety issues. The Commission has offered its assistance to Tanzanian authorities to enhance safety performance and achieve compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania joins several African airlines banned from EU airspace, including carriers from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Kenya. Notable names include Congo Airways, Sudan Airways, and Kenyan carriers Silverstone Air Services and Skyward Express. The ban reflects the EU’s strict approach to aviation safety worldwide.
Source: allafrica.com
