Unguja. Zanzibar faces significant challenges in sea transport, with a lack of direct shipping routes contributing to delayed cargo arrivals and escalating product costs.
Due to the type and size of cargo handled at Malindi port, many large vessels arriving from overseas first dock at Dar es Salaam and Mombasa in Kenya, forcing other ships to follow suit.
As a result, Zanzibar’s port experiences delays in unloading, further driving up costs for local businesses.
At the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) on March 18, 2025, local entrepreneurs discussed how this issue is affecting the cost of doing business on the island.
Karama Karama, a representative of the business community, highlighted the problems caused by the lack of direct sea transport for goods arriving from overseas.
“Many ships pass through Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, which leads to extended delivery times before the cargo reaches Zanzibar,” Karama said.
One of the primary reasons for the absence of direct shipping routes is the small volume of cargo unloaded on the island. Shipowners, therefore, perceive operations in Zanzibar as less profitable.
The minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, acknowledged the issue during a report on the upcoming meeting of the Federation of Customs and Freight Forwarding Agents in Africa and the Middle East (Fiata-RAME 2025), which will be held on the island from April 30 to May 1.
He suggested that the current challenges could present investment opportunities in the sector.
“Ships coming from China to Dar es Salaam carry more than 10,000 containers, while those coming to Zanzibar carry only 100 containers,” Mbarawa said.
“The disparity in cargo volumes means higher costs for transportation. If we can increase the volume of cargo shipped directly to Zanzibar, these costs would decrease.”
Mbarawa said that the government’s role is to create an environment conducive to investment in direct shipping routes, enabling vessels to travel from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and thus reduce costs.
The minister of Works, Communications and Transport in Zanzibar, Dr Khalid Salum Mohamed, reported improvements at Zanzibar’s port over the past year. Previously, ships had to anchor for up to 40 days, but now, the average stay is reduced to just eight days.
However, the demand for goods in preparation for Ramadan has caused the time ships spend at anchor to rise, with ships now staying for an average of 18 days from January to March 2025.
Omar Said Shaaban, Zanzibar’s Minister of Trade and Industry Development, stressed that the country’s industrial growth would stall unless the transport challenges are addressed, particularly with regard to sea transport, which is vital for the import and export of goods.
“There is an urgent need for a genuine solution to these transport challenges, for the sake of both the business community and the nation as a whole,” Shaaban said.
Opening the meeting, Zanzibar’s Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, acknowledged the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce’s critical role in advocating for improved business conditions. He emphasised the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to create a more conducive environment for trade and investment.
“The private sector is a key driver of economic growth and job creation. The government will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure Zanzibar becomes a hub for trade and investment in East Africa and beyond,” Abdulla said.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the government to strengthen laws governing the private sector, ensuring that they align with international standards.
Abdulla called on ZNCC leaders to promote integrity and ethical business practices to foster trust and accelerate investment in Zanzibar. He encouraged businesses to pay taxes voluntarily and on time, as this would help generate revenue for infrastructure development and social services.
Meanwhile, ZNCC Executive Director Hamad Hamad revealed that the chamber is working on a system to expedite the process of obtaining export certificates, which currently involves lengthy procedures.
Lilian Masalu, a representative of TradeMark Africa, spoke about the institution’s ongoing collaboration with the government and private sector to improve business infrastructure, remove barriers to trade, and strengthen policy frameworks.
Masalu noted that TradeMark Africa is dedicated to helping the private sector overcome operational challenges and enhance its performance.
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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
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
Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
