Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, September 5, 2022.
Three Tanzanian start-ups to be presented to international investors
Three Tanzanian companies will be presented to international investors in an event organised by the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles, for the first edition of BlueInvest Africa on September 7 and 8, 2022, in Seychelles.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the event, held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Seychelles, will bring together investors from Africa and Europe and African start-ups in order to generate business opportunities and promote the blue economy sector in Africa.
An important Tanzanian delegation is expected to participate in the various sessions of the event, the statement pointed out.
The three selected companies from Tanzania that will be pitching their project to investors are Eco-Act, a start-up company manufacturing plastic products from recycled plastic waste, seeking funds to purchase machines to increase production.
Others are ENdep Limited, a start-up company creating a solar-powered plant that will offer cold fish storage services, targeted to support women and young fish traders and NovFeed, the representative, Ms Diana Orembe, will give a TEDTalk on her ground-breaking experience with the production of bacteria-based protein for feed, particularly aquaculture.
Mr Rugola Mtandu of ENdep Limited said that Tanzania is endowed with the Indian Ocean and three major inland lakes.
“Therefore, the Blue Economy is of utmost relevance in uplifting the economic livelihoods of her citizens,” he said. “It is my expectation that the BlueInvest Africa event will open doors to meet investors and technology partners crucial for realizing the full potential of Blue Economy in Tanzania.”
Christian Mwijage of ECO-Act Company said: “We are excited by the BlueInvest Africa forum for not only giving us an opportunity to share our experience but also to learn from other actors in the blue economy sector. We hope to learn from their best practices, and adapt to our context to enhance our impact.”
The press release noted that in the near future, the EU will launch a EUR 140 million intervention in Tanzania aimed at contributing to a climate resilient Blue Economy in the Tanzanian coastal areas, in Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean (Exclusive Economic Zone) for the benefit of the economy and local communities, and for the preservation of the environment.
The EU is already actively supporting the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in implementing three fishery projects in Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and in the area of Unguja-Pemba-Pangani. It is also supporting projects in sustainable agriculture in coastal areas and in Zanzibar, as well as the development of renewable energies, sustainable cities, investments and community-based activities promoting livelihood and climate change adaptation.
Japan provides WFP Tanzania with $500,000 to support refugees’ activities
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday welcomed a $500,000 contribution from the government of Japan to help fund its assistance operations in favour of 204,000 refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in camps in the Kigoma region of Tanzania.
The donation was announced during a ceremony at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Yasushi Misawa, in the presence of WFP Country Director and Representative Sarah Gordon-Gibson.
Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania Mr Yasushi Misawa said during the ceremony that his country is a strong supporter of WFP worldwide and grateful for the role the organization plays in responding to the needs of vulnerable populations hence.
“I am pleased to make this contribution on behalf of the government and people of Japan, to Tanzania, knowing it will help meet the urgent food needs of vulnerable displaced people at a time of rapidly rising prices and other significant challenges,” he said. “Japan’s contribution to support WFP’s humanitarian response will help ensure vulnerable refugees in Tanzania are able to meet their nutritional needs.”
The contribution will be used to purchase 260 tonnes of beans for WFP’s food basket, which consists of cereal, fortified wheat and soya blend with sugar known as Super Cereal, pulses, vegetable oil and salt.
Sizeable funding shortages in recent years have obliged WFP to reduce rations to the refugees at Nyarugusu and Nduta camps, sometimes to as little as two-thirds of their minimum daily caloric needs, with ominous implications for health and well-being.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, WFP Country Director and Representative in Tanzania Sarah Gordon-Gibson said that WFP is grateful to Japan for this timely contribution which comes at a critical time given the challenging circumstances.
“The contribution from Japan will go a long way in investing in the Tanzanian economy through the local procurement of beans which will ultimately and quickly reach vulnerable refugee households,” she noted.
Govt launches campaign to uncover illegal firearms
The government has launched a special campaign for citizens in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them to relevant authorities in two months’ time.
Jumanne Sagini, the deputy minister for Home Affairs, launched the campaign in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, urging citizens with unauthorized firearms to surrender them or face punitive measures.
Sagini said the illegal firearms should be surrendered at police stations, offices of local government authorities and offices of village executive officers in September and October.
“Most of the illegally owned firearms are used in armed robberies and other crimes,” he said.
He said people that will surrender firearms will not be prosecuted but those who will be found with illegal firearms after the two-month campaign will face the full force of the law.
Camillus Wambura, the inspector general of Police, said all surrendered firearms will be publicly destroyed to create awareness that possession of illegal firearms is against the laws of the country.
This is it for today and we hope you enjoyed our briefing. Please consider subscribing to our newsletter (see below) or following us on Twitter (here) as that is the best way to make sure you do not miss any of these briefings. And in case you have any questions or comments, please consider dropping a word to our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
