Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
The future is cultivated: How the AGRF 2023 in Dar es Salaam could change Africa’s destiny
In the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, where the Indian Ocean caresses the Tanzanian coast, the future of Africa is being debated, strategised, and hopefully, reshaped. September 5, 2023, marks the commencement of Africa’s Food Systems Forum, better known as the AGRF 2023 Summit.
As dignitaries jet in and conference halls brim with discussions, a dire question looms over the convening intellects: Will Africa finally walk the talk?
At Mbagala, a shantytown mere twenty minutes from the polished AGRF venues, I meet Samuel, a 25-year-old with dreams bigger than his cramped dwelling. Samuel, a high school graduate, spends his days not in a classroom or an office but sifting through odds on sports betting websites.
He’s one of the millions caught in the snare of Africa’s 12 per cent youth unemployment rate. “I want to do more, be more,” Samuel tells me, his eyes clouding. “But what chance do I have?”
Full analysis here.
Fuel prices soar as fuel queues emerge in various towns
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) yesterday released new fuel prices for the month of September 2023. For Dar es Salaam petrol is priced at 3,213 per litre and Diesel at 3,259 per litre.
EWURA explained that the high price observed is due to the increase in fuel premiums, fuel prices in the world market and OPEC decisions.
The new prices come into the market as there is an emergence of long queues in various towns and major cities with the exception of Dar es Salaam.
Following the complaints from residents, on September 04,2023, EWURA suspended two fuel stations for hoarding fuel. The two stations suspended include Matemba station and Camel Oil based in Morogoro and the regulator announced that they are continuing with their investigation in 16 fuel stations
African women demand Africa Climate Week: ‘We refuse to be tokenised’
On September 3, 2023, African feminists, under the auspices of Africa Women and Gender Constituency, gathered in Nairobi ahead of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Kenya’s capital on September 4 to provide “instructive and visionary leadership” in climate change.
Here, we publish in full their declaration, which calls on African governments and nations of the Global North to take serious measures to address the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects African women and girls.
Read the declaration in full here.
Nay Wa Mitego: Artist who speaks truth to power battles with authorities’ attempts to ‘silence’ him
Speaking of Tanzania’s top music artists, Nay Wa Mitego is the name that cannot be missed on the list. A Hip Hop and Bongoflava artist, Nay identifies himself as the ‘President of Manzese’ or ‘President of the Street’.
Manzese, a working-class neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam, is where Nay wa Mitego grew up. With a population of about 62,251, Manzese is synonymous with the struggles of the have-nots in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
Moving along the streets of Dar es Salaam, you hardly miss several steps in busy streets without hearing the voice of Nay wa Mitego from stalls, public transport, pubs, and others. Somehow, somewhere, you will hear his music.
But listening to the radio, you can only hear some of his best works; recently, most are features. It all comes to his music, which appears to put him at loggerheads with the National Art Council (BASATA).
Full story here.
Black Rock sign offtake deal with POSCO for Tanzanian graphite project
Australia-based graphite developer Black Rock Mining announced Tuesday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its strategic partner, POSCO International, about graphite supply from Module 2 of the Mahenge project in Tanzania.
Under the non-binding agreement, POSCO will purchase fine graphite from the planned production of the Mahenge Module 2 project. In exchange, POSCO will make an additional investment of up to $40m in Black Rock Mining or a stake of 19.99 per cent, whichever is smaller.
“The agreement builds on the strategic partnership between Black Rock and POSCO, which is working towards developing the Mahenge graphite project to provide a significant new source of natural graphite into a highly dependent global market driven by clean energy demand,” Black Rock said in a statement.
The company expects the agreement to de-risk its funding strategy further to develop the Mahenge graphite project, which is spread across 324km² of exploration tenements in Tanzania’s Ulanga district.
According to the definitive feasibility study, the project could deliver up to 340,000tpa of 98.5 per cent graphite concentrate for a period of 26 years.
“We are extremely pleased to deepen our relationship with POSCO further, and we believe today’s announcement represents a strong endorsement of the promising future of the Mahenge graphite project,” Black Rock Mining CEO John de Vries said.
“POSCO’s confirmed interest in Mahenge Module 2 also represents a major de-risking milestone for the company, providing increased confidence for all of our stakeholders and improved visibility on funding and our pathway to production,” de Vries added.
The Mahenge graphite project is owned by the Tanzanian joint venture (JV), Faru Graphite.
Black Rock Mining owns an 84 per cent stake in the JV, while the Tanzanian government holds the remaining 16 per cent interest.
Tanzania Energy Congress 2023 hosts Oman JSRS eMarketplace
The 2023 Tanzania Energy Congress, scheduled for September 20-21, announced Tuesday the inclusion of the Oman JSRS eMarketplace (JeM) as part of its annual international conference and exhibition.
A statement said that the collaboration underscores the commitment of Oman and Tanzania-Zanzibar to strengthen economic ties and capitalise on opportunities in oil, gas, LNG, and new energies for mutual growth and sustainable development.
Under the patronage of Doto Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, the Congress is a significant global energy sector meeting in the East African region. A key highlight of this year’s international Exhibition is the inclusion of the Oman JSRS eMarketplace (JeM), a unique digital showcase featuring suppliers certified by Oman’s Ministry of Energy & Minerals’ Joint Supplier Registration System (JSRS).
The partnership between Oman and Tanzania-Zanzibar is built on shared interests, strong diplomatic relations, and a mutual commitment to sustainable development. With abundant natural resources and a strategic geographic location, both nations aim to drive economic prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The collaboration emphasises the potential of the oil and gas sectors. Oman’s expertise in these domains and Tanzania-Zanzibar’s emerging potential offer a unique opportunity for growth and diversification.
Clean energy is a focal point in this collaboration, emphasising LNG. Oman’s experience in LNG production can play a pivotal role in aiding Tanzania-Zanzibar in establishing their LNG facilities fostering economic growth while minimising carbon emissions.
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