Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on May 29, 2024.

Tanzania, US commences commercial dialogue in Dar es Salaam

Tanzania and the United States have initiated a commercial dialogue in Dar es Salaam, aiming to enhance the business environment between the two nations. Key issues on the agenda include the business regulatory framework in Tanzania, the digital economy, and export-import between the two countries.

This dialogue follows an agreement signed in October 2023 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Tanzanian Minister for Industry and Trade Dr. Ashatu Kijaji.

During the opening ceremony, the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael A. Battle Sr. emphasized the significance of the dialogue, noting the potential for mutual opportunities.

“The United States does not pursue commercial dialogues with every country. This is a very unique and special opportunity,” the Ambassador said. “We only establish commercial dialogues when we feel that the trade and economic relationship holds promise.”

He added, “We believe that Tanzania and the U.S. have opportunities to share, grow with each other, to learn from each other in a partnership where we are equals in this partnership, there’s no big and little.”

Dr. Hashil Abdallah, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Trade, expressed optimism about the dialogue’s outcomes, saying that a framework will be out in three months.

“The U.S. is a crucial stakeholder in Tanzanian business,” Dr. Abdallah said. “This meeting is vital for smoothing our trade relations. We anticipate having a working framework in place within three or four months.”

The dialogue is set to be an annual event, co-chaired by the Tanzanian Minister for Industry and Trade and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Hosting duties will rotate between the two countries, with participants including senior government officials and executive-level private sector stakeholders from both sides.

Tanzania Ministry of Industry and Trade shows Tanzania exports to the US through Africa Growth and Opportunity Act ( AGOA)have increased from USD 95.95 Million in 2016 to USD 205.82 Million in 2023. In total, Tanzania companies have exported a total of USD 968.83 Million under AGOA between 2016 and 2023.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Partner with NSSF to Build High-Rise Buildings in DRC and Kenya

Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation has announced a series of partnerships with Tanzania’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to construct high-rise buildings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, January Makamba, made this announcement in parliament yesterday during the presentation of the 241 billion budget for the financial year 2024/25, a decrease from the 247 billion budget approved for the year 2023/24

The ministry plans to build a twin-tower building with 22 floors on its Upperhill plot in Nairobi. Makamba confirmed they have already completed the construction handover arrangement with the NSSF.

In the DRC, the ministry plans to build a 25-floor commercial building on its plot in Boulevard du 30 Juin in Kinshasa.

Why is it important for young people to participate in local government elections?

As the 2024 local government election approaches, preparations are unfolding on multiple fronts, engaging both governmental bodies and stakeholders in the realms of politics and democracy. 

On the governmental side, it appears that the Ministry of President’s Office, Regional Administration, and Local Government (PO-RALG) will oversee the elections. This assumption is drawn from the PO-RALG budget speech in the current parliamentary session, which earmarked funds for the forthcoming local elections. 

This arrangement contrasts with the expectations of democracy advocates, who had anticipated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would oversee the elections in accordance with the new Independent National Electoral Commission Act of 2024. 

Section 10 (1)(c) of this Act mandates that INEC coordinate and supervise local government elections according to procedures outlined in a yet-to-be-enacted law. Despite this, there remains a call for the government to introduce a bill addressing the forthcoming local government election law.

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EU launches board to drive youth action, and empowerment in Tanzania

The European Union (EU) in Tanzania has launched the Youth Sounding Board (YSB), an initiative to amplify youth participation and empowerment in key areas such as the blue economy, human capital and employment, and governance. 

A statement released Monday that the board comprises 25 young leaders from the Tanzanian Mainland and Zanzibar who will advise the EU Ambassador to Tanzania, the EU delegation, and Team Europe, which is the EU and its member states.

The YSB was officially launched at the Europe Day celebrations in Dar es Salaam, hosted by Ms Christine Grau, EU Ambassador to Tanzania. Mwigulu Nchemba, Minister for Finance, attended the event as the guest of honour. 

Other guests included ambassadors, heads of missions, senior government officials, religious representatives and members of civil society and the media.

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