Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania June 24, 2024.

Tanzania urged to invest in climate-smart strategies to boost livestock sector

A new World Bank report urges Tanzania to adopt climate-smart strategies to significantly enhance its livestock sector, which could boost economic contribution and job creation. 

The 21st Tanzania Economic Update, titled “Harnessing the Opportunity for a Climate-Smart and Competitive Livestock Sector in Tanzania,” highlights the need for substantial public investment, recommending $546 million over the next five years. 

This annual investment of approximately $109 million represents a five-fold increase over previous budgets and a 50 percent increase from the 2023/24 budget.

“The demand for livestock products has risen due to urbanization, income growth, and changing lifestyles,” said Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director. “There is a real opportunity to capitalize on the growing internal market and explore export expansion sustainably.”

According to the report, Tanzania has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, with an estimated 36.6 million heads of cattle, the second-largest in Africa. The sector employs 33 percent of the population, or 4.6 million households, but exports remain below potential, indicating room for growth in job creation and poverty reduction.

The report identifies challenges such as erratic rainfall, higher temperatures, and endemic livestock diseases impacting productivity and market access. Structural and institutional challenges, along with low public funding, hinder essential investments in research, extension services, and infrastructure.

Moreover, the livestock sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Despite this, funding for methane reduction is minimal, complicating efforts to achieve climate change mitigation goals while ensuring food security.

“Despite various challenges, the sector has strong growth potential,” said Ernest Ruzindaza, World Bank Senior Agricultural Economist and co-author of the report. “Tanzania’s strategic location and diverse indigenous livestock breeds support regional and global demand for livestock products.”

Unveiling the report on June 24, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, among other things, stated that the report commends the sixth phase government for its deliberate efforts to ensure the growth of the livestock sector, which continues to make a significant contribution to the national income.

Among the issues highlighted in the report are the government’s increased budget for the livestock sector, which has enabled the improvement of production and market infrastructure, the establishment of livestock farms and seed infrastructure, disease control, and the strengthening of extension services.

The report advocates for public investment in climate-smart interventions, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 13 percent and increase protein production by 29 percent over six years. Recommendations include policies and investments targeting productivity, trade, climate adaptation, and sector governance.

Kariakoo strike:Government halts EFDs inspection operation in Kariakoo

The government has suspended its operation of inspecting electronic fiscal device (EFD) receipts and tax returns that was being conducted by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) through the Kariakoo tax region in Dar es Salaam, while a proper implementation procedure for this matter is being prepared for the Kariakoo International Market.

This was stated, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Dodoma by the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Professor Kitila Mkumbo, on behalf of the government while delivering the resolutions of a meeting between Tanzanian business leaders, leaders of traders from the Kariakoo Market, and institutions overseeing business matters.

The meeting was convened by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, and was also attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, along with other senior government officials. 

This followed a strike on June 24, 2024, by traders in the Kariakoo area, who closed their shops to press the government to address their 14 demands. These demands include issues related to the ongoing crackdowns conducted by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the excessive taxation.

 After the strike began, the Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam, Albert Chalamila, visited the area and urged traders who are willing to open their shops should not be disturbed.

Speaking to reporters in Dodoma shortly after the meeting, Minister Mkumbo explained that to end the strike, the parties involved had met and agreed on six key points.

Among these points is that starting from July 1, 2024, the Tanzania Revenue Authority will review the new documentation system to ensure that traders receive accurate estimates through a more efficient system of invoices and receipts.

Mkumbo added that the Tanzania Revenue Authority will also halt its well-known operations, called “kamata kamata,” until this new system is fully implemented to establish a more efficient revenue collection process, particularly concerning the availability of proper documentation.

This marks the second strike within approximately a year. Last year, traders in Kariakoo closed their shops for about four days, a situation that affected both their economic well-being and the national economy overall.

Government of Zanzibar opposes the plan to extend President Mwinyi’s term

 The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has stated that the proposal to extend President Hussein Mwinyi’s term from five to seven years is neither beneficial nor advantageous for the country or the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

A statement released, June 24, 2024, by the Chief Government Spokesperson of Zanzibar, Charles Hilary, emphasized that President Mwinyi is committed to adhering to the country’s constitution and laws. Therefore, he wants to make it clear that the proposal is not endorsed by President Mwinyi nor by the Chama cha Mapinduzi Zanzibar.

Hilary added that President Mwinyi will continue to respect the established procedure of electing a president every five years and urged those with differing opinions to close the discussion on this matter.

This statement from the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) comes one day after the Deputy Secretary-General of CCM Zanzibar, Mohamed Dimwa, announced that members of the Secretariat of the Special Committee of CCM Zanzibar had passed a proposal to advise the special committee to approve extending President Mwinyi’s first term from five to seven years.

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