Latest news with #Arusha
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
EAC ministers suspend new levies on high-risk products pending review
East African Community finance ministers have suspended the implementation of new levies on lubricating oils, aluminium bars and active yeast, which are considered high-risk products, and referred the taxation proposal to the regional sectoral committee on customs for further analysis. The committee on customs is expected to report back to the finance ministers during the next pre-budget consultations meeting in May next year, according to the resolutions of the meeting by the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 26-30 May. Read: EAC adopts new levies on 'high risk' products to curb unscrupulous tradersThe new rates had been planned to take effect from July 1 this year.'It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Sectoral Committee on Customs for further technical analysis and that the proposed specific duties be deferred pending the outcome of this review,' the report of the meeting states. During its 45th meeting held in November last year, SCTIFI adopted $0.46 per litre as a specific duty rate on lubricating oils so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $0.46, whichever is higher, and $700 per tonne as a specific duty rate on active yeast so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $700, whichever is higher. It also adopted $690 per tonne as a specific duty rate on aluminium bars, rods and profiles so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $ 690, whichever is higher. These duties followed a directive by the ministers of finance during the pre-budget consultations in May 2023 that required member states and the EAC Secretariat to identify high-risk products and assign a specific duty rate to address issues related to under-invoicing and undervaluation. The suspension of the proposed rates is expected to allow Tanzania more time to complete consultations with the relevant stakeholders on the proposed rates. It is also expected to allow the sectoral committee on customs to relook at additional factors such as whether the products are imported from the same country or countries of export and whether the imports occur at or about the same period. Read: Slow progress on harmonising standards affecting EAC tradeDuring the pre-budget consultations last month, Tanzania said that national consultations with relevant stakeholders had been concluded and highlighted the need to address a few outstanding issues before adoption of the proposed specific duty rates. The meeting agreed that a re-analysis should be undertaken to determine the identical nature of the products based on a number of parameters, such as the percentage of aluminium content relative to other metals in the alloy, the proportion of base oil relative to other additives or constituents (lubricating oils) and the material composition of the product (Active yeast). The finance ministers also noted that additional factors such as whether the products are imported from the same country of export and whether the imports occur at or about the same period should be considered. Customs valuation is a major feature and concern of modern customs tariff systems since it is important for assessment of customs duties for purposes of generating revenues or as a means of encouraging and protecting domestic industries. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( James Anyanzwa
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Eala gets $660,690 loan, convenes virtually to debate budget
The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) has resumed its sittings — but this time virtually — to discuss the supplementary budget for the financial year 2024/25 and the draft budget estimates for the 2025/26 fiscal year. Eala traditionally convenes at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Arusha, but has opted for virtual sessions due to financial constraints. This was made possible through a loan of $660,690, sourced from EAC institutions and affiliated agencies. Both Bills were forwarded to the General Purpose Committee for detailed scrutiny. Ms Askul tabled two other Bills — the EAC Seed and Plant Varieties Bill, 2025 and the EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025. These were referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources and the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, respectively. The reconvening of the assembly under such challenging circumstances was hailed as a significant institutional achievement, given the severe financial difficulties facing the bloc. On April 29, 2025, Eala members agreed to suspend all budgetary deliberations until the Council of Ministers convened and released the necessary funds for the budget's review and approval. This prompted the council to hold an emergency session on May 29, 2025, to address the assembly's resolutions. In that meeting, the council invoked Rule 10(5a) allowing the assembly to hold virtual sittings, and resolved to borrow $660,690 to support the budget approval process. Cash crunchThe financial crisis within the EAC is largely blamed on delayed or non-payment of financial contributions by some partner states. Each of the eight-member states is expected to contribute $7 million annually toward the community's operational budget. As of April 2025, only the founding members, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, had fully met their financial obligations. Rwanda had paid 75 percent, Somalia 50 percent, Burundi 19 percent, DR Congo 14 percent, and South Sudan seven percent. The EAC's total budget for the financial year 2024/25 stands at $112.98 million, of which $67.79 million (61 percent) is expected from member states and internal revenue, while the remaining $43.94 million is projected to come from development partners. EACJ president Justice Nestor Kayobera said that budget constraints have severely hampered the court's operations, which are essential for upholding the rule of law and resolving disputes within the bloc.'We have more than 260 pending cases, largely due to the unavailability of judges on a full time basis,' he said. 'They serve under short-term contracts, which have resulted in significant case backlogs. This is a major challenge.' © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Digital Future is Inclusive: Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 Closes Strong, Powered by the Future Ready Summit
Innovation took center stage in Tanzania as Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 (IWTz2025) anchored by the Future Ready Summit (FRS2025) wrapped up a powerful five-day journey of ideation, collaboration and solution-driven dialogue. With the theme 'Innovation for an Inclusive and Resilient Future,' the landmark platform brought together a diverse mix of policymakers, innovators, private sector leaders, development partners, academia, and youth to reimagine Tanzania's development agenda through the lens of homegrown, inclusive, and tech-driven innovation. The events, held from 12th to 16th May 2025, served as a national platform to drive forward-thinking dialogue around digital transformation, urban development, climate adaptation, AI adoption, and inclusive technologies. Satellite events and activations extended the impact across regions reaching universities and communities in Arusha, Morogoro, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, and beyond, ensuring the innovation conversation was truly nationwide. Vodacom Tanzania PLC, UNDP Tanzania through its FUNGUO Innovation program and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) jointly spearheaded the week's activities, showcasing the strength of public-private partnerships in shaping Tanzania's innovation ecosystem. Speaking at the event, Philip Besiimire, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, underscored the importance of designing human-centered innovation. 'Any technology that is not human-centered and solving real human challenges is impractical. We must ask ourselves: is the technology we're building truly usable by the average Tanzanian? Innovation must be inclusive, accessible, and transformational. That's what we are building toward.' The Future Ready Summit 2025 explored how Tanzania can accelerate its journey towards smart cities, 5G connectivity, e-governance and Artificial Intelligence, while also bridging the digital divide. It provided a space for policymakers, startups, and digital experts to engage in meaningful dialogue and unveil solutions that could propel Tanzania into a tech-enabled and inclusive future. Simultaneously, Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 provided a broader picture for innovation in action. From community-led tech innovations to startup pitch sessions, climate solutions to digital skills initiatives, the week celebrated Tanzania's innovation potential especially from youth and underrepresented communities. Tech exhibitions, roundtables, workshops, and policy forums created a dynamic environment for engagement, idea exchange, and cross-sector collaboration. Highlighting the developmental angle of the week's activities, John Rutere, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Tanzania said, 'At UNDP, our FUNGUO Program is designed to spark innovation among young Tanzanians. The program gives them access not only to tools, but to the environment and support networks they need to tackle real societal challenges and scale impact.' On the government's role in driving research and innovation, Dr. Amos Nungu, Director General of COSTECH, noted, 'Innovation must move beyond profit to serve people and the planet. Public-private partnerships are where innovation meets action and opportunity—and it's up to all of us to mobilize around a shared purpose.' As IWTz 2025 and FRS2025 close, the momentum generated, and partnerships formed have laid a strong foundation for future collaboration. Tanzania's journey toward a resilient, inclusive digital economy is not only underway, but also being shaped by its own people, with the support of visionary partners and a shared commitment to impact. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Phase III of the East African Community (EAC) Mobile Laboratories Project launched
Phase III of the EAC Mobile Laboratories Project was launched today on the sidelines of the 25th EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health in Arusha Tanzania. This milestone strengthens the region's capacity for rapid, accurate disease detection and response under the One Health approach, enhancing cross-border surveillance for outbreaks such as Covid-19, Ebola, Marburg, Mpox, and others. The initiative underscores the EAC's commitment to regional health security and pandemic preparedness, made possible through strong partnerships with KfW, GIZ, and other development partners. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Partners Launch East Africa Regional Clean Cooking Symposium in Arusha, Tanzania
To accelerate the momentum of the clean cooking revolution, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) ( in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and the European Union, inaugurated the Eastern Africa Regional Clean Cooking Energy Symposium in Arusha, Tanzania. The event brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss strategies for advancing clean cooking, under the theme 'Linking finance, innovation, technology adoption, access, and policy.' The three-day regional symposium convened over 200 key stakeholders, including senior government representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, development partners, SMEs, researchers, financial institutions, and civil society organizations. This gathering underscored a shared regional commitment to addressing the critical issue of clean cooking in East Africa, where the prevalent use of traditional biomass fuels like wood and charcoal poses significant health risks, contributes to environmental degradation, and exacerbates climate change. In his keynote address, delivered on behalf of Hon. Dr. Dotto Mashaka Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Eng. Innocent Luoga, Commissioner of Electricity and Renewable Energy, emphasized: 'The Clean Cooking Agenda is a top national priority for Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has taken an active leadership role in championing clean cooking across the continent, particularly through the launch of the African Women Clean Cooking Support Program. This symposium serves as a platform for new ideas and regional collaboration on the clean cooking agenda'. The symposium aligns with Tanzania's National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034), which aims to ensure that 80% of Tanzanians adopt clean cooking solutions by 2034. This ambitious goal addresses the pressing need to reduce reliance on traditional cooking methods that contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and adverse health outcomes. Mr. Peter Malika, UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor, highlighted the symposium's significance: 'This regional symposium is a valuable platform for learning, sharing, and collaboration. We are highlighting opportunities in the clean cooking value chain, promoting cooperation, and advancing the adoption of clean cooking as a primary objective of a regional conference such as this one.' Throughout the symposium, participants will engage in discussions on blended finance mechanisms, leveraging private sector investments, establishing standards and certification to ensure quality and consumer confidence, exploring carbon credit opportunities, and sharing best practices and innovations in clean cooking technologies and market delivery approaches. Also speaking at the Symposium, Albina Minja, Company Operational Manager, SESCOM, a company that promotes efficient production and use of electricity from renewable energy sources said, 'We carried out research in the country in 2018 and the research concluded that cooking with electricity is cheaper than cooking with any other appliance. Since then, we started creating awareness while also strengthening our supply chain to ensure the availability of high-quality appliances in Tanzania. We are honored to be a grantee of CookFund. The program has been very useful to us as a company but also to the end users.' The partnership between UNCDF, the Government of Tanzania, and the European Union has facilitated the implementation of the CookFund, which empowers businesses, expands market access, and makes clean cooking more accessible and affordable across communities. Together, these collaborative efforts are building a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive energy future, starting in Arusha and extending across the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). For more information, contact: Mariam Simba Email: Mobile: +255655679705 United Nations Capital Development Fund: The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) mobilizes and catalyzes an increase in capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States, especially Least Developed Countries, contributing to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity. In partnership with UN entities and development partners, UNCDF delivers scalable, blended finance solutions to drive systemic change, pave the way for commercial finance, and contribute to the SDGs. We support market development by enabling entities to access finance in high-risk environments by deploying financial instruments, mechanisms and advisory. The CookFund Fund: The 'Accelerated Market Rollout of Clean Cooking Solutions in Tanzania', or Cookfund Programme, is a five year programme funded by the European Union under the Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solution Initiative. The official launch took place on the 13 th of December 2021 in Dodoma, Tanzania. The CookFund provides financial and technical assistance to eligible enterprises and companies to accelerate market roll-out of clean cooking solutions (stoves and fuels) leading to improved social, economic, and environmental conditions. It finances capital expenditures and/or working capital for building the internal capacity of businesses involved in the production, importation, distribution, wholesale or retail of stoves, fuels, or related products and services.
