Obama to pump in $800m during visit to Tanzania

US President, Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Tanzania next month will be accompanied with a windfall as he will bring with him USD800m to support implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in the East African country.

Briefing the African Diplomatic Corps and the press yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe said the US support will be channelled into water, roads and education projects.

In his entourage, the seond to the continent sicne he came to power, President Obama will be accompanied by his family and close to 700 delegates comprising CEOs of various companies, the minister said.

The American head of businesses are expected to explore venture opportunities in the areas of energy in what has been termed as “Power Africa”-- President Obama’s visiting agenda.

Membe called upon the Tanzanian business community to get ready to grab the business opportunities that will be brought by the entourage.

Tanzania is expected to host President Barack Obama of the United States in what is considered to be the biggest visit ever on July 1 to 2, this year. Prior to visiting Tanzania, the US president will tour Senegal and South Africa.

According to a statement issued by the White House earlier this week, the visit embarks the US’ “commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between the Noth American country and the people of sub-Saharan Africa.”

Minister Membe noted that Obama’s visit will almost coincide with the Smart Partnership Dialogue to be hosted in Dar es Salaam on June 28 through July 1, this year.

The theme of this year’s Dialogue is “Leveraging Technology for Africa’s Socio-economic Transformation: The Smart Partnership War”.
Important dignitaries from all over the world are expected to attend the Dialogue, including former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush, said Minister Membe, adding that the main agenda of President’s Obama’s visit is “Power Africa”.

Energy sector is vital in the economic development of the Africa Continent and this visit is earmarked to highlight power and energy conservation among African nations.

On that, President Obama is expected to host a businessmen forum that will bring together groups from various development sectors from both countries. In another development, Minister Membe briefed pressmen about the African Union’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, slated for this Saturday at Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam.
Detailing the programme, the Permanent Secretary John Haule said the theme for the AU’s 50 years’ celebration is Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance.
Other activities will include a panel discussion on the role of AU in the struggle for African liberations and self-determination.

The press conference was also attended by ambassadors of Mozambique, Namibia, Algeria, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia and from a number of other African countries.

Dean of African Diplomatic Corps Prof Ambrosio Lukoki said the AU celebrations should not only be a jubilee but a special opportunity to reflect on where “we come from, where we are and where we are going.”
“The day should be used to discuss the challenges facing the continent including, the tendency by the powerful nations to have voice over Africa,” Prof Lukoki said. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN