Summary
· $560 million (Sh1.3 trillion) in bilateral assistance in the next financial year is among pledges made by the US as part of efforts to foster relations
Dar es Salaam. Impressed by widening democratic space in Tanzania, the US
yesterday pledged to support long-term economic development in the country.
US Vice President Kamala Harris said in Dar es Salaam thaUS Vice President Kamala Harris said in Dar es Salaam that Washington was looking forward to fostering bilateral relations with Tanzania in key areas such as economic growth, good governance and democracy, mitigation of the impact of climate change, as well as regional and global integration.
t Washington was looking forward to fostering bilateral
relations with Tanzania in key areas such as economic growth, good governance
and democracy, mitigation of the impact of climate change, as well as regional
and global integration.
Ms Harris made the remarks when she
addressed a joint press conference with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State
House following her arrival for a three-day official visit on Wednesday evening
In support of bilateral engagement
between the two countries, the US intends to provide $560 million (sh1.3
trillion) in assistance in the 2023/24 financial year.
Tanzania also signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Export-Import Bank of the United States that will
facilitate US exports to Tanzania valued at up to $500 million.
“This will be in the areas of
transportation, infrastructure, digital technology and clean energy projects,”
Ms Harris said.
She added that the US has also
helped facilitate a strategic partnership between Life Zone Metals and TechMet,
a company partly owned by the US government through the US International
Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in the execution of the Kabanga nickel
mining project.
The project is expected to leverage
Life Zone Metals’ lower-emission technology to process cleaner nickel and other
critical minerals mined in Tanzania.
“This will deliver battery-grade
nickel to the US and global markets as soon as 2026. This project is an
important pioneer model that uses innovative and low-emission technology and
high labour standards,” Ms Harris said.
This, she added, will help in
addressing the climate crisis, build a resilient global supply chain and create
new industries and jobs.
Ms Harris added that the US
administration is currently working with partners to identify additional
opportunities for critical minerals from the region to also be processed
through this new facility.
President Hassan noted that Tanzania
has enjoyed solid bilateral relations with the US for several decades,
especially in fiscal support, investment and trade.
She noted that there are still
opportunities for Americans to strengthen these economic ties through increased
investment.
“There are opportunities to invest
in areas such as fishing, aquaculture, salt mining, gas extraction and marine
technology,” she said.
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The President also asked the US to
consider extending for at least ten years the African Growth and Opportunity
Act (Agoa).
Enacted in May 2000, Agoa is the
cornerstone of US economic engagement with countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The
agreement provides duty-free access to the US market for eligible nations,
including Tanzania.
“We request that this legislation be
extended to at least 2030 to make it possible for investors who seized the
opportunity to have further access to what is a reliable market,” President
Hassan said.
Another request by Tanzania was a
review of visa status.
President Hassan said it was time
the two countries sat down and discussed the possibility of long-tenure visas
to allow the more interaction in trade and other economic undertakings.
Health sector support
Following the outbreak of Marburg
Viral Disease (MVD) in Kagera Region, the US government has promised to extend
$1.3 million to support the response to the disease in the country.
“I commend the Tanzanian government
for its transparent response to the Marbug Virus. Your continued coordination
and information sharing with international partners has been critical in
containing the spread of the virus,” Ms Harris said.
Read: US applauds Tanzania's
transparency on Marburg outbreak
Five people have since died of the
disease in Kagera Region after displaying symptoms such as fever, vomiting,
diarrhoea and bleeding through various body openings.
There are also plans for the US
President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) to invest $39 million over the next year
in partnership with the Tanzanian government to deploy lifesaving interventions
proven to fight malaria, including bed nets, fast-acting malaria medicines,
rapid diagnostic tests and preventative treatments in pregnancy.
These funds are intended to support
stronger, more resilient health systems by training health workers,
strengthening supply chains and improving data monitoring.
Through Power Africa, US Agency for
International Development (Usaid) intends to provide $600,000 to work with
private sector telecommunications and technology companies and the government
of Tanzania to expand clean energy services and provide electricity for as many
as 100 health facilities in western, central and southern Tanzania.
Climate solutions
Through Usaid, the Americans are
also going to implement an $8.4 million five-year program, dubbed ‘Heshimu
Bahari’ to support ecological resilience and productivity of Tanzania’s marine
ecosystems (see separate story on Page 10).
This is said to be going hand in
hand with the Kilimo Tia (Agricultural Productivity) programme, in which the
agency will provide $16 million to support Tanzanian farmers with a focus on
women and youth and respond to the global food security crisis.
Through climate-smart seeds and
targeted technological improvements, the US government promised that its
investments are intended to help mitigate the impacts of climate change while
increasing the production of highly nutritious horticultural goods.
“Champion of democracy”
Vice President Harris also commended
President Hassan, describing her as a “champion” of democracy.
This was in apparent reference to
President Hassan’s pro-democratic and pro-business stance that have seen the
country making a complete shift from the policies of her late predecessor John
Magufuli.
“On the subject of economic growth,
good governance delivers predictability, stability and rules which businesses
need to invest,” Harris said, describing President Hassan as a “champion” of
democracy.
“There is so much potential for
growth here.”
Guided by an inclusive leadership
style whereby she appoints committees of experts to analyse a situation and
advise her on the next course of action, President Hassan has taken several
decisions during the two years that have left a hallmark of her governance
record. For instance, in January this year (2023), she lifted a six-year ban on
political rallies imposed by her predecessor.
The decision was part of President
Hassan’s 4Rs initiative - Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding.
Announcing the lifting of the ban,
President Hassan acknowledged that parties had the right to hold rallies but
she urged them to be “civil” and not to “trade insults” Dr Magufuli had banned
rallies in between elections in what was seen as an attempt to weaken the
opposition.
He dismissed rallies as a waste of
time and money and said they detracted from the key challenge of building the
economy.
In February last year (2022),
President Hassan also lifted a ban on four newspapers that were shut down under
Mr Magufuli.
Tanzania Daima, Mawio, Mwanahalisi
and Mseto were banned during the Magufuli era when the government at that time
said they were troublemakers and unethical.
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