Joshua Kiziba

Rukwa: Naibu Waziri wa Uchukuzi, David Kihenzile amewataka wananchi kutumia vyema fursa zinazotokana na maboresho ya sekta ya uchukuzi kujikwamua kiuchumi kwa kuibua na kuendeleza miradi ya kimkakati.

Kihenzile ametoa kauli hiyo alipozindua Kiwanja cha Ndege cha Sumbawanga mkoani Rukwa na kueleza kuwa uwanja huo ni kichocheo muhimu cha maendeleo kwa wananchi, akisisitiza kuwa Serikali itaendelea kuboresha sekta ya uchukuzi ili kuinua maisha ya Watanzania.

Katika tukio hilo, ndege ya abiria ya Kampuni ya Ndege Tanzania (ATCL) ilitua kwa mara ya kwanza na kupokewa kwa “water salute”, kuashiria kuanza rasmi kwa huduma za usafiri katika kiwanja hicho.

Awali, Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Rukwa, Msalika Makungu, akimwakilisha Mkuu wa Mkoa, Makongoro Nyerere, amesema uzinduzi wa kiwanja hicho utafungua fursa nyingi za kiuchumi kwa wakazi wa mkoa huo.

Baadhi ya wananchi wameeleza kufurahishwa na huduma hiyo, akiwemo Mikidadi Machesha, msafiri wa kwanza kutoka Sumbawanga kwenda Dar es Salaam, aliyesema usafiri wa anga utarahisisha safari na kupanua wigo wa ajira.

“Zamani tulisafiri zaidi ya kilomita 1,148 hadi Dar es Salaam, lakini sasa ni saa moja na dakika 40 tu,” amesema Machesha.

Ameiomba mamlaka ya usafiri kuhakikisha kunakuwa na safari za kila siku, akibainisha kuwa uwanja huo ni lango muhimu la usafiri kwa mikoa ya jirani na nchi kama Zambia na Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo.

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa ATCL, Abdul Mwondokaleo amesema uwanja huo una uwezo wa kuhudumia zaidi ya abiria 150,000, huku akibainisha kuwa katika kipindi cha mwanzo kutakuwa na nauli nafuu ili kuwavutia wasafiri.

Ujenzi wa Kiwanja cha Ndege cha Sumbawanga umegharimu zaidi ya Sh60 bilioni hadi kukamilika kwake.

Rising global fuel prices are rapidly reshaping Tanzania’s transport energy mix, with compressed natural gas (CNG) emerging as a preferred alternative for motorists and businesses seeking affordability and stability. In Dar es Salaam, petrol and diesel prices have climbed to about Sh3,820 and Sh3,806 per litre respectively as of April 2026.

The surge has been linked to geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have disrupted global oil supply chains and increased uncertainty in international markets. As a result, transport operators are facing higher costs, accelerating the shift to cheaper energy options.

Officials from Gas Company Limited (GASCO), a subsidiary of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, say the widening price gap is driving behavioural change, with CNG retailing at around Sh1,550 per kilogramme. Many motorists are now converting vehicles to run on gas following recent fuel hikes.

According to GASCO, daily usage at its Sam Nujoma Road station rose sharply in April, with vehicles increasing from 492 to over 700, while buses, including those under the Dar Rapid Transit system, also recorded notable growth. The figures highlight rising demand as more stations come online.

The trend is also attracting investor interest across the value chain. BQ Contractors Limited says it is receiving growing inquiries from individuals and firms keen to establish CNG stations, signalling strong commercial potential in the sector.

Industry players note that Tanzania’s abundant natural gas reserves provide a solid foundation for expansion, although challenges such as high conversion costs and limited financing persist. Even so, analysts say CNG is increasingly viewed not as a temporary option, but a long-term solution to cushion the economy from volatile global fuel prices.

NAIROBI, April 23 (Reuters) – East African countries are discussing plans for a joint oil refinery at Tanzania’s port of Tanga ​modelled on Nigeria’s Dangote plant, Kenyan President William Ruto said ‌on Thursday.

East Africa currently imports all of its refined petroleum products, mainly from the Middle East, leaving the region vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes ​as seen in the fallout of the Iran conflict.

“We’re going to have ​a joint refinery in Tanga to benefit all of ⁠us because that refinery is going to take on board the ​oil from DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), the oil from Kenya, the ​oil from South Sudan, and the oil from Uganda,” Ruto told a conference on infrastructure financing in Nairobi.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who also attended the conference, ​said he could replicate his 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day Nigerian refinery in East Africa, ​provided governments in the region supported the initiative.

“My commitment today here is that if ‌we ⁠agree with the three or four governments here about the refinery, we will lead and we’ll make sure that refinery is built within the next four or five years,” Dangote said.

Uganda, which hopes to start ​commercial crude oil ​production this year, ⁠has also said it plans to build a refinery. In 2024, it announced a deal with United ​Arab Emirates‑based Alpha MBM Investments to develop a 60,000‑barrel‑per‑day ​plant.

Dangote also ⁠said he planned to establish about 20 fertilizer blending plants across Africa by 2028 to meet most of the continent’s needs.

Asked about the planned listing ⁠of ​his Nigerian refinery, Dangote said African investors ​should participate, adding, “All of Africa should invest. I will be paying dividends in dollars.”

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has announced plans to roll out special travel packages linked to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, as Tanzania prepares to co-host the continental tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda.

The initiative aims to attract both local and international football fans by combining match attendance with tourism experiences across the country.

ATCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ulanga, said the airline intends to position itself at the centre of AFCON 2027 preparations by offering tailored packages that allow visitors to watch matches in different host cities while also exploring tourist destinations such as Zanzibar.

He said the strategy is designed to promote Tanzania globally, boost tourism, and enhance fan engagement during the tournament, which runs from June 19 to July 18, 2027.

The airline also plans to brand its aircraft with AFCON-themed designs as part of an international marketing drive to showcase Tanzania’s readiness to host the event.

ATCL currently operates 16 aircraft and serves 32 destinations, with further expansion planned ahead of the tournament.