Habari

Mbeya. Tanzania has signed a $300 million (about Sh700 billion) agreement with Panda Hill Tanzania Limited, placing Mbeya at the centre of a new trade and industrialisation strategy aimed at positioning the country as a supplier of processed strategic metals to global markets, including the United States.

Officials say the project marks a shift from exporting raw minerals to producing value-added materials used in advanced manufacturing, a move viewed as important to Tanzania’s long-term economic transformation and export growth.

The agreements cover the development of the Panda Hill niobium project, one of the few known deposits of the metal globally. Niobium is used to strengthen steel and produce high-performance alloys required in major infrastructure, energy, automotive and aerospace industries.

Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the project reflects a policy direction that Tanzania must gain more economic value from its natural resources through domestic processing, state participation and stronger links to industrial development.

He said the government wants mining projects to support industrialisation, job creation and foreign-exchange earnings rather than remain limited to extraction.

“We want our minerals to contribute directly to national development through value addition, ownership participation and local economic activity,” Mr Mavunde said, linking the project to the country’s long-term development agenda under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Mr Mavunde said the global niobium market is dominated by a small number of producers, making Panda Hill strategically important.

According to the government, Brazil supplies about 80 percent of global niobium, another producer in Brazil contributes about 11 percent, while Canada produces around 6 percent. With Panda Hill, Tanzania is expected to become the fourth significant producer, supplying about 4 percent of world demand with planned output of roughly 100,000 tonnes per year.

Officials said the trade dimension of the project is equally significant because it includes on-site processing and smelting to produce ferroniobium, a higher-value industrial material used by steelmakers and manufacturers. This value-addition model is expected to allow Tanzania to export processed materials to premium markets, including the United States, instead of shipping raw ore.

Panda Hill Tanzania Limited General Manager Dennis Cook said the new agreements allow the project to move forward after several years of delay following changes to mining laws in 2017.

He said the company will now apply for a Special Mining Licence and update technical and financial plans before construction begins.

The investment includes development of the mine, a beneficiation plant and a ferroniobium furnace and smelter complex. The smelter is considered a key part of the project because only a few such facilities exist worldwide.

Company data show there are currently three comparable ferroniobium plants globally — two in Brazil and one in Canada — meaning the Mbeya facility would be the first in Africa.

Officials say the expected local economic impact is one of the main reasons the project is considered significant.

The company projects that about 70 percent of goods and services during production will be sourced locally, with total local procurement over the life of the mine estimated at $1.77 billion. Annual local spending is expected to exceed $60 million, creating opportunities for Tanzanian firms in transport, construction, maintenance, security, catering and other services.

The project is expected to support more than 1,600 jobs during construction and about 600 permanent positions once operations begin, with thousands more indirect jobs linked to supply chains.

The mine will be located on land currently used by the Songwe Prison farm. Mr Mavunde said the agreement includes plans to build a new modern prison facility to replace infrastructure within the project area.

Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu said the government will hold a 16 percent stake on behalf of citizens through the Treasury Registrar’s office under the country’s natural-resources participation framework, which allows state ownership without upfront capital contribution.

The agreements were signed by Deputy Attorney General Samwel Maneno on behalf of the government, formalising both the investment framework and Tanzania’s shareholding structure.

Officials say the Panda Hill project is intended to demonstrate a new model for mining in Tanzania, where resource projects are expected to support industrialisation, expand exports and strengthen the country’s position in global supply chains.

Serikali ya Tanzania kwa kushirikiana na Serikali ya China zimefikia hatua muhimu ya ushirikiano wa kiuchumi, kufuatia makubaliano ya kuanzishwa kwa kiwanda cha kisasa cha kuchakata Kemikali nchini Tanzania, kitakachogharimu takribani Dola za Marekani milioni 500.

Hatua hiyo imekuja kufuatia ziara ya kikazi ya Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara, Judith Kapinga nchini China, ambapo ametembelea Guangdong na kufanya ziara katika kampuni kubwa ya kuchakata Kemikali.

Akiwa nchini China, amepata fursa ya kukutana na uongozi wa kampuni hiyo na kuwasilisha fursa mbalimbali za uwekezaji zilizopo nchini Tanzania, hususan katika sekta ya viwanda na uhifadhi wa mazingira.

Kufuatia majadiliano hayo, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya kampuni hiyo akatangaza nia ya kuwekeza nchini Tanzania kwa kujenga kiwanda cha kisasa cha Kemikali.

Ameeleza kuwa kiwanda hicho kitakuwa cha kwanza barani Afrika, hatua itakayoweka Tanzania katika nafasi ya kipekee ya kiteknolojia na kimazingira.

Mradi huo mkubwa unatarajiwa kuchochea ukuaji wa sekta ya viwanda, kulinda mazingira, pamoja na kuzalisha ajira kwa Watanzania wengi.

Ziara hii inaendelea kuonesha dhamira ya Serikali ya Tanzania katika kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kimataifa na kukuza uchumi kupitia uwekezaji wa viwanda endelevu.

Bank of Tanzania, the central bank of Tanzania, has acquired a stake in the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), becoming a sovereign shareholder and strengthening the diversified capital base of the pan-African institution. According to the AFC, this investment reflects the confidence of states in its ability to mobilize long-term financing for infrastructure and industrial development projects across Africa.

The move comes after the AFC was awarded an A credit rating (positive outlook) by S&P Global Ratings, which praised the strength of its capital structure and the support of its shareholders.

For the AFC, the entry of the Bank of Tanzania contributes to its strategy of diversifying shareholders, strengthening the participation of African sovereign institutions and central banks. The AFC aims to enhance its support in Tanzania through sovereign financing and partnerships with local institutions, including funding lines for the national budget and trade.

According to the Governor of the Bank of Tanzania, Emmanuel Tutuba, this investment demonstrates the reliability of the AFC model and aligns with the country’s priorities to strengthen economic resilience, support private sector growth, and promote sustainable development.

Maji ni miongoni mwa huduma muhimu ya kijamii. Maji ni huduma ambayo kila mtu anahitaji tena kila siku. Utahitaji maji kwa kuoga, kupikia, kufulia, kupigia mswaki, kunyweshea mifugo, kumwagilia maua au bustani. Mambo yanayohitaji maji ni mengi. Maji haya yanapaswa kusambazwa kutoka katika vyanzo vyake mathalani mito, maziwa na mabwawa hadi katika makazi ya watu ili yaweze kutumiwa. Wananchi wanataka maji yawafikie katika makazi yao, hiyo ndiyo kiu na hitaji lao.

Waziri wa Maji, Jumaa Aweso anatoa ushuhuda wa hali ya maji iliyokuwa hapo nyuma. “Kitendo cha wananchi wa maeneo mbalimbali nchini kukosa maji kuliifanya Wizara ya Maji kuwa ni Wizara ya kero na lawama, lakini kwa kazi kubwa alizofanya Rais Dk. Samia, leo Wizara imekuwa faraja kwa wananchi,” anasema Aweso. Maneno  ya Waziri Aweso yanatokana na ukweli kuwa katika maeneo mengi nchini, wananchi walikabiliwa na shida ya maji, hivyo walikuwa na lawama nyingi kwa Wizara ya Maji kwani ndiyo yenye dhamana ya kuhakikisha huduma ya maji inawafikia wananchi kule walipo, hivyo Wizara ya Maji haikuwa na namna ya kukwepa lawama hizo.

Kutokana na utashi wa kisiasa uliopo wa serikali wa kutatua kero za wananchi ikiwemo kero ya ukosefu wa maji, serikali ya Awamu ya Sita chini ya uongozi wa Rais Dk. Samia Suluhu Hassan imechukua hatua stahili na madhubuti kuhakikisha Wizara ya Maji inakuwa faraja kwa wananchi kwa kuwafikishia huduma ya maji na hivyo maji kuchangia maendeleo ya sekta nyingine ili kwa pamoja kasi ya maendeleo iweze kuongezeka.

Waziri Aweso anakiri Rais Dk. Samia ameleta mageuzi makubwa ya kimaendeleo kwani miradi ya maji iliyokuwa imekwama sasa inafanya kazi na maji yanatoka. Ni ukweli mtupu kuwa Rais Dk. Samia anaumizwa na shida ya wananchi kutembea umbali mrefu kwenda kutafuta maji ambayo wakati mwingine hayana uhakika wa kuyapata. Muda wa kufanya shughuli za kijamii na kiuchumi wananchi inabidi wautumie kutafuta maji  kwa matumizi mbalimbali kama ya kupikia, kufulia na kuogea.

Ndoa zilikuwa zipo njia panda. Wanandoa wanagombana kwa sababu mke amechelewa kurudi nyumbani kutoka kisimani, bombani au mtoni kuchota maji. Watoto wanachelewa kwenda shule kutokana na kutafuta maji. Rais Dk. Samia amefanya kazi kubwa kwa kuongeza bajeti ya Wizara ya Maji kutoka shilingi  bilioni 680.3 mwaka wa fedha 2021/2022 hadi shilingi trilioni 1.01 mwaka wa fedha 2025/2026. Mapinduzi haya makubwa yamefanikisha kuongezeka kasi ya usambazaji maji kwa wananchi hali inayoleta faraja badala ya lawama.

Rais Dk. Samia amefanikisha uzinduzi wa miradi ya maji kuwa endelevu badala ya miradi hiyo kutoa maji pale tu wanapokuja viongozi kukagua na kuzindua. Uendelevu wa miradi ya maji inatoa uhakika wa wananchi kupata maji safi, salama na yenye kutosheleza. Waziri Aweso anasisitiza Rais Dk. Samia kuwa kinara wa maji kwani miradi iliyokuwa imekwama tangu miaka ya 1970, sasa imekamilika na inatoa maji. Wizara ya Maji imekuwa faraja kwa wananchi kutokana na fedha za miradi kutolewa kwa wakati kugharamia miradi hiyo. Jambo la kufurahisha hapa ni kwamba, fedha nyingi za miradi ya maji ni mapato ya ndani (own sources) badala ya kutegemea misaada ya wahisani.

Kwa mujibu wa Waziri Aweso, katika kipindi cha miaka minne ya uongozi wa Rais Dk. Samia, zaidi ya shilingi trilioni tatu zimetolewa kugharamia miradi ya maji, jambo linaloongeza kasi ya usambazaji maji kwa wananchi. Katika kuendeleza tabasamu kwa wananchi, Wizara ya Maji inatekeleza mpango mkakati wa ujenzi wa Gridi ya Taifa ya Maji ili kuhakikisha maji yanakuwa ya kuhakika kwa matumizi mbalimbali ya kimaendeleo.

Katika Wiki ya Maji iliyozinduliwa Machi 16 hadi 22, 2026, Wizara ya Maji ina kila sababu ya kutembea kifuambele kutokana na mafanikio makubwa yaliyopatikana likiwemo suala la upatikanaji wa maji kufikia asilimia 92.5 maeneo ya mijini na asilimia 85.2 maeneo ya vijijini. Kazi nzuri zimefanyika. Kwa maeneo ambayo maji hayajafika, dhamira ya serikali ni ile ile kuwafikishia wananchi wake wote maji safi, hivyo kazi ya kufikisha maji kwa wananchi wote inaendelea tena kwa kasi na viwango vikubwa.

The government is strengthening policy, legal and strategic reforms aimed at positioning Tanzania as a key trade hub for East and Central Africa, a senior official said on Monday.

Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Jim Yonazi, said the government has undertaken a series of initiatives to improve the country’s business environment and attract more investment.

Speaking during a meeting of the Business Environment Working Group under the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) in Dar es Salaam, Dr Yonazi said the reforms are aimed at strengthening trade, promoting investment and boosting economic growth.

He noted that the government has continued to review policies and laws to make it easier for businesses to operate in the country.

“The government has made various efforts to promote investment, including improving the policy and legal environment for doing business. Our goal is to ensure Tanzania becomes a trade hub for East and Central Africa,” he said.

Dr Yonazi also called on the private sector to strengthen its partnership with the government in implementing initiatives aimed at expanding trade and improving the overall investment climate.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of the Tanzania National Business Council, Godwill Wanga, said the meeting reviewed progress in improving Tanzania’s business environment and explored ways to attract further investment in key sectors.

He said participants discussed potential incentives that could encourage more investment in the health sector, particularly as the country prepares to roll out universal health insurance.

Dr Wanga said the meeting is part of ongoing consultations between the government and the private sector aimed at addressing challenges affecting business growth.

The session also discussed the role of digital infrastructure in supporting economic activities and improving the ease of doing business in the country.

In addition, the council agreed to conduct a study to assess the possible impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Tanzania’s economy.

The Tanzania National Business Council brings together government leaders and private sector representatives to discuss policies and strategies aimed at improving the business environment and promoting investment in Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam: Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan leo amepokea ripoti muhimu inayopendekeza mabadiliko makubwa katika mfumo wa kodi nchini yanayolenga kupatia ufumbuzi malalamiko ya muda mrefu kutoka kwa wananchi, wafanyabiashara, na wawekezaji.

Akizungumza wakati wa kupokea taarifa hiyo kutoka kwa Mwenyekiti wa Tume ya Rais ya Kutathmini Maboresho ya Mfumo wa Kodi, Balozi Ombeni Sefue, Rais Samia ameeleza kuwa tathmini ya mwisho ya kina kuhusu mfumo wa kodi ilifanywa takribani miaka 35 iliyopita, na hivyo tathmini hii ni muhimu kutokana na mabadiliko ya haraka ya kiteknolojia na kiuchumi duniani yanayolazimu kuhuisha mfumo wetu wa kodi ili kukidhi mahitaji ya sasa.

Ameahidi kufanyia kazi mapendekezo yote 284 yaliyowasilishwa na Tume kupitia mikakati ya muda mfupi, wa kati, na wa muda mrefu kwani maboresho hayo ni kiungo muhimu katika kufikia Dira ya Taifa ya Maendeleo 2050.

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan akipokea Ripoti ya Tume ya Rais ya Kutathmini Maboresho ya Mfumo wa Kodi nchini kutoka kwa Mwenyekiti wa Tume hiyo, Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Mstaafu Balozi Ombeni Sefue, Ikulu Jijini Dar es Salaam tarehe 18, Machi, 2026.

Serikali inalenga kujenga mfumo wa kodi wenye usawa, unaoeleweka, usio na tafsiri kinzani, na wenye kodi zisizoumiza ili kuwezesha biashara kustawi huku ikikusanya mapato. Lengo kuu la kitaifa ni kufikia uwiano wa mapato ya kodi kwa Pato la Taifa (Tax-to-GDP ratio) wa asilimia 18.

Kwa upande wake, Mwenyekiti wa Tume hiyo, Balozi Ombeni Sefue, ametaja baadhi ya changamoto walizobaini kuwa ni pamoja na viwango vikubwa vya kodi na tozo, udhaifu katika kutatua migogoro ya kikodi, uratibu hafifu wa taasisi zinazokusanya mapato, na wigo mdogo wa walipakodi.

Balozi Sefue ameonya juu ya mfumo wa sasa akisema, “Bila mabadiliko makubwa, Tanzania itaendelea kukusanya kodi kutoka kwa wachache, tena kwa usumbufu.”

Aidha, ameshauri Serikali kuweka mizani nzuri kati ya kukusanya kodi na kukuza uchumi kwa kusisitiza, “Hatuwezi kuvuna bila kupanda; wala kukamua maziwa bila ng’ombe kulishwa,” akimaanisha umuhimu wa kuimarisha mazingira ya uwekezaji.

Tathmini ya Tume inaonyesha kuwa endapo mapendekezo yote yatatekelezwa kikamilifu, Serikali inaweza kuongeza mapato yake kwa kiasi cha shilingi trilioni 11.025 ndani ya kipindi cha miaka mitatu ya mwanzo.