Tanzania Roundup: Clean cooking, rabies elimination, opposition leader arrested ahead of protests

Microfinance support in clean cooking initiative

Tanzania is advocating for microfinance institutions to extend low-interest loans to households, facilitating the acquisition of clean cookstoves, as part of its comprehensive clean cooking strategy, targeted for full implementation by 2034. This initiative was underscored by Minister of Finance Dr Mwigulu Nchemba at the Africa50 2024 Annual General Meeting, signalling a critical push towards affordable clean cooking solutions, especially in economic areas facing high poverty rates. President Samia Suluhu Hassan supports this agenda, framing clean cooking as a national imperative and a prospect for lucrative business ventures in the context of the global sustainability movement, local media Daily News reports.

USAID initiative to promote female participation in politics

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has unveiled the Wanakake Sasa initiative in Tanzania, backed by an investment of TSH 8 billion (approximately $3 million). This project aims to enhance women's political engagement and leadership, addressing systemic gender barriers to ensure equitable representation in political arenas. The launch was marked by the presence of USAID/Tanzania's Mission Director Craig Hart and Minister of Community Development, Dorothy Gwajima. “Tanzania thrives when all voices are heard, and where women are fully empowered to shape the nation’s future,” said Hart. The initiative will be implemented in four Tanzanian regions and Zanzibar, by reported by Zawya.

Rabies elimination

Tanzania is on track to eradicate rabies by the year 2030, with strategic backing from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Tanzanian government has submitted a comprehensive dog-mediated rabies control strategy for endorsement, encompassing mass vaccination campaigns, educational outreach, and bolstering domestic vaccine production at a facility in Kibaha, eastern Tanzania. This strategic framework is expected to significantly lower costs by reducing dependency on imported vaccines, according to Daily News. With rabies responsible for approximately 1,499 human fatalities annually in Tanzania, the government has proactively waived customs duties and VAT on vaccines to enhance access, particularly focusing on rural communities.

Implementation of National Statistical Plan

Tanzania has made notable progress in executing the Tanzania Statistical Master Plan (TSMP) Phase-II, accomplishing 11 out of 13 intended activities within its inaugural year (2022/23). Chief Statistician Salum Kassim Ali reported significant backing from the World Bank, with Senior Economist Dhiraj Sharma commending the government’s dedication. High-priority activities accomplished encompass the establishment of training initiatives, the development of a statistical quality assessment framework, and improvements to the consumer price index. The overarching five-year strategy (2022/23-2026/27) is aimed at modernising the national statistical system, with a focus on enhancing data harmonisation, quality enhancement, and infrastructure developments pivotal for monitoring socio-economic progress in alignment with both national objectives and global benchmarks, local news channel The Citizen reports.

Opposition leader arrested at home ahead of planned protests

Tundu Lissu, Vice Chairman of Chadema, a centre-right political party in Tanzania was arrested at his residence in Dar es Salaam hours before the planned opposition protests. Lissu was detained at Mbweni Police Station, leading to inquiries from his lawyer concerning the circumstances surrounding his arrest. The protests aimed to voice concerns addressing a rising wave of kidnappings and disappearances in Tanzania, reflecting deepening socio-political tensions. Efforts to obtain an official police statement regarding the arrest remain ongoing, The Citizen reported.