DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 8 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — THE Tanzanian government has signed agreements with the French Development Agency (AFD) worth 118.8 million Euro (equivalent to 323.4bn/-) for the implementation of four development projects in the country.
Of the fund 75.9 million Euro is a concessional loan for the second phase of a solar energy project to be implemented in Kishapu, Shinyanga Region.
The agreements were signed on Friday in Dar es Salaam by the Minister for Finance, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, the Deputy Ambassador of France in Tanzania, Axel-David Guillon and the Resident Director AFD, Celine Robert.
Speaking after the signing, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said that the second agreement is a concessional loan of 39.9 million Euro for a project focused on forest development and the conservation of mangrove forests.
He added that another agreement is a grant of 2 million Euro which is a special fund for mangrove conservation and the fourth agreement is a 1 million Euro grant to fund the gender action plan of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) under the solar energy development project.
“The Kishapu project will have a capacity of 150 MW, including the first phase which was signed in June 11, 2021 and its implementation already underway. The first phase is expected to generate 50 MW upon completion,” said Dr Nchemba.
The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dunstan Kitandula said the funds provided will help plant trees in three farms including a government one. He mentioned that there are approximately 500,000 hectares of forests but the need for tree planting is still significant as the current planting rate is low.
“Therefore, these funds will help plant trees on government farms, including Silayo and Songea. They will also help strengthen the management of mangrove forests,” he said adding that mangroves are critical in absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, making them vital for maintaining the marine environment.
He further said that the demand for trees and their utilisation is very high and the support will strengthen efforts to combat climate change and increase the country’s capacity to access domestic resources.
Kitandula said that once planted, the trees have the potential to absorb nearly 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and if they are commercialised, they could generate 25bn/- annually.
The Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga said that the agreements will support various projects, including the Kishapu solar power project, which will produce 150 MW and is crucial for generating innovative projects.
Additionally, the French Ambassador to Tanzania, Anne Sophie said that the projects are aligned with the cooperation priorities set by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and French President Emmanuel Macron for both countries.
She said that Tanzania is the first East Africa country in terms of forest resources. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
