🔴🔴 TAWA SIGNS SMART INVESTMENT CONTRACTS WORTH TZS 719 BILLION




📍 New opportunities for communities living near investment areas


🖊️ By Beatus Maganja, Dar es Salaam


In a historic and groundbreaking step for the country’s tourism sector, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), today, August 12, 2025, signed four tourism investment contracts under the Strategic Wildlife Investment and Conservation Areas (SWICA) framework with the Tanzanian company Uhusiano International ICT Ltd.


These contracts are expected to generate revenue of USD 281.5 million (equivalent to TZS 719 billion) over a period of 20 years, averaging TZS 36 billion annually.


The signing ceremony, held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, covers investment in four blocks: Burko Open Area (Monduli – Arusha), Selous MHJ1, Selous MHJ2, and Selous ML1 (Liwale – Lindi), all under Uhusiano International ICT Ltd, a company owned 100% by Tanzanians.


Speaking at the event, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Hazara Chana, said the investment will strengthen the hunting and photographic tourism sectors, while creating jobs, improving social services, and spurring development for communities living near the investment areas. Development projects initiated by local residents are estimated to cost USD 1.8 million (equivalent to TZS 4.6 billion) over the 20-year period.


Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana also commended the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her steadfast efforts in promoting Tanzania internationally through the Amazing Tanzania and The Royal Tour films, which have boosted both tourist arrivals and investor interest.


She pledged that the government would continue improving the investment climate and emphasized the importance of sustainable use of resources in line with laws, regulations, and conservation principles. She called on more investors to explore Tanzania’s unique tourism attractions.


For his part, the Chairperson of TAWA’s Board of Directors, Retired Major General Hamis R. Semfuko, said TAWA has made significant progress by signing four new SWICA contracts, bringing the total to 13 out of the targeted 14 — equivalent to 92.3% of the goal — a milestone that has enabled the collection of over TZS 27.4 billion between January 2024 and August 2025.


Major General Semfuko also revealed that TAWA is in the final stages of signing a contract with GBP Trading Ltd (GTL) for the construction of permanent tourist camps in the Kijereshi, Mpanga-Kipengere, and Wami-Mbiki reserves. This initiative will add 240 beds and help address the shortage of tourist accommodation.


Earlier, Acting TAWA Conservation Commissioner, Mr. Mlage Yusuph Kabange, said that since the initial SWICA contracts were signed in 2024, TAWA’s revenue has significantly increased from TZS 55 billion to TZS 87.12 billion in the 2024/25 financial year — an increase of 158.2%.


He added that TAWA continues to create a conducive investment environment, including the construction of 453.2 kilometers of gravel-standard roads in strategic areas — equivalent to 40% of the target to build 1,127 kilometers by 2026.


Commissioner Kabange stressed that TAWA is ready to collaborate with investors to ensure effective implementation of the contracts for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.


Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Uhusiano International ICT Ltd, Mr. Zahir Hassan Mulla, expressed his gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, and TAWA’s Board and Management for approving their investment proposal. He said this marks a strong start for local investors to showcase their potential in the tourism sector.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Muslim Hassanali Returns to Politics, Seeks CCM Nomination for Kinondoni Parliamentary Seat.

Image
Muslim Hassanali, who previously contested for the Ilala constituency parliamentary seat in 2015 under the opposition party CHADEMA, has resurfaced in the political arena—this time collecting a nomination form to run for Member of Parliament in Kinondoni under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Hassanali, who later officially joined CCM, now joins a growing list of party members who have declared their intentions and collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the upcoming general elections. The process of collecting and returning nomination forms within CCM officially began on June 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 2, 2025. Hassanali’s move signals a potentially competitive race within the party as aspirants vie for various leadership positions.
Read more

EAC Countries Unite to Boost Cross-Border Agroecological Trade: Seven Key Resolutions Adopted in Jinja Conference

Image
By Our Reporter Participants of the Regional Conference on Enhancing Cross-Border Trade in Agroecological Produce within the East African Community (EAC) have issued seven resolutions aimed at boosting this crucial sector for the economies of member states. The week-long conference, held in Jinja, Uganda, brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, farmers, researchers, and journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the DRC. Reading the conference resolutions, the General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), Dr. Million Belay, said that about 100 people met and discussed ways to collaborate and advance the vision of agroecological trade within the EAC. “We agreed that every stakeholder should fulfill their responsibilities to ensure accelerated regional economic growth through agroecology. We are calling on governments and all stakeholders to fully implement commitments to eliminate non-tariff ba...
Read more

*Government Launches 15274 Hotline to Ease Access to National ID Information

Image
Dar es Salaam: The Government has urged citizens to use their mobile phones by dialing *15274 to easily access information related to National Identification Cards (NIDA). Speaking today, December 29, 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, said the service will enable citizens to check the status of their National ID cards, including whether the card has been produced or not, with feedback provided within five days. He explained that through this number, citizens will receive important information regarding their National IDs, adding that damaged ID cards are expected to be replaced starting February 2026. “By using this number, you will be able to get information on whether your ID card has been produced. I emphasize that damaged ID cards will be issued in February 2026,” said Minister Simbachawene. The Minister further noted that the Government has put in place a strategy to introduce the use of a single identification card for accessing various government services...
Read more