MITAWI URGES STAKEHOLDERS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN THE BLUE ECONOMY.




By Our Reporter, Dar es Salaam


The Deputy Permanent Secretary from the Vice President’s Office, Hon. Abdalah Mitawi, has called on stakeholders in the blue economy to strengthen cooperation in maritime transportation, noting that the sector offers vast opportunities from rivers, lakes, and the ocean.


Speaking in Dar es Salaam after officially opening the First National Blue Economy Stakeholders Forum 2025, Mitawi commended the European Union for providing TZS 370 million to support the implementation of blue economy projects.


“This forum has been organized in collaboration with the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Transport. It is the first, but more are coming with the aim of addressing challenges facing the blue economy sector,” said Mitawi.


He highlighted Tanzania’s rich resources, including 33 species of saltwater fish and 17 species of freshwater fish, an estimated 47.13 trillion cubic feet of offshore natural gas reserves, as well as 86 official ports and 885 unofficial ports currently handling various cargo.


Additionally, he pointed out that the country has 61,500 square kilometers of freshwater bodies capable of producing 126 billion cubic meters annually, 29.4 million hectares suitable for irrigation, 700 square kilometers of coastal forests, approximately 1,440 square kilometers of mangrove forests, 3,580 square kilometers of coral reefs, and 307,800 square kilometers of protected areas, equivalent to 32.5 percent of the national territory.


“I would like to sincerely recognize the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) for its significant contribution in providing maritime education, conducting innovative research, and offering practical training to support the blue economy sector,” Mitawi added.


On his part, Eng. Shomari Shomari, Director of Infrastructure from the Ministry of Transport, said the government has made major improvements to all national ports, strengthening maritime trade and ensuring effective enforcement of laws and regulations.


However, he noted that there are still challenges of truck congestion at ports and urged transporters to seize opportunities presented by the blue economy. “It is important to note that 70 percent of government revenue is generated from ports,” said Shomari.


Meanwhile, Prof. Tumaini Gurumo, Principal of the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), said the forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders, as the blue economy cuts across multiple sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and transport.


“The purpose of our forum is to discuss and assess the progress of the blue economy in Tanzania. We have reviewed achievements from 2021 to date, identified challenges that have been resolved, and those still pending solutions. We have also aligned this sector with the Vision 2050 development agenda,” Prof. Gurumo explained.


The forum was jointly organized by the Vice President’s Office, the Ministry of Transport through the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar.


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