msemakweli
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 20, 2014
- 1,627
- 880
DISMAL LEVELS of intra-African trade have been mentioned time and again as among the main hurdles to African development.
To its credit, the EAC has made significant strides in eradicating the barriers behind poor performance in trade between the concerned states.
In recognition of that fact, Tanzania would do well to establish similar initiatives with its neighbours Zambia, Malawi, DRC and Mozambique. Three of the aforementioned countries are landlocked, and as things stand, do rely, to some extent, on the Dar es Salaam port for their imports.
They are all rapidly developing economies, and this is a chance that shouldn't pass us by. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a sleeping giant that will hopefully soon awaken. Mozambique recently discovered massive gas reserves; they are ranked third in Africa in terms of proven gas reserves, behind only Nigeria and Algeria.
What happened with Tazara is a tragedy that the government should be working to avoid in future. Instead of pushing away the Zambians, we should be courting them.
The government should engage the governments of these countries and come up with proper strategies to secure Tanzania's niche as a gateway to countries in the region and a link between East African and South African countries, both geographically and economically.
Incentives should be given to the private sector to widen its scope and invest in these countries. We should borrow a leaf from the Kenyans who, in addition to the EAC member states, are involved with everyone around them, from Somalia to Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Source: The East African
Social media for reproductive health of the youth - Letters - www.theeastafrican.co.ke
To its credit, the EAC has made significant strides in eradicating the barriers behind poor performance in trade between the concerned states.
In recognition of that fact, Tanzania would do well to establish similar initiatives with its neighbours Zambia, Malawi, DRC and Mozambique. Three of the aforementioned countries are landlocked, and as things stand, do rely, to some extent, on the Dar es Salaam port for their imports.
They are all rapidly developing economies, and this is a chance that shouldn't pass us by. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a sleeping giant that will hopefully soon awaken. Mozambique recently discovered massive gas reserves; they are ranked third in Africa in terms of proven gas reserves, behind only Nigeria and Algeria.
What happened with Tazara is a tragedy that the government should be working to avoid in future. Instead of pushing away the Zambians, we should be courting them.
The government should engage the governments of these countries and come up with proper strategies to secure Tanzania's niche as a gateway to countries in the region and a link between East African and South African countries, both geographically and economically.
Incentives should be given to the private sector to widen its scope and invest in these countries. We should borrow a leaf from the Kenyans who, in addition to the EAC member states, are involved with everyone around them, from Somalia to Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Source: The East African
Social media for reproductive health of the youth - Letters - www.theeastafrican.co.ke