US commits to bolster Tanzania's transition towards sustainable future

Dar es Salaam. The United States government has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at bolstering Tanzania’s efforts to reduce emissions by 30–35 percent by 2030.

This move is towards fostering the East Africancountry’s energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This commitment, outlined by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East in the US Department of Energy, Joshua Volz, signifies a pivotal moment in the strategic partnership between the two nations.

During his visit to the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) on Thursday, March 28, 2024, Volz underlined the significance of collaboration, creativity, and capital support – encapsulated as the three Cs – in achieving Tanzania's ambitious energy goals.

"It’s these three things that the US would bring in through our relationship and continue to support Tanzania in its mission to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” he said.

The cornerstone of this collaborative effort rests on establishing a roadmap for transitioning from conventional energy systems to sustainable alternatives.

Mr Volz articulated: "Collaboration is an avenue that would help in the establishment of a roadmap for the transition from the current energy systems to alternative and sustainable energy systems."

This synergy between the US and Tanzania, he believes, holds the promise of unleashing innovative solutions to address energy challenges while curbing environmental degradation.

Furthermore, the US government is poised to inject capital support into Tanzania's energy sector, fostering US foreign direct investment and empowering private sector partners to create employment opportunities vital for driving the energy transition.

"On capital support, we have to bring more US foreign direct investment into Tanzania and encourage our private sector partners to do what they do best, which is to create jobs and opportunities that would drive the energy transition in this country,” Mr Volz affirmed.

Echoing Mr Volz's sentiments, senior officials from the US Department of Energy and the US Embassy in Tanzania highlighted the strategic imperative of leveraging Tanzania's abundant natural resources to propel the clean energy revolution.

Mr Volz emphasised Tanzania's pivotal role, stating: "Tanzania sets the heart of all the things that are happening with huge natural resources; critical minerals like nickel, graphite, or the incredible ability to store and displace carbon."

Moreover, Mr Volz's discourse extended to the realm of strategic minerals, underscoring the importance of collaborative research to identify and harness mineral potential for clean energy production.

He said: "One of the aims of our visit to Tanzania was to see how my government can cooperate with Tanzania in the production of strategic minerals to support the production of clean energy to reduce environmental degradation."

In reciprocation, Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, reiterated Tanzania's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for investment, particularly in the mining sector.

Dr Kiruswa affirmed: "Tanzania is an appropriate and safe destination for investment, especially in the mining sector." Furthermore, he stressed Tanzania's initiatives to empower small-scale miners through training and research support, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in mining activities.

Dr Kiruswa emphasised the government's dedication to facilitating the exploration of new mining projects, aligning with Tanzania's broader vision of economic development and environmental stewardship.

The convergence of US expertise and investment with Tanzania's commitment to sustainable development, an expert in international relations, Dr Mazigo Richard said, heralds a new era of collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change.

He said the US-Tanzania partnership can be a testament to the transformative power of international cooperation in advancing sustainable development goals.

“By harnessing innovation, capital, and expertise, both nations are poised to pioneer a paradigm shift towards a greener, more resilient future for Tanzania and beyond,” he stated in an interview with The Citizen.