TZ must ban export of raw materials in order to hasten its industrial revolution

Resource boom; deposits of natural resources and raw materials is now fostering partnership of convenience between Africa, the European and Far Eastern industrial giants. Africa’s natural resources ranging from timber, coal, to natural gas are the driving engines of growth for the world manufacturing giants.

Western nations moved with a sense of urgency in the 15th century, to enslave and colonize Africa. Africa’s manpower and raw materials were needed to power the industrial revolution. This scramble and lootings accelerated the industrial revolution and economic transformation of the West while the continent transgressed economically; becoming the saddest charity case in human history. Consequently, the modern scramble for Tanzania natural resources and raw materials in the name of economic and financial support must be a wake-up call for the structures of state to draw up a red line and plan of resistance to modern day economic and financial colonialism. The deceptive packages of goodwill by the so-called economic allies have been nothing but the root cause for tensions, constant wars and stagnant economic development across the region.

The Indonesian government has made it a law, effective 2014, to ban the export of all raw materials. The strategy is aimed at making maximum use of the country’s potentials through a number of breakthroughs to improve the living standard of the local people and handle the economic gap in order for the country to be in line with its neighbours. The ban intends to boost economic growth across the country.

Tanzania exports tonnes of high quality timber to Asian and western countries for domestic and industrial use. In turn, Tanzania receives ships full of hazardous and shiny low quality furniture made of plywood. Tanzania is exporting fresh mangoes and oranges just to import artificial stale juices.

Prior to United States civil war, cotton was America’s number one export and one of the most important raw materials in Europe. Primary supply of this commodity came from the American south where African slave labour was abundant. The United States generated huge sums of money out of cotton, and was even able to borrow from the world market because of cotton industry guarantee.

Britain’s textile industry was dependent upon America’s supply of cotton by 77per cent. In the aftermath of the America’s civil war, around the 1860s, in which the confederacy moved to burn 2.5 million-bales of cotton, Britain’s textile industry almost collapsed. The price soared from 10 cents a pound to $1.89. Britain was caught off-guard with a possibility of economic and industrial collapse. However, American supply resumed after intense negotiations that led both countries becoming equal trading partners.

Likewise, Tanzania should emulate the American economic precedent and model by launching its own industrial revolution to equitably play in the global commerce. Lack of legislation to regulate the export of unprocessed raw materials is to blame for granting the developed and developing nations a free pass to haul tones of Tanzania resources, jobs and potential for industrial growth to western and far eastern nations in exchange for counterfeit goods jeopardizing the country’s environment and citizens’ health.

High rates of unemployment and poverty should compel the government of Tanzania to move expeditiously with a total ban on the export of raw materials in order to stimulate domestic industrialization. Industrial revolution is the only route to economic emancipation of the millions of youth in the rising wave of economic debacle.

Tanzania needs its raw materials to power its domestic factories; it needs its resources to enter into the global economic playfield.

While we must acknowledge the fact that, manipulation can succeed in temporarily taming an idea in the complexities of modern popular economic-culture, such an approach is a mere short term solution in the process of cultural and ideological economic class realities.

The youth imitate their peers in the dynamic global village controlled by the principles of capitalism. Their quest for better life cannot be quelled by the never ending promises, while hopes for better life fade away in the hands of foreigners.

Tanzania’s youth conventional relationship to the real world lies on the country’s resources. Their dream for a better tomorrow is disfranchised by financial and economic arm-twisting the country is experiencing today; rather they bank on the solid preparations and proper management of the country’s resources.

The youth of today are not ready to compromise and concede their position on the world stage to foreign entities seeking economic hegemony and domination through deception. For decades, Tanzania has exported mountains of natural resources, and raw materials to China and Europe. Supplying them cheaply, ending up buying them back very expensively. This is the time for the country to keep its valuable resources; Process them, and sell them at the competitive world prices.