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CCTTFA sets roadmap for green economic transformation of central corridor
What you need to know:
- The implementation and development of the Green Economic Development Corridor will require human resource capital. Foreign experts will assist with executing the project, but they will work alongside local partners to enhance skills and contribute to business growth
Dar es Salaam. The board of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) has approved four key sectors aimed at driving the transformation of the Central Corridor into a sustainable and green economic corridor.
These sectors include agri-industry, pharmaceuticals, e-mobility, and iron and steel, according to the CCTTFA’s Executive Secretary, Mr Okandju Okonge, who briefed the media after an extraordinary board meeting held at the weekend.
CCTTFA, a multilateral organisation comprising seven countries—Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia—was established to streamline the transportation of cargo from Dar es Salaam Port to the neighbouring landlocked nations.
Mr Okonge said that the prioritisation of these sectors is crucial to achieving the organisation's goal of transforming the corridor into a Green Economic Development Corridor (GEDC).
Speaking at a workshop on the transformation of the Central Corridor, Mr Okonge noted that the selected sectors would play a vital role in driving economic resilience and innovation within the region.
“By prioritising these critical areas, CCTTFA is setting the stage for long-term economic resilience, innovation, and a more connected and prosperous future for all stakeholders,” he said.
The executive secretary further explained that the CCTTFA board’s meeting had provided clear guidance for the member states to continue implementing these priorities while considering development sectors within the regions.
He added that the projects would be developed under the direction of the CCTTFA Secretariat, in collaboration with other stakeholders from the ministries of trade, transport, finance, planning, and land.
Mr Okonge emphasised that the transformation extends beyond the transport sector and that the private sector must play a significant role.
“The implementation and development of the Green Economic Development Corridor (GEDC) will require human resource capital. Foreign experts will assist with executing the project, but they will work alongside local partners to enhance skills and contribute to business growth,” he said.
Mr Okonge expressed optimism that the transformation would create jobs, increase tax revenue, and spur significant development across the region.
He further revealed that the CCTTFA board is scheduled to meet again in June to review the progress and determine when the new vision will be implemented.
“The June board meeting will include ministries and commissions, providing a roadmap on how to implement the next vision,” he added.
Tanzania’s representative on the CCTTFA board, Mr Anthony Swai, noted that the recent meeting was a preliminary session in which board members identified the four key areas based on their respective strengths. “Tanzania has selected all the approved areas because we have great potential. In the June meeting, we will provide a comprehensive report on all the issues we have discussed and agreed upon,” he said.
CCTTFA’s board chairman, Mr Roger Te-Biasu, pointed out that DRC has vast resources, including coffee production and raw materials for manufacturing vehicle batteries and electric vehicles.
However, he noted that the partnership needed to unlock this potential is currently lacking. A private sector representative from Rwanda also highlighted the significant opportunities in e-mobility, not only in vehicle assembly but also in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, given that the corridor has access to the necessary materials.
