US pledges $1.5 billion support for Tanzania over next five years

Dar es Salaam. The US plans to inject at least $1.5 billion in the country, a move intended to promote and strengthen cooperation with her key partner in promoting peace and regional stability in East Africa.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on April 6, 2023, the US ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Michael Battle, said that the partnership between the two countries was rooted in more than six decades of economic, development, health, and security cooperation.

The US’ top diplomat in Tanzania explained to journalists that the recent visit of the US Vice President Kamala Harris affirmed the said partnership with intends to advance cooperation on commercial engagement, digital connectivity, and investing in women and youth, fostering democracy.

Other cooperation advancements according to the US ambassador, includes sectors related to food security, marine conservation and health saying: “No other country can do better than the United States of America.”

For instance, the US top envoy noted that in support of the breadth and depth of our bilateral engagement, the Biden-Harris administration intends to provide $560 million in the forms of bilateral assistance for the 2024 fiscal year.

According to him, the meeting of the two most powerful female leaders in the global sphere has strengthened commercial engagement for the duo countries.

Adding: “Among other things the US Exim – Tanzania expects to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming at expanding the US – Tanzania commercial engagement by empowering US business to export quality, innovative goods to Tanzania.”

It is said that the said MoU which will facilitate up to $ 500 million US export financing to Tanzania, will support exports in a variety of sectors which includes, infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security, as well as power generation and distribution projects.

In fact, according to Ambassador Battle, the MoU will enhance job creation in both countries and build on Exim’s congressional mandate to increase US exporters’ relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Other commercial engagement includes the Life Zone Metal Project geared at opening a newly multi-metals processing facility that will use innovative, low-emission technology to process nickel and other critical minerals mined in the country targeting delivery of battery grade nickel to the US and the global market.

When it comes to investing in democracy, good governance and development, the US envoy noted that a five-year deal has been signed worth $1.1 billion, aimed at underscoring the US government’s commitment to help advance the country’s development priorities.

These include, the provision of assistance related to economic growth, health, education. Democracy and good governance.

Other areas that the country is going to benefit from Vice President Harris’ visit, include the expansion of affordable broadband access across East and Central Africa, the 5G security and Cyber cooperations, advancement of freedom of expression and the su[port towards the country’s centre for democracy (TCD).

The US is also set to support programs that foster biodiversity and food security, the promotion of education, youth engagement and women’s economic empowerment.

The funds will also cater for the advancement of health, particularly the Marburg response, the President’ emergency Plan of Aids relief (Pepfear), the malaria initiative (PMI), health electrification and telecommunication alliance, the global health security and Covid support.