The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is targeting to realise at least US$2.27 billion, equivalent to around 6 trillion/-, from the country’s marine tourism sector by 2050.
Moreover, the focus is also to have the blue economy sector contributing at least 7 percent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The blue carbon trading and blue biotechnology sectors are set to grow to the extent of annually earning the country a total of billions of US dollars, respectively.
To attain this ambitious target, the Government of Zanzibar has established the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Zanzibar, while on the Mainland, a special unit on blue economy coordination has been established at the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment).
Moreover, implementation of the vital policies, the Mainland Tanzania National Blue Economy Policy (2024) and the Zanzibar Blue Economy Policy (2022), has been termed among the crucial strategies in line with achieving the targeted goals.
The crucial set projections of revenue development from Tanzania’s blue economy sector were unveiled by the Minister of State, Office of the Vice-President (Union and Environment), Eng. Hamad Masauni.
Mr Masauni revealed the figures in his remarks to officiate the Fifth International Blue Economy Conference, continuing at the Dar es Salaam-based Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC).
He was representing the Vice-President, Mr Deogratius Ndejembi, to grace the key scientific forum, which attracted blue economy experts, researchers, scholars, and relevant institutions from within and outside Tanzania.
At least ten countries are featuring in the meeting, including Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, France, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, and the host, Tanzania.
In his opening remarks, Mr Masauni said the forum has been organised at a time when the world, particularly the African continent, is aware that marine and other water-body resources are not merely natural heritages, but rather vital strategic resources for promoting food security, business growth, investment, employment, and social welfare through environmental conservation.
He said in Africa, the blue economy has been given the first priority in attaining the agenda on economic transformation through “The Africa We Want” (Agenda 2063), the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, and the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy.
Based on the theme of this year’s forum, “Powering Blue Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa,” he said it reminds us that blue economy development calls for more than just having the relevant resources, but rather effective strategies to transform blue economic resources into actual economic opportunities.
This can be done through high-level investment in science, research, innovation, and technology in the sector, through collaborative interventions from the sector’s diverse stakeholders, according to him.
“This theme has been tailored to reflect Tanzania’s 2050 economic vision, which recognises the contribution of the blue economy as a key transformational sector to help build a competitive and sustainable economy,” he said.
He said in Tanzania, the blue economy is not a new concept, since it has for years remained part and parcel of the lives and history of the country’s economic development.
Tanzania’s water resources, including the ocean, rivers, lakes, and water ecosystems, have been key to the lives of millions of Tanzanians, and the resources play a notable role in fostering the economy.
In Tanzania’s perspective, the blue economy incorporates the sustainable use of marine resources, lakes, rivers, and underground water for economic growth and social welfare, while ensuring sustainable marine ecology and environmental protection.
He said in Tanzania, a lot of blue economy opportunities remain untapped.
“The government will continue to create and set a friendly environment to ensure effective utilisation, efficiency, and sustainable use of blue economy resources in the country,” he insisted.