The Economic Opportunities Forum organised by Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) in Geita Region has been lauded as a crucial platform for linking citizens with economic opportunities and translating the National Development Vision 2050 into practical action. The forum was held as part of the ninth Mining Technology Exhibition. Geita District Commissioner, Hashimu Komba, who represented the Regional Commissioner, Alexander Mnyeti, emphasised the importance of the initiative in equipping citizens with knowledge about available opportunities in the region.
According to Hashimu Komba, access to information on investment and economic opportunities can help individuals overcome financial challenges, strengthen household economies, and contribute to national economic growth. He encouraged participants to pay attention to presentations made by experts, highlighting that the region has opportunities beyond mining, including agriculture, fishing, livestock, energy, and other economic activities. The region's location along Lake Victoria presents opportunities in fisheries, such as cage fish farming.
Komba also encouraged young people, women, and other groups to utilise government empowerment funds available in agriculture, livestock, and mining. He stressed that opportunities require citizens to actively seek and utilise them, saying, "The responsibility we have is to seize opportunities. Opportunities will not find us while we are sitting where we are; we must rise, follow those opportunities and seek empowerment." Acting TSN Managing Director Majaliwa Christopher stated that the forum is part of the company's responsibility to interpret Vision 2050.
Majaliwa Christopher emphasised that Vision 2050 can only be achieved if citizens are adequately informed about available opportunities and understand how they can contribute to the national development agenda. He said TSN has a responsibility to interpret Vision 2050 by encouraging every citizen to understand their role in achieving the target of building a one-trillion-US-dollar economy by 2050. The forum aims to identify, showcase, and unlock business, investment, and development opportunities.
The forum also provides a platform for citizens to interact with experts, seek clarification, and raise challenges requiring government attention. Majaliwa added that TSN uses the platform to highlight government achievements and strengthen communication between citizens and the government. Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) Director-General Asha Dachi highlighted the importance of collaboration between public media institutions like TBC and TSN.
Asha Dachi stated that collaboration between public media institutions is crucial in ensuring that information about economic opportunities reaches citizens across the country. She suggested that Geita could become a model for implementing Vision 2050 if it effectively utilises its opportunities and strengthens collaboration between the public and private sectors. Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary in charge of Economy and Production, Charles Chacha, provided an update on Geita's economic performance.
Charles Chacha stated that Geita's Gross Regional Product (GRP) averages 10.4 trillion Tanzanian shillings, while per capita income has reached about 3 million shillings. He noted that the forum and the Mining Technology Exhibition provide an opportunity to promote investment in mining, agriculture, and livestock, which can stimulate growth in other sectors. The region is also working to promote productive livestock farming capable of generating more products from fewer animals.
Key points
- The TSN forum aims to connect citizens with economic opportunities and help achieve the National Development Vision 2050.
- Geita Region has opportunities beyond mining, including agriculture, fishing, livestock, energy, and other economic activities.
- Collaboration between public media institutions is crucial in ensuring that information about economic opportunities reaches citizens across the country.
