As a part of the "Tuhifadhi Maliasili Activity" funded by USAID, the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) conducted private-private, private-public dialogues and study tour on sustainable investments in the Amani Nilo Corridor, Tanga. Moreover, TPSF concluded the activity with a study tour in Amani Nilo Area.
The following is how the three days’ worth of activities were structured:
First day; 5th December 2022: Private-Private Dialogue where private sector actors had discussions on investment opportunities in Amani-Nilo corridor (East Usambara Mountains in Muheza District) and sustainable investment practices existing in Amani-Nilo. Private sector actors discussed challenges hindering private sector investments in the corridors and propose practical measures to address the challenges.
Second day; 6th December 2022: Private-Public Dialogue, where both the public and private sector actors discussed practical measures to address challenges hindering sustainable investment practices in Amani Nilo (East Usambara Mountains in Muheza District). Moreover, the discussion stressed on the importance of strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to support biodiversity conservation, combat wildlife trafficking and promote sustainable investment practices in wildlife corridors.
Third day; 7th December 2022: The Amani-Nilo corridor study tour, to enhance the understanding of participants on investment opportunities and the importance of the corridors. TPSF organized a one-day study tour that allowed the private sector stakeholders to visit the Amani-Nilo corridor and discuss challenges in conservation and sustainable investment practices in the corridors
TPSF Project Coordinator, Mr. Max Rugaimukamu while giving a brief introduction of the project and the reason for the dialogues, he explained, “We are here in Tanga for 3 days by the support of USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili Activity to enhance private sector awareness creation on sustainable investments and initiatives to stop wildlife trafficking in the Amani Nilo Corridor.
He continued, "The dialogues will be preceded at the Ministerial level through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) of which the suggestions drown from the Public Private dialogue will be presented to the Government".
One of the private sector stakeholders, Mr. Mathias Manyanya from Magoroto Forest expounded on opportunities and challenges they come across in the Amani Nilo Corridor.
“The invasion of residents into the forest to cut down trees is the main problem we face here at Magoroto Forest, a significant tourist destination in Tanga. This is due to the lack of education for the community around us on environmental conservation. We believe that through this kind of dialogues the government will help us in this matter" said Mathias
The topic of sustainable investment in the corridors is quite delicate, according to Mr. Richard Rugimbana, Executive Director of the Tanzania Tourism Confederation (TCT). Additionally, it is crucial that not only the private sector but also the people who live along the corridors are aware of the risks posed by wildlife trafficking and know how to safeguard and conserve their local ecosystem.
Participants were from Magoroto Forest Estate, TCCIA, Tanga Cement, Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), African Forestry (AF), TWCC, Golden Food Products, AMCHAM, Tanzania Chamber of Mines (TCM), East Usambara Tea Company Ltd, Indesso Tanzania Zanzibar, Trianon Investment Company Limited, ZIMISA, Mbomole Hill Spice Farmers Group, Muheza Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance, Nkumba Agriculture Marketing Cooperative, UWAMA.
