The EconomicPost

BY TUMUSIIME DEO Kampala-Uganda: I wish to register my name on the list of the very few Ugandans out there who have the humility to acknowledge the wonderful performance of our national team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. Many Ugandans have faulted the team for is early exit from the tournament, but to do this is in my view astride the real gist of the game of football. I do not think that Football should necessarily be just about winning games, but people ought to focus on and appreciate every other aspect that makes the game.

DAR ES SALAAM – The World Bank's board of executive directors has approved a US$225m loan to Tanzania to improve water supply in the African nation's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, the bank said. Tanzania plans to raise US$900 million in fiscal year 2016/17 to fund public investment projects in the transport, energy and water sectors. Loans and grants are an important source of foreign exchange for east Africa's second-biggest economy.

U ganda is negotiating a $2.3-billion loan with China 's Exim Bank to fund an initial 273 km stretch of rail line the east African country is planning to build for faster and cheaper transportation , an official said on Thursday. Landlocked Uganda eventually wants to construct a 1 700 km standard gauge railway network to connect with similar lines being built in neighbouring Kenya .

T anzania will receive a $305-million loan from the World Bank to expand its main port in its main commercial city Dar es Salaam , where congestion and inefficiencies are hampering ambitions to transform the east African nation into a regional transport hub.

Ten global trends, many of which underscore a drive for more responsible leadership, both from the public and private sectors, will shape the development of infrastructure in the year ahead, the 2017 ‘Emerging Trends in Infrastructure’ report from KPMG International reveals.

Gold mining company Acacia Mining (LON:ACA, DSE:ACA) announced that gold production from its operating mines in northwestern Tanzania rose by 13%, from 731,912 ounces (oz) in 2015 to 829,705oz in 2016. This was indicated in Acacia’s recently published production results for Q4 2016; the results also show that gold production in 2016 is 5% above the original guidance of 750,000-780,000oz for that year. 

By Mnaku Mbani Tanzania is targeting to increase financial inclusion of 80 per cent of adult population using financial access point by 2017 The country exceeded the target of 50 per cent by 2016 under the National Financial Inclusion Framework (NFIF 2014/2017), with 55 per cent financial inclusion in 2014.

J OHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Tanzania ’s National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) has approved dual-listed Kibo Mining ’s Mbeya coal mine and power plant’s environmental - and social-impact assessment (Esia) scoping reports. This concludes the second stage of the three required during the statutory Esia approval process and paves the way for final Esia certification of the 350 MW Mbeya coal -to- power project (MCPP).

JOHANNESBURG (Bloomberg) – Anglo American has shortlisted groups led by some of South Africa ’s most prominent black businessmen as bidders for several of its South African coal mines as it focuses on diamonds , platinum and copper , two people familiar with the discussions said.

By Mnaku Mbani The 10-year Treasury Bond floated yesterday by the Central Bank of Tanzania was oversubscribed, which indicates the regain of market liquidity. Activities for both government securities and equity markets were lower since the end of last month as many investors were committing their end year financial obligations.

Vodacom Tanzania CEO Ian Ferrao By Mnaku Mbani Tanzania capital market is expected pass through major litmus test early next year, after Vocacom Tanzania announced a plan to float the Initial Public Offering (IPO). The leading mobile telecom company announced recently that it is planning to float 25 per cent of its shares to Tanzanian public, in the line with the country’s regulatory requirements.

By Mnaku Mbani Charles Karim (13) recently graduated his primary school education at Mgusu Primary School, in Geita region in September last year, with the hope of continuing with secondary level. “During my examinations, my determination was to pass and continue with secondary school level,” Karim says. “If I will be selected to join secondary school; I will pursue science subjects to become a doctor because I want to help people.”

By Mnaku Mbani Tanzania total electricity generated during the third quarter of last year increased from 1,550 million kwh in 2015 to 1,706 million kwh in 2016 equivalent to 10.1 percent increase.

By Mnaku Mbani The activity registered a growth rate of 19.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 8.0 percent recorded during a similar quarter of 2015, the National Bureau of Statistics has said. The growth was attributed to an increase in production of Tanzanite, salt, natural gas, gold, copper, silver and coal production.   Significant production was observed in the natural gas production, copper and salt.

By Mnaku Mbani The growth in the crops production   increased at a negative growth rate of 2.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016 compared to a growth of 8.1 percent in the similar quarter of 2015, the National Bureau of Statistics has said. The decrease in growth rate was caused by unfavorable rainfall received in some production areas during the agricultural season.

By Mnaku Mbani Tanzania economy grew by Tsh3 trillion during the third quarter of last year   to TZS. 25.5 trillion compared to TZS. 22.7 trillion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015, the highlights for the third quarter of 2016 published by the National Bureau of Statistics has said.

By Mnaku Mbani Tanzania’s domestic credit increased by TZS 1,561.8 billion in the year ending October 2016 to a stock of TZS 21,447.2 billion compared with an increase of TZS 3,171.6 billion registered in the year ending October 201 6 . According to the Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review for November last year shows that the slower pace of increase in domestic credit was reflected in credit to the government and private sector.

By Mnaku Mbani External debt stock reached USD 16,407.6 million as at end of October 2016, being an increase of USD 7.8 million from the amount recorded during   the preceding month. On annual basis,the stock of debt was USD 1,035.8 million higher than the amount recorded at the end of the   corresponding period in 2015 mainly due to new disbursements.

By Mnaku Mbani The current account balance recorded a deficit of USD 1,843.8 million compared to USD 4,797.5 million registered in the corresponding period in 2015. According to Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review for November, this outturn was mainly attributed to a decrease in imports of goods and services coupled with increase in exports of goods and service.

By Mnaku Mbani After disappearing for more than one month, foreign investors have made a comeback at the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) after dominating the market on the selling and buying sides. The DSE market report shows that during yesterday’s session, turnover from shares bought by foreign investors was Tsh4.7 billion, of which foreign investors’ participation was 99.8 per cent.

By Mnaku Mbani The seven year treasury bonds floated by the Bank of Tanzania were undersubscribed by more than 50 per cent, which indicates the low liquidity in the market.