AGP Executive Report

Lake Tanganyika: Tanzania has taken the lead of the Lake Tanganyika Authority, pledging stronger regional cooperation and sustainable funding as the lake faces flooding, pollution, overfishing and pressure on its resources. Waste and Livelihoods: In Zanzibar, Chako turns discarded glass bottles into useful products, creating income and skills for women while tackling tourism waste. Cleaner Transport: Tanzanian stakeholders are calling for more investment in CNG infrastructure, affordable financing and public awareness to help cut vehicle emissions and operating costs. Climate Finance: Tanzania is also setting priorities to secure climate funding and reduce harmful emissions ahead of COP31.

COP31 Priorities: Tanzania is preparing a unified push for climate finance, adaptation, emissions cuts, technology transfer and capacity-building at November’s UN climate summit. Pemba Conservation: Two new marine protected areas aim to reverse declining fish stocks and ecosystem damage, with more than 20 local communities, government bodies and environmental groups involved in their management. Carbon Markets: Tanzania’s carbon opportunity lies in projects still being planned, not just those already built. Officials have given public institutions six months to identify potential carbon reductions in projects such as the SGR and BRT; more than 100 projects are registered, but only six are issuing credits. EACOP Scrutiny: Activists have asked South Africa’s advertising regulator to examine Standard Bank’s sustainability claims, citing its financing of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Satellite Monitoring: Tanzania’s first Earth-observation satellite could launch in March 2027, with data potentially helping monitor forests, water resources and environmental change.

COP31 Priorities: Tanzania will push for climate finance, adaptation, emissions cuts and technology transfer at the November 9–20 summit in Türkiye, with officials stressing that success means securing funding and practical outcomes. Carbon Markets: The government has given public institutions six months to identify carbon opportunities in planned projects, including rail and bus networks. More than 100 projects are registered, but only six generate credits; over Sh5 billion is earmarked for digital monitoring systems. Pemba Conservation: Two new marine protected areas, developed with local communities, government and conservation groups, aim to curb overfishing and restore declining fish populations. EACOP Scrutiny: A South African climate group has asked an advertising regulator to review Standard Bank’s sustainability claims, alleging they conflict with the bank’s financing of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Climate Finance: Tanzania is seeking closer technical ties with the Global Environment Facility to identify funding for biodiversity and conservation projects, while preparing to push for climate finance, adaptation and emissions cuts at COP31. Conservation: Forty students from Babati communities have returned from a learning visit to Serengeti and Ngorongoro with a task to share lessons on wildlife protection and climate change. Nature Tourism: UNDP has urged Tanzania to promote lesser-known forests, mountains and chimpanzee habitats, backed by better infrastructure and marketing, to spread tourism benefits beyond the northern circuit. Flood Preparedness: East Africa faces renewed heavy-rain risks linked to El Niño, underscoring the need to turn weather warnings into practical protection for urban communities.

Water Access: Despite more than Sh300 billion being invested in the Same–Mwanga–Korogwe water project, residents in several Ishinde hamlets still face shortages and rely on boreholes or purchased water. The uneven coverage raises questions about planning and how RUWASA will close the gaps. Community Conservation: Forty Babati students have returned from a conservation study tour with a mission to share lessons on climate change, wildlife and protecting natural resources with their communities. Climate and Culture: Bagamoyo’s arts festival opened with “Arts and Culture for Climate Change” as its theme, using performances to promote environmental conservation. EACOP Scrutiny: Environmental groups have lodged a complaint challenging Standard Bank’s green advertising over its financing links to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, citing risks to biodiversity and local lands in Tanzania and Uganda.

Energy and Climate: Tanzania’s first reported gas discovery since 2015 adds an estimated 223 billion cubic feet at Mnazi Bay, with the well expected to produce 30 million cubic feet a day for at least a decade. Meanwhile, environmental groups and community organisations are challenging Standard Bank’s climate claims over its role in financing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Weather Readiness: East Africa is preparing for a potentially strong El Niño, with heavy rains raising flood risks; Tanzania is stepping up preparations as the October–December rainy season begins. Energy Efficiency: New mandatory standards and labels for eight appliance types aim to cut electricity waste and help consumers choose more efficient products. Water and Land: Reports warn that 42% of the Lake Victoria catchment faces severe erosion as wetlands shrink, highlighting pressure on the basin’s ecosystems and communities.

Heavy-Rain Preparations: East Africa is bracing for a strong El Niño, with forecasts pointing to heavier rains this season. Tanzania is preparing for flood risks, but forecasters caution that impacts will vary by location. Lake Victoria Under Pressure: A new report says severe erosion affects 42% of the lake’s catchment, while wetlands have shrunk by a third—threatening ecosystems and communities that depend on them. Wildlife Protection: More than 300,000 wild animals are reportedly hunted each year across the southern Kenya–northern Tanzania landscape, fuelling an illicit bushmeat trade that conservation groups warn puts biodiversity at risk. Cleaner Energy Use: Tanzania is introducing efficiency standards and labels for eight types of appliances, aiming to curb electricity waste and help consumers choose lower-use products. Safer Farming: Eight East African countries, including Tanzania, have adopted shared rules for biopesticide approvals, a move intended to ease access to biological crop-protection products.

Wildlife Trade: More than 300,000 wild animals are hunted annually for bushmeat across the Southern Kenya–Northern Tanzania landscape, with an estimated three to five tonnes crossing the border daily. WWF-Kenya and Traffic warn the organised trade threatens biodiversity and could drive some species toward extinction. Lake Tanganyika: Tanzania and its three partner countries are urged to turn conservation commitments into action as pollution, illegal fishing and climate change threaten a lake relied on by more than 13 million people. Ministers are due to discuss next steps on October 29–30. Carbon Finance: Tanzania has given public institutions six months to identify carbon-credit opportunities in projects including the SGR, DART and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, aiming to attract climate investment. Lead Exposure: The Government Chemist Laboratory Authority is pressing for stronger workplace protections, particularly in battery recycling; inspections of three factories reached 175 workers and found safety gaps. Weather Risks: With El Niño raising the prospect of heavy rains, forecasters and officials warn of flood risks and possible disruption to transport and infrastructure.

Campus Conservation: The University of Dar es Salaam marked its 65th anniversary with tree planting and a renewed call to protect the environment. Lake Protection: Tanzania, Burundi, the DRC and Zambia are being urged to step up action against pollution, illegal fishing and climate threats to Lake Tanganyika, which supports more than 13 million people. Carbon Finance: Tanzania has given public institutions six months to identify carbon-credit opportunities in projects including the SGR, DART and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, aiming to attract green investment. Toxic Pollution: The Government Chemist Laboratory Authority is raising awareness of lead risks in battery recycling, after inspections found workplace safety gaps and reached 175 workers.

Human-Wildlife Conflict: A seven-day operation begins in Same to drive elephants from farms and settlements after residents were injured and crops damaged. District teams and conservation agencies will use drones and vehicles to guide the animals away. Lake Victoria Basin: A regional report warns that 42.6% of the catchment faces high erosion risk and wetlands have shrunk by about a third since the 1980s, threatening fisheries and livelihoods. Clean Energy: Tanzania has enlisted 2,682 institutions using clean energy, with a target of 30,000 by 2034. Forest Conservation: A closer look at Lindi’s Rondo Forest Reserve highlights the ecological value of Tanzania’s lesser-known coastal forests and the case for protecting them.

Lake Victoria Under Pressure: A new basin report says 42.6% of the catchment faces high erosion risk, while wetlands have shrunk by about a third since the 1980s. Regional ministers are urging stronger cross-border action to protect the lake and the livelihoods it supports. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Same District will launch a seven-day operation on October 26 to drive elephants from settlements and farms after residents were injured and crops destroyed. Clean-Up Drive: An opinion piece urges Tanzanians to make national clean-up efforts more than a one-day exercise, clearing clogged drains and ensuring collected waste is promptly removed. Flood Preparedness: Tanzania is bracing for heavy rains and higher flood risks as El Niño returns. Clean Energy: Tanzania has enlisted 2,682 institutions using clean energy and aims to reach 30,000 by 2034.

Conservation and Indigenous Rights: A Tanzanian Maasai leader says a carbon-reduction programme is restricting cattle grazing on community land, renewing concerns over conservation decisions made without local people. Southern Forests: Rondo Forest Reserve in Lindi offers a rare coastal-forest ecosystem and habitat for species found nowhere else, but remains little known to visitors. Climate Awareness: An environmental festival in Dar es Salaam brought together Tanzanian and Russian specialists to discuss climate change, protecting natural resources and engaging young people. Clean Energy: Tanzania has enlisted 2,682 institutions using clean energy, with a target of 30,000 by 2034. Flood Risk: Tanzania is bracing for heavy rains as El Niño raises concerns about flooding.

Environmental Awareness: A festival at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Dar es Salaam brought together Tanzanian and Russian speakers to discuss climate change, protecting ecosystems and engaging young people in conservation. Forest Conservation: Rondo Forest Reserve in Lindi offers a rare coastal-forest habitat and a chance to spotlight Tanzania’s lesser-known natural heritage. Heavy Rains Ahead: The Tanzania Meteorological Authority warns that very strong El Niño conditions could bring above-normal rain from November, raising flood and crop-loss risks across several regions. Community Forestry: A study of the Angai forest reserve in Lindi finds that rising forestry revenues have yet to lift nearby villages out of poverty. Clean Energy: Tanzania is enlisting 2,682 institutions using clean energy as it works toward a target of 30,000 by 2034.

Heavy-Rain Alert: Tanzania’s November–April rainy season is forecast to bring above-normal rain to many regions, with strong El Niño conditions raising risks of floods, crop losses and transport disruption. Wildlife Leadership: President Samia has appointed new board chairs for TAWA, TANAPA and the Tanzania Tourist Board, placing conservation and park management under new leadership. Forest Communities: A study of the 140,000-hectare Angai forest reserve finds that rising forestry revenues have not lifted nearby villages from poverty, pointing to gaps in how benefits are shared. Lion Protection: Poisoned livestock carcasses are killing lions in parts of Kenya and Tanzania in retaliation for attacks on herds; the poison can also kill other wildlife that feeds on the carcasses. Waste to Resources: Tanzanian researchers are turning sisal waste into animal feed, fertiliser and energy, offering new uses for a major agricultural by-product.

Heavy Rains: Tanzania’s meteorological authority warns that strong El Niño conditions could bring above-normal rain from November to January, raising flood, crop-loss and transport risks. Forest Governance: A study of the 140,000-hectare Angai forest reserve finds formal forestry revenues have grown while nearby villages remain poor, exposing gaps in how communities benefit from conservation. Wildlife Conservation: President Samia has named new board chairs for Tawa, Tanapa and the Tanzania Tourist Board, institutions responsible for wildlife management, national parks and tourism. Clean Energy: A campaign across seven regions is promoting electric cooking as a way to reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood, protect forests and cut exposure to cooking smoke. Climate Action: Tanzania is training young negotiators to influence global climate talks; 45 of the 61 participants are Tanzanian. Serengeti Partnership: Tanzania and Germany have renewed their conservation focus with a rehabilitated visitor centre highlighting biodiversity, park history and migration.

Climate Leadership: Sixty-one young people from 17 African countries, including 45 Tanzanians, completed training to strengthen their influence in climate negotiations. Clean Cooking: A new phase of the Pika Smart campaign will promote electric cooking in seven regions, aiming to reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood and protect forests and health. Environmental Oversight: NEMC is seeking legal changes to become an autonomous authority with stronger powers to enforce environmental laws. Ocean Research: Tanzania’s new ocean-acidification laboratory—the first dedicated facility of its kind in the Western Indian Ocean—will help researchers assess risks to marine life, fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Waste and Conservation: Zanzibar waste pickers have formed a platform to gain recognition and a stronger voice, while Maasai advocates say pastoral communities should be recognised as conservation partners rather than treated as a threat.