AGP Executive Report

Cyclone Watch: Tanzania’s meteorological authority says an Indian Ocean low-pressure system could develop into a cyclone, bringing stronger rain to coastal areas from October 24. It urged the public and marine users to follow updates. Climate Leadership: More than 60 young people from 20 African countries are training in Dar es Salaam to strengthen Africa’s voice in global climate negotiations. Waste to Resources: Tanzanian researchers say sisal waste can be converted into protein-rich animal feed, organic fertiliser and energy, reducing factory waste. Serengeti Research: A three-decade study finds spotted hyenas have remained stable despite climate-linked shifts reducing the time migratory prey spend in their territories. Ocean Protection: Delegates at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12 in Dar es Salaam are discussing marine biodiversity, ocean governance and sustainable coastal livelihoods. Regional Conservation: Kenya and donors have pledged $160 million over 10 years to protect 17.3 million hectares and support communities sharing wildlife landscapes.

Urban Green Spaces: Rapid growth is swallowing Tanzania’s wetlands, river corridors and parks. In Dar es Salaam’s Sinza ward, 24 of 40 planned open spaces have been built over, worsening risks to climate resilience and liveability. Flood Preparedness: East Africa is bracing for heavy El Niño rains. Tanzania is stepping up drainage preparations, but past floods brought crop losses and food shortages. Forest Restoration: The Kisiki Hai programme aims to regenerate 100 million trees by 2030; it has already restored more than 32 million trees across 500,000 hectares through farmer-led natural regeneration. Community Conservation: Tanzania’s two million hectares of village forests support ecosystems while generating income for local communities through carbon trading.

Rice and Resilience: A new Southern Highlands compact aims to lift annual rice production to 2.1 million tonnes by 2030, with $1 billion for irrigation, seed supply, storage and other parts of the value chain. Forest Restoration: Tanzania plans to regenerate 100 million trees by 2030 through Kisiki Hai, a farmer-led programme that has already restored more than 500,000 hectares and helped improve soils and curb erosion. Urban Green Spaces: Rapid development is erasing parks, wetlands and river corridors; in Dar es Salaam’s Sinza ward, only 16 of 40 planned open spaces remain unencroached, raising concerns for climate resilience and public health. El Niño Readiness: East Africa is bracing for heavy October–December rains, with urban poor particularly exposed to flooding and disrupted food supplies. Community Forests: Tanzania says village forests covering about two million hectares support local incomes and carbon trading, as the country calls for stronger financing to protect biodiversity.

El Niño Preparations: Tanzania is bracing for heavy October–December rains, with memories of the devastating 1997 floods underscoring risks to homes, crops and food supplies. Satellite monitoring and AI could help authorities identify flood risks earlier and prepare communities. Youth Climate Action: Climate Hub Tanzania’s new Generation Kijani programme will train and fund five youth-led organisations to run local adaptation projects, with grants of up to €5,000 each. Sustainable Farming: A new organic quality mark aims to help shoppers identify agroecological produce and give farmers a stronger market for farming methods that protect soils. Biodiversity: Tanzania has called for stronger action and financing to protect nature, while Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi says his recent talks opened opportunities for cooperation on conservation, climate change and marine protection. Waste and Forests: A Mabwepande factory is promoting organic fertiliser made from waste, while Tanzania’s village forests are generating carbon-trading opportunities and income for communities.

Youth Climate Action: Climate Hub Tanzania and Climate KIC have launched a nine-month programme to train and fund five youth-led groups tackling climate impacts, with grants of up to €5,000 each. Climate Resilience: Tanzanian business leaders are urging closer government-business coordination to limit climate losses and protect roads, power networks and ecosystems. Waste and Farming: A Mabwepande project is turning market waste into organic fertiliser, while farmers in Dodoma say the Kisiki Hai tree-regeneration programme has improved soils, water retention and maize harvests. Ocean Protection: A Dar es Salaam meeting of the Nairobi Convention adopted 15 decisions to advance protection and sustainable use of the Western Indian Ocean. Conservation: Ngorongoro’s conservation authority has received a continental award for sustainable tourism and conservation management.

Farm Restoration: Tanzania’s Kisiki Hai programme is regenerating more than 32 million trees across 500,000 hectares of farmland. Farmers in Dodoma report better soil, stronger water retention and larger maize harvests. Climate Innovation: University of Dar es Salaam doctoral researcher Upendo Ernest Lyimo won the 2026 UN Climate Change AI for Climate Action Award for CLIMAID, a platform that uses satellite data and AI to help communities prepare for droughts and floods. Conservation: Ngorongoro won an African award for sustainable tourism and conservation management, while Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi urged stronger financing and community involvement to turn biodiversity pledges into action. Waste and Wildlife: Dar es Salaam is promoting the separation of market waste so organic scraps can be composted into fertiliser. A WWF Kenya and TRAFFIC assessment also warns that commercial wildmeat trade across the Kenya–Tanzania border is putting wildlife, especially zebras, at risk.

Climate Innovation: University of Dar es Salaam researcher Upendo Ernest Lyimo won a 2026 UN award for CLIMAID, an AI platform that helps communities assess climate risks and plan for droughts and floods. Conservation: Ngorongoro has received an African award for sustainable tourism and conservation management, recognising efforts to protect biodiversity and natural and cultural heritage. Waste and Farming: Tandale Market produces about 10 tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste daily, which can be turned into fertiliser at a Mabwepande plant; officials say better sorting is still needed. Biodiversity: At COP17, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi urged action, financing and community involvement to deliver conservation pledges. He said marine conservation areas have grown from five to seven, covering more than 3,600 square kilometres. Wildlife and Forests: A WWF-Kenya and Traffic report estimates up to five tonnes of wild meat may cross the Kenya–Tanzania border daily, with zebras among the most targeted animals. Tanzania has also highlighted its two million hectares of village forests, which support carbon trading and local incomes.

Waste Recovery: Tandale Market generates about 10 tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste a day, now being turned into affordable fertiliser at a Kinondoni council plant. Traders still need to improve waste sorting. Wildlife: A WWF-Kenya and Traffic assessment warns that as much as five tonnes of wild meat may be smuggled daily across the Kenya–Tanzania border, with zebras among the most frequently hunted animals. Biodiversity: At the COP17 summit, Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi called for sustainable conservation funding and community participation; he said Zanzibar had expanded marine protected areas from five to seven. Community Forests: Tanzania says its two million hectares of village forests support conservation, carbon trading and local incomes. Clean Cooking: Tanzania is training food vendors to use clean cooking energy instead of charcoal and firewood.

Wildlife at Risk: A WWF-Kenya and TRAFFIC assessment warns that as much as five tonnes of wild meat may be moving illegally each day across the Kenya–Tanzania border, with plains zebras among the most targeted animals. Waste to Fertiliser: Tandale Market produces about 10 tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste daily; a Kinondoni council plant turns the biodegradable material into fertiliser, though poor sorting remains a hurdle. Biodiversity Funding: At COP17, Tanzania called for stronger financing and community participation in conservation, highlighting Zanzibar’s expansion of marine protected areas from five to seven. Community Forests: Tanzania says more than two million hectares of village forests are creating carbon-trading income while supporting conservation. The government is also promoting clean cooking to reduce pressure from charcoal and firewood. Climate-Resilient Farming: A new ActionAid report, drawing on research from Tanzania and nine other African countries, says agroecology can strengthen climate resilience, protect soils and biodiversity, and reduce farmers’ reliance on costly imported inputs.

Biodiversity: Tanzania called for stronger action, lasting funding and community involvement at the COP17 summit. Zanzibar has expanded marine protected areas from five to seven and increased the area under conservation management to more than 3,600 square kilometres. Coastal Conservation: NCBA has planted 13,000 mangrove seedlings in Zanzibar, working with local communities to protect shorelines and support coastal livelihoods. Community Forests: More than two million hectares of village forests are creating opportunities for carbon-trading income while supporting conservation. Clean Cooking: Tanzania is urging schools, hospitals and other institutions to switch from charcoal and firewood; 1,472 of 30,000 targeted institutions have begun the transition. Climate-Resilient Farming: A study covering Tanzania and nine other African countries says agroecology can help farmers cut input costs, improve yields and strengthen resilience to climate shocks.

Coastal Restoration: NCBA has planted 13,000 mangrove seedlings in Zanzibar, working with local communities to protect shorelines and support coastal livelihoods. Community Forests: Tanzania’s village-managed forests span more than two million hectares and are creating opportunities for communities to earn from carbon trading while conserving nature. Climate-Ready Farming: A new ActionAid study covering Tanzania and nine other African countries finds agroecology can cut farmers’ costs, support yields and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. Marine Protection: Tanzania’s Ocean Governance Forum called for better coordination and sustainable management of marine resources amid pressure from pollution, climate change and illegal fishing. Research along the East African coast also highlights seagrass meadows as important sources of nutritious fish and protection from floods and storms. Heavy Rain Risk: Maersk warns that above-average October–December rainfall could cause flooding, damage roads and delay cargo movements across East Africa.

Sustainable Rice: Tanzanian stakeholders are refining an investment plan that links growth in the rice sector with environmental safeguards, as water insecurity and climate variability threaten production. El Niño Readiness: Manufacturers in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Coast are preparing for forecast heavy rains and flooding through February 2027, including by strengthening power and backup systems. Biodiversity: At the global biodiversity summit in Armenia, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi said Tanzania has set aside nearly one-third of its land for conservation. Climate Finance: Tanzania is seeking about $41 million in global environment funding; officials also report six carbon-trading projects have generated credits, while African delegates urge markets to deliver tangible benefits to communities. Marine Conservation: EAC states have agreed to strengthen regional cooperation on wildlife and biodiversity, as Tanzania presses for stronger protection of the Western Indian Ocean. Lake Tanganyika: The government is moving to address a sharp decline in the lake’s fish stocks.

El Niño Preparations: Industrial operators in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Coast are preparing for forecast heavy rains and flooding, as manufacturers explore energy solutions to keep operations running. Clean Cooking: The government is training food vendors to promote alternatives to charcoal and firewood, supporting its goal of 80% clean-cooking use by 2034. Nature and Climate Finance: Tanzania says six carbon-trading projects have generated credits and is seeking $41 million in global environment funding. Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi is also due at a biodiversity summit in Armenia focused on conservation finance and restoring degraded ecosystems. Community Conservation: The Nyerere Cycling Tour planted 1,100 trees at 11 schools on its 1,450-kilometre route, alongside education projects expected to benefit more than 23,000 learners. Marine Protection: Government action is being sought over falling fish stocks in Lake Tanganyika, while regional talks in Tanzania have highlighted stronger cooperation on ocean conservation.

Lake Tanganyika: Fish stocks in Tanzania’s waters fell about 58% between 2022 and 2025, to an estimated 61,000 tonnes. The government is backing aquaculture, commercial fishing and conservation as it tackles illegal fishing and climate pressures. Environmental Funding: Tanzania is seeking $41.06 million from the Global Environment Facility’s next funding cycle for conservation and climate initiatives, including biodiversity protection and land restoration. Carbon Markets: Six Tanzanian projects are generating carbon credits, the environment minister said, as the government works to strengthen oversight and ensure local communities benefit. Flood Risk: Riverbank clearance in Dar es Salaam’s Tandale neighbourhood has left some residents disputing demolitions and compensation, while authorities cite flood prevention. Tree Planting: More than 23 million trees were planted during this year’s Uhuru Torch Race, which also promoted environmental conservation.

Flood Prevention: Demolitions along Mto wa Ng’ombe in Tandale aim to reduce flood risk, but residents say they had little warning and some received no compensation. Tree Planting: At the Uhuru Torch race’s finale in Sumbawanga, officials said more than 23 million trees had been planted nationwide during the 195-day event. Climate-Ready Farming: As El Niño rains are expected from October to January, the government has ordered timely farm supplies and weekly field reports. In Dodoma, women farmers in a Farm Africa programme produced an average of 750kg of drought-tolerant sorghum per acre. Marine Conservation: COP12 delegates in Tanzania called for stronger cooperation to protect marine ecosystems and follow through on ocean pledges. Green Finance: Tanzania is seeking US$41 million in GEF-9 funding, while a separate GEF initiative supports forest tourism.

El Niño Preparations: Tanzania has ordered timely delivery of seeds, fertiliser and farm advice as El Niño rains are expected from October to January, urging farmers to prepare for crop disease, strong winds and other risks. Cleaner Tea Production: The Tanzania Tea Board is urging factories to adopt clean energy and reduce reliance on firewood, while adding value to tea and supporting smallholder growers. Ocean Protection: COP12 delegates in Tanzania called for stronger marine conservation cooperation and action on ocean pledges, as the country pushes to grow its blue economy. Forests and Climate Finance: Tanzania is seeking US$41 million in GEF-9 funding, while separate support is aimed at developing forest tourism. The government has also denied a Gulf forest handover as carbon markets grow. Women Farmers: Farm Africa reports that women farmers in Dodoma are adopting climate-smart practices and producing drought-tolerant sorghum, strengthening resilience and rural incomes.