Biteko: Pan-Africanists’ dreams come to reality
WINDHOEK: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has highlighted the significant strides Pan-Africanists’ dreams are making as Africans lead investments in crucial development sectors such as education, health, agriculture, fishing and mining.
Dr Biteko emphasised that cooperation among African nations in these sectors is key to breaking free from colonial legacies and achieving the vision set by the continent’s founding leaders.
He made these comments during a visit to Triumphant College in Windhoek, Namibia, as part of the Global African Hydrogen Summit.
Dr Biteko announced that, as part of the collaboration between Tanzania and Namibia, Triumphant College will soon introduce a Kiswahili language training programme, with Tanzania’s Open University providing the teaching staff.
Accompanying Dr Biteko on the visit were Tanzania’s Ambassador to Namibia, Caesar Waitara; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Felchesemi Mramba; Energy Commissioner Innocent Luoga; and other embassy officials.
They toured various facilities at the college, including the computer lab.
Director of Triumphant College, Professor Geoffrey Kiangi expressed his appreciation for Dr Biteko’s visit, highlighting the importance of such international collaboration in advancing educational and developmental goals.
Meanwhile, Belgium has expressed its strong support for Tanzania’s clean cooking energy campaign, demonstrating a keen interest in collaborating on this initiative.
This support comes in the wake of a campaign led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which aims to advance development across the African continent.
The endorsement was highlighted during a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, and Belgium’s Minister for Energy, Ms Tinne Van Der Straeten.
The meeting took place in Windhoek, Namibia on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the Global African Hydrogen Summit, where they also discussed the potential of hydrogen for electricity generation.
Dr Biteko emphasised that Tanzania prioritises energy solutions that promote sustainable development, including efforts to eliminate health issues caused by the use of unclean energy.
He noted that the longstanding cooperation between Tanzania and Belgium would be instrumental in achieving developmental outcomes through strategic investments.
“Under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, Tanzania has launched a campaign to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy within the next decade. We would greatly value Belgium’s support in this campaign, just as it has supported other sectors like education and gender equality,” Dr Biteko said.
Belgium’s Minister Tinne Van Der Straeten confirmed her country’s readiness to support the clean cooking energy initiative, viewing it as part of a global strategy for environmental conservation and economic development.
She highlighted that utilising diverse sources of clean energy is crucial for stimulating both population development and national economic growth.
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The ongoing Hydrogen Summit in Namibia, which features leaders from various African countries, is exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with hydrogen energy.
The summit will provide Tanzania with valuable insights into using hydrogen for electricity generation. The event is set to conclude on September 5, 2024.
