PPP drives environmental action in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM: IN a growing effort to preserve a safe and healthy environment for both people and wildlife, organisations across Tanzania’s public and private sectors are stepping up initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.

Clean surroundings are vital to public health, helping to reduce pollution-related illnesses while also supporting biodiversity and ecological balance.

Recognising these benefits, institutions at all levels are increasingly engaging in community-driven efforts to implement sustainable practices and address environmental challenges.

Among the standout initiatives is Absa Bank Tanzania’s recent beach cleanup campaign, which underscores the bank’s broader commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

On Friday, the bank, in collaboration with local government authorities, organised a cleanup exercise along Kawe Beach in Dar es Salaam, highlighting its proactive role in environmental conservation.

Absa Tanzania’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Oscar Mwamfwagasi, emphasised the importance of protecting marine ecosystems, noting that they play a crucial role in sustaining surrounding communities and natural life.

“Beyond our business goal of generating profit, we also have a responsibility to care for the environment and the communities around us,” he said.

Tanzania is increasingly embracing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles as a core element of its sustainable development agenda.

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This shift is evident in policy-making, corporate governance and grassroots action reflecting a national commitment to responsible, inclusive growth.

Earlier this year, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) issued new guidelines urging financial institutions to incorporate ESG factors into their risk assessments and lending practices.

The guidelines recognise that environmental and social risks should be treated with the same level of importance as financial risks.

In another notable development, the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) recently registered over 1,000 environmental experts, a move that signals Tanzania’s intention to institutionalise and professionalise environmental management.

Commenting on the Kawe Beach initiative, Ms Husna Nondo, Executive Officer for Mzimuni-Kawe Ward, applauded the effort and its positive impact on both the environment and the local economy.

“This kind of initiative not only promotes cleanliness but also supports tourism and public health,” she said.

“We encourage more public-private partnerships like this to protect our environment for future generations.”