Scholars: Tshisekedi visit to open more economic opportunities

AS President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi arrived in the country yesterday for two-day work visit, some academicians described his visit as opportunity for opening up more economic prospects between the two countries.

The DR Congo is the leading client of the Dar es Salaam Port.  The country’s annual transit cargo passing through the port reached 2.95 metric tonnes in 2021/22 year representing 16.1 per cent of cargo traffic through the port according to Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) statistics.

After President Tshisekedi landed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam, being his second visit to Tanzania since he came to power in 2018, some academicians expressed optimism that economic relations between the two countries would be strengthened.

Dr Eliaza Mkuna, a lecturer at Mzumbe University, said it was a good thing that the presidents of African Union member states visit each other and cooperate on various issues for the betterment of their countries.

Dr Mkuna said the President Tshisekedi’s visit will boost economic and social relations between countries and their people.

“The visit will open more economic opportunities between DR Congo and Tanzania by reducing non-tariff barriers between the countries and in the East African community (EAC) as a whole,” Dr Mkuna said.

He also wished that the two Presidents could discuss the issue of climate change which has been leading to various disasters such as drought and food insecurity.

The issue of security is also key area which the Presidents could look at.

On his part, Dr Alfred Sebahene, lecturer at St John University, said the visit will strengthen long-term historical and beneficial relations in economy and diplomacy between two countries.

He said for Tanzania and DR Congo being members of the EAC will make easier for the two Presidents to discuss business within the bloc and other important issues of security and defence.

Tanzania’s exports to DR Congo were 207.23 million US dollars in 2021, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

Last week President Samia Suluhu Hassan said she was optimistic that the ongoing construction of roads in Kigoma and its connection to the national electricity grid would play an important role in bolstering economic activities between Kigoma and other regions as well as neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes Region.

The Head of State made a statement during the launching the 63-kilometre road linking Kidawe-Kasulu road as well as launching a foundation stone for construction of 260.6-kilometres Kabingo-Kasulu-Manyovu road.

“Kigoma is well positioned to become an important hub for trade since it is bordering with Burundi and DR Congo and this is an opportunity to boost trade with our neighbours,” she said during the second day of her working visit in the region.

“We are also upgrading ports in Kigoma (along Lake Tanganyika) with a view of spurring exchange of commodities between Tanzania and DRC.

Historically, Tanzania enjoys good relations with its neighbours in the region and in recent years has been an active participant in efforts to promote the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Tanzania is helping to broker peace talks to end conflict in Burundi and supports the Lusaka agreement concerning the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Tanzania has played an active role in hosting refugees from neighbouring countries including Mozambique, DR Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. This normally has been done in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.