TZ ranked among Africa’s top 10 resilient economies

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has been ranked among Africa’s top ten performing economies in the Resilient Economies Index, a new report by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) that assesses climate resilience across the continent shows.

According to the centre, the index evaluates 54 African nations and identifies those best prepared to withstand climate shocks, describing Tanzania as a “pioneering economy” in building resilience.

The report released this month introduces a new metric, Gross Resilient Product (GRP) to measure the portion of national economic activity safeguarded from climate risks. On average, about 90 per cent of Africa’s economic activity is already climate resilient.

The best-performing countries are projected to limit potential losses from climate impacts, between now and 2050, to only a small share of GDP, demonstrating steady progress in adaptation efforts.

However, the report notes that Africa’s growing climate ambitions face significant challenges. Currently, 62 per cent of adaptation finance comes in the form of debt, restricting countries’ fiscal flexibility to expand resilience initiatives.

ALSO READ: Tanzanians urged to seize new investment boom

Private investment remains low, accounting for less than four percent of total adaptation finance, highlighting the urgent need for innovative partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms.

This milestone coincides with Tanzania’s current role as Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), a coalition of 54 African countries that coordinates the continent’s position in global climate negotiations.

In an exclusive interview with Daily News, AGN Chair and Special Envoy and Advisor to the President on Environment and Climate Change, Dr Richard Muyungi, commended the recognition, describing it as a testament to country’s commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient development.

“This recognition reflects the progress Tanzania has made in mainstreaming climate resilience into national development planning,” Dr Muyungi stressed. “It also demonstrates the effectiveness of our policies in ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability.

“As Chair of the AGN, Tanzania remains committed to advancing Africa’s unified voice in global climate discussions and ensuring that adaptation remains at the heart of the global agenda,” he pointed out.

The GCA urges African governments to consolidate progress made through national policy frameworks that attract climate finance and promote inclusivity.

Key recommendations include integrating adaptation into core national development plans, investing in climate-resilient agriculture, diversifying economies, optimising trade to reduce reliance on climate-vulnerable imports such as food and ensuring that Africa’s growing infrastructure development is climate-proofed.

According to the GCA, the actions represent a practical roadmap for strengthening resilience and safeguarding sustainable growth across the continent.

The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organisation dedicated to accelerating climate adaptation efforts by partnering with governments and institutions to support resilient and inclusive development worldwide.