But here we are, it’s already happening in the US, China, Europe and elsewhere catching governments with pants down as policies and regulations to govern the industry remains in pipelines.
In Tanzania, since president Samia Suluhu Hassan took over power in March 2021, new found freedom of expression and association has resurfaced. People led by the main opposition Chadema leaders are assailing the executive and parliament, left, right and centre.
Issues at stake include: the delayed new constitution making process, hiring and firing of laggard presidential appointees and, the latest and most contentious, an intergovernmental agreement signed with United Arab Emirates which gives DP World a mandate to invest, develop and manage some sections of Dar es Salaam port.
Speaking after swearing in a number of his recently appointed lieutenants, president Samia who has maintained stone silence since the DP World debate started a couple of days ago, warned that time is not on our side to waste while endlessly debating the IGA signed with UAR.
“While we continue engaging in debate on the subject, our neighbours have moved into swift action to seize the investment opportunity,” the head of state said while urging opponents of the IGA deal and the general public to move on and understand that time is running out.
Her comments came probably following a decision Chadema’s executive committee to announce nationwide protests to demand a new constitution that will save our ports. The usual rhetoric by the opposition in this country is that the new constitution will be panacea for all the ills facing our nation.
Chadema’s national chairman, Freeman Mbowe said the new constitution will provide a solution as to how the government handles sensitive investment issues like the DP World deal. Mbowe however did not mention anything relating to demand for the new constitution ahead of the 2025 general elections.
To the opposition, the new constitution is about winning the next elections and probably provide answers to most of the challenges or problems facing our country. Going back to president Samia’s advice as to the need for urgency when making decisions regards business and investment schemes, anyone with a sober mind understands the argument.
Kenya which adopted a new constitution over a decade ago, has already signed a deal with DP World to invest and manage Mombasa port, which is Dar es Salaam port’s main rival in the region. When Nairobi signed the deal last year under president Uhuru Kenyatta, the opposition and some activists cried foul.
Current president, William Ruto’s camp deemed the deal with DP World as a corrupt arrangement. But since assuming power, the ‘hassler’ government has said very little in terms of undoing the Uhuru era ‘corrupt’ deal. This then means that, by association, come November 2025, president Freeman Mbowe or Tundu Lissu may proceed with the DP World deal signed by Samia’s administration anyway, the new constitution regardless.
It is therefore important to heed president Samia’s word that we should move fast but carefully as a nation to seize potential investors like DP World who have several other options on the table. As we continue engaging in rhetoric, DP World is already a household name in East and Central Africa with presence in DR Congo, Kenya, Mozambique and Rwanda.
The Dubai based ports operator cum developer has also got footprints in other parts of Africa such a in Somaliland, Djibouti, Angola, Senegal and Egypt, plus elsewhere in the world. We need to improve our game if the resources that we have will help us develop rapidly.
We already spent over a decade debating the liquefied petroleum gas deal which Mozambique has seized and is on the verge of starting commercial production with a potential huge market in Europe which is struggling to wean itself from Russian natural gas over reliance.
As Tanzanians we should understand that the world of analogue is gone, that of digital is fast progressing and that the days of artificial intelligence are here. We therefore need to stop politicking when it comes to issues relating to trade, investment and development of our country.
NB: The writer is media consultant and book author based in Dar es Salaam. He can be reached on fsimbeye@hotmail.com and 0675040130.
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