Africans called upon to work tirelessly to achieve desired

He made the statement in Dar es Salaam when opening a high-level seminar to discuss attainment of development in Africa whereas he noted that Tanzania is committed to implement the Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda by incorporating them into national development plans and translating them into actions through development initiatives.

Shaibu highlighted Tanzania's progress in realising the goals of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, noting the country’s growth rate is expected to exceed 5 per cent by 2024 and beyond due to implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects and investments in the real sectors such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), road, and the Mwalimu Nyerere Hydropower Project.

He said the government is also investing in modernisation and rehabilitation of ports and airport infrastructure.

He said Tanzania will continue to invest heavily in agriculture to increase production and eradicate hunger, adding several initiatives have also been taken to enhance access and equity in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as well as higher education.

“Tanzania has also managed to reduce maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality rates while continuing to enjoy peace and stability underpinned by the existence of a relatively favourable social, political, and economic environment, as well as making significant efforts to improve democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law,” he said.

He said the African continent is facing numerous challenges including poverty, lack of development, unemployment, peace and security issues, and a lack of a unified voice on the international stage, urging governments to continue their efforts to ensure the desired Africa is achieved.

Amb Said acknowledged challenges faced by member countries in implementing Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030, citing weak governance, ineffective management systems, and insufficient resources as some of the contributing factors.

He expressed gratitude to the United Nations in Tanzania for its continued collaboration with Tanzania and pledged the country's commitment to working closely with the UN in Tanzania to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The seminar, organised by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), focused on the implementation of agendas 2063 and 2030.

It also addressed strategic areas for joint implementation at national level, and the 10-year implementation plan for agenda 2063, outlining the continent's transformation over the next decade, as approved by the African Union Ministers in October 2023.

The seminar’s theme was ‘Towards an Integrated Africa: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and Agenda 2063 for the Continent That We Want.”