Dodoma, Tanzania – The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr. Atupele Mwambene, officially opened and chaired a high-level working session of the Executive Committee for the Green and Smart Cities Programme on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adolf Ndunguru, who serves as the Committee’s Chairperson.
The session focused on reviewing progress reports and key implementation activities under the ambitious urban transformation initiative, with final strategic decisions set to be endorsed at the concluding meeting scheduled for July 14, 2025.
Representing Development Partners, Mr. Marc Stalmans, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and the East African Community, co-chaired the meeting. In his remarks, Mr. Stalmans commended the strong collaboration and vision behind the programme, stating, “The Green and Smart Cities Programme is a bold and forward-looking initiative that reflects our shared commitment to sustainable urban development. We are pleased with the momentum and look forward to deeper cooperation.”he added
A major milestone achieved during the session was the unanimous approval for the Government of Denmark to join the programme.
Through this partnership, Tanzania is set to receive TZS 56 billion to support green urban infrastructure and digital transformation.
Mr. Mwambene welcomed the move, saying, “The inclusion of the Danish Government is a testament to the growing confidence in our programme. This support will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver on our vision of modern, sustainable cities.”
The session also ratified the allocation of TZS 189 billion in concessional loan funds from the French Development Agency (AFD), a critical financial injection aimed at accelerating ongoing projects. Committee members directed the implementation team to fast-track execution to meet key milestones.
Participants included senior officials from PO-RALG, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Water, Regional Administrative Secretaries from Tanga and Mwanza, representatives from the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and delegates from European Union member states and development agencies.
Mr. Mwambene concluded the session by reaffirming the government’s dedication to delivering tangible results. “We are committed to ensuring that this programme not only transforms urban living but also sets a precedent for sustainable development across Tanzania,” he stated.