Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed all local government authorities across Tanzania to set up waste processing and separation centres in their respective areas to ensure that waste is managed in a safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly manner.
The move aims to reduce the growing volume of waste ending up in landfills or scattered across residential areas.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Youth and Environment Forum held at the University of Dar es Salaam Library Hall, Mr. Majaliwa also urged local councils to work closely with the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) to develop inclusive plans that engage youth and communities in carbon trading initiatives, the use of clean energy technologies, and waste recycling projects.
The forum is part of the national commemorations for World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5. This year, Tanzania will mark the day with official events in Dodoma.
“The Youth and Environment Forum aims to connect young people from across the country and equip them with knowledge and tools to address environmental challenges. It’s an opportunity to empower youth to take part in designing and implementing innovative environmental solutions,” Mr. Majaliwa said.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening public participation in the national clean-up campaign held every last Saturday of the month, encouraging citizens, communities, and the private sector to adopt sustainable waste recycling systems, especially in industrial areas, to prevent environmental degradation.
“As we approach World Environment Day, it’s vital for youth to recognize their role in the environmental agenda. This forum should serve as a platform to spark innovation, raise awareness, and mobilize the nation's workforce to protect and conserve our environment,” he added.
Highlighting ongoing government efforts, the Prime Minister said the Sixth-Phase Government is actively promoting the use of clean cooking energy.
Over 762 institutions have already adopted alternative fuels, with the goal of ensuring that at least 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean energy by 2034.
In the area of afforestation, more than 266 million trees were planted in the 2023/2024 financial year. However, despite these efforts, the country continues to face significant deforestation challenges, with forest loss estimated at 469,420 hectares per year. Mr. Majaliwa noted that youth engagement is key to reversing this trend.
“Environmental cleanliness and waste control remain among the country’s most urgent environmental challenges. Data shows that between 14.4 million and 20.4 million tonnes of solid waste are generated each year, especially in major cities. Yet only about 50 percent of this waste is collected and disposed of properly,” he said.
According to him, these challenges also represent untapped opportunities. “With the advancement of science and technology, waste management can create jobs, boost the economy, and raise individual incomes. I encourage all young people to see environmental conservation not just as a duty, but as a business opportunity,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister also announced that on May 28, 2025, Tanzania and Japan signed a cooperation agreement to launch a joint carbon trading investment programme.
The partnership aims to expand the national carbon market and unlock more economic opportunities. In support of this initiative, the government has established a National Carbon Monitoring Centre under the amended Environmental Management Act of 2025.
“This is yet another step by the government to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in environmental conservation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Hamza Khamis, reiterated the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
He revealed that each local government authority has been instructed to plant no less than 1.5 million trees annually.
He also highlighted the growing economic potential of environmental conservation, including carbon trading, waste recycling, and the development of environmental policies and guidelines such as the 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to improve waste management across the country.
“We used to view waste as a nuisance. Today, waste is wealth and it’s a solution for youth to address environmental and economic challenges,” said the Deputy Minister.
