ACT Wazalendo parliamentary candidate for Kigoma Urban, Zitto Kabwe, has unveiled a plan to introduce electric boats for fishermen on Lake Tanganyika, aiming to slash operational costs and promote clean energy in one of the region’s most critical economic sectors.
Addressing a campaign rally in Kibirizi Ward, where he was campaigning for ACT Wazalendo’s councilor candidate Yunus Ruhomvya, Zitto said fishermen currently spend more than TZS300,000 on fuel for a single fishing trip a cost that severely cuts into their profits.
“If we can have electric motorcycles and cars, we can also have electric boats. My goal is to reduce the burden on our fishermen and modernize fishing activities using affordable, sustainable energy,” Zitto told the cheering crowd.
He said that once elected, he plans to visit China and Japan to engage manufacturers of electric boat engines and explore partnerships that will allow pilot testing on Lake Tanganyika.
The goal, he said, is to identify reliable and cost-effective electric engines suitable for local conditions.
Zitto, a former MP and one of Tanzania’s most vocal proponents of economic transformation, said the initiative would not only reduce fuel dependency but also protect the environment and enhance productivity in the fisheries sector.
The ACT Wazalendo leader also vowed to address the multiple taxes and licenses that fishermen face, promising to introduce a single identification system that would replace the current annual licensing process.
“We want fishermen to have a proper ID that recognizes their profession not to struggle with several licenses every year. Just as drivers have permits, fishermen too should have a unified system that simplifies their work,” he said.
Fishing is the backbone of Kigoma’s economy, accounting for about 30 percent of Kigoma Ujiji Municipality’s total income.
Zitto said his proposed reforms would create a more enabling environment for fishermen to thrive and contribute more to the local economy.
“Empowering fishermen with modern tools and fair policies means empowering Kigoma itself. Our people deserve to benefit more from Lake Tanganyika,” he added.
Zitto’s promise of electric-powered boats adds a technological dimension to the 2025 campaign debate in Kigoma, positioning ACT Wazalendo as a party advocating innovation and economic sustainability.