The Vice President’s Office is expected to launch a National Strategic Programme for Environmental Transformation on June 5, 2026, as Tanzania joins the world in marking World Environment Day (WED). The national event will be held in Dodoma.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, during a nationwide environmental cleanliness campaign ahead of the commemoration.
Engineer Masauni said the new programme is part of Tanzania’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2050, with a strong focus on protecting the environment, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting a green economy.
He said the programme aims to make Tanzania a global example in environmental conservation through practical actions such as large-scale tree planting, improved waste management, expansion of green urban spaces, and promotion of clean energy solutions.
One of the key targets of the programme is planting up to 2 billion trees every year. The initiative will also strengthen carbon trading systems and promote environmentally friendly economic activities across the country.
Engineer Masauni said the programme is expected to create more than 25,000 green jobs by 2030. These opportunities will come from sectors such as waste recycling, forestry management, clean energy, and carbon market activities.
He said the launch is part of wider national and global efforts to address climate change, protect natural resources, and improve public health and environmental safety.
The Minister added that Vision 2050 sets Tanzania’s ambition to become a country that uses its resources sustainably, turns waste into economic value, and leads in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
He emphasized the importance of involving all citizens in environmental protection, saying environmental issues must be addressed collectively regardless of age, gender, or social status.
Masauni also pointed to Arusha City as an example of both progress and challenges in waste management.
He said studies show the city produces about 550 tonnes of solid waste per day, and more than 60 percent of it could be recycled if properly managed through a circular economy system.
At the national level, he warned that Tanzania continues to lose about 469,420 hectares of forest every year due to unsustainable human activities, including excessive use of firewood and charcoal, poor farming practices, and uncontrolled grazing.
He said these activities contribute to climate change, reduce water sources, and threaten biodiversity across the country.
He stressed that tree planting remains one of the most effective solutions, noting that trees help absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, protect water catchment areas, and provide income opportunities through carbon trading and forestry-based businesses.
Engineer Masauni also highlighted the importance of clean cooking energy, saying it is key to reducing deforestation and protecting public health.
He said increasing access to clean energy sources such as electricity, natural gas, biogas, and improved cooking technologies will reduce pressure on forests and lower harmful emissions that affect families, especially women and children.
Arusha District Commissioner Joseph Mkude said environmental protection is a shared responsibility that requires active participation from all citizens.
He said government institutions and communities are already taking steps to improve cleanliness and promote sustainable environmental practices in the region.
He added that Arusha has placed strong emphasis on environmental education, especially among students, to build a generation that understands and protects the environment.
The upcoming programme is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s commitment to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future, while also creating new economic opportunities for citizens across the country.
