By Our Reporter
Tanzania has called on countries sharing Lake Tanganyika to take concrete action to strengthen the management and protection of the water body, warning that growing environmental threats could undermine its ecological and economic benefits to millions of people.
Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Richard Muyungi, said member states of the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) must translate regional agreements and resolutions into practical measures to address pollution, unsustainable fishing and the effects of climate change.
He said Lake Tanganyika supports more than 13 million people across Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia through fishing, transportation, biodiversity conservation and other economic activities.
Dr Muyungi made the remarks on October 25, 2025, in Dar es Salaam during the opening of the 15th meeting of the LTA Management Committee.
He said the lake’s growing environmental challenges required stronger regional cooperation and effective implementation of decisions made by member states.
“Decisions made during this meeting should be translated into practical actions that strengthen the management of the lake and its resources,” he said.
Dr Muyungi identified climate change, unsustainable fishing practices and environmental pollution as among the major threats facing the lake basin, warning that these were affecting its ecosystems and opportunities for developing the blue economy.
He urged member states to fulfil their obligations under the Lake Tanganyika Convention, including paying their financial contributions on time and implementing ministerial decisions, approved work plans and budgets.
The Permanent Secretary also called for stronger capacity within the authority and member states to develop bankable projects capable of attracting financing from international climate and environmental funds, including the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.
The call highlights the importance of moving beyond regional commitments to secure the financial and institutional capacity needed to protect one of Africa’s most important freshwater ecosystems.
LTA Management Committee chairperson Mfumu Richard said the lake remained a critical resource for member states because of its contribution to water supply, fisheries, biodiversity and economic activities.
However, he warned that increasing pressure from unsustainable fishing, pollution, destruction of aquatic habitats, climate change and population growth threatened its long-term sustainability.
He stressed that protecting the lake required stronger regional cooperation and increased financial resources to support conservation and management programmes.
“This is a shared resource whose protection requires collective responsibility from all member states,” he said.
Director of Environment in the Vice President’s Office and chairperson of Tanzania’s LTA delegation, Kemilembe Mutasa, said Lake Tanganyika should not be viewed merely as a geographical boundary but as a shared resource connecting the countries through livelihoods, food security and economic development.
She said recommendations and decisions by the Management Committee were essential in guiding the LTA Council of Ministers and ensuring the authority effectively discharged its responsibilities.
LTA Executive Director Dr Emma Liwenga said the authority was exploring different approaches to address environmental challenges facing the lake, including pollution, climate change and declining fish stocks.
She said the lake offered considerable economic opportunities through fishing, tourism and transportation, making sustainable management essential to safeguarding livelihoods and supporting communities around its basin.
The meeting comes amid growing calls for countries sharing transboundary natural resources to strengthen joint management arrangements, particularly as environmental pressures increasingly threaten livelihoods and economic opportunities.
Lake Tanganyika is shared by Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, making coordinated action critical to its long-term protection.