By John Godfrey
Tanzania is seeking to turn climate finance into an investment opportunity while securing the resources needed to protect agriculture, water, energy and infrastructure from the growing effects of climate change.
The push comes as the country estimates it needs about $19 billion to implement its climate priorities, leaving a financing gap of roughly $12 billion, according to the Minister for Finance.
The financing challenge was discussed in Dar es Salaam on Monday during a climate finance roundtable attended by government officials, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), development partners, diplomats, financial institutions and private-sector representatives.
The Minister for Finance said Tanzania could not achieve its long-term development ambitions without ensuring that climate risks are incorporated into economic planning and investment.
"Tanzania needs about $19 billion to implement its climate priorities, but there is still a gap of about $12 billion," he said.
He said the country needed to make better use of available international financing while ensuring that development partners support programmes already identified in Tanzania's national plans.
"Any support and financing from our development partners must be guided by and aligned with the national plans that Tanzania has already prepared," he said.
The financing needs are closely linked to areas that have a direct impact on households and businesses.
Under the National Adaptation Plan, Tanzania has prioritised climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture and access to clean and safe water.
The Minister said investment in these areas would help reduce the economic damage associated with climate-related shocks.
Agriculture is particularly important because changes in weather patterns can affect food production and farmers' incomes, while inadequate infrastructure can increase the cost of transporting goods and accessing markets.
The energy sector is also being positioned as an important part of the transition.
Tanzania aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 75 percent, from about 68 percent currently, according to the government.
The Deputy Minister for Finance said climate finance should not only be viewed as funding for environmental protection, but also as a way of opening new areas for private investment.
"Reaching these agreements will provide relief in accessing finance and help attract investment in sustainable agriculture, clean and safe energy, forest conservation, carbon trading and the blue economy," he said.
The Deputy Minister said the approach was consistent with the Development Vision 2050, which places rapid economic growth, improved public services and environmental sustainability at the centre of Tanzania's long-term development.
The government expects the economy to move towards double-digit growth, while the population is projected to reach about 118 million by 2050 and the economy approach $1 trillion.
The projections mean Tanzania will need more infrastructure, energy and water services, increasing the importance of ensuring that new investments can withstand climate-related shocks.
"We cannot separate economic growth from environmental sustainability," the Deputy Minister said.
He said Tanzania's environmental priorities include protecting water sources, reducing deforestation and increasing tree planting.
The government is also seeking stronger management of solid waste and plastics and tighter controls on the discharge of chemical waste into the sea.
The blue economy is another area being targeted for growth, with the government seeking to increase the economic value of marine resources while protecting coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Tanzania's climate financing push comes despite its relatively small contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The country accounts for about 0.31 percent of global emissions, but has committed to cutting emissions by 30 to 35 percent by 2030 under its nationally determined contributions.
The Minister said developing countries continued to face difficulties accessing international climate finance despite commitments by developed countries.
Developed countries have pledged $300 billion, with an ambition to mobilise up to $1 trillion, towards climate action in developing countries.
He said delays in translating international commitments into accessible financing remained a concern.
For Tanzania, the challenge is therefore twofold: securing enough money to adapt to climate change while ensuring that the transition creates productive investments and new economic opportunities.
The government hopes that stronger cooperation with international financial institutions and private investors will help turn climate priorities into bankable projects.
The focus on climate finance also reflects a broader shift in Tanzania's development planning, where environmental protection is increasingly being treated as part of economic policy rather than a separate conservation agenda.
With $12 billion still required, the government faces pressure to identify financing sources capable of supporting projects that can protect livelihoods, strengthen infrastructure and create new investment opportunities as Tanzania moves towards its 2050 development targets.