- Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete arrived at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in Washington yesterday, at a ceremony to mark US government's commitment to strengthen and help improve lives of Tanzanian people.
Welcoming Tanzanian leader at Ronald Reagan Building, USAID's acting deputy administrator James Kunder said leadership that Mr Kikwete has provided to his country is no small factor in Tanzania's success.
Mr Kikwete is in Washington on a three-day visit to United States at invitation of president George Bush.
During his visit to USAID, a number of important announcements were also made involving assistance programmes in Tanzania.
Some of the support is in recognition that agricultural sector of Tanzania is a driving force in economic development of the country. About 80 percent of Tanzania's population is reportedly engaged in agriculture, and sector contributes more than one-third of national economy.
In support of gains already made in this sector, USAID is currently negotiating a joint credit guarantee with African Development Bank and CRDB Bank in Tanzania, which would enable small holder farmers and agribusinesses to access up to $20 million of credit to invest in their enterprises.
Also announced was a program to provide over $2,000,000 in education assistance for people of Tanzania in response to need for textbooks, teacher training and English language skills.
This initiative is in response to a request by president Kikwete of president Bush, while visiting Tanzania earlier this year.
Also in attendance were US ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Green, USAID assistant administrator for Africa, Ms Katherine Almquist, and US trade and development agency (USTDA) deputy director Ms Leocadia Zak.
Tanzania, located on southeast coast of Africa, is a stable country progressing along a path of democratic governance. The nation hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees and leads efforts to resolve regional conflicts peacefully.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español