Tanzania to retain tax exemptions for religious institutions.

The government has withdrawn plans to abolish tax exemptions for religious organisations and some non-governmental organisations operating in the country following a public outcry. The plans, contained in the 2009/2010 draft budget, drew harsh criticism from Christian and Muslim leaders in...

Alfonso Lenhardt designated new US ambassador.

Retired army officer Alfonso Lenhardt has been nominated by president Barack Obama as the new United States ambassador to Tanzania. The nomination must be confirmed by the US senate before the new envoy can take up his post. Lenhardt, an African-American,...

Road deaths in Tanzania.

Tanzania has an estimated road traffic death rate of 34.3 per 100,000 people according to the first “Global Status Report on Road Safety” released by the World Health Organisation on 15 June. This compares with a rate of 34.4 per...

Tanzania lifts tax relief on religious institutions.

Faith-based schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions in Tanzania stand to lose their existing special relief on value added tax (VAT) under proposals contained in the 2009-2010 budget presented by finance minister Mustafa Mkulo. The new measure, which would come into...

Dar port to fine slow importers

Dar es Salaam’s port is in danger of suffering such severe congestion that the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is to impose punitive fines on importers who fail to clear their cargo within the recommended time scale. The TPA reports that...

Fund for artisan miners.

Small-scale miners in Tanzania stand to benefit from a new fund established by the government to assist their activities, “The Guardian” newspaper reports. The initiative, contemplated under the 2009-2010 budget law, will enable artisan miners to borrow money at reasonable...