EU and Germany Strengthen Partnership with Tanzania to Unlock Sustainable Blue Business Opportunities through StawiBluu
StawiBluu focuses on two sectors with strong potential for sustainable growth: tourism and aquaculture/mariculture. Working in destinations including Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Unguja, Pemba and Mafia, it will strengthen local value chains and provide practical support to businesses through business development, investment readiness, access to finance, market connections and skills development.
On 8 October the project StawiBluu was launched in Dar es Salaam, marking a new step in the partnership between Tanzania, the European Union and Germany to unlock the potential of the country’s blue economy. Cofinanced by the European Union (EU) and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, StawiBluu will help blue businesses grow by connecting entrepreneurs to finance, markets, skills and new business opportunities.
StawiBluu focuses on two sectors with strong potential for sustainable growth: tourism and aquaculture/mariculture. Working in destinations including Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Unguja, Pemba and Mafia, it will strengthen local value chains and provide practical support to businesses through business development, investment readiness, access to finance, market connections and skills development. It will also support more sustainable production, processing and value addition in aquaculture and mariculture, and more sustainable and diversified tourism products and services, while promoting the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.
The project launch took place during the 12th Conference of Parties of the Nairobi Convention (COP12) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, bringing together government representatives, development partners, private-sector actors, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, innovators and sector stakeholders.
“Through Global Gateway and our Team Europe approach, the European Union is deepening its partnership with Tanzania bringing together Tanzanian and European public institutions, businesses and investors to unlock the opportunities of the blue economy. StawiBluu is part of this effort, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially women and young people, while strengthening links with European businesses and expertise.” — Isabelle Mignucci, Chargée d’Affaires of the European Union to Tanzania and the East African Community.
“Businesses need the right skills, access to finance and connections to markets. Through StawiBluu, the German Development Cooperation and the EU are supporting Tanzanian businesses and entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses, develop sustainable products and services and turn new ideas into viable opportunities. In doing so, we want to see more Tanzanian businesses able to grow while creating jobs and protecting the coastal and marine environment.” — Mrs. Annett Guenther, Ambassador-designate of the Federal Republic of Germany.
StawiBluu has a total budget of €16.5 million, including €15 million from the European Union and €1.5 million from Germany.
StawiBluu forms part of the Team Europe Initiative on Blue Economy for Jobs and Climate Action in Tanzania, a wider €110 million EU-led initiative under the Global Gateway, bringing together European and Tanzanian partners to support sustainable investment, climate resilience, environmental protection and inclusive growth in Tanzania’s blue economy.
Source : European Union
