Lake Victoria Basin projects to drive economic integration and local income

Charles Ngeleja Kadonya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, has emphasized that projects within the Lake Victoria Basin must provide direct benefits to local communities. During a field visit to the Mwanza Region, Kadonya highlighted the basin's strategic importance for national economic growth and the integration of the East African Community.

Key objectives for regional projects include increasing household incomes, building community resilience against climate change, and conserving natural resources. Kadonya inspected various initiatives in Magu District, such as sheep farming, beekeeping, and tree nurseries, stressing that these programs should be sustainable beyond their initial implementation periods.

In addition to agricultural efforts, the government is investing in strategic infrastructure to bolster trade and connectivity. This includes improvements to the Mwanza Airport, port infrastructure, and water transport, such as the MV Mwanza – Hapa Kazi Tu vessel, to facilitate the movement of passengers and goods across the lake.