
The project spans 1.8 million hectares across six national parks, including Burigi-Chato, Katavi Plains, Ugalla River, Mkomazi, Gombe Stream, and Mahale Mountains.
This initiative establishes Tanzania as a leading African player in the global carbon credit trade, coinciding with the COP28 summit in Dubai.
Carbon credits allow polluting organizations to offset their emissions by purchasing credits representing captured carbon dioxide.
The project aims to achieve carbon neutrality by ensuring emitted CO2 is balanced by captured CO2 through carbon-lowering schemes.
Revenue from carbon credit sales will benefit Tanzania’s national park management agency, Tanapa, local communities, and wildlife conservation efforts.
Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited, owned by prominent businessman Mohammed Dewji, will also contribute to project funding.
This agreement follows a preliminary deal covering 8.1 million hectares, nearly 8% of Tanzania’s land mass, signed with Blue Carbon, a UAE-based company.
Critics argue that such large-scale land acquisitions by carbon offsetting companies in sub-Saharan Africa represent a form of neo-colonialism.
Blue Carbon defends its projects, claiming they operate under strict regulations, benefit local communities, and involve voluntary partnerships with participating countries.
Memorandums of Understanding regarding carbon credits have also been signed by Blue Carbon with other African nations, like Liberia, Kenya, Zambia, and Angola.
Finalizing these proposals could grant Blue Carbon control of vast land areas for carbon credit production, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.