Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu differed with her Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on climate financing during a session in Arusha.
Speaking on Friday, November 24, Suluhu asked African leaders not to be over-dependent on the foreign nations on matters climate change.
“I agree with President Ruto, but I think it is high time Africans stop over depending on others when it comes to climate financing. We should come up with strategies to raise our own funds for Climate financing because relying on others makes us waste a lot of time,” she said.
Additionally, Suluhu emphasized that African countries should establish their own means and sources to fund climate change mitigation efforts.
Suluhu BBT Program
Further, she said Tanzania will promote intensive farming through a program called Build a Better Tomorrow (BBT)
Suluhu explained that this program is specifically for youth and women with the aim of boosting productivity.
“Our is to use BBT to promote production, reduce poverty and conserve the environment,” said Suluhu.
She said the government will provide the BBT program with land and educate the people involved.
Besides, she said the private sector will provide funds, mechanization farming, irrigation technologies, off taking and value addition.
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Ruto Climate Financing Thoughts
Speaking at the Forum, President Ruto said climate financing was the biggest conversation at the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi.
Additionally, Ruto said many African countries are struggling because the effects of climate change.
Ruto explained that many African countries are spending more money mitigating the effects of climate than on health and food security.
“To be able to manage the balance what we are spending on climate change and what goes to social service, it is necessary for us to work on climate financing.
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How do we reform the international financial architecture that was fashioned before the advent of climate change,” said Ruto.
Again, Ruto explained that African countries will not be able to fund climate financing if they use the funds allocated for other activities.
If we are going to use, the same financial instruments that we have used designed for a different purpose and a different time, we will not be able to manage the competing financial requirements of our budgets especially in the context of what we have to spend on managing climate change,” stated Ruto.
The two presidents were speaking during the East African Community (EAC) High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Food Security in Arusha, Tanzania on Friday, November 24.