Tanzania

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste

Advancing Chemical Waste Management in Tanzania

The Challenge

Tanzania has always prioritized chemical and waste management. Despite this, the East African country faced challenges with implementation, especially at the policy level. Tanzania had no plan, strategy, or policy in place to formally guide and monitor the effective management of chemicals and hazardous waste. 

The Project

UNEP partnered with the Division of Environment under the Vice President’s Office to address challenges in managing chemicals and waste, particularly those associated with imports and the emerging oil and gas sector. Because of low awareness and limited monitoring, the project aimed to strengthen the national institutional capacity. This effort involved multiple key institutions working together to develop strategies, regulations, and training programs, as well as creating a database to ensure the safer management of chemicals and waste.

The Impact

The project in Tanzania achieved significant milestones in chemical and waste management. One major accomplishment was the development of an integrated database, the Chemicals and Waste Information Management System. This system streamlined data collection and reporting for international environmental conventions, improving Tanzania's compliance.

Additionally, capacity-building workshops for stakeholders were conducted under the project, including for Agriculture Extension Officers and regulatory authorities in the oil and gas sector. These workshops enhanced staff’s knowledge and skills in chemical and waste management.

The project also supported the formulation of a National Strategy for Sound Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Waste. Although the planned new "National chemicals and Waste Management Policy" was not developed, the project updated the existing National Environmental Policy to include key issues related to international conventions. Regulations on the Control and Management of Mercury were also drafted, aiming to ensure compliance with the Minamata Convention.

Independent Assessment

Independent Assessment of the Closed Project under the Special Programme Report (December 2022): Republic of Tanzania

Project Story

2018 - Tanzania spearheads efforts to raise awareness of toxic chemicals