Tanzania: 25,000 hectares in Kibaha to be planted bamboo trees

Amne Suedi Kagasheki, CEO of Shikana Law Group, on the right at the launch of the Switzerland Tanzania Chamber of Commerce in 2023.The Guardian | 22 October 2024

By Christina Mwakangale

(Note from the editor: SilvaTerra claims on its LikedIn page that it is applying to Gold Standard for certification of carbon credits and is also pursuing a 5,000 ha agroforestry project in Mlimba, Morogoro)

Bamboo trees are set to be planted in an area totalling Coastal Region, as part of an environmental conservation initiative.

The goal will be realised under the implementation of “Silva Terra’s Bamboo Project” which aims at reshaping perceptions of construction and promoting bamboo as a sustainable building material.

Prof Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Investment and Planning, announced the launch of the project in Dar es Salaam over the weekend which is expected to commence next year and implemented by Shikana Group in collaboration with the Swiss-based company Silva Terra.

“This will be the first bamboo project of its kind in Tanzania,” Prof. Mkumbo said, adding that bamboo is environmentally friendly and can significantly reduce construction costs. Our government is committed to supporting all efforts—small, medium, and large—to achieve our development vision.

SilvaTerra AG founders Lambert Liesenberg and Thomas Hoffmann, October 2024The project, with an investment of $100 million (approximately 280bn/-), will create jobs for our youth and enhance the housing sector.

Amne Kagasheki, chief executive officer (CEO) of Shikana Group, explained that the initiative will start in Kibaha before expanding to other regions.

“We will cultivate bamboo in phases, beginning with 8,500 hectares. The first phase aims to create jobs for about 5,000 people. Our goal is to develop bamboo-based construction products and tap into international markets, as bamboo is valuable even in aircraft manufacturing,” Kagasheki said.

Carl-Lambert Liesenberg, CEO of Silva Terra, noted the suitability of Tanzania for such investments.

Kagasheki said bamboo can be used for buildings up to five stories high, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods.

“Our research shows that constructing a house with bamboo can save up to 50 percent on costs, making it an attractive option for both developers and homeowners,” he said.

With the project, Tanzania is poised to enhance its environmental conservation efforts while fostering economic growth and job creation in the construction sector.