Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan has reinforced the country’s position within Africa’s growing climate action movement, urging citizens to embrace tree planting as a pathway to environmental protection, economic growth, and food security.
Speaking during activities linked to her birth anniversary in Zanzibar on Tuesday, President Samia said environmental sustainability remains a central pillar of Tanzania’s development agenda and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Tree planting is not only about protecting the environment. It creates jobs, strengthens food security, and improves the economic wellbeing of our people,” the President said.
She noted that as African countries increasingly adopt nature-based solutions to respond to climate change, Tanzania is advancing policies that combine environmental protection with inclusive economic development.
President Samia also commended the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and the Department of Forestry for sustaining a monthly tree-planting campaign held on the 27th day of every month, describing the initiative as a practical model for raising environmental awareness and promoting a cleaner ecosystem.
“This initiative is commendable because it encourages environmental awareness and supports the goal of a clean and sustainable environment.
” My people , the Government wil continue to support this efforts as part of the starting point of our national development plan 2050. This initiative is encouraging. It raises awareness, promotes a clean environment, and reminds our people that environmental protection is a shared responsibility,” she added.
For some time now, government institutions, civil society organisations, private sector groups, and individual citizens have been campaigning for green environmental sustainability across various regions of Tanzania.
These efforts range from community-led tree planting and conservation programmes to climate awareness campaigns and landscape restoration projects.
President Samia urged communities to consolidate these ongoing efforts by planting and nurturing trees within homes, farms, and public spaces.
She stressed that environmental protection requires shared responsibility at all levels of society.
“Climate action begins within our communities. When people plant and care for trees, they are investing in the future of their children and the nation,” the President said.
The renewed focus on tree planting places Tanzania among a growing number of African countries leveraging environmental sustainability to advance the SDGs, strengthen climate resilience, and promote long-term national development.