As Tanzania joined the rest of the world in marking World Water Day on Wednesday, water and energy solutions experts have called for more investments in solar water pumps in the wake of unreliable rainfall and dry weather. They argued that the use of solar water pumps will help the country build more resilience.

Yamaha Motor Co announced today that its group company CourieMate Co has signed a collaborative agreement with Tokyo-based Wassha Co, a startup developing businesses in Africa, to commercialise a last-mile delivery business in Tanzania. The two companies are proceeding with real-world proof-of-concept (PoC) testing in the country.

The European Union, through the Europe Investment Bank, has entered into an investment deal with Tanzania that will unlock over $574.4 million worth new business investments in women-led businesses and the blue economy agenda. Tanzania also used the platform to market its potential investment areas.

Tanzania’s government gave its approval on Tuesday for the construction of a $3.5 billion crude oil pipeline despite human rights and environmental concerns. The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline will transport crude from vast oilfields being developed in Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean.

Tanzanian Energy Minister January Makamba has called on investors to participate in the development of the country’s power generation and take advantage of the growing electricity demand and improving business environment. “The energy sector is now hungrier for capital than ever, we have a higher desire for capital,” the minister said.

Tanzanian farmers have been advised to use solar-powered irrigation systems to reduce greenhouse gas emission that is now immensely contributing to climate change. It also reduces energy costs for irrigation, reduces dependence on foreign fossil fuels and farmers can grow crops in a small area of land and obtain high yield.

Tanzania’s experience is just one example of an emerging paradox of addressing climate change impacts with more climate-changing fossil fuels. As demand for energy continues to grow, it is unclear how to ensure that renewables become more attractive than fossil fuels.