Conference Papers

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    Household Welfare Improvement in The Mbulu District of Tanzania: Does Rural Electrification Matter?
    (The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024-07-02) Matimbwa, Hadija.; Mng'ong'o, Marco E.
    Access to electricity is crucial for basic human activities and serves as a direct measure of energy poverty. In recent years, intergovernmental organizations have made significant strides in rural electrification to ensure energy security for all (rural populations, the poor, and the vulnerable). In developing countries, there is a positive correlation between rural infrastructure enhancement and rural livelihoods. Since the early 2000s, in Tanzania, there has been a major government rural electrification initiative to boost rural development. However, the extent to which rural electrification improves rural livelihoods remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of rural electrification on household livelihoods in Tanzania, using the Mbulu District as a case study. The study employed a mixed research approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The data were collected from 447 respondents through surveys and interviews with households in electrified and non-electrified areas, where information such as income levels, health, education access, self-employment, and asset ownership was collected. The results indicated a significant 45% increase in household income following electrification compared to non-electrification. About 47% of the respondents earned over 1 000 000 Tsh per month post-electrification, compared to 6% before. Access to modern healthcare improved, with 36% of the respondents being able to afford medication after electrification compared to 13% before electrification. Furthermore, educational opportunities expanded where 31% of the children were enrolled in private schools after electrification compared to 11% before electrification. Asset ownership showed marked improvements, with fewer households living in mud houses (10% post-electrification, down from 22%); all this confirms the significant impact of rural electrification on the improvement of rural development and household livelihood. Our study concludes that rural electrification significantly boosts household income, health service provision, education, and overall welfare which have a significant impact on environmental management. It recommends continued investment and sustained efforts from stakeholders, including the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) to address challenges hindering electricity service expansion in rural areas. This study provides a foundation for informed policy decisions and actionable strategies to promote sustainable development in rural communities
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    Effect of global climate change on insect populations, distribution, and its dynamics
    (Elsevier, 2025) Ojija , Fredrick; Mng’ong’o, Marco
    Insects are vital to various ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and food sources for many organisms. They dominate diverse terrestrial (e.g., glassland) and aquatic (lakes, oceans, rivers, etc.) ecosystems. Previous studies report that more than half of the estimated 2.0 million species of living organisms identified on our planet are insects. However, global climate change (GCC), characterised by rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, significantly impacts their populations worldwide. We reviewed the literature to provide an overview of GCC events in insects. Collectively, the study findings reveal that global temperature and precipitation change are among the extreme GCC events affecting more than 30% of insect population, distribution, physiology, feeding habits, interactions, migration, and communication across the globe. The climate change intensifies insect cycles and insect damage in agroecosystems. In response, insect species alter their geographic ranges and phenology, changing population dynamics and interactions. GCC also influences reproductive patterns, including mating behaviour and breeding synchrony. Warmer global temperatures might advance or delay insect emer gence, causing mismatches with food availability or pollination partners. While some insect populations may adapt, extreme heat events or prolonged droughts exceeding their physiological tolerance result in population declines or local extinctions. Predictions suggest that up to 65% of insect populations could face extinction within the next century due to increasing climate change. Thus, understanding these impacts is essential for predicting the ecological consequences of the GCC and developing effective conservation strategies to mitigate such impacts and protect insect biodiversity and ecosystem services
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    Tracing the Implementation of Pedestrianization Schemes for Enhancing Accessibility and Mobility: A Case of Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam City in Tanzania.
    (Mbeya University of Science and Technology, 2025-02-27) Kimiro, Aboubakary Said; Babere, Nelly John
    Pedestrianization schemes were introduced to improve pedestrians' safety and mobility by creating a friendly walking environment, resulting in a sense of belonging for pedestrians within the inner cities. Effective implementation of pedestrianization streets, especially in developed countries, is reported to reduce accidents and ease movement in an urban environment. However, it seems to be different in developing countries where pedestrianization schemes are not well implemented; therefore, the intended goals of their introduction are not attained. This study investigates the implementation of pedestrianization schemes (pedestrian malls and one-way streets) aimed at better accessibility and mobility. Moreover, it examines the challenges facing the implementation of pedestrianization schemes. The study was conducted in five pedestrianized streets (2 pedestrian threes and three one-way streets) in the Kariakoo area. The qualitative approach was employed and methods used in data collection were interviews with officials and 30 pedestrians per street, mapping and observation. Pedestrian malls function as part-time pedestrian streets, which allow vehicular traffic with less than 3 tonnes to the road after 7:00 p.m.; on-street parking is restricted too, but loading and unloading activities are permitted. One-way streets function as shared streets where pedestrians and vehicular traffic share the space, with on-site parking. Hence, pedestrians continue suffering when accessing and moving within pedestrianized streets