Regional economic & development planning in east Africa

Natural gas, discovered recently in coastal East Africa, has the potential to change the development equation in regional economic development and planning. Natural gas is coming ashore in Mtwara, Tanzania, a relatively undeveloped region in south-eastern Tanzania, which is creating opportunities and very serious social and environmental challenges. Colonel (Retd) Joseph Simbakalia, Regional Commissioner of Mtwara, is responsible for charting the future economic development plan for Mtwara. He presented the case to the audience and a distinguished faculty panel. This was followed by responsive remarks from the panel, and an open question and answer period. Speakers: Joseph Simbakalia, Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Special Guest Rob Stoner, MITEI Associate Director & moderator Professor Calestous Juma, Harvard Kennedy School Professor Donald Lessard, Sloan International Management Professor Balakrishnan Rajagopal, DUSP-International Development Group This talk was presented on November 13, 2012 as part of the IHS Markit Seminar Series, co-sponsored by MITEI and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP). About the speaker: Col. (Retd.) Joseph Leon Simbakalia is currently the Regional Commissioner of the Mtwara Region of Tanzania. He has previously held various senior positions in the National Government of Tanzania, as well as the Defence Forces, and Public Sector. He served as Managing Director and CEO of the National Development Corporation (NDC) from April 1996 to July 2006. Colonel Simbakalia holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Ireland, and a Bachelor’s from Carleton University in Canada. He has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing innovation and technology transfer, and has attended various executive training programs covering the fields of innovation, policy, management, corporate law, corporate leadership, infrastructure development, energy, development economics, development finance and good corporate governance at the University of Dar es Salaam, National University of Singapore (Business School), University of Strathclyde (Centre for Energy and Minerals Law and Policy) and Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School) and University of Pretoria (Gordon Institute of Business Science in collaboration with Harvard Business School). Colonel Simbakalia has served on the Boards of more than 15 corporate entities in the public and private sector, including Tanzania subsidiaries of multi-national corporations (ABB, Carnaud Metalbox, Siemens and TATA Africa Holdings). ___ The MIT Energy Initiative is MIT’s hub for energy research, education, and outreach. Learn more at http://energy.mit.edu.