The government of Tanzania has reiterated its appeal to lenders for cancellation of debts of developing countries to enable them to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Palamagamba Kabudi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, on Wednesday said cancellation of the debts will enable developing countries, including Tanzania, to use the money earmarked for repaying debts for mitigating the impacts caused by Covid-19.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said Kabudi made the appeal in a video conference meeting with officials of the Commonwealth.

The statement said the meeting discussed how international organisations could support developing countries in building capacity for production of medical supplies to enable them to cope with outbreaks of epidemics like the Covid-19.

In April 2020, President John Magufuli appealed to the World Bank and other international financial institutions to cancel debts of developing countries to enable them to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.