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Tanzania’s creator economy seeks sustainable growth as industry stakeholders meet

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s growing creator economy is seeking stronger commercial structures, fair compensation and sustainable business opportunities as content creators, brands and industry stakeholders push for more professional partnerships.

The discussions took place during the inaugural edition of The Influence Room, an industry gathering held in Masaki, Dar es Salaam, on October 30, 2026, which brought together content creators, advertising professionals, brand representatives and development sector stakeholders.

The event, organised by Mingle, a platform connecting content creators with brands, focused on how digital influence can shape culture, drive business and support the growth of a sustainable creative industry.

A panel discussion, The Influence Dialogue, explored the opportunities and challenges facing Tanzania’s creator economy, including the need for creators to build sustainable careers, improve their commercial relationships with brands and establish greater credibility within the industry.

The discussion featured content creators Godfrey Rwechungura and Atu Bohela, Bonite Bottlers representative Martha Silayo, HESA Africa’s Bruce Mugaisi and Mingle co-founder Zainab Mkwepo, popularly known as Ola. The session was moderated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative Agnes Kabissa.

Participants called for a broader approach to measuring influence, arguing that the value of content creators should not be determined solely by their follower numbers, likes or online visibility.

Instead, they highlighted audience trust, cultural relevance, community engagement and the ability to influence consumer behaviour as important measures of a creator’s value to businesses.

Speaking at the event, Mingle co-founder Zainab Mkwepo said Tanzania had considerable potential in the creator economy, but lacked the structures needed to turn available opportunities into sustainable careers and businesses.

She said the platform intended to bridge the gap by connecting creators with brands, facilitating organised commercial opportunities and promoting partnerships that recognise the value creators bring.

The gathering also featured a keynote address by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) Marketing and Innovations Director Henry Esiaba, who outlined what businesses consider when engaging content creators.

He stressed the importance of aligning content strategies, digital platforms and audience engagement with business objectives, noting that successful influencer partnerships should deliver measurable value beyond audience reach and visibility.

The discussions come as the creator economy continues to evolve, raising questions about transparent commercial agreements, fair payment, stronger relationships between brands and creators, and more effective ways of measuring the performance of digital marketing campaigns.

Through its platform, Mingle aims to facilitate collaboration between creators and brands while supporting creators’ professional development and commercial growth.

The initiative also seeks to move influencer marketing beyond one-off promotional campaigns towards more structured and transparent partnerships that offer long-term benefits to both creators and businesses.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (C)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 03/11/2026 UNTIL 1800 04/11/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1015hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. In the evening, locally increased cloud will be present at times while isolated shower and/or isolated thunderstorm are expected over the east. Tonight and tomorrow evening, locally increased cloud coverage will be present over the west and the north and local showers and/or isolated thunderstorm are expexted. Tomorrow evening, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 23°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night West to Northwest 3 to 4, locally near the coast Northwest to Northeast 3 Slight

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, near the coast Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 4 to 5, at times locally 5 Slight

South Coast

Night Southwest to Northwest 3, locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Morning Southwest to West 3 to 4, soon Northwest to Northeast 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4 to 5, locally 5 Slight

East Coast

Night West to Northwest 3, offshore 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 4 to 5, locally 5 Slight

North Coast

Night Southeast to Southwest 3, offshore Southwest to West 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Morning South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 4 to 5, at times locally 5 Slight

46 people detained for violating Azerbaijan’s state border in October

A total of 46 people were detained for violating Azerbaijan’s state border in October 2026.

The information was provided in the monthly report of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan.

According to the report, those detained included 26 Afghan nationals, six Azerbaijani citizens, five Pakistanis, two Turkish nationals, two Moroccans, two Algerians, two Palestinians and one Iranian citizen.

Additionally, eight people were detained as part of measures to combat illegal migration. They had attempted to cross the state border using forged date stamps, counterfeit passports or travel documents belonging to other individuals.

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

1-2 December 2026 | European University Cyprus

European University Cyprus and EURES Cyprus are joining forces to organise the EUC × EURES Career Academy 2026, a two-day event dedicated to promoting European labour mobility, enhancing employability, and connecting students, graduates, jobseekers, employers, and EURES representatives from across Europe.

Bringing together participants from Austria, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Malta, Italy, and Cyprus, the event will offer valuable insights into European labour markets, employment opportunities, career development, and the prospects of living, working, and training in different European countries. The programme will feature a European Mobility and Career Fair alongside informative and specialised presentations designed to help participants explore career opportunities and take their next steps towards a professional future in Europe.

Day 1 | 1 December 2026 – European Mobility and Career Fair

The first day will feature the European Mobility and Career Fair, hosted by the EUC Career Center. The fair will bring together EURES advisers from the participating countries, as well as international employers, offering students, graduates, and jobseekers the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from across Europe.

Participants will be able to explore employment opportunities, learn about national labour markets, and establish valuable professional connections. The programme will also include presentations on living and working conditions in Europe, providing practical information for those interested in pursuing professional opportunities abroad.

Day 2 | 2 December 2026 – EURES Career Academy

The second day will focus on specialised presentations and discussions related to European mobility, career development, and employment opportunities abroad. Through contributions from keynote speakers and EURES representatives, attendees will gain practical insights into navigating European labour markets, accessing employment and training opportunities, and developing the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly international professional environment.

The EUC × EURES Career Academy 2026 aims to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions, the EURES Network, employers, and jobseekers, while raising awareness of the opportunities available throughout Europe. Whether you are a student preparing to enter the labour market, a graduate exploring your next career step, or a jobseeker interested in working abroad, the event will provide an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, connect with professionals, and discover new pathways for your future.

Mangroves are a health shield Kenya cannot afford to lose

Mangrove forests are more than natural barriers against waves and storms. Along Kenya’s coastline, they form part of the natural infrastructure supporting food security, livelihoods, cleaner water, climate resilience and community wellbeing. Their loss therefore carries consequences beyond biodiversity.

Kenya has about 61,000 hectares of mangrove forests along its coastline, with Lamu County holding the largest share.

These forests reduce coastal erosion, absorb wave energy, filter pollutants and provide breeding grounds for fish and other marine species. They also sustain communities that depend on coastal resources.

Henry Komu, a Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri), says the contribution of healthy mangroves to human wellbeing is often overlooked. Some species have traditional medicinal uses, while healthy forests provide spaces for recreation that promote psychological and social wellbeing. Nature-based enterprises such as beekeeping and ecotourism also generate income.

Their ability to store carbon further strengthens communities’ resilience to climate change.

When mangroves are degraded, communities lose vital ecosystem services. Declining fish stocks threaten food security and livelihoods, while increased exposure to erosion, flooding and other climate-related shocks heightens vulnerability.

Komu argues that mangrove conservation and restoration should adopt a ‘One Health’ approach, recognising the interconnected health of ecosystems, people and livelihoods. This requires moving beyond tree planting to restoring ecological processes, including natural tidal flows and sediment dynamics.

Natural regeneration should be prioritised where conditions allow. Where planting is necessary, appropriate species and quality seedlings must be matched to suitable sites. Communities should also participate in planning, restoration, protection, monitoring and benefit sharing.

The Kenya Forest Service and coastal county governments should strengthen protection of existing mangrove forests, support science-based restoration and place community livelihoods at the centre of conservation efforts.

Success should not be measured by the number of seedlings planted but by the recovery of ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihoods, and their ability to sustain resilient communities.

For Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Mombasa, protecting mangroves is therefore an investment in public health. Safeguarding these forests means protecting the water, food, livelihoods and climate resilience on which coastal communities depend.

Over 10,000 Youth Turn Up For ‘Yegye Ye Sika’ Demo

Over 10,000 youth turned up for the ‘Y? Gye Y? Sika’ demonstration organised by the New Patriotic Party’s Youth Wing.

The protesters are demanding a full breakdown of the GHS49.72 million used to bring home 1,964 citizens amid xenophobic attacks, including charter flight costs, and an independent audit.

Protesters marched from spots like Accra Mall and the Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout tothe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Jubilee House to submit a petition.

They also called for the dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, voicing frustration over public fund mismanagement, with one participant saying, ‘Give the money you are amassing to the people so they can work with it.’

The protesters were all clad in black and red, with placards that read: ‘Sack Okudzeto Ablakwa Now!’, ‘Ablakwa the Chobo King’, ‘No More Speeches, Produce the Receipt’, ‘NDC Cocaine Alban’, ‘We Said Evacuate, We Did Not Say Inflate!’ and ‘US$750,000 for a chartered flight? Eeeeiiiii’.

Speaking to the media MP for Damongo Constituency, Abu Jinapor and 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, called for accountability from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

For Akua Afriyie she said, ‘Give the money you are amassing to the people so they can work with it. The gross mismanagement of the NDC government is destroying the nation.’

Also present was NPP National Youth Organiser, Abanga Fuseini, Nana B and other prominent big wings in the party joined the ‘Y?GYE Y? SIKA’ demonstration in Accra to demand accountability.

More updates soon..

NMB targets savings growth with Sh600 million campaign

Dar es Salaam. NMB Bank Plc has launched a savings promotion offering prizes worth more than Sh600 million, in a campaign aimed at encouraging Tanzanians to save through its accounts.

The three-month promotion, dubbed ‘Bonge la Mpango -Weka Ushinde 2026′, will run from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, giving customers an opportunity to win various prizes as they build their savings.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, NMB Bank’s chief of retail banking Mr Filbert Mponzi, said the campaign was also intended to promote a savings culture among Tanzanians.

He said saving would help individuals prepare for financial obligations and emergencies instead of relying on loans carrying high interest rates.

“We are approaching December, a month everyone knows well. December has its festivities, while January comes with school fees, uniforms, rent and plans for the new year, 2027,’ he said.

Mponzi added. ‘Those who save today will enter January with peace of mind. We all know that saving is not easy because the money we earn is committed to many competing needs’.

He noted that household income was often spent on family needs, children’s school fees, business capital and daily expenses, leaving many people with limited reserves when unexpected financial needs arose.

“When emergencies arise, many of us are forced to borrow at high interest rates to address immediate needs,” he said.

NMB’s head of sales and branch network Mr Donatus Richard, said customers benefited from holding accounts with the bank, including access to loans without having to visit a branch or complete physical paperwork.

He cited the bank’s ‘Mshiko Fasta’ facility, which offers loans of up to Sh5 million, among the services available to customers.

Mr Richard urged Tanzanians to continue using the bank’s services.

Chinese soup dish malatang proves a hit in Japan

The Chinese soup dish malatang is gaining popularity in Japan, with specialty restaurants expanding beyond major metropolitan cities and spin-off products such as a malatang-themed game being offered.

A total of 273 new malatang specialty restaurants opened between January and June 2026, surpassing last year’s figure, according to data provider Review Inc. Among those benefiting from the growing popularity of the dish is malatang specialty chain Cheepao Malatang, where a basic set consists of soup and glass noodles, with customers able to choose their favourite toppings from more than 50 varieties including vegetables, mushrooms and processed fish cakes. The chain, which operates nearly 80 outlets across Japan, is known for its original glass noodles, developed to complement its Chinese medicinal soup and create its signature flavour. At a store in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward in mid-October, families and groups of women crowded the restaurant. “I eat (malatang) two or three times a month. One of the enjoyable things is being able to choose the toppings myself,” said a woman in her 30s who was there with a friend. “The number of stores has been increasing, and when a new outlet opens, lines of more than 100 people sometimes form,” said an official at the store operator Dining Innovation Ltd. Demonstrating the popularity of malatang, a cup-noodle-style malatang product released by Ishokudogen.com Co in 2024 has sold over 23 million portions. Developed by a worker from China, the product called Chukabo Malatang features a peppery, spicy flavour and gluten-free noodles made from sweet potato starch. The company entered the restaurant business in February, opening a store in Tokyo. It now operates three outlets. “We hope to promote malatang culture by gathering feedback from customers through our restaurants,” said Mika Oyama, a company official. The dish’s popularity has spread to other products as well. Nihondo Co, a Chinese medicine company, launched a malatang-inspired addition to its soup porridge series, priced at 529 yen (113 baht). The product combines a spicy malatang-based soup with the sweetness of black and red beans. Pizza Hut Japan, a delivery pizza chain, began offering three varieties of malatang pizza developed under the supervision of Cheepao Malatang in October as a limited-time dish. The pizzas feature classic malatang ingredients such as glass noodles and wood ear mushrooms with cheese on pizza dough, finished with a mala oil containing Sichuan peppers. Meanwhile, Boku to Watashi and Inc, the operator of Japanese dashi-based malatang specialty restaurant Ten Ten Mala Tan, has launched an official free browser game. The game features a fish egg dumpling character – one of the most popular malatang toppings – that rolls down a hill and attempts to travel as far as possible. The company said the game has been well received by customers, some of whom play it while waiting in the restaurant and comment on how cute the character is.

Central banks of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan exchange experience in financial technology

A delegation from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan has paid a working visit to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) to exchange experience in financial technology and innovation.

According to the CBA, on the first day of the visit, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Vusal Khalilov met with the Uzbek delegation.

The meeting focused on the importance of sharing expertise, promoting innovation in the financial sector, and prospects for strengthening cooperation between the central banks of the two countries.

During the visit, Azerbaijani officials presented initiatives implemented under the Central Bank’s Financial Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2026, including developments in financial technology, innovation and payment systems, regulatory approaches and the results achieved.

The discussions also covered efforts to develop the digital financial ecosystem, promote innovative financial solutions, improve payment systems and products, upgrade relevant infrastructure and expand access to financial services.

Representatives of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, in turn, shared their country’s experience in developing a financial technology strategy, outlining key priorities and major areas of development in the sector.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)