Category: The Citizen

The planned revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) is expected to significantly boost freight capacity, improve service reliability and operational efficiency, while shifting more cargo from road to rail to ease pressure on highways, reduce maintenance costs, enhance road safety, and cut carbon emissions.

The assurances were made on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during the launch of activities marking the authority’s Golden Jubilee, where government and railway officials outlined how the multi-billion-dollar rehabilitation programme is expected to reposition the railway as a key transport and logistics corridor for Tanzania and the wider region.

Julian Quiones did not grow up dreaming of scoring for Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, but on Tuesday his third goal at the World Cup set his ?side on their way to a 2-0 win over Ecuador that gave home fans more reason to that this is their year.

The Colombian-born forward has been a key figure in Mexico’s run to the round of 16, as the co-hosts ended a 40-year wait for another knockout-stage victory at the tournament.

The last time Mexico won a World ?Cup knockout match was a 2-0 win over Bulgaria at the same venue in 1986, with ?fans having to suffer the agony of watching talented teams come up short in ?the group stage or the first knockout round.

As Quinones drove Mexico forward on Tuesday, the chant that has ?followed the hosts through this tournament rolled around the stadium again: “¿Y si sí?” – roughly translated, “What if?”

It is a ?question loaded with decades of hurt.

What if Mexico can go beyond the familiar ceiling? What if the fifth game is not the end point but the start of something bigger?

Quinones has become the player Mexico looks to for the answers.

Born in Colombia ?but forged in Mexican football, he has made this World Cup feel personal.

Quinones led the way against ?Ecuador, unleashing a thunderous finish into the top corner for his third goal of the tournament.

In the group stage, he scored ?the opener against South Africa, helped stretch South Korea in a tense 1-0 win in Guadalajara, then struck again against the Czech Republic.

“We have more to do, work harder so people can be happier,” Quinones told FIFA.

“I’m happy with the result. My individual success stems from all the teamwork, and I’m always happy to wear ?this jersey. All I ?feel is happiness for ?all the work we’re doing as a group; individual success is secondary,” he told reporters.

The 29-year-old built his career in Liga MX, became a champion with Atlas and ?Club America, and chose Mexico despite Colombia’s interest.

In a 2023 interview with Mexican ?broadcaster TUDN, ?Quinones said he did not even read a letter from the Colombian federation before rejecting the chance to represent the country of his birth.

For some supporters, he is proof that belonging can be earned in sweat, goals and ?nights like ?this. For others, he is simply the forward Mexico have long ?needed: fast, direct, forceful, unafraid of the moment.

At the final whistle, the Azteca did not sound like a stadium relieved to have ?survived. It sounded like one daring itself to believe.

Puma Energy Tanzania has paid a record Sh15 billion dividend to the Government of Tanzania, marking the highest payout in the company’s history and underscoring the strength of its public-private partnership model.

The dividend was presented on Monday, June 30, 2026, and received by President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam, in the presence of senior government officials, company board members and executives.

The payout represents an 11 percent increase from the Sh13.5 billion paid in 2025, reflecting improved financial performance and continued investment in the country’s energy sector.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Samia commended companies such as Puma Energy for strengthening national development through effective partnerships with the Government.

Puma Energy Tanzania Board Chairman Ambassador George Madafa said the record dividend reflects strong fundamentals, resilience and sustained growth.

He said the company remains committed to delivering value to shareholders while contributing to national development through taxes, jobs and investment.

Managing Director Fatma Abdallah said the company is expanding investments in fuel retail networks, aviation supply, LPG, and cleaner energy solutions including compressed natural gas (CNG), in support of Tanzania’s industrialisation and energy transition goals.

She added that Puma Energy Tanzania has contributed more than Sh1.4 trillion in taxes and duties over the past three year.

With over 100 service stations nationwide, the company also supplies aviation fuel at eight airports and operates Africa’s largest CNG mother station, alongside a growing clean energy and retail network.

Meta has introduced a range of new features across WhatsApp and Instagram, with a focus on strengthening privacy, expanding personalisation and giving users greater control over their experience.

One of WhatsApp’s most significant additions is the introduction of usernames. The feature enables users to create a unique username, allowing them to connect with others without sharing their phone number.

A phone number will still be required to create and verify an account, but users can choose to share their username instead.

Meta has also confirmed that there will be no public username directory, providing an additional layer of privacy.

The company has also launched WhatsApp Plus, an optional subscription offering exclusive features, including custom app icons and enhanced personalisation options. Meta said more premium features will be added over time, while the standard version of WhatsApp will remain free.

On Instagram, Meta has introduced Instagram Plus, a subscription service that unlocks a range of premium features. Subscribers can customise the app icon, preview Stories more discreetly, view Story rewatch insights, search Story viewer lists, use custom fonts in their bio and send Super Hearts to Stories.

The subscription also allows users to pin more posts, create multiple Story audiences, extend the lifespan of Stories beyond 24 hours, and choose whether to publish content directly to their profile or only to Highlights.

The latest updates underscore Meta’s continued emphasis on enhancing privacy while offering users more ways to personalise and enrich their experience across its platforms.

Airtel Tanzania has paid a dividend of Sh65.48 billion to the Government of Tanzania for the 2025/26 financial year, bringing the company’s total dividend payments to the State since 2019 to about Sh350 billion.

The dividend cheque was presented to President Samia Suluhu Hassan on June 30, 2026, underscoring the government’s 49 percent shareholding in the telecommunications company and highlighting the role of public-private partnerships in supporting national development.

Airtel Tanzania Plc Board Chairman Eliud Sanga said the dividend payout reflects the strength of the partnership between the government and the private sector, as well as the company’s continued contribution to the country’s economic growth through telecommunications and digital financial services.

“This payment is clear evidence of the value created through sustainable investment, prudent management and good governance,” Mr Sanga said.

He noted that Airtel Tanzania’s public-private partnership model demonstrates how government investment can generate both financial returns and wider economic benefits.

According to Mr Sanga, the company’s contribution extends beyond dividend payments to supporting businesses, improving access to information, expanding digital learning opportunities and enhancing connectivity across the country.

He said the true value of investment should be measured not only by profitability but also by its ability to improve people’s lives, create opportunities and strengthen national competitiveness.

As Tanzania advances the implementation of Vision 2050, Mr Sanga said Airtel’s continued investment in digital infrastructure and innovation positions the company as a strategic partner in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Airtel Tanzania Managing Director Charles Kamoto said the latest dividend payment reflects the company’s strong financial performance and the confidence millions of Tanzanians continue to place in its services.

“Today, Airtel Tanzania is pleased to contribute Sh65.48 billion to the Government as a dividend for the 2025/26 financial year. This contribution reflects the trust millions of Tanzanians place in our services every day and our commitment to delivering sustainable value to all shareholders,” he said.

Mr Kamoto added that Airtel’s contribution to the economy goes far beyond dividend payments, noting that the company continues to invest heavily in digital infrastructure to meet growing demand for connectivity and financial services.

He said that between 2021 and 2025, Airtel Tanzania invested more than $316 million in network expansion and modernisation, strengthening voice, data and digital services for millions of customers across the country.

The company is currently expanding its 4G and 5G networks, home broadband and fibre infrastructure while supporting digital education and innovation programmes nationwide.

Mr Kamoto also highlighted the role of Airtel Money in advancing financial inclusion by enabling millions of Tanzanians to access savings, payments, insurance and other financial services through their mobile phones.

A Kenyan court has charged eight schoolgirls with murder in connection with the deaths of 16 students who died in a dormitory fire at a school in the country’s Rift Valley region in late May, authorities said.

The girls died after a fire broke out at Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, injuring 79 other students. Pupils at the school are aged between 15 and 18 years.

The eight accused appeared before the Kibera High Court in Nairobi, where they all pleaded not guilty, according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Prosecutors have not disclosed further details as investigations continue.

The incident has renewed concern over safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools and recurring cases of student unrest in the education sector.

School fires are relatively common in Kenya, with some linked to student protests over discipline and living conditions. The country has recorded several deadly incidents in recent years, including a 2024 fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County that killed 21 children.

In 2001, 67 students died in one of the country’s worst school fires at Kyanguli Secondary School near Nairobi, which authorities attributed to arson.

Following the latest incident, Education Minister Julius Ogamba said unrest had led to the temporary closure of at least 204 senior schools, although most institutions, including Utumishi Girls’ Academy, have since reopened.

Young Africans (Yanga) attacking midfielder Pacôme Zouzoua has begun his recovery after undergoing successful surgery at Aga Khan Hospital following the injury he sustained in the final match of the 2025/26 NBC Premier League season.

Yanga’s Media Officer, Ally Kamwe, confirmed that the operation was completed without complications, marking a positive first step in the Ivorian midfielder’s rehabilitation.

Kamwe said doctors have placed Pacôme under close medical observation for the next six weeks to monitor his recovery and assess how he responds to treatment.

He stressed that the six-week period should not be interpreted as a timeline for the player’s return to competitive football, but rather as a crucial observation phase during which his recovery will be closely evaluated.

“Another clinical assessment will be conducted after the six weeks to evaluate his healing progress and determine the next phase of his rehabilitation, including a possible return-to-play timeline,” the club said in a medical update, urging patience as the player continues his recovery.

Pacôme sustained the injury during Yanga’s final league match against JKT Tanzania at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium, an incident that sparked widespread concern across the country’s football fraternity.

Messages of support have continued to pour in from across the sport. Among those offering encouragement was the Azam FC technical bench, led by head coach Florent Ibenge, who visited the midfielder in hospital and wished him a speedy recovery.

In a show of sportsmanship, JKT Tanzania also issued a statement expressing regret over the incident, emphasising that there was no malicious intent behind the challenge.

The club said its player, Hassan Wahabi, had no intention of injuring Pacôme and expressed sadness over the outcome.

“The management of JKT Tanzania FC is deeply saddened by the injury suffered by Pacôme Zouzoua and sincerely apologises for the incident, which was not intentional, the statement said.

JKT Tanzania also wished the midfielder a full and speedy recovery, expressing hope that he will return to action in peak condition.

As Pacôme begins this critical stage of his rehabilitation, the focus now shifts from the operating theatre to his recovery programme, with Yanga and their supporters awaiting the medical assessment at the end of the six-week observation period, which is expected to provide a clearer indication of his return to competitive football.

Seventy-nine young agribusiness practitioners from five regions have completed a two-week financial literacy training programme aimed at equipping them with skills to serve as community trainers in financial management, investment and entrepreneurship, in a move expected to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve food security.

The training was delivered under the Vijana Kilimo Biashara (VKB) programme, implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and in collaboration with the Bank of Tanzania Academy (BoT Academy).

Upon completion, the participants were certified as financial educators (CFEs), enabling them to train farmers, livestock keepers and small-scale entrepreneurs within their communities.

Speaking in Arusha, BoT Academy Principal Dr Nicas Yabu said the trainees, drawn from Arusha, Dodoma, Singida, Morogoro and Manyara regions, had been equipped with financial knowledge and the responsibility to cascade it at grassroots level.

He said the programme seeks to shift financial awareness from formal institutions to rural communities where most agricultural activity takes place but where financial literacy remains limited.

‘We have trained them on how to earn, save and invest. The aim is for them to return and empower communities to use financial resources effectively and build stronger livelihoods through agriculture and enterprise,’ he said.

The training covered financial services, savings culture, investment opportunities, credit access and responsible borrowing, with inputs from the Bank of Tanzania, UTT AMIS, insurers and commercial banks.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Country Director for Tanzania, Christine Mendes, said the initiative is part of the VKB programme, which aims to equip young people with skills for employment and agribusiness development while strengthening financial management.

Since 2023, more than 77,000 young people across eight regions have been reached, while the latest cohort brings the number of certified financial educators to 150.

One participant, Shedrack Minja from Manyara, said the training had shifted his mindset, adding that agriculture should be treated as a business requiring planning, saving and reinvestment.

The BoT Academy and WFP signed an MoU on July 31, 2025, to strengthen financial literacy among youth through the VKB initiative.

Telecommunications company Halotel says it has invested more than $1 billion (about Sh2.7 trillion) in Tanzania since launching operations in the country more than a decade ago.

Speaking during the opening of the company’s pavilion at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, the company’s acting chief executive officer, Ms Tran Thi Thuy Dung, said much of the investment had gone into building telecommunications towers and expanding network coverage to reach more Tanzanians.

“We continue to invest not only for business growth but also in infrastructure development. Every year we invest more than $100 million in the Tanzanian market through the construction of additional towers and expansion of our services to reach more people,” she said.

The 2026 DITF officially opened on June 28 and will run until July 13.

Beyond network expansion, Halotel announced major upgrades to its HaloPesa mobile money platform as part of celebrations marking the service’s 10th anniversary in Tanzania.

Ms Dung said the company had launched a redesigned HaloPesa application featuring an improved user interface and additional services, including digital loans and mobile payment options for electricity and water bills.

She said the enhancements were intended to support the government’s efforts to increase the use of digital payments and reduce reliance on cash transactions.

The announcement comes as the government prepares to introduce mandatory digital payments for selected public services from July 1.

Presenting the 2026/27 national budget, Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar said the reforms are intended to advance Tanzania’s digital transformation agenda, improve transaction efficiency, curb financial crime, enhance transparency and reduce the costs associated with handling cash.

According to the government, mandatory digital payments will gradually be introduced across various sectors, including public transport services such as rapid transit buses, ferries, railways, air travel and app-based transport services.

Commenting on Halotel’s participation at the trade fair, Ms Dung said the exhibition offered the company an opportunity to engage directly with customers and gather feedback to improve its services.

“Sabasaba gives us the opportunity to interact directly with our customers, understand their needs and receive valuable feedback that will help us improve our services and continue delivering innovative solutions that meet their expectations,” she said.

She added that, beyond telecommunications services, Halotel remained committed to improving the lives of Tanzanians through continued investment in technology, digital financial services and communications infrastructure.

Halotel Commercial Director Abdallah Salum said this year’s exhibition provides an important platform to strengthen customer engagement.

“This year, HaloPesa marks 10 years of service and has been enhanced with additional digital financial solutions aimed at promoting wider adoption of cashless payments,” he said.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening labour justice and promoting social justice in Tanzania during a farewell and welcome ceremony held at Kazi House in Dar es Salaam.

The event honoured Justice Mlyambina for his service in the Labour Division of the High Court of Tanzania and welcomed Hon Justice Kerekamajenga as the incoming judge responsible for the division.

It brought together representatives from the Judiciary, Government, employers’ and workers’ organisations, the legal fraternity, development partners and the ILO, who commended the outgoing judge’s contribution and underscored the importance of continued cooperation in advancing labour justice.

Speaking during the ceremony, ILO Director for Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, Caroline Mugalla, highlighted the collaboration between the ILO and the Judiciary in promoting decent work and social justice.

‘An effective labour justice system is fundamental to advancing decent work and social justice. The ILO greatly values its long-standing partnership with the Judiciary of Tanzania, which has strengthened access to justice, promoted respect for labour rights, and contributed to more inclusive and resilient labour market institutions,’ she said.

Ms Mugalla said the organisation looked forward to building on the partnership to support workers, employers and government efforts to shape a fairer future of work.

She also commended Hon Justice Mlyambina for his leadership in strengthening labour jurisprudence, noting his role in initiatives implemented in collaboration with the ILO, including the publication of Labour Court Division case law and judicial capacity-building programmes aimed at improving consistency in labour dispute resolution.

The ILO welcomed Hon Justice Kerekamajenga, reaffirming its commitment to continued cooperation with the Judiciary in enhancing access to labour justice, strengthening institutional capacity and supporting the implementation of international labour standards.

The organisation noted that the leadership transition comes at a time when labour markets are rapidly evolving due to technological change, climate change, demographic shifts and new forms of employment, stressing the need for responsive and accessible labour justice systems.

Participants at the event said sustained dialogue among the Judiciary, Government, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and development partners remains key to building strong labour market institutions that promote fairness, trust and sustainable economic growth.

The ILO reiterated its support for Tanzania’s Decent Work Agenda, saying it remains committed to strengthening labour justice institutions that uphold the rule of law, protect rights at work and promote inclusive and equitable labour markets.