Category: The Citizen

Today, AI can summarise lengthy reports, transcribe interviews in seconds, analyse large datasets, generate headlines, translate content into multiple languages, and even write simple news stories. What once took journalists hours can now be completed in minutes.

Naturally, this has sparked an important and uncomfortable question: Will AI save journalism or replace it? The answer, at least for now, is neither.

AI is not the end of journalism, but it is undoubtedly changing journalism in profound ways.

Throughout history, every technological advancement has been met with both excitement and fear.

The printing press changed how information was distributed.

Radio challenged newspapers. Television disrupted radio. The internet transformed everything.

Each innovation created anxiety about the future of existing media. Yet journalism survived and adapted. AI is simply the latest chapter in this story. The opportunities it presents are enormous.

For many news organisations, especially those operating with limited resources, AI can become a powerful productivity tool. It can automate repetitive tasks, allowing journalists to spend more time on investigative reporting, storytelling, and audience engagement.

In many ways, AI can help journalists work smarter. For African media organisations, this potential is particularly significant.

Across the continent, many newsrooms operate under financial constraints, with limited staff and increasing pressure to produce more content for multiple platforms. AI could help bridge some of these resource gaps, improving efficiency and expanding access to information.

But every opportunity comes with risks. AI is only as good as the information it is trained on. It can make mistakes, generate inaccuracies, and present false information with remarkable confidence.

AI systems can fabricate sources, misinterpret facts, and reinforce existing biases.

This is why the greatest threat posed by AI is not that machines will replace journalists.

It is that misinformation may become faster, cheaper, and more difficult to detect. Ironically, this makes the role of professional journalism even more essential.

As AI floods the information ecosystem with content, the value of trust increases. Audiences will increasingly seek credible sources that can verify facts, provide context, and separate truth from fiction.

While machines can generate information, they cannot replace judgment; they cannot replace ethics, and they cannot replace human curiosity

Consider investigative journalism. Some of the world’s most impactful stories have emerged because journalists built relationships with sources, recognised patterns that others missed, or had the courage to ask uncomfortable questions. These are deeply human qualities.

AI cannot attend a community meeting and understand the emotions in the room.

It cannot build trust with a whistleblower. It cannot fully appreciate the cultural nuances that shape society. Most importantly, it cannot be held morally accountable.

Journalism is not simply the production of content. It is a public responsibility.

The future, therefore, is unlikely to be a battle between humans and machines. Instead, it will be a partnership.

The most successful newsrooms will not be those that resist AI, nor those that rely on it entirely.

They will be the organisations that combine the efficiency of technology with the judgment and integrity of human journalists.

The journalist of the future may spend less time transcribing interviews and more time analysing information.

Less time compiling data and more time asking why it matters.

Less time producing routine content and more time creating meaningful, impactful journalism.

In that sense, AI could actually strengthen journalism rather than weaken it, but only if it is used responsibly.

Media organisations must invest in ethical guidelines, staff training, and robust verification processes.

Transparency will become increasingly important. Audiences deserve to know when AI has been used in the production of content.

The rise of AI also demands something from journalists themselves: adaptability.

The profession is changing, and those who embrace new tools while remaining committed to the core principles of journalism will be best positioned to thrive.

Technology has always changed the way journalism is practiced. What has never changed is why journalism exists.

Society still needs people who can investigate wrongdoing, hold power accountable, explain complex issues, and help citizens make informed decisions.

AI can make journalism faster. It can make journalism more efficient. It may even make journalism more accessible, but it cannot replace the human qualities that make journalism matter.

The future of journalism is not human versus machine. It is humans and machines working together to tell better stories, uncover deeper truths, and serve the public more effectively.

And in an age increasingly shaped by algorithms, that human mission may become more important than ever.

One of the least discussed challenges in the shift towards refugee self-reliance that’s touted by development agencies is the extent of poverty within closed camp economies.

This reality is often overlooked in conversations that focus on entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, yet it shapes everything that follows.

In many camps, small businesses do not operate in thriving markets, they operate in spaces where nearly everyone is struggling.

A refugee selling vegetables, airtime, or basic goods is often selling to customers who are equally constrained, equally dependent, and equally uncertain about tomorrow.

The exchange exists, but it happens within limits that are difficult to escape. There is movement, but not necessarily growth.

Transactions are frequently based on credit rather than cash. Goods are taken with the promise of payment later – payment that may never come.

This is not simply a financial arrangement; it reflects the shared reality of hardship. Refusing credit is not always possible, because the people who ask are part of the same community, facing the same conditions.

Over time, this creates cycles of debt that quietly erode the very businesses meant to represent progress. What begins as an attempt to generate income slowly becomes difficult to sustain. Stock becomes harder to replace. Income becomes unpredictable. What remains is a business in form, but not always in function.

In such an environment, entrepreneurship does not necessarily generate growth. It often redistributes scarcity.

This raises an important question: Can self-reliance truly exist in an economy where no one has enough?

Self-reliance without integration

Beyond the internal limits of camp economies lies a broader structural issue – integration. This is where the focus shifts from individual effort to the conditions that shape what is possible.

Refugees are often encouraged to become self-reliant while remaining excluded from the very systems that make self-reliance possible.

Restrictions on movement, limited access to formal employment, and barriers to national markets create conditions where opportunity is not only scarce, but structurally constrained.

In this context, self-reliance becomes a paradox.

Dozens of countries impose refugee encampment policies. Refugees are expected to build independent lives within environments that limit independence.

They are encouraged to grow within systems that do not expand. They are asked to sustain themselves in economies that cannot sustain them.

This contradiction is not always visible in policy discussions, but it is present in everyday life.

For self-reliance to move beyond rhetoric, refugees must be seen not as a burden to be managed, but as an economic and social asset.

This requires more than encouragement, it requires change in the systems that define access and opportunity.

Access to labour markets, financial services, education, and mobility are not additional benefits; they are necessary conditions. Without them, self-reliance remains limited to small-scale survival rather than meaningful progress.

Between what is measured and what is lived

Another important dimension of this shift is the increasing reliance on data systems and standardised indicators. Terms such as ‘consumption scores’, ‘resilience markers’, and ‘transition metrics’ are used to assess progress and guide decision-making.

These tools are important, but they have limits.

They capture what can be measured, not necessarily what is lived.

A household may appear stable on paper while continuing to face daily shortages.

A young person may report having a business while struggling to generate consistent income.

These realities exist alongside the data, but are not always visible within it.

This creates a growing gap between what is recorded and what is experienced.

The issue is not that the data is incorrect, but that it is incomplete. It reflects part of the reality, but not all of it. And when decisions are based primarily on measurable indicators, there is a risk that the unmeasured aspects of life uncertainty, pressure, and dignity are overlooked.

The need to reflect reality

This does not mean that the shift towards livelihoods and self-reliance is inherently wrong. Many refugees want to work, to build, and to sustain themselves. The desire for independence is real.

But desire alone does not create opportunity.

The issue lies in how these transitions are implemented, and whether the conditions needed for success are in place. Self-reliance cannot be reduced to the presence of a business or the reduction of aid. It must be understood in terms of stability and sustainability.

These questions are necessary if self-reliance is to reflect reality rather than appearance.

Is the system ready for self-reliance?

As humanitarian organisations continue to adapt to funding constraints and changing priorities, the shift towards self-reliance is likely to continue. It is presented as a necessary transition, and in many ways, it is.

But necessity does not remove complexity.

As long as refugee economies remain closed and constrained, the potential for meaningful growth will remain limited. As long as integration remains restricted, independence will remain partial. And as long as progress is measured primarily through indicators, there is a risk that appearance will take precedence over reality.

The question is not simply whether refugees are capable of self-reliance. It is whether the systems around them are prepared to support it in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Because without that support, self-reliance risks becoming something else: not a pathway out of poverty, just a different way of living within it.

The Tanzania Police Force has assured the public that adequate security measures are in place to protect lives and property amid reports that some individuals are allegedly mobilising people to engage in violence and organise demonstrations against the law.

Police said the country’s security situation remains calm, with security and defence agencies closely monitoring what they described as attempts by a small group of individuals to disrupt public order.

The assurance was made on Sunday, July 5, 2026, by Police Force spokesperson, Mr David Misime, while addressing journalists at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair popularly known as Sabasaba.

‘We want to assure Tanzanians that the security situation is stable. Security and defence agencies have made all the necessary preparations and continue to closely monitor any activities that may threaten peace and public safety,’ said Mr Misime.

He said security agencies had put in place sufficient measures to safeguard peace while monitoring individuals allegedly planning unlawful demonstrations and violent acts.

According to Mr Misime, investigations have uncovered alleged efforts to incite violence through social media platforms and online discussion groups.

He alleged that the plans included attacks on government leaders, destruction and looting of public and private property, arson targeting schools, and assaults on members of the security forces with the intention of seizing their weapons.

Mr Misime said police had already arrested several suspects to assist with investigations, but did not disclose the number of those in custody.

‘We have detained some individuals to assist with investigations. We will continue taking lawful measures against anyone found planning or participating in activities that threaten the country’s peace and security,’ he said.

He urged members of the public to continue with their daily activities without fear and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting information that could help prevent criminal or violent acts.

‘The Police Force remains committed to protecting all citizens and ensuring that Tanzania continues to enjoy peace, security and stability,’ said Mr Misime.

British national John Evance is preparing to attempt a record-breaking ascent and descent of Mount Kilimanjaro within 16 hours on 7 July 2026.

Evance said his journey will begin in Mabungo village, where he will cycle to Marangu Mtoni before running up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route to the summit. After reaching the peak, he will descend through Maua village and return to Mabungo, where the attempt will conclude.

Speaking to The Citizen on July 5, 2026 Evance noted that most previous record attempts have started at the Marangu or Umbwe gates. However, he said his research into the mountain’s history and geography led him to conclude that Kilimanjaro begins at Mabungo, which is why he has chosen it as his starting point.

A representative from Team Kilimanjaro, Joseph Cheleli, said all preparations for the attempt have been completed to ensure success.

He also praised the government for improving infrastructure within Kilimanjaro National Park, saying the upgrades have enhanced tourist safety and contributed to a steady rise in visitor numbers each year.

Tour guides have described the challenge as a major opportunity to promote Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro globally, while warning that completing an ascent and descent within a single day requires extensive preparation due to harsh weather conditions, steep gradients, and potential health risks.

Evance previously attempted a similar record 26 years ago but was forced to abandon the climb due to health complications. He now returns with renewed determination to complete the 16-hour challenge.

Zanzibar’s Minister for Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, Mr Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga, has said the archipelago is pursuing a digital transformation agenda aimed at positioning itself as a leading centre for technology and innovation in Africa.

Mr Soraga made the remarks on July 5, 2026, during the second graduation ceremony for Master’s degree holders in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Master of Technology in Ocean Structure at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Zanzibar (IITMZ).

‘Our priorities are clear: digitising public services, building a strong digital economy, investing in artificial intelligence and harnessing the talents of our young people,’ said Mr Soraga.

He said the government, through his ministry, had already begun implementing its digital transformation agenda, with Zanzibar seeking to become a regional hub for innovation and start-ups.

He added that Zanzibar has abundant talent, but previously lacked platforms such as IIT Madras to unlock its potential.

Through such institutions, he said, young people now have greater opportunities to innovate and thrive.

Mr Soraga said the presence of IIT Madras would boost innovation across multiple sectors in the islands.

‘For Zanzibar, having IIT Madras is a great blessing. This is the only IIT Madras campus operating outside Chennai, India. There are only two in the world, and one is here in Zanzibar,’ he said.

He added that education remains central to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar’s development vision.

‘Zanzibar is a small island; we do not have large agricultural land or abundant minerals. Our greatest resource is our people,’ he said.

He stressed that investment in human capital is key to sustainable development and a knowledge-based economy, noting that partnerships such as the one with IIT Madras align with this goal.

He urged graduates to observe their surroundings, identify challenges, and develop solutions that would position Zanzibar as an innovation hub in East Africa.

IITMZ governing council chairperson, Prof Mohamed Sheikh, said the partnership between India and Zanzibar goes beyond education delivery and aims to build a global innovation ecosystem on the islands.

‘Today, you are not just graduating; you are taking another step towards fulfilling the vision of leaders from both our countries,’ he said.

He added that bringing the academic heritage of IIT Madras to Zanzibar represented an investment in the region’s most valuable resource.

IITMZ Managing Director, Prof Prabhu Rajagopal, said the success of IIT is driven by international collaboration, strong private-sector partnerships, and a culture of turning research into practical solutions.

‘We are proud of IIT Madras Zanzibar, our first international campus. Our culture of excellence is reflected in the numbers, innovation hubs, and more than 565 start-ups. We aim to create 100 start-ups from here in Zanzibar,’ he said.

He added that the institution now has 129 students, about 50 percent of whom come from East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Ethiopia, while 30 percent are women.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Ms Aisha Hamad Hassan said the cohort had come from different parts of the world but shared a common academic journey.

‘As the second cohort of graduates, we continue to make history and pave the way for those who come after us. We should be proud not only of our degrees, but also of the community we have built and the future we are helping shape,’ she said.

More than 100 women entrepreneurs have received business skills training at the ongoing Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (SabaSaba) under the Think Equal Lead Smart (TELS) programme, an initiative of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) implemented in partnership with the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation and the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC).

The training, conducted at the TWCC pavilion, aims to strengthen participants’ entrepreneurial capacity and support the growth and sustainability of their businesses.

Sessions focused on modern entrepreneurship, business innovation, digital tools, value addition, market identification and the importance of maintaining proper financial records.

Speaking during the training, business and entrepreneurship consultant from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Mr Elia Mbise, urged entrepreneurs to adopt professional business management practices rather than relying on experience alone.

He stressed the importance of keeping accurate records of purchases, sales, income and operating expenses, noting that proper record-keeping enables entrepreneurs to track performance, identify profitable products and make informed business decisions.

‘It is important to understand the business you are running, expand your customer network and strengthen your market presence while maintaining a long-term growth vision, even when starting with limited capital,’ said Mr Mbise.

He added that many entrepreneurs struggle because they fail to adapt to changing market trends and customer demands, urging them to embrace innovation and continuously improve their business strategies.

Participants said the training had provided practical knowledge that would help them address common challenges, including limited access to finance, capital constraints and difficulties in securing reliable markets.

Ms Rose Patrick, a spice processor from Tanga, said the programme had equipped her with skills to improve business management and strengthen the growth of her enterprise despite financial challenges.

Similarly, Ms Halima Fundi from Dodoma, who operates poultry and tailoring businesses, said the training would help her expand market opportunities, add value to her products and improve operational efficiency.

Speaking on behalf of the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation, Foundation Manager Ms Sandra Oswald said the TELS programme seeks to empower women entrepreneurs by equipping them with practical business skills that enhance their participation in economic activities.

‘We are encouraged to see women entrepreneurs from different parts of the country gaining knowledge that will help them add value to their products, embrace technology and strengthen financial management for sustainable business growth,’ she said.

The event also featured the TELS Business Kiosk Competition, where Ms Fatma Omar Kibwana and Ms Fadhila Athumani Mgumia emerged winners and each received Sh500,000 in seed capital to support business expansion.

The winners said the recognition would motivate them to invest further in their enterprises and apply the skills gained through the programme to accelerate growth.

Organisers said they would continue supporting participants through mentorship and business advisory services to promote the long-term sustainability of their businesses.

The government has identified five major challenges hindering the growth and effectiveness of the country’s cooperative sector as it intensifies efforts to strengthen the industry.

The challenges include low awareness among cooperative members, limited capacity among some officials, low participation of youth and women, the impacts of climate change, and insufficient capital among cooperative societies.

The issues were outlined on Sunday, July 5, 2026, by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof Peter Msofe, while opening Cooperative Day celebrations in Dodoma.

Although International Cooperative Day was marked globally on Friday, July 3, 2026, Tanzania extended its celebrations, which are being held on July 5 and 6 under the theme ‘Cooperatives for a World of Peace.’

Prof Msofe said cooperatives remain a key pillar of the economy if properly managed through transparency and accountability, warning that weak governance undermines their effectiveness.

‘It is important to strengthen good governance and accountability, and also increase the use of digital systems to enhance transparency because cooperatives are part of the private sector that we rely on for economic growth,’ he said.

He directed that electoral systems within cooperative societies be strengthened to ensure only ethical leaders are elected, to build strong institutions capable of supporting a competitive economy.

He noted that the cooperative sector handles significant volumes of business, adding that recent transactions conducted through cooperatives reached Sh4.97 trillion, a figure he said reflects its importance to the economy.

Registrar of Cooperative Societies and the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) chief executive officer, Dr Benson Ndiege, said the sector has undergone major transformation, largely driven by increased adoption of technology.

Dr Ndiege said the goal is to build strong cooperatives that can boost the economy, particularly benefiting farmers who form the backbone of the sector.

However, he stressed the need for greater accountability and transparency among cooperative leaders, as well as stronger collaboration among stakeholders to enhance openness and reduce mistrust.

The third International Kiswahili Conference has opened in Burundi, marking the start of discussions on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to advance the Kiswahili language across East Africa and beyond.

The two-day conference, which precedes World Kiswahili Language Day commemorations, officially opened on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Bujumbura.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the East African Community Kiswahili Commission (KAKAMA), Dr Caroline Asiimwe, said the conference had formally launched efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into the development and promotion of Kiswahili.

Dr Asiimwe also urged media organisations producing Kiswahili content to adopt editorial policies that include programmes dedicated to promoting and developing the language across East African Community member states.

She said KAKAMA has continued to champion opportunities for the growth of Kiswahili and called for greater investment in the language, stressing that its future depends on collective commitment rather than expecting support from external investors.

Dr Asiimwe further revealed that the commission is exploring partnerships with Kiswahili stakeholders to establish training courses for journalists who lack proficiency in the language.

Officially opening the conference, Burundi’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Lydia Nsekera, called on East African Community citizens to accord Kiswahili the recognition it deserves as a vital language of regional unity.

She noted that while Kiswahili speakers were once unfairly stereotyped as unruly, attitudes have changed significantly, with those seeking to learn the language today increasingly regarded as educated and progressive.

Rukwa Regional Commissioner Makongoro Nyerere is set to depart for Canada on Tuesday to watch the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 matches after emerging among the winners of CRDB Bank’s Fainali Ndo Mpango na TemboCard promotional campaign.

Makongoro secured the opportunity through the campaign, which rewards customers who use CRDB TemboCard Visa cards for digital transactions. He is among three winners travelling to Canada, alongside Habiba Filikunjombe and Lenah Gacheri Munyua.

The winners received their travel tickets during a handover ceremony officiated by CRDB Bank’s Acting Head of Card Business, Omari Nkulo.

Speaking at the event, CRDB Bank Senior Cards Manager Karington Chahe said the winners qualified after making payments using TemboCard Visa Debit, Prepaid or Credit cards. Every eligible transaction automatically entered customers into the promotional draw.

He said the campaign is designed to reward customers who embrace digital banking while promoting cashless payments across the country.

According to Chahe, a total of 10 winners will travel abroad to experience the FIFA World Cup live. Three winners, including Nyerere, will watch matches in Canada, while another four will travel to the United States later as part of the same campaign.

He said the remaining winners will depart according to the bank’s travel schedule, enabling all beneficiaries to enjoy the unique experience of watching the world’s biggest football tournament in person.

Apart from the international travel packages, the campaign has also rewarded other customers with attractive prizes. Chahe said 10 customers have won 85-inch Hisense television sets, digital decoders and subscription packages that will allow them to watch every remaining match of the FIFA World Cup from home.

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will conclude on July 19. Chahe said the campaign reflects CRDB Bank’s continued commitment to rewarding customer loyalty while encouraging greater use of secure digital payment platforms.

He noted that financial services are increasingly shifting towards digital solutions, making it important for Tanzanians to embrace electronic payment systems for convenience, efficiency and security.

“This campaign is part of CRDB Bank’s broader efforts to promote digital payments, drive innovation in financial services and reward our customers for their loyalty. By the time the campaign closed on June 11, we had recorded very encouraging results, with a significant increase in digital payment transactions,” said Chahe.

Tanzania says it did not agree to provide biological specimens to the United States under a new five-year health partnership under the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), but major questions about the deal remain unanswered.

Health Minister Mohammed Mchengerwa has clarified that provisions requiring Tanzania to share biological specimens were not accepted during negotiations.

But the full agreement has not been made public.

The deal is expected to involve about $3.1 billion over five years, with the US contributing around $1.3 billion and Tanzania about $1.8 billion. It is intended to strengthen the health system, digital infrastructure, disease surveillance and national health security.

The ‘America First’ approach raises questions, especially after the full agreement has not been made public.

Does the deal allow access to or transfer of Tanzanians’ health data? Who can use that data, and under what safeguards? Will Tanzanian institutions retain control over it?

There are also questions about the economic impact. The broader US strategy promotes American companies and technologies, raising questions over how the partnership will support Tanzania’s own pharmaceutical industry, digital health firms, biomedical research and local manufacturing.

However, the government says Tanzania negotiated a more favourable deal than some other African countries.