Category: The Citizen

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.

Dar es Salaam’s industrial landscape entered a new chapter on June 26, 2026, as Hanlink Mobility Tanzania officially launched its operations, bringing one of East Africa’s fastest-growing mobility and heavy equipment companies into the country’s commercial capital.

The launch marked far more than the opening of a new showroom. It signaled Hanlink Mobility’s long-term commitment to Tanzania’s industrial growth, positioning the country as a strategic hub in the company’s expanding regional footprint.

Speaking during the inauguration, Hanlink Mobility Group Managing Director Mr. Lin Yu described Tanzania as a natural next step in Hanlink’s East African growth strategy.

‘Our expansion reflects our confidence in East Africa and our commitment to supporting its development,’ he said. The journey began in Uganda under Double Q Company Limited before expanding successfully into Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

With the launch of its Tanzanian operations, Hanlink is now strengthening its regional network while laying the groundwork for future investments, including the possibility of establishing local vehicle assembly facilities.

Such an investment, Mr. Yu noted, would not only strengthen Tanzania’s industrial capacity but also create employment opportunities and facilitate the transfer of technical skills to young Tanzanians.

‘Our vision extends beyond sellingpart of Tanzania’s industrial development journey.’ That broader vision was echoed by Assistant General Manager Ms Zainab Ngoda, who emphasized that Hanlink Mobility is much more than a commercial truck dealership.

She described the company as a comprehensive mobility and equipment solutions provider, offering an extensive portfolio that serves the transport, construction, mining and infrastructure sectors.

Alongside its partnership with Sinotruk, Hanlink also represents internationally recognised brands including XCMG Road and Mining Machinery, captured attention, the spotlight soon shifted to the machinery itself. Heli Forklifts and Kinglong Buses, enabling customers to source a wide range of industrial equipment from a single provider.

‘Our goal is to provide complete mobility solutions that support economic growth across multiple industries,’ she explained. In one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments, Ms. Zainab Ngoda invited the entire Hanlink Tanzania team to stand before the audience, reminding guests that behind every globally recognised brand is a dedicated local workforce committed to serving customers across the country.

While the company’s regional vision Sales Director Mr. Peter Li unveiled a range of heavy-duty vehicles specifically selected to meet the demands of Tanzania’s rapidly expanding construction, logistics and mining industries.

The lineup includes the rugged HOWO H3 and TX Tippers, the flagship HOWO NX and MAX Tractor Heads, and a versatile range of light-duty trucks with carrying capacities ranging from three to ten tonnes.

According to Mr Li, the vehicles have been engineered to deliver maximum productivity under demanding operating conditions while maintaining reliability and efficiency. However, he stressed that Hanlink’s commitment does not end with vehicle delivery.

Customers will benefit from manufacturer-backed warranties, genuine spare parts, professionally trained technicians and comprehensive aftersales support designed to maximise fleet uptime and reduce operating costs. ‘Our relationship with customers begins after the sale,’ he said. ‘Reliable service is just as important as reliable equipment.’

Completing the company’s message was Group Head of Marketing Mr. Musani Richard, who introduced Hanlink Tanzania’s guiding promise: ‘From Dar to Every Mile.’

More than a marketing slogan, he described the phrase as a commitment to supporting customers wherever they operate-whether managing transport fleets in Dar es Salaam, delivering goods across the country or operating heavy equipment at remote mining and construction sites.

‘This occasion is more than the opening of a showroom,’ he said. ‘It represents another important milestone in Hanlink Mobility’s regional growth journey.’

To strengthen customer engagement, Mr. Richard announced the launch of Hanlink Tanzania’s new digital platforms, including its official website and social media channels, providing customers with easier access to product information, service support and company updates.

Recognising that access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers to business expansion, he also unveiled strategic financing partnerships with CRDB Bank, NBC Bank, NMB Bank and NCBA Bank.

The partnerships are designed to provide flexible financing solutions that will enable transport operators, contractors, logistics companies and entrepreneurs to acquire heavy equipment without the burden of significant upfront capital investment.

By combining world-class equipment with accessible financing, Hanlink aims to accelerate business growth while supporting Tanzania’s broader industrialisation agenda. As the ceremony concluded, one message stood out clearly: Hanlink Mobility Tanzania is not positioning itself simply as another equipment distributor.

Instead, the company is building an integrated ecosystem that combines internationally recognised brands, reliable after-sales service, digital customer engagement and strategic financial partnerships under one roof.

With a regional presence spanning six East African countries and ambitions to invest further in local manufacturing, Hanlink arrives in Tanzania at a time when demand for transport, logistics and industrial equipment is rising rapidly.

Its launch sends a clear signal that Tanzania has become an increasingly attractive destination for industrial investment. And as the company embarks on its next phase of regional expansion, Hanlink Mobility Tanzania intends to be more than a supplier of trucks and machinery-it aims to become a long-term partner in powering the country’s economic transformation, from the first mile in Dar es Salaam to every mile that drives Tanzania’s future.

Victory Attorneys and Consultants and Exodus Investment Firm have launched the private wealth management desk, the first integrated advisory platform in Tanzania targeting high-net-worth individuals.

The joint venture is designed to provide a unified suite of investment, legal, tax and legacy structuring services.

By combining Exodus’ investment management expertise with Victory Attorneys’ legal and tax advisory capabilities, the initiative seeks to address a longstanding structural gap in the country’s financial services sector, where advisory services have traditionally operated in silos. Victory Attorneys and Consultants executive partner, Mr Benedict Ishabakaki, said in a statement issued yesterday that wealthy Tanzanians have previously been constrained by fragmented advisory services.

‘High-net-worth individuals in Tanzania have historically had to navigate a fragmented network of advisors working in isolation. This has resulted in structural gaps, duplicated costs and missed opportunities.

This desk eliminates that fragmentation,’ he said. The services offered include bespoke portfolio management, cross-border tax planning, family governance, and succession structuring.

The initiative comes at a time when Tanzania is experiencing a growing generational wealth transition, with many business families approaching succession planning for the first time.

Exodus advisory chief executive officer, Mr Ramadhan Kagwandi, said coordinated expertise was essential for effective wealth management.

‘Wealth creation and wealth preservation are two entirely different disciplines. We created this desk because our clients deserve both, seamlessly coordinated and delivered by professionals who understand the Tanzanian and regional context,’ he said.

The desk will operate under strict attorney-client privilege and fiduciary duty, with each client assigned a dedicated senior relationship manager to coordinate all advisory services.

A recent decision by NMB Bank Plc shareholders to approve a share split drove activity at the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) last week, with investors rushing to acquire the lender’s shares and pushing market turnover sharply higher.

A stock market update issued by Tanzania Securities Limited (TSL) shows that equity market turnover surged by 277.4 percent to Sh185.07 billion during the week ending Friday, June 26, 2026.

Trading activity was largely dominated by NMB shares, whose turnover jumped by 431.5 percent from Sh32.03 billion recorded during the previous week to Sh170.23 billion. The performance meant NMB alone accounted for 92.5 percent of the total market turnover during the week.

The bank’s share price rose marginally from Sh15,990 in the previous week to Sh16,110.

Market analysts attribute the surge in trading to investor optimism following the recent approval of NMB’s 10-for-1 share split, which is expected to make the stock more affordable and accessible to a wider pool of investors.

Under the arrangement, every existing share will be split into ten shares. Although the overall value of shareholders’ investments remains unchanged, the move increases the number of shares in circulation while proportionately reducing the price per share.

NMB, with a market capitalisation of Sh7.49 trillion, remains the most valuable listed company on the DSE.

The share split also coincides with the bank’s dividend announcement. Shareholders approved an ordinary dividend of Sh504.26 per share amounting to Sh252 billion, alongside a special dividend of Sh105.89 per share valued at Sh52.95 billion, bringing total payouts to nearly Sh305 billion.

Zan Securities chief executive officer Raphael Masumbuko said the share split and attractive dividend package were among the main drivers of market activity.

‘So it is my view that these are the two major reasons behind what happened on the DSE last week,’ he said.

The split would increase authorised shares from 625 million to 6.25 billion and listed shares from 500 million to five billion, potentially improving liquidity and encouraging more participation in the market.

Mr Masumbuko said institutional investors often operate under portfolio allocation limits and risk exposure thresholds, forcing them to rebalance their holdings when share prices rise significantly.

‘With rising prices, some investors may take profits while others who previously struggled to access the shares enter the market. This creates both supply and demand,’ he said.

TSL said market activity last week was concentrated around a few highly traded counters.

‘Performance was broadly positive, with strong gains led by KCB and TOL, alongside DCB, TCCL and MKCB, indicating renewed buying interest across financial and industrial sectors,’ the report stated.

Meanwhile, activity in the bond market eased, with turnover declining by 22.4 percent to Sh134.74 billion, reflecting a slowdown after previously elevated trading levels.

The curtain comes down on the 2025/26 NBC Mainland Premier League season today with all 16 clubs in action simultaneously across eight venues in what promises to be one of the most dramatic final days in recent history.

While every fixture carries significance, the spotlight will be firmly on Major General Isamuhyo Stadium and KMC Complex, where the destination of the league title will ultimately be decided.

Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) enter the final round at the top of the table with 72 points from 29 matches. Their remarkable campaign has produced 22 victories, six draws and only one defeat, while they boast the league’s best defensive record after conceding just nine goals all season.

For Yanga, the equation is simple. A draw against JKT Tanzania at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium will be enough to secure another league championship regardless of the outcome elsewhere.

A victory would not only confirm their dominance but also see them retain the title for a fifth consecutive season, further cementing their place among the greatest teams in Tanzanian football history.

However, the championship race is far from over.

Their fiercest rivals, Simba, remain within touching distance on 70 points, just two behind the leaders. Simba have also enjoyed an outstanding campaign, winning 21 of their 29 matches while suffering only one defeat.

Their hopes of lifting the trophy, however, depend on more than simply taking care of business.

At KMC Complex, Simba must defeat already relegated KMC FC and hope Yanga suffer a surprise defeat against JKT Tanzania. Any result other than a Yanga loss will hand the title to the defending champions.

That scenario means players, coaches and supporters alike will have one eye on their own match and the other on developments at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium.

Every goal, every save and every update could dramatically change emotions on one of the most anticipated final days in the league’s history.

While the championship battle dominates the headlines, the race for continental football has already been settled.

Azam FC, third on 61 points, have secured a place in the CAF Confederation Cup after another consistent campaign and will host Dodoma Jiji with little pressure.

Singida Black Stars, fourth on 50 points, have also enjoyed an impressive season and will look to finish strongly away to Fountain Gate.

The drama extends well beyond the title race

At the other end of the table, KMC FC’s fate has already been sealed.

With just nine points from 29 matches, they have been relegated after a difficult campaign that produced only two victories and a league high 24 defeats.

Their final assignment against Simba will mark their farewell to the top flight. Mtibwa Sugar also head into the final day in the automatic relegation zone with 27 points.

They face Namungo FC knowing only victory, combined with favourable results elsewhere, can keep their hopes of survival alive. Any slip could confirm their relegation to the Championship.

The battle for the relegation play off places is equally intense.

Under the competition rules, the teams finishing 13th and 14th will enter a relegation play off to fight for their place in next season’s Mainland Premier League.

Mbeya City and Tanzania Prisons currently occupy those positions with 29 points each, but their survival remains far from certain.

Both clubs know that victory could lift them clear of danger, while defeat may leave them vulnerable depending on results involving Fountain Gate, Namungo and Mtibwa Sugar.

Fountain Gate sit just one point above the play off places on 30 points and are by no means safe as they prepare to host Singida Black Stars.

Namungo, on 31 points, also need a positive result against Mtibwa Sugar to avoid being dragged into the play off battle. With several clubs separated by only a handful of points, the relegation picture could change several times before the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Coastal Union host Pamba Jiji, Mashujaa face Tanzania Prisons, Mbeya City entertain TRA United, while Azam welcome Dodoma Jiji in fixtures that could influence the final league standings.

Today’s simultaneous kick offs ensure fairness and guarantee a tense afternoon as supporters across Tanzania follow live updates from stadiums around the country.

By sunset, one club will be crowned champions, another will celebrate continental qualification, two teams will suffer the heartbreak of relegation and two more will begin preparing for the anxiety of the relegation play offs.

Golden Boot race

Beyond the title race and relegation battle, attention will also be on the race for the Golden Boot award, which will be decided today.

Azam FC midfielder Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum leads the scoring chart with 15 goals. He is closely followed by Young Africans (Yanga) attacking midfielder Allan Okello and Singida Black Stars striker Mossi Ndumumwe, who have each netted 14 goals.

Also in contention are Pamba Jiji FC forward Mathew Tegisi and Namungo FC striker Fabrice Ngoy, who have each scored 11 goals this season.

Golden Glove award

The Golden glove award has already been decided, with Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerging as the winner after keeping a league leading 17 clean sheets this season.

The Zanzibar government has urged the People’s Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ) to avoid complacency, saying the lender still has significant room for growth despite its contribution to economic development.

The remarks were made on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, during the climax of celebrations to mark 60 years of the bank at Golden Tulip Airport.

He said that although PBZ has made notable progress, it has not yet reached its desired position, stressing that more work remains.

‘I am among those who want to see PBZ move from its current sixth position to first or second place. The capacity is there,’ stressed Dr Mwinyi, adding that the government stands ready to support the bank in achieving that ambition.

Dr Mwinyi outlined priority areas, including strengthening capital, expanding digital services, boosting innovation, empowering youth and women, investing in human resources, improving governance, and supporting national development goals.

He said PBZ’s progress shows that public investment can deliver strong results when backed by accountability, innovation, and sound management.

Furthermore, Dr Mwinyi noted that the government is pursuing a development vision aimed at building a modern, inclusive, and competitive economy, adding that the financial sector remains central to that goal.

He stressed that a strong economy cannot be achieved without strong financial institutions.

Presenting a brief overview of performance, PBZ managing director Fahad Soud Hamid said the bank had grown significantly since its establishment.

He said PBZ has evolved from a small financial institution into one of the country’s major banks, guided by successive presidential visions to empower citizens economically.

He added that the bank now ranks sixth nationally by assets, holding about Sh3 trillion and posting profits of Sh110 billion.

‘Today, PBZ is proud to be the sixth-largest bank in Tanzania, with assets worth Sh3 trillion and profits of Sh110 billion,’ he said.

He noted that the bank has expanded to more than 50 branches nationwide, driven by economic growth.

Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning in Zanzibar, Dr Hamad Omar Bakar, said PBZ remains a key government partner in promoting business growth, job creation, and citizen empowerment.

He said expectations were high for the bank to lead in innovation, expand digital services, widen its reach, and improve efficiency as it marks the milestone.

PBZ board chairman, Dr Juma Hassan Reli, said Tanzanians regard the bank as their own, reflected in its name, and it has made a significant contribution to the public.

Tanzania’s target of producing 750,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts (RCN) in the 2026/27 season faces pressure due to a shortage of powdered sulphur in key producing regions.

The shortage comes despite strong sector earnings, with cashew exports generating Sh1.247 trillion ($479.7 million) in 2026, up from Sh1.036 trillion ($398.8 million) in 2025, according to the Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review for the year ending May 2026.