Category: The Citizen

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.

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.

The United Nations has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could cost the continent up to $3.6 billion and lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, raising fears of a wider economic and development crisis if containment efforts fail.

The warning comes as health authorities struggle to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda, with international agencies calling for urgent financial and logistical support.

Speaking on Tuesday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the DRC, Damien Mama, said the outbreak posed a threat not only to public health but also to economic growth, livelihoods and long-term development across Africa. “If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses,” Mr Mama said.

“If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent.”

According to recent estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the current outbreak has become the largest ever recorded involving the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

The outbreak, declared in May, has infected more than 1,100 people in the DRC and Uganda and caused hundreds of deaths, with health officials warning that the actual number of infections could be significantly higher due to underreporting and difficulties in tracing contacts in conflict-affected areas.

The WHO has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern and warned that the spread of the virus is currently outpacing containment efforts.

Health workers have faced major challenges, including armed conflict, population displacement, attacks on treatment centres and widespread mistrust of health authorities in affected communities.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya recently said the funding required to combat the outbreak had risen sharply from an initial estimate of $518 million to about $1.4 billion, reflecting the growing scale of the emergency and the humanitarian response needed.

Although international partners have pledged approximately $910 million to support response efforts, only a small portion of the funds has been disbursed, raising concerns about the ability of health authorities to contain the disease before it spreads further.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also elevated its Ebola response to its highest emergency level, warning that without stronger interventions the outbreak could eventually exceed 20,000 cases.

The United Nations has stressed that rapid investment in surveillance, treatment facilities, border screening, laboratory testing and community engagement remains critical to preventing the health crisis from evolving into a broader economic and social emergency affecting the continent.

Tanzania’s banking sector has recorded a major regional milestone, with leading lenders ranking ahead of some of their East African peers in the latest East and Central Africa corporate performance survey – a development officials say reflects the impact of ongoing economic reforms.

Speaking during the National Dividend Day (Gawio Day) ceremony held at State House in Dar es Salaam, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said the results demonstrate the widening impact of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s economic transformation agenda and her 4Rs philosophy – Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding.

He said the reforms have strengthened public institutions while also boosting the competitiveness of the private sector, particularly in banking and key productive industries. ‘Through the economic reform agenda and the opening up of the country under the 4Rs philosophy, the results are not only visible in public institutions. We are also seeing them in the private sector, where our companies are beginning to gain international recognition,’ he said.

Prof Mkumbo referred to the May 12, 2026 edition of African Business magazine, which published its annual ranking of top-performing companies in East and Central Africa based on market value and corporate performance, covering firms valued at over $1 billion.

According to the report, Tanzania’s leading banks – CRDB Bank and NMB Bank – ranked third and fourth respectively, placing them ahead of several major regional competitors.

Other Tanzanian firms also featured in the top 20, including Tanzania Breweries Limited (14th), Tanzania Portland Cement Company (16th), Vodacom Tanzania (17th) and Tanzania Cigarette Company (20th).

Prof Mkumbo said the performance marks a sharp shift compared to 2020, when Tanzanian firms were largely absent from regional top-tier rankings.

‘These achievements are not a matter of geography. They are the result of deliberate policies and strategic planning,’ he said.

He said that continued reforms are expected to further strengthen the position of Tanzanian firms across the East African region and beyond, with more public institutions and state-owned enterprises likely to join the list of top performers.

Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu said the banking sector has also recorded strong financial growth alongside improved stability.

He said banking sector profits have risen from about Sh666 billion to Sh2.5 trillion, representing nearly a fourfold increase, while the sector continues to grow at more than 20 per cent.

Mr Mchechu added that non-performing loans have dropped significantly from about 8-9 per cent in the early phase of President Hassan’s administration to around 2.8 per cent, reflecting improved credit discipline and stronger regulation.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has warned against negligence and misuse of public funds, saying the government will not hesitate to take action wherever such practices are identified.

Speaking on June 30, 2026 during the Dividend Day ceremony held at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Hassan said accountability remains a top priority, stressing that institutions which fail to manage public resources properly will face corrective measures aimed at strengthening performance and discipline in the public sector.

She said the ultimate goal of public spending is to deliver tangible benefits to citizens, urging institutions to ensure that development plans translate into visible improvements in people’s lives. The Head of State noted that performance should not only be measured through statistics, but through real outcomes reflecting progress in service delivery and economic impact.

‘We have a habit of producing reports filled with heavy statistics that are not well interpreted, but when you analyse them, you find that nothing significant has happened, or if something exists, it has no major impact on the economy or institutional development,’ she said.

President Hassan added that while the government will continue to commend well-performing institutions, it will also strengthen oversight and take action where weaknesses are identified to improve efficiency and accountability.

‘We will commend ourselves when we perform well, and equally correct or strengthen ourselves where there are weaknesses. We will not hesitate to take action wherever we identify negligence and misuse of public funds,’ she said.

In its variety, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the moment leading as the fastest-pacing technological marvel. In such a short time, it has evolved into a functional tool in most human affairs and activities: education, health, art, sports and games, information technology, security, research, manufacturing industries, etc.

In some areas, efficiency and speed brought about by AI are appreciated, while in many others, a downside is noticed. First, the diminishing quality of human skills, which were in the past more diversely productive, given the natural flow of human capacities after engaging in a certain area of specialty over a long time. This is now referred to as skills atrophy.

Secondly, users tend to create a dependence on AI even for simple tasks that they previously managed without any difficulty. The temptation to prompt AI chatbots is overwhelming given the ease of getting suggestions, and in some cases, final results upon a prompt.

Think of letters, academic papers, images, videos, reports, social media write-ups, made completely or mostly by AI, which are sometimes not even edited. There is something missing in these; the human agency, which adds value in making solutions to be ‘human solutions.’

Going deeper, today’s discussion is on the incorporation of AI into personal chat apps, where a user gets unsolicited prompts asking if AI can summarise messages, or reply, or if the user wants to search for something in an embedded AI portal right there in the chat app. This comes at a moment when many people are already feeling overwhelmed by the AI slop all over the internet, especially social media, where not only that the content is AI generated, but there are also endless AI prompts underneath posts that anticipate random questions about the posts. There are now also AI bots replying to messages and comments, and doing a kind of customer service work.

As young people especially get more and more attached to AI, building dependence on it, having it integrated into regular personal chat apps is adding salt to a wound, especially as many have a struggle in building relationships and have clear personal communication.

Today, according to research, most young people who are exposed to communication technology are said to have been cognitively affected by the use of the internet, gadgets, and now AI, to the extent that some researchers suggest that the current generation of young adults (Gen Z) is the first generation ever to be cognitively outperformed by the previous generation, that is millennials; especially in areas of memory, literacy, numeracy, executive function, and general IQ. This foretells a disaster for the generations after Gen Z, given the rapid changes and the effects already evident on the ground.

Beginning from millennials, the generations ordo successivus, due to early exposure to digital technology, are referred to as ‘digital natives,’ using the words of Marc Prensky, an educational technologist. We are ‘natives’ because the digital world is the only communication world we know; we have been exposed so early to the gadgets, internet, and now AI.

The waning of the quality of communication entails, first, less engagement in the communication process and the message being communicated. Where one only reads a summary of messages, there are chances of missing out on emotional depth, empathy, fundamental personal voice, nuances, and contexts, and where one responds with AI, there are chances of communicating what is not genuinely from the person, even though it may sound ‘smart.’

As most young people (Gen Z)spend about nine hours in front of a screen daily, they are affected by that exposure in terms of attention span, human formation, general character formation, and capacities for communication and adaptability in the real world. Relationships are not built through faster communication, but through deeper ones stemming from real personal experiences, however imperfect they may be. Research suggests that around 40 percent of educated Gen Zers across the world struggle with handwriting, a basic functional skill.

This means they cannot express their thoughts effectively on paper, as clear handwritten expression depends on writing fluency. In the US, about 50 percent of high school graduates are ‘not prepared’ for college-level writing. It is worth noting that the decline in writing skills goes hand in hand with a decline in reading and comprehension skills.

While most technological updates are difficult to shut down in the devices, it is important to be aware of the dangers of over-indulging the AI embedded technology, such that we delegate to it even the very basic function of personal communication, and the very private content thereof.

Moreover, in most cases, data processed through AI servers is also used to train AI frameworks. It is therefore worth reconsidering the practice of giving away one’s real-time personal information and experiences for that purpose. We must look at AI as a reality that is both functional and dangerous so that we can use it with care and prudence.

A University of Dodoma (UDOM) student, Caroline Lema, has developed a digital system designed to monitor the behaviour of service providers in public and private institutions and detect possible examination malpractice through artificial intelligence tools.

The system uses facial recognition, fingerprint identification, video analytics and behavioural tracking to assess how service providers interact with clients, including language use and time spent delivering services.

Every June 24, the world marks the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, established by the United Nations in 2022 to recognize the contribution of women to diplomacy, peace-building and international cooperation.

The observance comes at a time when women remain underrepresented in global leadership.

According to the United Nations, women account for only about one-fifth of Permanent Representatives to the UN, while only a small number of countries are led by female Heads of State or Government.

Yet experience increasingly shows that when women lead, diplomacy becomes more inclusive, responsive and effective.

Across the world, women leaders have advanced peace, strengthened international cooperation and shaped economic governance through dialogue and consensus-building.

Few contemporary African leaders illustrate this more clearly than President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose diplomatic approach has strengthened Tanzania’s global standing while delivering measurable development outcomes at home.

Women reshaping diplomacy

For decades, diplomacy was largely dominated by men. Today, women are increasingly shaping international affairs at the highest level.

Leaders such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Madeleine Albright, Christine Lagarde, Amina J. Mohammed and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have demonstrated that women can influence global policy, multilateral cooperation and economic governance.

Africa has equally produced distinguished leaders, including former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who helped rebuild her country’s international credibility, and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the first woman to chair the African Union Commission.

Their achievements demonstrate that women are no longer simply participants in diplomacy; they are helping define its future.

Tanzania’s diplomatic legacy

Tanzania has long contributed distinguished women to international diplomacy.

Ambassador Gertrude Mongella chaired the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 and later became the first President of the Pan-African Parliament.

Dr Asha-Rose Migiro enhanced Tanzania’s global profile as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, while Ambassador Liberata Mulamula has served in senior regional positions and currently serves as the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security.

President Hassan has built upon this legacy by elevating Tanzania’s diplomatic influence and aligning foreign policy more closely with national development.

Diplomacy that delivers results

When President Hassan assumed office in March 2021 as Tanzania’s first female Head of State, she also became the country’s chief diplomat. What distinguishes her leadership is the deliberate use of diplomacy as an engine for economic transformation.

Rather than treating foreign relations as primarily political, she has consistently linked diplomacy to investment, tourism, trade, technology transfer, education and job creation.

Through engagements across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, she has positioned Tanzania as a stable and reliable investment destination.

Her approach rests on three pillars: opening Tanzania to the world, strengthening strategic partnerships and ensuring diplomatic engagements produce tangible benefits for citizens.

The results have been significant. Tanzania now receives more than five million international visitors annually, generating approximately US$4 billion in tourism revenue.

The Royal Tour initiative substantially raised the country’s global tourism profile and opened new international markets.

Foreign direct investment commitments have also grown as investor confidence strengthened. State visits, business forums and bilateral engagements have generated opportunities in energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and technology.

At the same time, Tanzania has expanded and strengthened its diplomatic missions abroad, improving its ability to attract investment, promote exports, support Tanzanians overseas and deepen relations with strategic partners.

Recent agreements in education, science, technology, energy, agriculture, health and trade further demonstrate how diplomacy is being translated into practical development outcomes.

Raising Tanzania’s global profile

President Hassan’s influence extends beyond economic diplomacy.

Her leadership has strengthened cooperation within the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, while increasing Tanzania’s visibility in global forums.

She has consistently championed issues including economic development, climate action, energy security, regional integration, and maternal and child health.

Inspiring the next generation

President Hassan’s leadership is equally significant for what it represents for women.

Her administration has expanded opportunities for women to serve in senior leadership and diplomatic positions, reinforcing the principle that leadership should be determined by competence and performance rather than gender.

Like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Amina Mohammed, President Hassan is helping create pathways for future generations of African women.

By leading effectively at the highest level and delivering measurable results, she has demonstrated that women can shape national development and international relations with equal distinction.

For young women across Tanzania and beyond, her presidency offers more than inspiration; it provides evidence that leadership can overcome historical barriers through vision, competence and performance.

President Hassan’s leadership demonstrates that inclusive, development-oriented diplomacy can strengthen international partnerships while improving the lives of citizens. That may well be the most enduring contribution of women’s diplomacy today.

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.