Category: The Citizen

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.

Less than a year after Tanzania celebrated a historic milestone by exporting sugar for the first time, consumers are now facing a puzzling reality: supermarket shelves and retail outlets across the country are increasingly stocked with imported sugar rather than locally produced brands.

The development has raised questions among consumers and industry observers over how a country that recently reported sugar production exceeding domestic demand has returned to relying on imports.

Government efforts to strengthen environmental compliance are increasingly becoming a catalyst for industrial competitiveness, with waste oil processor Kamal Refinery positioning itself at the centre of Tanzania’s growing circular economy.

The refinery, located in Kerege, Bagamoyo,this week hosted the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Hamad Masauni, who toured the facility to assess its compliance with national environmental standards.

The visit also brought into focus the wider economic opportunities linked to domestic recycling, industrial value addition and import substitution. Accompanied by experts from the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), the minister inspected the refinery’s production processes and environmental management systems before commending the company for implementing environmental directives issued by regulators.

He said industries that comply with environmental standards not only protect ecosystems and public health but also demonstrate that sustainable industrial growth is achievable when environmental regulations are fully embraced.

Beyond environmental compliance, the visit highlighted a broader policy debate around keeping valuable industrial raw materials within the country.

Kamal Group Deputy Managing Director Satyam Swatantra urged the government to discourage the export of waste oil, arguing that processing the resource locally would unlock greater economic benefits.

He said retaining waste oil for domestic refining would strengthen Tanzania’s circular economy, create employment, support local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported raw materials, while also conserving scarce foreign exchange.

“Keeping this resource within Tanzania allows us to create value here instead of exporting opportunities abroad,” he said.

The proposal aligns with the government’s wider industrialisation agenda, which seeks to promote value addition, expand manufacturing capacity and increase local processing of raw materials before export.

Kamal Refinery says it has continued investing in environmentally friendly technologies designed to improve operational efficiency while reducing pollution associated with used oil processing.

According to the company, these investments are expected to cut pollution levels by up to 75 percent over the next two to three years, reflecting growing private sector investment in cleaner industrial technologies.

Projects Manager Prince Pius Mwakimenya said the minister’s visit provided an opportunity for the company to receive technical guidance on strengthening environmental stewardship while reaffirming its commitment to complying with all regulatory requirements.

The inspection forms part of the government’s ongoing drive to ensure industries meet environmental standards while contributing to sustainable economic development.

As Tanzania pursues industrial expansion under its broader economic transformation agenda, the Kamal Refinery case illustrates how environmental compliance is increasingly becoming more than a regulatory obligation.

It is emerging as a competitive advantage that supports investment, strengthens domestic value chains and reinforces the country’s transition towards a more resource-efficient and sustainable industrial economy.

The Zanzibar Ministry of Health will begin assessing health workers on the quality of services they provide, shifting its focus from infrastructure development to healthcare outcomes.

The move follows substantial government investment in health facilities, medical equipment, and financing aimed at strengthening service delivery across the Isles.

The announcement was made on Monday, June 29, 2026, by the Permanent Secretary in the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, during a meeting to review progress and set priorities for improving healthcare services. The forum, jointly organised by the ministry and PharmAccess, brought together health sector leaders and stakeholders from across Zanzibar.

“From now on, we will no longer be judged by the number of hospitals we have built, but by the quality of services delivered within those facilities,” said Dr Miraji.

“The next step is to stop blaming one another. If we want change, we cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results. We must all agree that quality is now our priority and commit ourselves to enforcing it,” he added.

Dr Miraji said that from July 1, the ministry would no longer tolerate poor performance by health workers, with the new approach applying across the healthcare system, from dispensaries and health centres to district, regional, and referral hospitals.

As Zanzibar works towards its 2030 health targets, he said every department and directorate must align its plans with five strategic priorities, led by improving healthcare quality and strengthening patient safety.

He also called for a stronger referral system linking primary healthcare facilities with district, regional, and referral hospitals, stressing that quality healthcare begins at the community level.

“We will no longer accept explanations for maternal health complications because no information was available. We already have a community health system through which referrals can be made, and community health workers are performing their responsibilities. We therefore do not expect pregnant women to develop complications because information failed to reach the appropriate level,” he said.

Dr Miraji identified accountability and performance management as another priority, urging health workers and managers to focus on measurable results.

“Whether you are a nurse, a midwife, or any other healthcare professional, your duty is to report to work every morning and serve the people, not spend your time engaging in idle talk,” he said.

He revealed that attendance reports submitted to the ministry showed some health workers reported for duty on only 14 days in a 30-day month, describing the trend as unacceptable.

The Permanent Secretary also urged officials to base decisions on reliable data rather than assumptions, warning that poor decision-making could undermine service delivery and overall performance.

PharmAccess Project Manager, Dr Faiza Abasi, said the organisation has partnered with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health since 2020 to improve healthcare quality at every level, from dispensaries and health centres to district, regional, and referral hospitals.

“Through this partnership, our goal is to ensure that healthcare services provided in all facilities meet recognised quality standards,” she said.

Dr Abasi said the partnership had developed a framework for assessing healthcare quality across the sector.

“We measure quality using a five-level rating system, similar to hotel classifications. Health facilities are assessed against these standards. However, no facility in Zanzibar has yet attained Level Five, with most currently rated between Levels One and Three,” she said.

Tanzanian businesses are set to benefit from improved cash flow, easier access to working capital and more efficient local and international transactions following the launch of the NMB SME World Business Credit Card.

Introduced by NMB Bank in partnership with Mastercard on Friday, the card is designed to help small and medium enterprises reduce reliance on cash, streamline payments and access short-term financing without lengthy loan application procedures.

Speaking during the launch in Arusha, NMB Chief of Retail Banking Filbert Mponzi said the product is intended to support business continuity during cash flow constraints. ‘This is not just a new card. It is a practical tool that will help businesses keep operating whenever they need short-term financial support,’ he said.

He said users can access credit of up to Sh50 million depending on their financial profile and benefit from up to 53 interest-free days on eligible transactions, allowing them to restock goods, pay suppliers and respond to market opportunities.

Mr Mponzi added that the facility removes many of the traditional barriers associated with bank loans, including lengthy application processes and collateral requirements.

Beyond credit access, the card offers travel insurance, airport lounge access and global transaction capability through Mastercard’s network, enabling smoother cross-border payments.

Mastercard Director of SME Commercialisation for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Imelda Ngunzu, said the product addresses persistent challenges faced by SMEs, particularly access to timely working capital.

She said SMEs make up more than 90 per cent of businesses in Tanzania and play a critical role in employment and GDP contribution, but still face constraints in financing and payment systems.

‘Access to working capital at the right time can determine whether a business misses an opportunity or grows to the next level,’ she said.

NMB Head of Business Banking Deogratius Shirima said the bank is expanding digital payment solutions, including QR payments, PayByLink and POS systems, to help businesses improve cash flow and reduce dependence on cash transactions.

He said digital adoption is essential for businesses seeking to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

Beauty and salon service providers have been identified as a key group in accelerating the uptake of clean cooking energy in Tanzania due to their close interaction with communities and clients on a daily basis.

This was said by Kidoti Foundation Director Jokate Mwegelo (pictured), who is also patron of the Tanzania Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (CCST), during a signing ceremony of a partnership between Kidoti Foundation and Oryx Gas Tanzania aimed at promoting the use of clean energy among salon operators.

Ms Mwegelo said salon workers engage with a wide range of people every day, giving them a strong platform to influence attitudes and behaviours on clean energy use. ‘Salon service providers speak to people from different backgrounds every day. They build close relationships with their clients, which places them in a strong position to influence perceptions on clean cooking energy. We want them to become ambassadors of this change,’ she said.

She said efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy cannot be left to the government alone, but require participation from groups with direct influence in communities.

According to her, salons are already informal spaces where people exchange views on health, business, parenting and development issues, making them suitable platforms for public education on clean energy.

Ms Mwegelo said the partnership will enable salon operators to use clean energy in their businesses while also encouraging their clients to adopt cleaner and safer cooking solutions.

‘Clean energy is not just about cooking. It is about health, the environment, household economics and national development. By reaching salon workers, we reach thousands of households through their clients,’ she said.

Oryx Gas Tanzania Sales Manager Shaban Fundi said the company partnered with Kidoti Foundation to reach influential community groups that can help scale up clean energy adoption.

He said the company is also focused on raising awareness of the benefits of clean energy technologies in improving health outcomes and protecting the environment.

CCST Chairperson Ntuli Mwakatobe said the partnership will help empower members of the association to contribute to the national clean energy agenda while strengthening their businesses.

He said salon operators are also looking for ways to reduce operational costs and improve workplace safety.

Air Tanzania has increased flights between Dar es Salaam and Mumbai, India, from four times a week to daily services, citing rising passenger demand for business, medical, education and tourism travel.

Air Tanzania Director of Marketing and Commercial Services, Dominic Louis, said the new schedule took effect this month after strong traffic growth on the route.

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has launched a nationwide tree-planting campaign involving 3,850 trees and donated medical equipment worth Sh162 million to Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital as part of activities marking its 30th anniversary.

The initiatives also aim to promote voluntary tax compliance and community participation in national development.

Speaking during a tree-planting exercise at Mnazi Mmoja Primary School in Dar es Salaam on June 28, 2026, TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda said the environmental campaign is intended to raise awareness on taxation and environmental conservation among students. He said the exercise also helps learners understand the link between tax contributions and public services, while benefiting from fruit trees planted in schools.

‘Taxpayers have contributed significantly to national development. These trees remind students that their parents pay taxes and that they too will become taxpayers. Paying tax is the responsibility of every citizen,’ he said.

At Mnazi Mmoja Primary School, TRA planted 30 fruit trees. Mwenda called on the school administration to ensure the trees are properly maintained and said the authority would support their upkeep through incentives for students involved in caring for them.

The school management thanked TRA for the initiative and said the trees would be maintained. It also requested support for a water well and computers to improve learning. Mwenda said the requests would be addressed.

On the same day, TRA donated medical equipment worth Sh162 million to Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

Mwenda said the donation reflects TRA’s commitment to giving back to the public and strengthening health services funded through tax revenue.

He said government investment in expanding health facilities, including Mwananyamala Hospital, has been made possible through tax contributions from citizens.

‘We are here because TRA is marking 30 years of service. This is our way of thanking taxpayers whose contributions have supported national development,’ he said.

The donated equipment includes 100 hospital beds, 10 maternity beds, a dialysis machine, a defibrillator and a ventilator.

Mwenda also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for continued investment in the health sector and urged public institutions to promote voluntary tax compliance.

Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital Medical Officer in Charge Dr Aileen Balongo said the donation would improve service delivery at the facility, which serves about 250 patients daily.

Dar es Salaam Regional Medical Officer Dr Mohammed Man’guna also thanked TRA and called on citizens to continue paying taxes to support public services.

The Zanzibar Food and Drugs Agency (ZFDA) has destroyed 82 tonnes of food products declared unfit for human consumption after inspections found them spoiled or expired.

The consignment comprised 78 tonnes of popcorn maize damaged during prolonged storage and four tonnes of assorted expired products, including rice, sweets, and other food items.

ZFDA Public Relations Officer Fatma Makame Juma said the destruction was carried out on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Kibele dumpsite in South Unguja Region.

She said the maize deteriorated after remaining at the port for an extended period because customs clearance procedures were not completed on time.

“The delay exposed the products to pest infestation, compromising their quality and rendering them unfit for human consumption,” she said.

“Once products are found to be spoiled or expired, they cannot be released onto the market because they pose a risk to public health. Whenever ZFDA receives such information, we conduct inspections and, if the products are confirmed to be unfit, we destroy them in accordance with established procedures,’ added Ms Juma.

She urged importers to complete customs clearance promptly to prevent consignments from remaining at ports for extended periods, where their quality could deteriorate.

She warned that delays in completing import procedures could result in substantial financial losses for traders, while also posing risks to food safety if affected products enter the market without proper inspection.

Ms Juma also encouraged traders to carry out routine inspections of products stored in warehouses and retail outlets to identify items approaching expiry or those already deteriorated.

She said the practice would help protect consumers’ health while strengthening public confidence in businesses.

“It is the responsibility of every trader to ensure that products offered for sale are safe for human consumption. We urge them to comply with storage requirements and closely monitor the expiry dates of all products,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Principal Assistant for Plant Quarantine in Zanzibar’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock Development, Mr Othman Khatibu Vuai, said inspections confirmed the maize had deteriorated beyond safe use for either human consumption or animal feed.

He urged traders importing agricultural products to register their consignments immediately upon arrival at the port to facilitate timely inspection and quality monitoring.

He said product registration was essential to strengthen agricultural safety standards and prevent the entry of goods carrying pests, diseases, or other risks that could threaten the agricultural sector and public health.

“Cooperation between traders and the relevant authorities will improve monitoring of imported products and minimise losses arising from delays in customs clearance procedures,’ he said.

A father and his son were pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building on Sunday, four days after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela.

The rescue provided a glimmer of hope for French and US rescue workers racing against time to find more survivors.

The pair, both visibly weak and wearing masks, were carried on improvised fabric stretchers through debris-strewn streets to a waiting ambulance as crowds gathered around emergency vehicles in La Guaira, the coastal state hardest hit by Wednesday’s earthquakes. The disaster has left at least 1,450 people dead and thousands more missing.

Their rescue followed 12 hours of painstaking efforts by teams using specialised search cameras and carefully navigating unstable rubble to reach the trapped victims.

“They are extremely weak, as any patient trapped under rubble for four days would be. We are doing everything possible to rehydrate them and administer medication during the extraction process, which is moving very slowly,” a member of the French Civil Security said.

The rescue operation involved personnel from the French Civil Security and the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team from Virginia in the United States, which on Saturday rescued a mother and her nine-month-old baby.

Before extracting the father and son, rescuers prepared intravenous drips and cleared debris, while other teams continued searching for signs of life.

At least 33 people were rescued over the weekend, but tens of thousands remain missing, raising fears that time is running out to find more survivors.

According to disaster specialists, the chances of finding survivors beneath rubble decline sharply after 72 hours following an earthquake.