Category: The Citizen

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered an immediate halt to all marketing and promotional activities linked to a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, stating that no application for the share sale has been submitted to or approved by the regulator.

In a directive issued on June 23, 2026 the SEC warned investors and market operators against participating in or promoting any purported public offering by the refinery, saying such activities could mislead investors and undermine confidence in the country’s capital markets.

The regulator instructed stockbrokers, investment advisers and digital investment platforms to cease all related promotional activities with immediate effect. It also stressed that no prospectus or IPO registration documents have been filed for consideration.

The move comes amid growing speculation over a potential stock market listing of the refinery, which has been widely tipped to become one of the largest public offerings in African history. Expectations of a future listing have intensified in recent months as the refinery continues to expand operations.

Owned by African billionaire Aliko Dangote, the $20 billion refinery near Lagos is Africa’s largest oil refining facility and is regarded as a key project in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce fuel imports and strengthen domestic energy production.

The SEC’s intervention underscores that any future public share sale by the refinery must first comply with all regulatory requirements before it can be marketed to investors.

The Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) has begun seeking sponsorship agreements with hospitals to reduce the cost of MRI and CT Scan examinations after growing concerns from boxers and stakeholders over the high price of the tests.

The move comes amid increasing calls for reforms in boxing health management, with many stakeholders warning that the high cost of specialised medical examinations is preventing boxers from receiving crucial tests that could detect hidden injuries and prevent serious health complications.

Five research projects aimed at addressing gaps in the medicine supply chain have received a total of Sh75 million in grants under the Senselet-Tanzania Project, focusing on improving the availability, storage, and safe management of essential medicines.

The grants, worth Sh15 million each, will support studies running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and are expected to generate evidence to strengthen the country’s health commodity system.

Speaking during the 2026 Senselet-Tanzania Small Grants Award Ceremony, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Vice Chancellor, Prof Appolinary Kamuhabwa, said efficient supply chains are critical to ensuring medicines reach patients in the right condition and at the right time.

‘A medicine may be of excellent quality, but unless it is correctly forecasted, procured, stored, transported, and made available to the patient at the right time and in the right condition, its public health value cannot be fully realised,’ he said.

He added that strong health commodity supply chains are central to universal health coverage, patient safety, and national health security.

Prof Kamuhabwa said the small grants programme attracted 35 applications, reflecting growing interest among young researchers in healthcare supply chain management.

After a competitive review process, five proposals were selected based on scientific merit, relevance to Tanzania’s non-communicable disease priorities, and potential policy impact.

‘The grants represent a meaningful investment in locally led research and early-career faculty development,’ he said.

The selected projects will examine key challenges across the medicine value chain, including data quality and predictive analytics for diabetes and hypertension medicines, stock-outs at primary healthcare facilities, disruptions in cancer medicine supplies, insulin cold-chain performance, and pharmaceutical waste management.

According to Prof Kamuhabwa, the studies form a comprehensive research portfolio capable of producing evidence to inform policy, regulation, and programme implementation.

‘Together, these studies address critical points in the health commodity life cycle and have the potential to improve healthcare delivery,’ he said.

He noted that the project also includes plans to strengthen cold-chain capacity in Handeni District, Kigoma, and other priority areas to safeguard temperature-sensitive products such as insulin and vaccines.

‘We look forward to evidence that these interventions will reduce temperature excursions, prevent wastage, and protect product quality,’ he said.

Prof Kamuhabwa said efforts to establish pharmaceutical waste collection systems and reverse logistics would also help protect communities, the environment, and the integrity of the health system.

The Senselet-Tanzania Project is also supporting the development of a Master of Science in Healthcare Supply Chain Management at MUHAS, alongside faculty development and professional training to build long-term sector expertise.

Khne Foundation Tanzania Project Manager Alan Lwanga said the foundation partnered with MUHAS to implement a multi-faceted programme that includes research grants supporting studies on health commodity supply chains.

Tanzania has made a historic breakthrough on the global golf stage after Johnson John, Operations Manager of the Tanzania Golf Union, has been selected among 11 elite scholars for the 2026 The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews Scholarship marking the first time in history that Tanzania is represented in the program.

The scholarship, delivered by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is a globally recognised leadership development program that identifies and nurtures emerging leaders across key areas of golf, including coaching, agronomy, data analytics, equipment engineering, club management, and sustainability.

This year’s cohort brings together participants from Tanzania, Ghana, China, Romania, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reflecting the program’s expanding global reach and influence in shaping the future of the sport.

“The program plays an important role in identifying and supporting the next generation of leaders who will help shape, unite and inspire the sport around the world,” said chairman of the R and A Martin Hattrell,

Johnson who serves as Operations Manager at the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU), described the selection as a defining milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the development of golf in Tanzania and Africa at large.

‘I am honoured to be selected among the 2026 scholars. This opportunity strengthens my mission to expand access to golf, improve systems, and create pathways for young players across Africa,’ he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Tanzania Golf Union, The Peninsula Club, and other stakeholders for their continuous support, noting that the scholarship will open doors for deeper international collaboration and development initiatives for the country.

Johnson is expected to travel to St Andrews, Scotland in August this year to participate in the scholars’ leadership conference. The scholarship is funded by members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

It also provides structured mentorship and access to a global network of golf professionals, strengthening knowledge exchange and supporting long-term career and industry impact.

The 2026 cohort will convene in St Andrews later this year for a leadership and networking forum aimed at deepening collaboration and advancing the global growth of the game.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania has pledged Sh20 million to support free medical and surgical camps that will be conducted in Tanzania and Malawi next month, aimed at expanding access to specialist healthcare for underserved communities.

The support will go towards the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) Medical and Surgical Camps Initiative, which is expected to provide treatment to patients in selected health facilities in Malawi and the Arusha and Mtwara regions of Tanzania.

The sponsorship cheque was presented by Stanbic Bank Tanzania chief executive officer, Mr Manzi Rwegasira, to the director general of ECSA-HC, Dr Ntuli Angyelile Kapologwe.

According to the bank, the camps will bring together specialist teams to provide free surgical and medical services to patients who have limited access to quality healthcare.

The latest contribution adds to more than Sh230 million that the bank says it has channelled to health and other social programmes between 2025 and 2026.

Speaking during the handover, Mr Rwegasira said partnerships remained important in addressing challenges facing critical sectors such as healthcare.

‘As Stanbic Bank, we remain committed to creating meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Partnerships such as this reflect our belief that sustainable development is driven through collaboration, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare,’ he said.

Dr Kapologwe said ECSA-HC, which works with member states to address public health challenges including Ebola, malaria and other communicable diseases, relied on partnerships to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to specialised treatment.

‘Health is the foundation on which communities and economies are built and no single institution can carry that responsibility alone. Stanbic Bank’s support helps us bring specialist care directly to the people who need it most, while encouraging wider partner support for stronger health outcomes across the region,’ he said.

He noted that the support would help extend specialist services to communities that often struggle to access surgical care and would contribute to broader efforts aimed at improving health outcomes across the region.

The initiative comes as Stanbic Bank Tanzania marks 30 years of operations in the country.

Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) says women now hold 37 percent of its senior leadership positions, reflecting changes in gender representation within the conservation institution.

The figure has risen from 22.6 percent in the 2020/21 financial year and is above the global average of less than 28 percent for women in senior decision-making positions, according to data from UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Tanapa, which manages 21 national parks, said the increase reflects efforts to promote gender equality in a sector where men have traditionally occupied many field and leadership roles.

‘Female representation in leadership positions has increased from 22.6 percent in 2020/21 to 37 percent in 2025/26,’ Tanapa Commissioner of Conservation CPA (T) Musa Nassoro Kuji said.

According to the agency, women currently hold 23 of 62 commissioner-level positions and oversee departments including finance, human resources, communications, procurement, business development and planning.

Among them are Assistant Commissioner for Conservation Moreen Mwaimale (Finance), Cecilia Mtanga (Human Resources), Catherine Mbena (Corporate Communication), Jully Lyimo (Business Development), Catherine Mwamasage (Procurement), and Senior Assistant Commissioner for Conservation Sekela Mwangota (Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation).

Women also hold operational leadership positions in administrative zones and liaison offices.

Senior Assistant Commissioner for Conservation Dr Beatrice Kessy heads the Northern Zone, while Neema Mollel leads the Dar es Salaam liaison office, Dr Halima Kiwango oversees Zanzibar and Noelia Myonga heads the Dodoma office.

At park level, women lead eight of Tanzania’s 21 national parks, including Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha, Saadani, Mkomazi, Udzungwa Mountains and Saanane Island national parks.

Tanapa says the increase in women’s leadership has coincided with changes in performance indicators within the institution.

The agency reports that operational efficiency among conservation staff and park rangers increased from 65 percent in 2020/21 to 87 percent in 2025/26.

Officials attribute the increase to accountability systems, leadership practices and performance monitoring.

The development aligns with Tanzania’s commitments to gender equality and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal Five on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Studies by organisations including the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and UN Women have linked greater gender diversity in leadership with governance and institutional performance outcomes.

Tourism remains one of Tanzania’s sources of foreign exchange earnings, and Tanapa plays a role in managing wildlife resources that attract international visitors each year.

Women in Dar es Salaam have underscored the importance of climate change education, saying it is helping them turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities while strengthening their resilience against the growing impacts of climate change.

For years, Veronica Julius, a resident of Kivule in Ilala District, struggled with unpredictable weather patterns that disrupted her farming activities. Heavy rains frequently flooded her fields, while prolonged dry spells caused crops to wither in the sandy soil.

However, she says climate and environmental education has transformed her outlook and provided practical solutions to adapt to changing conditions.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ workshop organised by My Legacy on June 23, 2026, Veronica said the training programmes had helped her understand the causes and effects of climate change and how communities could respond effectively.

‘Whenever rainfall was excessive, our farms became waterlogged and difficult to cultivate. During the dry season, the soil dried quickly, resulting in crop losses and reduced income,’ she said.

Agriculture was one of her family’s main sources of livelihood, and the situation had previously forced her to depend on casual work to support her household.

According to Veronica, conditions started improving after she participated in environmental awareness and climate resilience training programmes.

The knowledge gained enabled her and other women in the area to establish community-based environmental initiatives through local gender clubs.

One initiative, known as the “Zero Waste” campaign, promotes waste management as both an environmental solution and an economic opportunity.’Many people see waste as something to dispose of, but we have learned that it can be a valuable resource.

It can be recycled, reused and even generate income for families,’ she said.

Under the initiative, discarded plastic containers are being repurposed as flower pots, while other waste materials are collected and recycled for productive use.

Apart from supporting environmental conservation efforts, the programme is also helping women earn additional income while reducing pollution linked to climate change.

My Legacy programme coordinator, Amina Mtengeti, said women and girls remain among the groups most vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of their traditional responsibilities within households and communities.

She said water scarcity, driven by prolonged droughts and changing rainfall patterns, continues to place a disproportionate burden on women.

‘When water becomes scarce, women and girls are often responsible for searching for it. As a result, they spend considerable time collecting water instead of engaging in education, income-generating activities and other opportunities,’ she said.

Ms Mtengeti said the impact extends beyond household economies and affects health and wellbeing, particularly among adolescent girls.

Limited access to clean water, she explained, can undermine personal hygiene and increase health risks, especially during menstruation.

‘That is why climate change education is important. Communities need to understand these impacts and learn how to build resilience before the challenges become more severe,’ she said.

She added that equipping women and girls with climate knowledge not only helps them cope with environmental challenges but also enables them to identify economic opportunities related to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.

The workshop formed part of the Green Shores (Mialo ya Kijani) project, implemented by My Legacy in partnership with Hadithi House and funded by the European Union through the Vijana Art Works programme.

The project provides women and girls from different parts of Dar es Salaam with a platform to share experiences, learn adaptation strategies and participate in initiatives aimed at addressing climate change impacts.

Efforts to digitise the COMESA Yellow Card Scheme are expected to enhance regional trade, improve insurance services and ease movement of goods across borders, delegates attending the 64th Management Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam this week heard.

The meeting brought together representatives from about 15 member states to discuss modernising the regional motor insurance system, reducing operational bottlenecks and strengthening compensation mechanisms for accident victims travelling across borders.

The scheme is a cross-border motor insurance arrangement guaranteeing compensation for third-party liabilities arising from road accidents involving motorists travelling within participating countries.

Chairman Mr David Boucher of Djibouti said discussions focused on reforms to make the scheme more efficient and responsive to growing trade demands.

He said two meetings are held annually to prepare changes ahead of the Council of Bureaux meeting, adding that digitalisation is central to addressing challenges.

Member states are increasingly adopting technology to improve service delivery and strengthen confidence among road users and transport operators, he said.

He commended Tanzania for hosting and said delegates received strong support.

‘It is my pleasure to be here. Tanzania has hosted before and we are warmly welcomed,’ he said.

NIC Managing Director Mr Kaimu Abdi Mkeyenge said the scheme facilitates trade by ensuring compensation regardless of where accidents occur.

He said Tanzania benefits due to its strategic position as a gateway for landlocked countries using the Port of Dar es Salaam.

He said the arrangement simplifies cross-border travel and promotes integration and growth.

He acknowledged challenges in claims settlement but said digital improvements have reduced them.

He said system-based issuance has reduced counterfeit insurance cards through verification and security collaboration.

Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (Tira) Commissioner, Dr Baghayo Saqware urged faster digital transformation and integration of regulatory systems.

He said efficiency, reduced paperwork and system connectivity would improve service delivery and claims processing.

He called for simpler processes and reduced documentation for motorists crossing borders.

Delegates also noted that digital reforms are expected to reduce delays at border posts by enabling real-time verification of insurance cover, improving coordination between national bureaux and enhancing trust among transport operators across the region.

They further said harmonised digital systems would help member states share data more efficiently, particularly on claims management and fraud prevention, thereby strengthening the credibility of the scheme and reducing disputes.

Officials said the Yellow Card Scheme remains a key pillar in facilitating intra-regional trade under COMESA integration efforts, particularly for economies reliant on road transport corridors linking ports to inland markets.

Tanzania’s role as a logistics hub for neighbouring landlocked countries was highlighted as central to the success of the scheme, with stakeholders noting increasing cargo volumes moving through Dar es Salaam port.

Participants agreed that continued investment in digital infrastructure and regulatory cooperation would be critical in ensuring the scheme keeps pace with growing cross-border transport demand.

Stakeholders said reforms will also support safer roads, faster claims settlement, and improved accountability across the insurance value chain, reinforcing regional economic integration and boosting confidence in cross-border transport systems within Comesa member states.

Norway’s ?players sat on the pitch and performed the “rowing” celebration made iconic by their fans during the World Cup after reaching the knockout stage with a nervy 3-2 win over Senegal.

At their first finals since 1998, red-clad Norwegian fans have been doing their Viking row in stadiums, on escalators and even in New York’s Times Square, but ?it has never been more emotional or joyous than after the final whistle on Monday.

Martin Odegaard ?and Erling Haaland, whose double helped secure the win, brought the squad together to ?perform the row in front of the fans but they had to wait for coach Stale Solbakken, ?who sprinted up the steps in the stand at the final whistle to kiss and hug his wife.

With ?the squad sitting in rows resembling those of a Viking longboat and Solbakken squeezing into the middle behind Haaland, Odegaard began beating the drum to a joyous climax.

TV pictures showed fans back in Trondheim joining in as the celebration brought Norway ?supporters around the world together, but midfielder Patrick Berg revealed that he did not think the row was ?going to catch on.

“At the start, I think people doubted a little bit – like, is this something that’s going to or ?just something that’s going to die off? But it’s been a massive part of our World Cup so far,” he told reporters.

“Doing it in New York is a really beautiful moment for us together. They started doing it back home in Oslo before we left for the World Cup, and now I think ?the whole world is aware ?of it … I feel ?the energy that we create together with (the fans) is really important for us.”

“It was incredibly fun,” forward Alexander Sorloth said, beaming with pride after the game. “A lot more ?fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it’s magical.”

Asked ?how far ?he and the Viking rowing might take him and his team at the World Cup, Sorloth was confident.

“We’ll see, but if we reach our top level, it’s a tournament and everything can happen, but if we reach ?our top ?level, we can go far,” he said.

Norway are second in the ?group with six points, behind France on goal difference, with the two teams meeting in their final Group I game on Friday.

A series of incidents has highlighted the severe consequences of boxers failing to undergo costly MRI or CT scans, exposing some fighters to life-changing injuries, permanent disabilities and even death.

Across Tanzania’s professional boxing circles, concerns are growing that inadequate medical screening is leaving athletes vulnerable to undetected brain injuries.