Category: The Citizen

Tanzania and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) have marked a major milestone in the localisation of climate finance, with the first allocation from a $12 million programme aimed at strengthening communities’ capacity to respond to and adapt to climate change impacts.

A symbolic handover of a performance-based grant worth $2.03 million was held here on Monday, June 22, 2026, where the government was represented by the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Prof Riziki Shemdoe.

Also present were the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Shigeki Komatsubara and the Executive Secretary of UNCDF, Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, alongside senior government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives, local government leaders and climate finance stakeholders.

Mr Kurukulasuriya said the initiative marked an important step in strengthening local resilience to climate change and building sustainable local economies.

‘This is an important milestone in building local resilience to the impacts of climate change and fostering sustainable local economies – not so that communities can live, but so they can thrive,’ he said. ‘UNCDF has a unique role in the development finance ecosystem, absorbing risk in early-stage and last-mile markets to advance development where it is most needed, such as here in Tanzania.’

The funds will be channelled to eight local government authorities through UNCDF’s Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL), which has supported thousands of investments across Africa, Asia and the Pacific since its global launch in 2014.

In Tanzania, the programme is expected to finance agricultural resilience initiatives, climate-proof infrastructure, and activities aimed at strengthening livelihoods and local economies.

LoCAL in Tanzania is supported by the European Union, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Belgium, the Embassy of Ireland, and the United Nations Joint SDG Fund. A previous pilot phase, funded by the EU and Sweden, supported resilience-building projects and strengthened local government capacity in climate adaptation planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring, benefiting about 800,000 people in the Dodoma Region.

The latest allocation represents one of the largest decentralised climate finance disbursements currently being implemented through local government systems in Tanzania. The first tranche of funds was received by local authorities last week for the implementation of 42 climate-resilient investments over the course of the year.

Tanzania is currently implementing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Climate Change Response Strategy, and Vision 2050 agenda, with partners noting that mechanisms such as LoCAL are critical in ensuring climate finance reaches communities most affected by climate change.

The High Court of Tanzania, Kigoma Sub-Registry, has ordered the government and members of a presidential commission probing criminal incidents during and after the 2025 General Election violence to appear without fail in a case challenging the legality of their appointment, which will be heard today, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

The judicial review application was filed by activist Buberwa Kaiza and his colleague Joseph Mabugo against the Attorney General, commission chairperson, Court of Appeal Judge Shaban Ally Lila, and three other commissioners.

Private sector stakeholders have urged the government to establish strong mechanisms for participation, implementation, and monitoring of development plans to ensure effective contribution towards achieving the goals of the National Development Vision 2050 and the First Five-Year Development Plan IV.

They made the call yesterday, during a consultative meeting organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC), which brought together private sector associations and institutions to discuss strategies for the sector’s involvement in implementing the vision and development plans.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to inaugurate a new radiotherapy services building at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) Northern Zone Referral Hospital, a Sh17 billion facility aimed at improving cancer care in the region.

The facility, which will serve up to 1,500 patients annually, is set to be officially opened on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during the President’s one-day visit to Kilimanjaro Region.

Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu told journalists on Monday, June 22, 2026, that the project will significantly ease the burden on cancer patients who previously travelled to Dar es Salaam for radiotherapy at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute.

‘The President is expected to make a one-day visit to our region on June 24, during which she will inaugurate the radiotherapy building at KCMC Northern Zone Referral Hospital,’ said Mr Babu.

He said the Sh17 billion project was financed through government funding under the Sixth Phase Government, which contributed Sh5.5 billion, alongside development partners.

‘This reflects continued collaboration between government, partners, and institutions in improving access to health services,’ he said.

KCMC executive director, Prof Geleard Masenga, said the facility marks a major milestone in cancer care in the Northern Zone, noting that patients previously faced long and costly referrals to Dar es Salaam.

‘This service is a major relief for patients. For many years, they had to be referred to Ocean Road for radiotherapy. Now that the burden has been significantly reduced,’ said Prof Masenga.

He said non-communicable diseases account for about eight in every 10 admissions at the hospital, with cancer patients forming a significant proportion requiring radiotherapy.

According to him, between 60 and 70 percent of cancer patients treated at KCMC require radiotherapy services.

He said the hospital began offering limited radiotherapy services on February 25 this year, during which 80 patients have already received treatment.

Prof Masenga added that the facility currently handles more than 30 patients daily and is expected to treat over 1,500 patients annually once fully operational.

The new unit is expected to improve access to specialised cancer treatment across the Northern Zone and reduce the need for long-distance referrals to Dar es Salaam.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday, with the captain becoming the outright leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with 18 goals.

The 38-year-old entered the Group J match level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 goals before opening the scoring in the first half to set a new record.

He later added a second goal to seal victory and take his tally to 18, extending his remarkable scoring streak to six consecutive World Cup matches.

Messi’s first goal came after he had missed an early penalty, but the Argentina captain made amends by finishing off a flowing move after combining with his teammates before converting Facundo Medina’s low cross.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had already made history in Argentina’s opening 3-0 victory over Algeria, becoming the first player to appear at six World Cups and the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the tournament.

The victory moved the defending champions closer to the knockout stage and maintained their perfect start to the tournament after successive wins in Group J.

The Argentine, who turns 39 later this week, continues to add to a legacy that has already placed him among football’s greatest players.

The Mainland Premier League has reached its most decisive stage, with the standings now reflecting a tightly compressed competition at both the top and bottom of the table as the season enters its final three rounds.

With only Rounds 28, 29 and 30 remaining, the league picture remains remarkably open.

At the summit, defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), arch-rivals Simba and Azam FC are locked in a three-way contest that has refused to separate despite months of competition.

The narrow margins between the trio mean that the title race is expected to be decided only in the final moments of the campaign, with every remaining fixture carrying championship implications.

This level of uncertainty has not only intensified pressure on the title contenders but has also shaped the competitive structure of the closing phase.

The decision to have all matches played simultaneously underlines just how fine the margins have become, where even a single goal in one stadium could instantly shift pressure across the entire table.

Azam FC remain firmly in the mix, acting as both disruptors and contenders in a race traditionally dominated by the two giants. Their remaining fixtures against direct rivals and mid-table sides could prove decisive in shaping the final order, particularly in rounds where Yanga and Simba are also engaged in difficult assignments.

If the title race is finely balanced, the relegation battle is even more congested. A large cluster of teams remains mathematically unsafe, with KMC already confirmed as the first casualty of the season, leaving a wide group still fighting to avoid the remaining drop zone positions.

Clubs such as Tanzania Prisons, Mbeya City, Namungo, Mtibwa Sugar, Mashujaa, Coastal Union, Fountain Gate, Dodoma Jiji and Pamba Jiji are all separated by thin point margins, meaning that a single victory or defeat could drastically alter survival chances.

This congestion at the bottom has effectively turned nearly every remaining match into a ‘six-pointer’ scenario.

The introduction of simultaneous kick-offs is therefore not just a procedural adjustment but a structural safeguard for competitive fairness.

By removing the advantage of knowing other results, teams are forced into pure performance-based decision-making, eliminating late-game tactical manipulation based on live standings elsewhere.

From a sporting perspective, this final phase creates a unique competitive environment where psychological pressure is amplified.

Coaches will not be able to manage games based on unfolding outcomes in other venues, and players will berequired to sustain maximum intensity regardless of external developments.

Round 28 already presents defining fixtures across the table, including Mtibwa Sugar hosting Simba and Yanga facing Azam FC, matches that could directly influence the title trajectory. Round 29 maintains the pressure with Simba against Singida Black Stars and Yanga meeting TRA United, while Azam continue their push against Coastal Union.

Beyond tactics and form, logistical complexity also becomes a factor in the final stretch.

Stadium sharing arrangements and venue availability issues add another layer of uncertainty, particularly for clubs operating in shared infrastructure environments. This has required careful coordination to ensure the integrity of the synchronized schedule is maintained.

Ultimately, the final round on June 30 is shaping up as a potential decider, with both the championship and relegation battles likely to reach their conclusion under identical conditions.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments after netting twice in Portugal’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Group K on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old captain ended recent criticism over his goal drought by opening the scoring in the sixth minute at Houston Stadium. João Cancelo delivered a low cross from the right and Ronaldo converted from close range to become the first player to score at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

Ronaldo struck again in the 39th minute to help Portugal establish a commanding lead before the break. The brace took his World Cup tally to 10 goals, surpassing Portuguese legend Eusébio and making him Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

Portugal had entered the match under pressure after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Ronaldo coming under scrutiny after failing to score.

The veteran forward responded in style, extending his remarkable longevity at the highest level. Tuesday’s match also marked his 230th appearance for Portugal, another world record in men’s international football.

Portugal dominated throughout and completed a 5-0 victory to strengthen their position in Group K. The result moved Roberto Martínez’s side closer to the knockout stages and underlined their credentials as one of the tournament contenders.

Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi are the only players to have appeared in six World Cups, but the Portuguese star now stands alone as the only player to have scored in all six editions.

Having made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, Ronaldo has now found the net in every tournament he has played, adding another milestone to a career that already includes five UEFA Champions League titles and Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016.

The government has identified five priority areas it says are central to achieving the National Vision and delivering meaningful socio-economic transformation for Tanzanians.

The areas are agriculture, an improved business environment, increased national income, strengthened monitoring systems, and better use of statistics in national and international reporting frameworks.

Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, told Parliament on Wednesday, June 23, 2026, that the government was responding to concerns raised by members of parliament during debate on the National Development Plan and the 2026/27 national budget tabled on June 11, 2026.

The budget was passed with 97.66 percent approval after 385 MPs voted in favour out of 393 members present.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Mussa Azzan Zungu, announced the results, noting that eight MPs voted against the budget while another eight were absent during the voting session.

Prof Mkumbo said the government has prioritised agriculture as a key driver of economic transformation, noting the sector will play a central role in boosting national income in the coming financial years.

He said the structure of the economy and labour force shows that 54.2 percent of Tanzanians are engaged in agriculture, livestock keeping, and forestry, while 10.3 percent are in industry and 35.5 percent in services.

‘Compared to 2021, when agriculture accounted for 60.4 percent of employment, the current figure has declined to 54.2 percent. This reflects a gradual structural shift as the economy modernises and agricultural productivity improves. It does not reduce the importance of agriculture, but rather shows the need for balance across all sectors to create more jobs,’ said Prof Mkumbo.

He added that the government is working to improve the business environment, described as a key tool for growth and formalisation.

The budget introduces measures to stimulate industrial production and employment, with industry expected to become the leading employer.

The Minister further said agriculture remains a priority even as industrialisation advances, stressing that no industrial transformation can take place without agricultural development.

Prof Mkumbo also highlighted the informal sector as a critical area of focus, saying reforms will formalise informal businesses and improve contribution to the economy.

He said efforts are underway, including the development of framework, ncluding the development of a new framework dubbed ‘Mkumbi 2’, which is in the approval stages, urging MPs to support the initiative as a conducive business environment key to formalisation.

On national income, he said confusion exists on gross domestic product (GDP), explaining the economy stood at Sh234.14 trillion in 2025, with per capita income derived from total GDP divided by population.

He outlined the fourth area as the use of poverty measurement frameworks, noting the poverty line for the mainland is Sh63,164 per household per month.

Fifth area strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems saying National Planning Commission, focusing on results-based tracking through performance indicators.

‘The government has taken MPs’ views and has begun preparing a monitoring and evaluation policy and draft law for a framework,’ he said, urging a productivity-driven approach.

Ministers have responded to queries by Members of Parliament (MPs) during debate on the government’s Sh62.3 trillion 2026/27 budget, addressing concerns ranging from infrastructure financing and population growth to health sector reforms, information communication technology (ICT) expansion, and wildlife management.

Their contributions closed several discussions, including the Serengeti International Airport project and ongoing reforms in the ports sector, while also clarifying the use of development loans in infrastructure delivery.

Speaking on Monday, June 22, 2026, Works Minister Abdallah Ulega said development loans have been channelled directly into strategic infrastructure projects, dismissing claims that borrowed funds are not reflected in tangible developments.

He said all loans obtained have been used for roads, airports, and related transport infrastructure under his ministry.

Mr Ulega cited upgrades and expansion works at Tabora, Shinyanga, and Sumbawanga airports, as well as ongoing projects in Kigoma, Tanga, and Manyara.

‘There is nothing borrowed that has not been used for development in roads and airports under the Ministry of Works,’ he said.

He also pointed to Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, saying it is among the flagship projects financed through such loans.

Beyond aviation, he said, funds have supported strategic road works in Kigoma, Kasulu, and southern regions, alongside bridge upgrades aimed at improving connectivity and freight movement.

He added that the government is expanding public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate infrastructure delivery and ease pressure on public finances.

Several strategic roads, he said, have already been earmarked for implementation under PPP arrangements.

Mr Ulega urged the public to dismiss claims questioning loan utilisation, insisting that results are visible nationwide.

‘These loans are what have made it possible for citizens to see and use these projects every day,’ he said.

Health sector as an economic driver

Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa said the health sector should no longer be viewed solely as a cost centre, but as a driver of economic growth, industrialisation, and employment.

He said national development requires collective responsibility beyond government alone, stressing discipline, productivity, tax compliance, and patriotism.

Mr Mchengerwa said the ministry is promoting local production of medicines, equipment, reagents, and vaccines to reduce import dependence.

He warned that overreliance on imports exports jobs, technology, and tax revenues.

‘We want health funds not to circulate only within hospitals. They must create industries, jobs, protect foreign exchange, and increase national income,’ he said.

He added that expanding domestic pharmaceutical production would improve medicine availability, reduce import bills, and create jobs for young people.

According to him, despite global economic pressures, Tanzania’s economy remains resilient and urged citizens to remain confident and supportive of national leadership.

Population growth and skills

Education Minister, Prof Adolf Mkenda, warned that population growth could become either a national asset or a burden, depending on skills development and education outcomes.

He said education reforms are needed to equip young people with skills aligned with technological change and globalisation.

Prof Mkenda cautioned that without adequate skills, population growth could strain development goals, including Vision 2050.

He said Vision 2050 views population growth as a potential driver of development if properly harnessed.

He stressed the need for sustained investment in skills development up to 2050, noting that job demand will rise as more graduates enter the labour market.

‘If we do not create enough jobs and skilled people, population growth will become a curse. With proper planning, it is a great opportunity,’ he said.

He added that ongoing reforms aim to align learning with practical skills and employability.

Kilwa fisheries port near completion

Livestock and Fisheries Minister, Dr Bashiru Ally, said construction of the Kilwa Fisheries Port has reached 99.9 percent completion, with equipment testing expected next week.

He said the Sh280 billion facility, expected to be inaugurated between August and September by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, will be the first fisheries port in East Africa.

The project is expected to boost fish processing, transport services, and marine tourism.

Serengeti airport debate

Transport Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa, defended the government’s decision to construct Serengeti International Airport, saying the project is aimed at boosting tourism and improving access to the national park.

He said the facility aligns with global tourism infrastructure standards and will enhance visitor experience.

The project has sparked debate among MPs, with some suggesting expansion of Mwanza Airport as an alternative.

ICT infrastructure expansion

ICT Minister Angellah Kairuki said the government is strengthening digital infrastructure to improve revenue collection and reduce leakages.

She said Sh229 billion has been allocated for the construction of 287 communication towers in border areas and along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), as well as upgrading 304 existing towers.

She added that 186 kilometres of the national ICT backbone will be extended to connect the Democratic Republic of Congo and 17 districts currently without fibre connectivity.

Wildlife population debate

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Dr Ashatu Kijaji said the government will launch a national debate on the rising populations of wildlife, including lions.

She also said the ministry is preparing a documentary showcasing tourism achievements under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed that Ebola cases in the country have risen to 1,048, with 267 deaths reported, as the outbreak continues to spread across affected regions, according to health authorities and international news agencies.

Officials said the outbreak crossed a major threshold on Sunday when confirmed cases surpassed 1,000 for the first time since the current Ebola outbreak began in May 2026. The rapid increase highlights the ongoing severity of the outbreak, which has strained response efforts in eastern provinces.

By late Monday, updated figures showed that infections had climbed further to 1,048 confirmed cases, alongside 267 deaths, reflecting continued transmission despite containment measures.

Health experts note that the outbreak remains concentrated in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas, making contact tracing and surveillance difficult. Humanitarian conditions, including displacement and insecurity, have further complicated efforts to isolate cases and prevent new infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and national health authorities have intensified response operations, including surveillance, community engagement, and deployment of emergency teams. However, officials warn that challenges such as limited healthcare access, population movement, and gaps in contact tracing continue to fuel the spread.

The Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has raised regional concern due to its high fatality rate and the absence of a widely available vaccine.

Health agencies have warned that without strengthened response measures, the outbreak could expand further into neighbouring areas.

Authorities continue to urge communities to report symptoms early and cooperate with health workers as efforts to contain the outbreak intensify across the region.