Category: The Citizen

Tanzania is stepping up efforts to position its higher education sector on the global stage, with experts and university leaders meeting in Arusha to chart strategies aimed at improving international competitiveness through research, innovation and academic collaboration.

The experts are expected to adopt resolutions to strengthen the country’s higher education system, with a particular focus on research, technology and partnerships with international institutions.

What began as the familiar story of a worried parent seeking answers for a frequently ill child soon turned into a long and demanding health battle for Stella Nyakanga.

Her daughter, Joicy Lungu, suffered repeated bouts of illness from an early age, prompting the family to seek medical attention. When Joicy reached the age of two, tests confirmed that she had sickle cell disease, a diagnosis that would dramatically alter the family’s life.

The Government has confirmed that Tanzania remains free of Ebola cases and has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens through enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma, Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, said the Government continues to strengthen its readiness to respond to the disease following ongoing outbreaks reported in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The minister said that, as of June 18, 2026, no Ebola case had been reported in Tanzania and the country’s public health security situation remained stable. ‘I would like to assure citizens that our country remains free of Ebola cases. The Government is fully prepared to prevent, detect early and contain any threat that may endanger the health of Tanzanians,’ said Mr Mchengerwa.

The minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Florence Samizi; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Grace Magembe; Dr Erasto Sylvanus; and other senior ministry officials.

He said the Government has intensified screening and surveillance at border posts, airports and seaports, while also issuing guidelines to healthcare professionals and the public.

According to Mr Mchengerwa, since the Ebola threat was declared, authorities have investigated 64 alerts reported from 21 regions. Of these, 11 suspected cases met the criteria for further assessment and samples were collected, all of which tested negative for Ebola.

He said all necessary measures continue to be implemented to ensure the highest standards of safety for both citizens and healthcare workers, with the aim of preventing the disease from entering the country.

Mr Mchengerwa pledged that the Government would continue to closely monitor developments and provide timely and transparent updates to the public whenever necessary.

He also urged citizens to follow guidance issued by health experts and rely on official Government sources for information, while avoiding the spread of unverified reports that could undermine efforts to safeguard the country against the Ebola threat.

Six days after Simon Benjamin Mkwizu and his wife, Victoria, welcomed quintuplets at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), CRDB Bank has stepped in with financial support aimed at helping the family raise the children.

The bank visited the family on Friday, opening bank accounts for the five babies and their parents while also providing additional support intended to strengthen the family’s long-term welfare.

Speaking during the presentation, CRDB Bank Chief Operating Officer Bruce Mwile commended doctors, nurses and health professionals at Muhimbili for ensuring the safe delivery of both the mother and the babies. ‘The services provided at Muhimbili National Hospital demonstrate a high level of professionalism, dedication and commitment in protecting the lives of both mother and children,’ Mr Mwile said.

He said that while the birth of quintuplets was a blessing for the family, it also brought increased responsibilities in terms of childcare and upbringing.

‘CRDB Bank has a responsibility to support this family, and we have come with assistance that we believe will help in raising these children,’ he said.

Through its Youth Banking unit, the bank opened Junior Jumbo accounts for each of the five children and deposited Sh1.5 million into each account.

The mother was also given a Malkia account and financial support worth Sh2.5 million, with Sh1.5 million deposited into the account and Sh1 million set aside to support her business activities.

For the father, who works as a transport officer, the bank opened an iMBEJU account designed for entrepreneurs and provided him with a new three-wheeler taxi (bajaj) to help improve household income. The vehicle also comes with comprehensive insurance cover.

The bank further arranged premium health insurance for Victoria and the five babies, while CRDB’s brokerage unit purchased shares worth Sh500,000 for each child.

In addition, through the iMBEJU programme under the CRDB Bank Foundation, Mr Mkwizu will receive financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.

Mr Mkwizu thanked both Muhimbili and CRDB Bank for the support.

‘What CRDB has done is extraordinary. It feels like giving clean drinking water to someone suffering from thirst in the desert,’ he said.

Muhimbili National Hospital Executive Director Dr Delilah Kimambo said the accounts opened for the family would create a sustainable way for individuals and institutions wishing to support them.

‘Many people want to help the family, but some forms of support may not last long. These accounts will allow those wishing to provide long-term support to contribute directly towards the children’s future,’ she said.

Dr Kimambo said that the babies, who were born with low birth weights, had continued to improve and no longer required machine support following specialised care at the hospital.

Tanzania’s goal to strengthen medical education, accelerate health research and expand access to specialised care have received a major boost following a new partnership between the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), through its Duke-NUS Medical School.

The agreement is expected to directly enhance specialist training, advance cutting-edge research and support innovation in priority health areas such as sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and digital health-positioning Tanzania more firmly within the global medical research and innovation ecosystem.

The population of Gombe National Park’s chimpanzees has fallen by nearly 50 percent since the early years of research by Jane Goodall in the 1960s, raising concerns about the future of one of the world’s best-known primate populations.

From an estimated 150 chimpanzees recorded during the early years of research, the population had fallen to about 77 individuals by 2024, according to Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa).

The introduction of revised minimum wages for domestic workers has triggered mixed reactions among households in Tanzania, with some employers citing added financial pressure while others support the move as necessary to improve working conditions in the sector.

Under the Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, domestic workers are entitled to revised minimum wages depending on the category of employment.

Tanzanian consulting firm Perterms Consultancy Limited has received international recognition after being named among the winners of the Share My Story Initiative, organised by the Basel Institute on Governance during the 6th International Collective Action Conference held in Basel, Switzerland, on June 9 and 10, 2026.

The conference brought together institutional leaders, private sector representatives, development organisations, researchers and policymakers from various countries to discuss collaborative approaches to strengthening governance, accountability and sustainable business practices.

The Share My Story Initiative invited participants to share experiences, lessons and approaches aimed at promoting accountability, integrity and risk management within organisations and communities. The programme sought to encourage knowledge-sharing and highlight the role of collective efforts in strengthening institutions and business environments. Perterms Consultancy Limited was recognised for its contribution to governance, risk management, accountability and institutional integrity through its advisory and investigative services.

Chief Executive Officer Shakibu Mussa Nsekela said the recognition marked an important milestone for both the company and Tanzania’s participation in international governance discussions.

‘Being recognised on such an international platform demonstrates that expertise and solutions developed locally can contribute meaningfully to global discussions on governance, accountability and organisational resilience,’ he said.

Mr Nsekela added that the recognition should encourage Tanzanian professionals and institutions to engage more actively in international knowledge-sharing platforms and contribute to addressing emerging governance and business challenges.

According to the conference organisers, collective action has become an increasingly important framework for bringing together public institutions, private sector organisations, civil society groups and development partners to address common challenges through collaboration, transparency and shared accountability.

The recognition of Perterms highlights the growing participation of African institutions in international discussions on governance, integrity and sustainable business practices.

As organisations continue to face complex operational, regulatory and reputational risks, conference organisers noted the importance of strengthening governance systems, improving risk management and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.

Perterms Consultancy Limited specialises in governance, risk management, compliance, fraud investigations, due diligence and asset recovery services for public and private sector organisations.

What’s in a name? In music, sometimes everything.

Across Tanzania’s entertainment scene, several artists have made bold moves by rebranding their stage names. For some, it marked a new artistic era. For others, it was about sharpening identity, modernising their image, or creating a stronger connection with fans.

Whatever the motivation, these changes show that a name can be a powerful career tool.

Conboi Cannabino ? Bino

Rapper Conboi Cannabino recently reintroduced himself as Bino. While the original name helped build his early identity in the rap scene, the shift to Bino reflects a cleaner, more streamlined brand. The new name is simpler, more memorable, and signals a fresh phase in his artistic journey.

Country Boy ? Country Wizzy

Country Wizzy also underwent a notable transformation earlier in his career, evolving from Country Boy to the name fans widely recognize today. The change helped strengthen his brand within Tanzania’s hip-hop space, giving him a more distinct and lasting identity in a competitive industry.

Saraphina ? Phina

Saraphina’s transition into Phina remains one of the most successful rebrands in Bongo Flava. By shortening her name, she created a modern, polished identity that matched her rising popularity. The shift played a role in shaping her into one of Tanzania’s leading female artists.

Abby Chams ? Abigail Chams

As her career expanded beyond Tanzania, Abby Chams refined her name to Abigail Chams. The adjustment reflects growth, professionalism, and an evolving international presence. It’s a subtle but strategic change that aligns with her broader ambitions.

A stage name is more than just a label, its identity, branding, and strategy combined. And in music, the right name change can quietly redefine a career.

As these artistes continue to evolve, their name changes stand as milestones in their journeys, marking the moments when they chose to redefine not only how they were known, but how they wanted to be remembered.

The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced a bill seeking a review of bilateral relations between the US and Tanzania.

The bill, now awaiting full Senate vote, places greater emphasis on institutional reforms that Tanzania must take to foster its relations with the US.