Category: The Citizen

The Zanzibar Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries is set to conduct a fisheries census aimed at generating accurate data on all actors in the sector, in a move expected to strengthen planning and development of the blue economy.

The exercise, which is expected to begin this month (June 2026), will cover fishers, fishing vessels, sardine processors, and seaweed farmers, as the Island is currently estimated to have 32,000 fishers.

Speaking during a training session for officials involved in data collection on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Hamad Bakari Hamad, said the census is designed to provide reliable information to guide government planning and the implementation of development programmes.

He said the exercise will ensure that policy and investment decisions are based on evidence across the fisheries value chain.

‘This census is important because it will provide data on fishers, fishing vessels, sardine (dagaa) processors, seaweed farmers, and all those within the value chain, ensuring that we plan development programmes based on evidence,’ he said.

Mr Hamad added that, with support from Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the census would help strengthen sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development under the Scaling-Up Sustainable Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Project (TASFAM) funded by the World Bank.

A member of the fisheries census committee, Dr Narriman Jidawi, said the exercise would help identify investment opportunities and improve data for planning and decision-making, adding that accurate information was essential for sector growth.

She noted that without reliable data, investors struggle to identify suitable locations for deep-sea fishing equipment, fish processing plants, and aquaculture projects.

One of the training beneficiaries, Mr Nassor Abdallah Nassor, said the exercise would equip field officers with skills to collect accurate information at landing sites (mialo), improving the quality of national fisheries statistics.

The census is also expected to help reduce conflicts among coastal communities that depend heavily on marine resources, particularly over fishing grounds and maritime boundaries.

Officials say the data will support more effective management of marine resources and help address disputes related to access to and use of coastal areas.

Presenting the ministry’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in the House recently, Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries Masoud Ali Mohamed said fish production increased from 78,943 tonnes valued at Sh618.18 billion in 2024 to 79,431 tonnes worth Sh624.9 billion in 2025, representing a 1.4 percent rise.

He said the growth had improved the availability of raw materials for business activities, strengthened markets for marine products, and increased incomes for fishers and other actors in the value chain.

‘The ministry has also managed to increase dried seaweed production from 19,716 tonnes in 2024 to 20,075 tonnes worth Sh27.3 billion, which has been exported,’ he said.

Officials say the census is part of broader efforts to strengthen Zanzibar’s blue economy and improve the long-term sustainability of marine-based livelihoods.

A couple from Tabata is celebrating the birth of quintuplets following a successful delivery at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), where both the mother and her five newborn babies are reported to be in good health.

The rare delivery, which took place on June 13, 2026, saw Victoria Mkwizu give birth to three boys and two girls under the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists at the national referral hospital.

The birth marks another significant achievement for MNH, whose team of medical experts closely monitored the pregnancy and ensured the safe delivery of all five babies. Speaking after the delivery, Ms Mkwizu said she was admitted to MNH on May 13 after being referred from Amana Regional Referral Hospital and had remained under continuous medical supervision throughout her stay.

‘I am grateful to Muhimbili for the excellent care and services I have received. Since my admission on May 13, both the babies and I have been under close observation, and we have been well looked after,’ she said.

Her husband, Mr Simon Mkwizu, described the birth as both a blessing and a moment of immense responsibility for the family.

‘It has been a long journey. We initially discovered during a clinic visit in Tabata that my wife was carrying four babies when she was three months pregnant,’ he recounted.

‘We were referred to Amana Regional Referral Hospital and later transferred to Muhimbili for specialised care. After the delivery, we were surprised and delighted to welcome five babies,’ he added.

Mr Mkwizu acknowledged the challenges associated with raising quintuplets, noting that the family would require support from relatives and other well-wishers.

‘It is a joyful moment, but also a demanding one. Caring for five newborns at once requires considerable resources. I work as a three-wheeler driver, while my wife is a housewife, and our financial circumstances make it difficult to meet all the needs of the children on our own,’ he said.

He thanked the management and staff of Muhimbili for their support, including meeting the family’s medical expenses during their stay, and appealed to members of the public to assist the family.

Representing the Muhimbili executive director, the hospital’s director of surgical services, Dr Rachel Mhaville, described the birth as a rare and exceptional case that required intensive monitoring by a team of specialists to safeguard the well-being of both the mother and her babies.

She congratulated the family on the successful delivery and wished them good health.

Dr Mhaville also announced that Muhimbili would continue to meet all medical expenses for Ms Mkwizu and her five children from the date of admission until they complete treatment and are discharged.

‘Health facilities across the country should refer patients requiring specialised care to Muhimbili at an early stage to improve treatment outcomes,’ she urged, commending Amana Regional Referral Hospital.

Tanzania’s favourable investment climate in the oil and gas sector continues to attract investors while improving access to energy services for consumers.

The remarks were made on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Dar es Salaam by Oryx Energies Tanzania Limited Managing Director, Iman Mtafya, during the launch of a new service station at Wazo.

He said the station is aimed at bringing petroleum products and clean cooking gas closer to consumers. ‘Oryx is a leader in gas distribution and will continue to support government efforts to promote clean energy.

This station is part of our strategy to bring services closer to the people,’ he said.

‘We continue to invest and will soon open another station about 40 kilometres from Dodoma city. Our goal is to reach customers wherever they are, including rural areas.’

Mr Mtafya said the company places strong emphasis on safety and has deployed advanced technology at the station.

He added that Oryx maintains strict product standards, supported by its own laboratory to ensure fuel quality.

He said government efforts, particularly through the Ministry of Energy, have enabled the company to expand operations beyond Dar es Salaam into other regions.

‘The environment created by the Ministry of Energy has supported investors in expanding services closer to citizens,’ he said.

CDT Oil and CDT Energies Managing Director Boniface Nasibu, who oversees the station, said the site was selected after assessing local demand.

‘The station is near Madale, where there are military farms, the Wazo cement factory and surrounding residents. This is the right location to serve fuel and gas needs,’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Sheikh Amani Hamis said the station would improve access to fuel and gas and create jobs for local youth.

He commended the government for creating a conducive investment environment that allows citizens to benefit from increased investment.

For millions of football fans around the globe, the FIFA World Cup is remembered not only for spectacular goals, dramatic upsets and iconic champions, but also for the songs that capture the emotion of the tournament.

And for nearly two decades, one voice has become synonymous with football’s greatest spectacle, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll famous known as Shakira.

Bank of Africa (BoA) Tanzania has welcomed the government’s Sh62.3 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, saying it is expected to stimulate business activity and support economic growth.

Acting Managing Director of BoA Tanzania, Wasia Mushi said the budget’s emphasis on digital payment transformation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reflects broader efforts to accelerate economic growth in line with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 development agenda.

He said the bank remains committed to improving services across all customer segments, including individual clients, SMEs and large corporations, in support of the government’s financial inclusion agenda. Bank of Africa (BoA) Tanzania has welcomed the government’s Sh62.3 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, saying it is expected to stimulate business activity and support economic growth.

Acting Managing Director of BoA Tanzania, Wasia Mushi said the budget’s emphasis on digital payment transformation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reflects broader efforts to accelerate economic growth in line with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 development agenda.

He said the bank remains committed to improving services across all customer segments, including individual clients, SMEs and large corporations, in support of the government’s financial inclusion agenda.

NMB Bank has launched an upgraded version of its NMB Mkononi platform, positioning it as a next-generation Super App aimed at consolidating a wide range of financial services into a single digital ecosystem amid growing competition in Tanzania’s digital banking sector.

Speaking during the launch in Dar es Salaam, NMB Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Zaipuna, said the upgraded platform responds to the increasing role of smartphones in daily life, from payments and savings to learning, business and investment activities.

Thousands of commuters in Dar es Salaam’s southern suburbs will soon be required to integrate their journeys through the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system after transport regulators directed all daladala operators along Kilwa Road to shift their operations to the Mbagala Rangi Tatu BRT terminal from July 1, 2026.

The directive by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) is part of wider efforts to boost usage of the city’s mass transit system and safeguard multi-billion-shilling investments in modern transport infrastructure.

A directive requiring all daladalas operating along Kilwa Road to use the Mbagala Rangi Tatu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal from July 1, 2026, has sparked mixed reactions among commuters and transport stakeholders.

While some welcome the move as a step towards a more efficient transport system, others fear it could increase travel costs and inconvenience passengers.

Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ridhiwani Kikwete, has called on Serengeti Boys head coach Elieneza Nsanganzelu to use the newly launched CRDB Nanauka Cup as a platform to identify promising young footballers for the national Under-17 team, Serengeti Boys.

Kikwete made the remarks during the official launch of the tournament at Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in Mtwara.

The event was also attended by Joel Nanauka, Member of Parliament for Mtwara Urban and Minister in the President’s Office responsible for Youth Development, as well as Athuman Nyamlani, the First Vice President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

Speaking at the ceremony, Kikwete said Mtwara is home to many talented young players whose abilities need to be nurtured and developed at an early stage.

He noted that the presence of the Serengeti Boys coach and senior TFF leadership at the launch demonstrated the federation’s commitment to identifying and developing talent through grassroots competitions.

‘As someone who has played football, I understand that talent must be identified and developed at the right age. You cannot wait until a player is older and expect them to effectively serve the nation at the highest level.

The ideal age is under 17, and this tournament provides an excellent opportunity for both the coach and TFF to scout future stars,’ said Kikwete.

The CRDB Nanauka Cup 2026 brings together young players from all 18 wards of Mtwara Urban Constituency. The competition aims to nurture sporting talent, strengthen unity among young people and create economic opportunities through sports.

Speaking on behalf of the tournament’s main sponsor, CRDB Bank’s Head of Personal Banking, Stephen Adili, said the bank had chosen to support the initiative because of the important role sports play in youth development and the national economy.

He said CRDB has remained a key partner of the government in promoting financial inclusion, innovation, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment through investments in various sectors, including sports.

‘We recognise that sports are more than entertainment. They are a powerful tool for nurturing talent, improving health, creating employment and increasing income among young people. That is why we are proud to join other stakeholders in launching the CRDB Nanauka Cup 2026,’ said Adili.

He added that the bank has already extended more than Sh15 billion to entrepreneurs across different sectors of the economy, helping to expand businesses, improve household incomes and contribute to national economic growth.

According to Adili, CRDB will use the tournament not only to support football development but also to provide young people with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, digital knowledge and awareness of opportunities available within the creative economy and sports industry.

Participants will also receive training on financial management, investment, business development and the use of financial technology to help them build sustainable livelihoods both on and off the field.

Adili noted that CRDB’s commitment to sports development is reflected in its sponsorship of major competitions and events, including the CRDB Federation Cup, the CRDB Taifa Cup basketball tournament and the CRDB Bank Marathon.

He also commended the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for its continued efforts to strengthen sports development and create opportunities for young people to showcase their talents.

The launch of the CRDB Nanauka Cup marks the beginning of a new chapter for thousands of young people in Mtwara, offering them a pathway to develop their talents, improve their livelihoods and contribute to the country’s social and economic development.

The government has announced new plans to eliminate child labour in informal and unregistered mining operations where children remain most exposed to hazardous work.

At the same time authorities have also said they now seek to push for universal school enrolment and retention.