Category: The Citizen

Coca-Cola Tanzania has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at bringing Tanzanians closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 through a series of fan experiences, promotions and community activations across the country .

The campaign will end on July 18, seeks to tap into the excitement surrounding the world’s biggest football tournament by creating opportunities for fans to engage with the event through retail promotions, entertainment activities and digital platforms.

Building on its long-standing partnership with FIFA spanning nearly five decades, Coca-Cola says the initiative is designed to celebrate football’s ability to unite people and create shared moments of joy. Speaking during the launch, Coca-Cola Tanzania Frontline Marketing Director, Kabula Nshimo, said football remains a powerful force that brings people together, particularly during the FIFA World Cup.

‘The FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament. It is a global celebration that connects people through shared emotions and unforgettable moments.

Through this campaign, we want to ensure Tanzanian fans feel part of that experience wherever they are,’ he said.

According to the company, the campaign will reach more than 15,000 retail outlets, entertainment venues, restaurants and quick-service establishments nationwide.

Fans will have access to football-themed activities and experiences designed to enhance their enjoyment of the tournament.

Coca-Cola Kwanza Ltd General Manager David Chait said the brand aims to accompany fans throughout the emotional journey of the World Cup.

‘Football creates moments of excitement, tension and celebration. We want Coca-Cola to be part of those experiences by bringing fans together and creating memorable moments throughout the tournament,’ he said.

As part of the campaign, consumers will also have opportunities to win prizes and access exclusive experiences through promotional purchases.

The company has introduced limited-edition FIFA World Cup 2026 packs and collectible cans to mark the tournament.

Opposition Chadema’s national chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu, has instructed party leaders to suspend political rallies in Dar es Salaam and leave the task to him upon his release from prison, as former Iringa Urban Member of Parliament Peter Msigwa publicly apologised to citizens for defecting to CCM.

Mr Lissu’s message was disclosed on Saturday, June 13, 2026, during separate political rallies held in Iringa Municipality and Kibaha District, Coast Region.

CRDB Bank Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dr Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela, graduated on June 12, 2026, with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of South Africa (UNISA), marking a milestone that combines academic achievement with corporate leadership.

Dr Nsekela was awarded the PhD following his research titled ‘Corporate governance and financial performance of East African banks: The moderating role of information leakage.’ His study examines how governance structures, information integrity and transparency influence the financial performance of banks in East Africa. It also finds that information leakage can weaken institutional performance, while strong governance and disciplined disclosure frameworks enhance resilience, investor confidence and long-term growth.

The research reflects Dr Nsekela’s leadership philosophy, shaped by more than two decades of experience in banking and financial services, spanning corporate finance, risk management and executive leadership.

The CRDB Bank chief said his academic journey was rooted in continuous learning, curiosity and professional growth.

‘Strong governance, as my research shows, is not theoretical; it is the foundation of sustainable financial performance and institutional trust across East Africa,’ he said.

He thanked his supervisors and staff at UNISA for their guidance, and expressed appreciation to his family for their support during his studies.

‘To my fellow managing directors and chief executive officers in Tanzania and across Africa, learning is a continuous journey. We must deliberately create time to acquire new knowledge and skills that strengthen leadership, decision-making and institutional performance,’ he said.

Under his leadership since October 2018, CRDB Bank has recorded strong financial growth. The bank’s share price has risen from Sh95 in 2018 to about Sh3,000 in June 2026, while dividends per share increased from Sh8 to Sh90 in 2025.

Profit after tax rose from Sh64.1 billion in 2018 to Sh728.6 billion in 2025, representing growth of more than 1,000 percent in seven years, driven by governance reforms, strategic execution and data-led decision-making.

The bank has also undergone significant digital transformation, with more than 98 percent of transactions now conducted through digital channels. Its customer base has grown to over 7.2 million, served through agents, ATMs, more than 260 branches and mobile platforms.

CRDB Bank has expanded its regional footprint to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and opened a representative office in Dubai to support cross-border trade and investment.

It has also strengthened its institutional ecosystem through the CRDB Bank Foundation, CRDB Insurance Company and support for the establishment of the Co-operative Bank of Tanzania.

Earlier, the bank secured accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a Direct Access Entity in 2019, enabling access to climate finance. In 2022, it secured a $200 million facility for the Tanzania Agriculture Climate Adaptation Technology Deployment Programme (TACATDP) and expanded into Islamic banking and bancassurance.

CRDB Bank Board Chairperson, Prof Neema Mori, congratulated Dr Nsekela, noting the alignment between his academic research and leadership practice.

She said his work had strengthened the bank’s position in sustainable finance and governance, including its recognition by the Green Climate Fund in East and Central Africa.

‘His PhD thesis reinforces how sound corporate governance and effective information management directly influence financial performance,’ she said.

Prof Mori added that his achievement underscored the importance of integrating academic excellence with executive leadership.

‘CRDB Bank’s transformation demonstrates how governance, leadership and continuous learning can turn an institution into a regional powerhouse,’ she said.

Dr Nsekela’s achievement, she added, reflects the growing trend among African corporate leaders to combine academic advancement with executive responsibility in driving institutional growth and resilience.

As the number of vehicles continues to rise in Dar es Salaam, the need for an efficient parking management system is becoming increasingly apparent.

The government and local authorities have been relying on parking fees as a source of revenue and a means of regulating the use of public spaces.

CRDB Bank has urged its employees across the country to adopt a routine of exercising at least three times a week as part of efforts to improve physical fitness, mental wellbeing and workplace productivity.

The call was made by CRDB Bank Acting Managing Director, Bruce Mwile, during the bank’s Wellness Day programme held in Dar es Salaam. The initiative aims to encourage employees to pay greater attention to their health while maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

The event, held at the TTCL Grounds in Kijitonyama, brought together more than 800 employees from the Dar es Salaam and Coast regions. Participants underwent health screenings and received medical advice from healthcare professionals before engaging in a variety of fitness and recreational activities. Apart from physical exercises, employees took part in several team-building and leisure competitions, including tug-of-war, sack races, chicken-catching contests, card games, music performances, singing, rap competitions and karaoke.

Speaking during the event, Mwile described health as one of the most valuable assets for any employee, noting that regular physical activity plays a critical role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable illnesses.

He said employees who enjoy good physical and mental health are more capable of carrying out their responsibilities effectively and providing high-quality services to customers.

‘At CRDB Bank, we have always been committed to serving our customers and stakeholders with excellence. However, we recognise that such excellence cannot be achieved without employees who are physically fit, mentally healthy and emotionally stable,’ said Mwile.

‘Through Wellness Day, we provide our staff with an opportunity to access health services, receive nutritional guidance and seek professional support on challenges that may affect their wellbeing and work performance.’

Mwile said the program has already recorded positive results since it was first launched in Mwanza before being extended to Burundi.

He added that the initiative demonstrates the bank’s commitment to promoting employees’ physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while creating a healthy working environment that enhances productivity.

The Wellness Day programme is part of a broader effort by CRDB Bank to reach employees across all eight operational zones in Tanzania, as well as staff working in the bank’s international operations.

Following its launch in Mwanza earlier this year and implementation in Burundi, the programme has now reached the Dar es Salaam and Coast zones.

CRDB Bank Acting Director of Human Resources, Timoth Fasha, said health experts consistently emphasise the importance of adequate sleep, regular exercise, balanced nutrition and mental health awareness, making it essential for employees to understand and practise healthy lifestyle habits.

He noted that many employees spend long hours seated at their workplaces due to demanding schedules, which can lead to physical inactivity, stress and other health-related challenges.

Iranian state media have reported that funeral ceremonies for the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

According to the reports, the ceremonies will also include a religious observance in the holy city of Qom on July 7, south of the Iranian capital.

The 86-year-old cleric, who had led the Islamic Republic for 36 years, is said to have died following Israeli and United States airstrikes on Iran on February 28, which reportedly targeted a central Tehran compound and caused extensive destruction. State media further claim that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, who was reportedly injured in the same strike and lost his wife, has succeeded him as Supreme Leader.

Islamic tradition requires burial to take place as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of death, although exceptions are made in extraordinary circumstances, including wartime conditions, the reports noted.

During his long rule, Khamenei was described as having strengthened Iran’s regional influence, building alliances with proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, while maintaining a hardline stance against internal dissent and Western pressure.

He remained a vocal critic of the United States throughout his leadership, even as successive American administrations attempted to resolve long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a further development reported by Pakistani media, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is said to have stated that Iran and the United States have agreed on a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of conflict, with an initial agreement expected to be signed within 24 hours.

Passengers travelling between Dodoma and Dar es Salaam are set to benefit from an additional Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) service after the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) announced the introduction of an extra Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train to accommodate rising demand.

TRC said the additional service will operate on June 12, 2026, following a sharp increase in passenger numbers on the busy route linking the political capital and the commercial hub.

The government has launched a major upgrade of the aircraft maintenance and repair hangar at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), a move aimed at reducing the cost of sending aircraft abroad for servicing and strengthening Tanzania’s aviation maintenance capacity.

Small-scale miners could gain easier access to financing, modern technology, geological data and reliable markets under sweeping reforms proposed in a government-commissioned report that also recommends the establishment of a $100 million mining development fund.

The report, presented to the government on Friday, outlines measures aimed at boosting productivity, accelerating formalisation and strengthening the contribution of small-scale mining to Tanzania’s economic growth.

The recommendations include the creation of a dedicated miners’ bank, improved access to affordable credit, expanded geological information services, wider adoption of modern mining technologies and stronger occupational health and safety standards. Presenting the findings, committee chairman Victor Tesha said the proposals seek to address longstanding challenges that continue to limit the growth of small-scale mining despite its significant contribution to the sector.

‘Small-scale miners contribute about 40 percent of the mining sector’s revenues, but many still face major obstacles, including limited access to finance, inadequate geological data, outdated equipment and weak institutional support,’ he said.

According to the report, about 72 percent of small-scale miners still rely on basic mineral recovery methods, resulting in low productivity, high operating costs and increased environmental and safety risks.

While acknowledging progress made through reforms such as the Mining Act and the Mineral Policy of 2009, the report argues that more targeted interventions are needed to unlock the sector’s full potential.

It notes that although the number of small-scale mining licences has increased significantly in recent years, many licence holders lack the capital, technical expertise, equipment and market access required to build sustainable mining businesses.

To bridge those gaps, the committee recommends the establishment of the Tanzania Mining Development Fund with initial government capital of $100 million.

The proposed fund would support geological surveys, improve access to financing, reduce investment risks and help miners develop bankable projects capable of attracting investors.

The report estimates that nearly $97 million would be needed to support 20 advanced mining projects.

Other recommendations include strengthening miner registration systems, expanding geological information services, improving access to modern mining technologies, classifying miners according to their investment capacity and enhancing coordination among institutions supporting the sector.

The committee argues that stronger support for small-scale miners would increase mineral production, create jobs, raise government revenues and deepen Tanzanian participation across the mining value chain.

‘The recommendations we are presenting mark the beginning of a new phase in the development of small-scale mining in Tanzania,’ Mr Tesha said.

‘With the right support systems in place, the country’s vast mineral resources can play an even greater role in driving national development.’

Speaking at the event, Minerals Minister Antony Mavunde said the government is intensifying efforts to empower small-scale miners, who account for about 40 percent of the country’s mineral production.

He said reforms introduced since 2017 have strengthened oversight of mineral trading and boosted revenue collection through the establishment of mineral markets and buying centres across the country.

‘The mining sector has undergone major transformation over the past several years, with revenues increasing substantially and more benefits being retained within the country,’ Mr Mavunde said.

According to the minister, mining sector revenues rose from Sh160 billion in the 2015/16 financial year to Sh1.3 trillion by June 2025, surpassing annual revenue targets.

He said part of that growth was driven by the increasing contribution of small-scale miners.

Among the initiatives already underway is the Credit Guarantee Corporation, which will provide guarantees covering up to 50 percent of eligible loans, making it easier for miners to secure financing from commercial banks.

‘We want our miners to have greater access to capital without depending heavily on foreign financiers,’ Mr Mavunde said.

‘Through these reforms, we are creating opportunities for Tanzanians to participate more effectively in mining and mineral trading.’

The minister also announced plans to allocate idle mining areas to active miners, expand geological research and encourage investment in mineral processing facilities to add value before minerals are exported.

He said the government is strengthening domestic gold trading systems and expanding access to local financing to enable miners to sell through local channels while enhancing Tanzania’s position in the global gold market.

Mr Mavunde expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would unlock the full potential of small-scale mining and further increase the sector’s contribution to economic growth and industrialisation.

The president of FEMATA, John Bina, said empowering small-scale miners was essential if they were to compete effectively with larger operators and foreign investors who often have greater financial resources.

‘There is no mining without capital investment. The sector requires technology and significant financial resources to operate successfully,’ he said.

‘It is therefore important for the banking sector to support miners so that they can expand and compete effectively.’

Mr Bina said FEMATA is pursuing plans to establish a Tanzania Miners’ Bank and called on the government to support the initiative.

He cited the Bank of Tanzania’s gold purchasing programme as an example of how targeted interventions can strengthen the sector.

‘Today, the Bank of Tanzania purchases gold, creating a reliable domestic market for the mineral. That intervention has helped stabilise the market and support miners,’ he said.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has challenged Tanzania’s financial sector to move beyond celebrating macroeconomic achievements and ensure economic growth translates into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly through affordable credit and broader access to financial services.

Speaking during the launch of celebrations marking 60 years of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) on Thursday, President Hassan said indicators such as economic growth, financial inclusion and banking sector expansion would mean little if they fail to improve livelihoods, expand opportunities and support small businesses.