Category: The Citizen

Dodoma. The President of the Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU), Mr Suleiman Ikomba, has been arraigned at Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court and read 14 charges involving corruption allegations, forming a criminal gang, and economic sabotage.

Mr Ikomba appeared in court on Monday, June 8, 2026, where he joined nine other CWT leaders who are facing the same charges filed by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB). Initially, his co-accused were arraigned on May 25, 2026, when he was absent, but he has now joined them, including former TTU president, Ms Leah Ulaya, former secretary general, Mr Maganga Japhet, treasurer, Mr Nashon Kidudu, and the current secretary general, Mr Joseph Misalaba.

Others are Mr Baraka Mbonalibha, who is alleged in the charge sheet to have been an internal auditor, Mr Wambura Kihengu, Ms Angelina Wambura, as well as Pyrite and Industries Company Limited The prosecution alleges that the accused jointly obtained Sh2.2 billion contrary to the TTU constitution, and also benefited from Sh1.3 billion from Pyrite and Industries Company Limited, with the intention of influencing a tender for the production of T-shirts and caps for the union. After the charges relating to economic sabotage were read, Mr Ikomba was not required to enter a plea, as the court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine such matters at this stage.

Before Principal Resident Magistrate Denis Mpelembwa, State Attorney Gothard Mwingira told the court that investigations into the case were incomplete. However, Magistrate Mwingira also said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not yet issued consent on whether the case should proceed in the current court or be transferred to the Economic Crimes Court.

Defence lawyer, Mr Meshack Ngamando, said bringing the accused to court before investigations has completely denied them freedom, as they remain in custody. “Out of the 14 charges facing them, some are bailable.

The delay in completing investigations means the accused continue to remain in remand, whereas the case could have started, and some of them could be out on bail under conditions while attending court from home,” said advocate Ngamando. In his ruling, Magistrate Mpelembwa ordered the prosecution to speed up investigations and complete all required procedures so that the case can begin promptly and ensure that the DPP’s consent is obtained, so that justice can be served.

Meanwhile, TTU, in a meeting held on Monday, June 1, 2026, under the Vice President, Mr Shaban Ambindwile, proposed the name of James Asagwile as its new treasurer. The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting said it was empowered under Article 31(c) of TTU to appoint one of its members as treasurer, while the vice president and deputy secretary general positions have been temporarily filled In a related development, the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court has adjourned an economic sabotage case involving employees of the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical, and Services Agency (Temesa) to Monday, June 22, 2026, after the prosecution informed the court that investigations were incomplete The accused in the case include Lazaro Kilahara, Mathias Rutaguza, Sambayeti Magoko, Kennedy Manene, Peter Bongole, Clavery Busunzu, Mbisho Kinguti, Renatha Juma, Vicent Lutebuka, Michael Assey, Caesar Chambo, Nassoro Igangule, Deus Matiku, and Kentra Tanzania Limited The court was also informed that, in addition to incomplete investigations, consent from the DPP to proceed with the trial has not yet been obtained.

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Bagamoyo. The Catholic Bishop of Bagamoyo Diocese, Stephano Musomba, has called on Mkombozi Bank officials to uphold transparency, accountability and responsibility in their operations to strengthen public trust and enhance the institution’s efficiency.

He made the remarks during the official inauguration of the bank’s 16th branch in Bagamoyo, where he also urged the lender to continue expanding its services to bring banking closer to the people. Bishop Musomba said transparency, accountability and responsibility were essential principles for the bank’s continued growth and effective service delivery.

“If we uphold these principles, we will bring honour to the bank and make it a trusted institution for many people. This bank belongs to the people, and we must ensure that the public fully understands its existence and the services it offers,” he said.

He noted that the opening of the branch would greatly benefit residents of the newly established diocese, who previously had to travel to Dar es Salaam to access banking services. According to him, the branch will improve access to financial services and support economic activities in the area, while financial literacy programmes should be extended to grassroots communities.

“We must educate people at the community level so that they can fully utilise banking services, including loans, savings and other financial products that support business growth,” he said. Mkombozi Bank Managing Director Mr Respige Kimati said the Bagamoyo branch is the bank’s 16th outlet since its establishment in 2009, marking another milestone in its expansion strategy.

He said the bank currently operates in 12 dioceses out of the 37 dioceses within its target market and remains committed to expanding its footprint to improve accessibility. “Having branches is important because it brings services closer to the people.

Opening a branch in Bagamoyo has been a long-standing ambition for us, given the strategic importance of this area to our operations,” he said. Mr Kimati said the bank currently has branches in several regions, including Mwanza, Bukoba, Geita, Kahama, Dodoma, Morogoro, Iringa, Njombe, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the Coast Region.

He added that once expansion across all 37 dioceses is completed, the bank intends to extend its services further to parish level. Mkombozi Bank Board Chairman Mr Gasper Njuu said the lender is embracing technological innovation to reach a wider customer base, particularly young people who increasingly rely on digital platforms.

“Our services are designed to empower every citizen seeking financial services,” he said. Mr Njuu described Mkombozi Bank as one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country, citing growth in share value and dividend performance as evidence of its progress.

He noted that the bank’s shares, which were initially sold at Sh1,000 in 2014, are now valued at S,000, reflecting growing investor confidence and strong business performance. He added that the bank is among the leading financial institutions in dividend distribution and will continue to expand its reach through agent banking and digital channels to serve more customers, especially young people.

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Dar es Salaam. Analysts have defended President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s assertion that Tanzania does not align itself with competing geopolitical blocs, saying her recent state visit to Russia is consistent with the country’s long-established foreign policy of non-alignment and pragmatic engagement.

However, they have cautioned that Tanzania must carefully navigate an increasingly complex international environment as major powers intensify competition for influence across the globe. President Hassan made the remarks during an interview with Tanzanian journalists on the sidelines of the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) on Friday, June 5.

She dismissed suggestions that her state visit to Russia signalled a shift in Tanzania’s foreign policy orientation, maintaining that the country remains committed to working with all nations in pursuit of its development objectives. “We work with everyone.

We don’t choose who to work with. By coming to Russia, we are simply expanding the scope of those with whom we closely cooperate,” she said.

Her comments followed speculation that selecting Russia for her first state visit after re-election indicated a move away from Western partners towards Eastern powers. President Hassan rejected that interpretation, arguing that Russia is not a new partner but one of Tanzania’s oldest diplomatic allies.

A political analyst from the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr Salbinus David, said Tanzania’s engagement with Russia should be viewed within the broader context of the country’s longstanding diplomatic principles. “Tanzania has historically maintained a non-aligned and pragmatic foreign policy posture.

The country has never subscribed to choosing friends or partners based on global power rivalries. What matters is whether a partnership advances national interests and contributes to economic development,” he said.

According to Mr David, Tanzania’s approach has traditionally centred on maintaining constructive relations with a wide range of countries while safeguarding its sovereignty and development priorities. For his part, a political analyst from the State University of Zanzibar, Prof Ali Makame Ussi, said the current global environment requires countries such as Tanzania to place greater emphasis on economic diplomacy rather than geopolitical alignments.

“The focus should be on expanding opportunities for trade, investment, technology transfer and industrial development. Any country that presents such opportunities should be considered a potential partner.

Tanzania should not sideline any nation simply because of the strategic interests or preferences of other powers,” he said. He added that developing economies increasingly need diversified partnerships to support growth, attract investment and enhance competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.

A political scientist from the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie, said broadening international partnerships was important, but warned that Tanzania must remain alert to evolving geopolitical realities. “The world is becoming increasingly complex, with major powers competing for influence across different regions.

Tanzania must continue engaging strategically, guided by its development priorities rather than ideological camps,” he said. “The key is to cooperate with partners based on mutual benefit and national interests, not on who is aligned with whom in global politics.

” President Hassan noted that relations between Tanzania and Russia date back to the country’s independence struggle and the liberation movements that helped shape Africa’s political history. She said the former Soviet Union recognised Tanganyika’s independence in 1961 and became the first country to recognise the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar that created the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. “Russia is not a new friend.

It is a traditional friend that has stood with Tanzania for many years,” she said. The President reiterated that Tanzania’s foreign policy remains rooted in non-alignment and constructive engagement with all nations, regardless of geopolitical divisions.

To illustrate the country’s balanced diplomatic approach, she cited China’s contribution to infrastructure development, India’s position as one of Tanzania’s leading trade and investment partners, and ongoing cooperation with Japan, Europe and the United States across various sectors. “Europe remains a major source of investment capital, while the United States is our leading source of tourists and development support,” she said.

She added that strategic projects such as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and major mining investments involve partners from Europe and the United States. “When we talk about LNG and natural gas, we are working with Europe and America.

Kabanga Nickel also involves American investment,” she said. President Hassan was in Russia for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During the visit, she held bilateral talks with President Putin, received an honorary doctorate from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) and addressed investors at SPIEF 2026, where she promoted Tanzania’s investment opportunities. She also attended the Tanzania-Russia Business Forum and urged investors to support Tanzania’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy under Vision 2050. Despite growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, trade volumes remain relatively modest.

Official figures indicate that bilateral trade increased from $178.8 million in 2020 to approximately $307.5 million in 2025. Tanzania’s exports to Russia also rose from $7.5 million to $29.5 million during the same period. Russia’s largest investment in Tanzania remains the $1.2 billion Mkuju River Uranium Project in Ruvuma Region.

The project is being developed by Mantra Tanzania Ltd, a subsidiary of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. Analysts say the growing relationship demonstrates Tanzania’s determination to diversify its international partnerships while maintaining a foreign policy that prioritises national development interests over geopolitical alignments.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national golf team produced an impressive performance to finish joint third at the Africa Region IV Men Team Championship held at Tamarina Golf Club in Mauritius.

The result ranks among Tanzania’s best performances at the regional event, which attracted some of East and Southern Africa’s emerging golf nations, including hosts Mauritius, Kenya, Seychelles, Reunion Island and Burundi. The Tanzanian team, comprising Jumanne Mohamed, Isiaka Dunia, Enoshi Wanyeche and Victor Mbunda, displayed consistency and determination throughout the three-day tournament to finish tied for third place on 39-over-par.

Hosts Mauritius emerged champions after posting a winning score of one-over-par, while Kenya finished second on 32-over-par. Tanzania shared third place with Seychelles and Reunion Island in a tightly contested championship.

Played over 54 holes in a stroke-play format across three rounds, the tournament tested both individual skill and team depth, with each country fielding four golfers. Tanzania head coach Fadhyl Nkya praised his players for their resilience and commitment, saying they had done the country proud by competing strongly against some of the region’s leading golfers.

“The players made the country proud by finishing third. They showed resilience, determination and professionalism throughout the week.

I am very pleased with the way they conducted themselves both on and off the course,” said Nkya. He attributed the achievement to thorough preparations spearheaded by the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU), including a pre-tournament training camp at Kili Golf Club in Arusha.

According to Nkya, the camp played a key role in helping the golfers fine-tune their game, strengthen team chemistry and prepare mentally for the championship. “The preparations were excellent.

TGU organised a camp for us at Kili Golf Club in Arusha and the hard work we put in there has paid off. The players remained focused throughout the competition and the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Nkya also extended his appreciation to all stakeholders who supported the team’s campaign. “A special thank you to the Chairman of the Tanzania Golf Union, Gilman Kasiga, the executive committee, our sponsors, supporters, team management and everyone who made this journey possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, TGU Chairman Gilman Kasiga has congratulated the national golf team for bringing pride and recognition to Tanzania through their impressive performance. Kasiga said that thorough preparations, the players’ experience, and quality coaching were the key factors behind the team’s success.

He added that the results have inspired both the players and officials, expressing confidence that Tanzania will one day become champions in international golf competitions. “This team could do even better and we shall consistently keep the team competing in various tournaments to keep improving and bring trophies,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania recorded a sharp increase in cross-border mobile money inflows in 2025, with the value of incoming transactions rising by 33.45 percent to Sh698 billion, in the wake of growing digital payments in regional trade and remittance flows.

According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the volume of incoming cross-border mobile money transactions also increased by 32.76 percent to 5.73 million transactions, signalling greater reliance on mobile platforms for international money transfers within the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond.

BoT Governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, attributed the growth to the continued expansion of the country’s digital payments ecosystem, driven by new market entrants, product innovation and a supportive regulatory environment. “The payment ecosystem continued to expand with the entry of new participants and innovative products, supported by a conducive regulatory and operating environment,” he said.

Mr Tutuba noted that the central bank had strengthened oversight through enhanced surveillance systems, improved risk management frameworks and closer engagement with industry players to safeguard financial system stability. He added that Tanzania was working closely with EAC and SADC member states to harmonise regulatory frameworks and deepen regional integration of payment systems.

While inbound transactions recorded strong growth, outgoing payments presented a mixed picture. The volume of outward transactions rose by 13.77 percent to 2.

52 million, but their value fell by 19.17 percent to Sh275.19 billion from Sh340.45 billion in 2024, suggesting a decline in average transaction sizes. The widening gap between inflows and outflows points to changing usage patterns, with mobile money increasingly being used for high-frequency, low-value cross-border payments, informal trade settlements and remittances.

“The trend reflects the increasing importance of mobile payments in facilitating cross-border payments within the EAC and SADC regions,” the central bank said in its National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025. The growth comes as Tanzania intensifies efforts to modernise its payments infrastructure and align with the G20 roadmap aimed at making cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more transparent and more accessible. The roadmap seeks to address longstanding challenges that have made international money transfers costly and slow, particularly for individuals and small businesses.

Under the framework, countries are targeting a reduction in the average cost of cross-border remittances to between one and three percent by 2027, while ensuring that at least 75 percent of transactions are credited within one hour and that fee structures and foreign exchange rates are more transparent. Although Tanzania has made progress in expanding digital payment infrastructure, the report notes that improvements for end users remain uneven, highlighting the need for further reforms to meet the 2027 targets.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has identified harmonised data standards, stronger interoperability and broader access models as key enablers of more efficient cross-border payment systems. To accelerate progress, Tanzania has stepped up collaboration with regional partners through the EAC Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan 2025, which aims to lower transaction costs, promote settlements in local currencies and improve real-time interoperability among member states.

The BoT has also continued to strengthen cross-border payment capabilities through the Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS), which enables seamless transfers between banks, mobile money operators and other financial service providers. TIPS complements regional payment platforms such as the East African Payment System (EAPS) and the SADC Real-Time Gross Settlement (SADC-RTGS) system, both of which facilitate cross-border transactions among participating countries.

In addition, Tanzania is progressively adopting the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a continental platform designed to support intra-African trade by enabling transactions in local currencies. The system is expected to reduce reliance on offshore correspondent banking arrangements, which often increase transaction costs and settlement times.

The expansion of cross-border mobile money services is a key driver of regional trade, labour mobility, particularly in EAC. .

This is a continuation from last week’s article, which shone a light on outside interference that undermines the authority of those put in charge of state-owned enterprises. When these firms are regarded as departments within ministries, it gives certain individuals within the government a sense of entitlement and the mistaken belief that they can freely expend the resources of these entities.

A former colleague once shared that the entity he led had purchased vehicles for essential service delivery to customers, only to be asked by the ministry to provide two cars from the purchase for its own use. He was bold enough and declined.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. Despite the need for these entities to deliver vital services to customers, they are routinely asked to let go of their vehicles as though they are redundant.

When managements send inquiries about these requests to higher authorities, they are sometimes told that the individuals making such demands were not even authorised to do so. It is crucial to establish a law that explicitly states that these entities are independent and governed by their respective boards of directors.

To enable these entities to compete effectively, it is essential to empower those responsible with the ability to act without interference. The government should ensure that state-owned enterprises operate without unnecessary encumbrances.

Issues concerning shareholders should be addressed during annual general meeting. If the results are unsatisfactory, the board, chairperson, or managing director can be replaced.

Constant interference flies in the face of the principle of good governance and undermines managements and boards, which are ultimately responsible and accountable for running these institutions. Another aspect that adversely affects performance is the procurement process.

Many state-owned enterprises are subjected to the same procurement procedures as those followed by other government departments despite facing stiff competition. Their competitors, on the other hand, finalise decisions swiftly and start offering services without delay.

In some cases, tender advertising alone can take up to two months, followed by tender board meetings, approvals from commissions and contract vetting by the Office of the Attorney General. These processes come with costs and if the CEO is not bold enough, memos and external interferences can further complicate matters.

As a result, these entities experience delays in project implementation, which, in turn, increase costs. Another key factor is the appointment process for board chairpersons, members and CEOs of these organisations.

In most privately-owned firms, these appointments are made through competitive processes, which often involve headhunting a few qualified individuals and subjecting them to rigorous interviews conducted by industry experts. This process typically ensures that the best candidates are taken on board.

However, the procedures in state-owned enterprises are quite different. Appointments are often made without interviews or competition among candidates, which can undermine the selection of qualified individuals.

While it is understandable if an appointee comes from a similar position in another company, the lack of competition can hinder the on-boarding of the best possible candidates. If we want meaningful changes, we must replace the current appointment process with one that fosters competition.

Positions should be advertised, allowing individuals to apply, or in cases of headhunting/poaching, a few suitable candidates should be selected on meritocracy based on their qualifications and then subjected to rigorous interviews. These processes will ensure that these institutions are led by competent individuals.

By adopting such procedures, we can avoid situations where CEOs or board chairpersons are appointed without any industry knowledge or leadership experience. This approach will also help prevent the appointment of board members who lack industry expertise and leadership backgrounds, ensuring that those in decision-making roles are qualified and prepared for their responsibilities.

When it comes to budgeting, in private companies boards of directors typically have the final say on budget approvals, but in state-owned firms, final decisions often require ministerial approval. While the ministry represents the main shareholder, in this case the government, and appoints the board to safeguard its interest, it is the board’s role to oversee management, set targets through the budget and ensure management executes these budgets in the best interest of the shareholder.

Instead of interfering during the process, the main shareholder (government) should raise any concerns during the AGM, allowing the board and management to operate effectively and independently in the interim. In the next and the last instalment of this series, more will be shared with regard to those entrusted with running these institutions being reduced to mere figureheads and conclusions and recommendations for improvement will be provided.

Dr Muhsin Salim Masoud is a seasoned banker and academic, who has also served as managing director of the People’s Bank of Zanzibar and Amana Bank. [email protected] .

Though colonisation and slave trade are considered by some as things of the past, they remain subjects of conversation due to their impact on the continent of Africa. Africa as a whole was colonised by Western countries for over a century, though the slave trade had persisted for over four centuries.

Tanganyika was colonised by Germany from 1884 to 1919, and by Britain from 1919 to 1961. Zanzibar was colonised by the Portuguese from 1498 to 1698, then by the Omani Sultanate from 1868 to 1890, and by the British from 1890 to 1963. Colonisation impacted the entire societal life of African communities as it brought about not only new ways of doing things, but also of thinking, believing, and living. A large-scale impact on how people live is, in other words, an impact on their ‘culture’ which sociologists define as ‘a people’s way of life.

‘ The time of colonisation ‘proper’ spans a century, about three to four generations if we consider a generation to be 25 to 30 years. This period severely disrupted cultural continuity, creating a significant disconnect between pre-colonial ways of life and today’s traditions and history.

It has also only been 110 years since the abolition of slave trade in our land in 1916, just four generations before the young adults of today. Rather than assign blame, it is important to recognise that, continent-wide, the most distressing years in African history are the epochs of slavery and colonisation.

We can begin by critiquing the labelling of cultures as “primitive.” A saying goes, “If you want to kill a dog, give it a bad name!” This was exactly what happened.

Indigenous industries, artworks, artefacts, customs, beliefs, and languages were all labelled as “primitive”, meaning meaningless, “uncivilized,” and not worth anything. However, reason defeats such a position, as cultural worth is accorded equal dignity across cultures.

The measure of technological and social progress was what the colonisers had in Europe; it is a man-made ideal. Moreover, colonisation suppressed and devalued the already developed systems of knowledge, self-governance, religion, trade, law, and sustainability practices that had evolved over centuries and were deeply rooted in the communities in question.

Young people learnt the best trade secrets of their traditional communities, which in turn assured the community not only its sustenance, but its sustainability. In place of all these functional and systemic legacies, they (colonisers/colonialists) took it as their duty to “civilise” the African societies.

This disruption, among other things, has endured as a legacy of those complicated years, which have left only thin and weak threads linking the generation today with the historical, linguistic, artistic, and cultural corpus that existed among our people ten generations ago. The question now comes: Can the young generation today maintain the integrity of what they received in fragile parts, and hand it over as a meaningful legacy to those who are yet to come? When we look at African governance, despite its variety, we see one thing in common: instability and fragility.

Why is it this way? I believe it is because we are learning a new way to govern ourselves, a way that has no organic roots with who we are or with our cultures. This is not a justification of the chaotic socio-political state in most African countries, but a call for a deeper look into the fundamental causes of the chaos and an ‘almost-anarchy’ violent state of affairs all over the continent.

In history, monarchies thrived in African kingdoms, with some emerging even as threats to European kingdoms of the time. But the moment democracy was introduced, the chaos rather thrived, proving it to be a system that only works after a long time when the independence of the legal system has matured enough to safeguard the democratic principles chosen to guide the socio-political space without bias.

Even deeper questions can be asked regarding the authenticity of African states’ sovereignty as independent states that first manage their affairs for the good of their people, as their first priority. The wave of neo-colonialism embedded in the global economy hits hard on African states, making us not truly free due to debts, alliances, etc.

, without which our affairs in the global space can be even more complicated. The death of our cultural systems, be it organic or enforced, hits hard on society today, as we would be better off living in a framework engineered inside out by our ancestors, as such systems mature with time.

Today, most of our education excludes what we need to know about our roots; we tend to go more global. We use a curriculum built by people who do not even use the same one in their countries; a stumbling block many African countries will take time to surpass.

What changes a nation and brings genuine growth is the worldview of who they are as a people in the genuine sense, and that is impossible without a deeper grasp of history and rootedness in their cultural systems. Shimbo Pastory is an advocate for positive social transformation and a student of the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.

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Masasi. Six months ago, Mr Abdeleheman Saidi feared he would never be able to send his daughter, Safina, to college.

Today, as he walks through his five-acre family farm in Mipande Village, Masasi District, he is optimistic that a bumper sesame harvest will finally enable his daughter to pursue her dream of becoming an accountant. Mr Saidi is among more than 9,000 farmers in southern Tanzania who received improved sesame seeds distributed by the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) as part of efforts to boost productivity and improve farmers’ incomes.

The initiative saw COPRA distribute 13 tonnes of improved sesame seeds to farmers in Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma regions. Beneficiaries were selected from farmers who sold their produce through the digital auction system during the 2024/25 agricultural season.

The programme was accompanied by training on good agronomic practices aimed at helping farmers maximise yields and improve crop quality. For Mr Saidi, the support has brought renewed hope to his family.

His daughter Safina, the only girl among five children, was selected to join the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) after completing Form Four in 2024. However, financial constraints prevented her from enrolling. “I was heartbroken when I failed to take my daughter to college last year because of low yields caused by poor-quality seeds,” said Mr Saidi.

“After receiving the improved seeds, the crop has performed very well. The harvest looks promising and I am confident that when I take my produce to the auction, I will earn enough to pay for my daughter’s education.

” Mr Saidi expects to harvest up to two tonnes of sesame from four acres this season, a significant increase compared to the previous season when he harvested only 439 kilogrammes from one acre. Safina said the entire family had worked hard to ensure the farm succeeded and expressed gratitude for the support received through the programme.

“I thank COPRA for providing us with these improved seeds. They have given us hope,” she said.

“I would like to see the programme expanded so that more farmers can benefit. Higher productivity means higher incomes and better opportunities for families like ours,” she said.

Speaking during the distribution of the seeds six months ago, COPRA Director General Ms Irene Mlola said the initiative formed part of broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods. She noted that collaboration between government institutions, regional administrations, local government authorities, agricultural extension officers and farmers had been instrumental in the programme’s success.

According to Ms Mlola, the initiative also supports implementation of Tanzania’s Agricultural Master Plan 2050, which seeks to modernise agriculture, increase productivity and improve incomes across the sector. .

Dar es Salaam. North Coast Swimming Club delivered an outstanding performance at the 10th Tanzania National Junior Swimming Championships, emerging as one of the strongest teams in the competition and reinforcing their rapid rise in the country’s swimming scene.

The club finished second overall in the medal standings after collecting a total of 27 medals, narrowly behind Kenya’s Bandari Swim Club, which topped the table with 38 medals. The championships brought together 410 swimmers from 22 clubs competing across 84 disciplines, making it one of the most competitive junior events in the region.

Bandari and North Coast were evenly matched in gold medals, with both clubs securing 17 golds each. However, Bandari edged ahead in the overall tally through superior performance in silver and bronze medals.

The Kenyan side won eight silver and 13 bronze medals, while North Coast collected five silver and five bronze medals. Tanzania’s Mwanza Swim Club also impressed, finishing third in the medal standings with 15 gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.

In the points classification, North Coast that founded just two years ago, continued to show remarkable progress, finishing joint second with Mwanza Swim Club on 119 points. Bandari Swim Club claimed the overall title in the points category with 124 points, underlining its dominance across both genders and multiple disciplines.

A closer breakdown of the category results showed strong regional variation in performance. North Coast dominated the women’s category with 92 points, ahead of Bandari, which accumulated 79 points.

In contrast, Mwanza Swim Club was dominant in the boys’ category, topping the table with 118 points. Bandari followed with 45 points, while North Coast finished sixth with 27 points, reflecting an area of improvement for the rapidly growing club.

Speaking to The Citizen, North Coast Chairman Lameck Borega praised the swimmers, coaches, management and parents for what he described as a strong and encouraging performance. He said the results reflected the positive direction the club is taking and expressed confidence that it would continue to develop into one of the country’s leading swimming institutions in the coming years.

Borega also acknowledged the support of Dar es Salaam Independent School (DIS), noting that all North Coast swimmers train at its swimming pool, which has played a key role in their development and preparation. The event also featured international participation beyond East Africa, with clubs from Zambia, including Aquatics Riders Swim Club, Kalene Swim Club, Lechwe Swimming Club, Ndola Rapids Swim Club and Orcas Swim Club, adding to the competitive depth of the championships.

Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) Secretary General Inviolata Itatiro commended all participating swimmers, coaches, parents and sponsors for ensuring the success of the event. She noted that swimming in Tanzania is growing steadily and called for continued collaboration to further elevate the sport’s standards nationally and regionally.

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Dar es Salaam/Shinyanga. As dawn breaks over Tinde, Samuye and Ishina Bulaindi villages in Shinyanga Region, bicycles and motorcycles loaded with sacks of charcoal slip out along dusty tracks towards main roads linking rural settlements to urban markets.

Across the landscape, land lies stripped bare. Fresh stumps and blackened earth bear witness to recent tree felling for charcoal production.

Here, charcoal is more than a household fuel. It is the backbone of a sprawling informal economy that continues to expand despite forest laws, enforcement checkpoints and patrols.

Yet the scale of the trade has exposed what analysts describe as a major forest governance failure. Data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism shows that 95 percent of charcoal in Shinyanga enters the market illegally, bypassing licensing requirements, royalty payments and official transport procedures.

The findings, contained in a 2019 technical report on Tanzania’s charcoal sub-sector, suggest nearly all charcoal from the region is harvested, moved and sold outside the legal framework. Under the Forest Act, commercial harvesting requires permits issued by authorised forest officers, while transportation must be accompanied by Transit Passes under the Forest (Amendment) Regulations, 2022. The law also empowers the Tanzania Forest Services Agency to inspect, seize and halt illegal consignments.

However, evidence from villages visited shows the illegal trade operating at a scale that continues to evade state control. Residents describe a system in which charcoal is transported through informal “rat routes” using bicycles and motorcycles, bypassing official checkpoints almost entirely.

These routes connect villages such as Tinde, Samuye and Ishina Bulaindi to urban trading points. Shinyanga District Forest Officer and senior conservator Fabian Balere acknowledged ongoing violations despite enforcement efforts.

“I do not have complete data to confirm the 95 percent figure, but violations in harvesting and transport still occur,” he said. He added that authorities continue patrols and awareness campaigns with local leaders to improve compliance.

However, the volume of charcoal movement raises questions about enforcement systems. In the villages, residents say transport often takes place openly, particularly at night and early morning.

Some say local economies now depend directly or indirectly on the trade. Producer Maduhu Alphonce, known locally as Pako, said charcoal remains one of the few reliable sources of income.

“We cut trees, prepare kilns and sell charcoal to traders who take it to town,” he said, adding that “This is how many people survive because opportunities are limited.” Another producer, Mr Mponhela Jumanne, said demand keeps the business growing.

“As long as there are trees and buyers, people will continue producing charcoal,” he said. However, villagers say environmental damage is increasingly visible.

Some describe once-wooded areas now reduced to bare land, with shifting rainfall patterns and declining soil quality. “We used to have many trees, but now large areas are empty,” said 69-year-old Rebeka Hamduni.

“The heat is worse and farming is not the same.” Another resident, Mr Rajabu Njige, 76, said households remain trapped between survival and destruction.

“We know trees are disappearing, but people need money and fuel,” he said. Women also report health impacts from heavy smoke exposure during cooking.

“When cooking, the smoke affects the chest and eyes,” said Ms Hamduni, adding, “We live like this because charcoal is what we can afford.” The International Energy Agency estimates household air pollution from traditional cooking fuels causes about 815,000 premature deaths annually in Africa.

In Tanzania, more than 33,000 deaths a year are linked to biomass-related illnesses. Experts warn that communities dependent on charcoal remain highly exposed.

Environmental damage is also accelerating regionally. Government data shows the Lake Zone loses about 193,424 hectares of forest annually, while national estimates suggest 469,420 hectares are lost each year.

Poor production efficiency worsens the crisis, with traditional methods recovering only about 20 percent of wood energy. Despite this, demand continues to rise; census data shows that over 80 percent of households in Shinyanga rely on biomass fuels.

Charcoal trader Dora Katunzi said prices range between 32,000 and 70,000 shillings per sack, depending on size. “The demand is constant because many households depend on it,” she said.

Trader Dotto Leonard said most transport remains informal due to difficult licensing procedures. At the village level, leaders say communities gain little from the trade despite bearing its environmental costs.

Nyambui sub-village chairman Masesa Chaula said local leaders are often excluded from forest management decisions. Councillor Jafary Makwaya said pressure is increasing as dependence on charcoal grows.

Analysts say the situation reflects a broader crisis involving weak enforcement, illegal trade, health risks and environmental degradation. Environmental governance expert Nehemia Shimwela said institutional weaknesses are driving forest loss.

“When enforcement is weak, forests disappear faster and communities remain trapped in dependence on unsafe energy,” he said across the wider region and beyond. (To be continued) .