Category: The Citizen

Dodoma. Tanzania has unveiled an ambitious Sh7 trillion five-year environmental transformation programme in a national strategy linking climate action directly to economic growth as the country advances toward its Vision 2050 goals.

The programme, running from 2026 to 2030, is designed to accelerate ecosystem restoration, expand clean energy use, strengthen waste management systems and unlock green financing through carbon markets. The programme was launched by Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi during the commemoration of the World Environment Day in Dodoma on Friday June 5, 2026. Dr Nchimbi said the initiative marks a critical national commitment to protect natural resources while strengthening the country’s ability to withstand climate shocks.

He stressed that environmental protection must move beyond policy discussions into practical action at all levels of government and society, calling for stronger public awareness, improved enforcement systems at local government level, and a shift in mindset on waste management. “Waste should no longer be seen as a burden but as an economic opportunity,” he said, noting that materials such as organic waste and recyclables can be converted into fertiliser, animal feed and other commercial products under a circular economy approach.

Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) Hamad Masauni said the programme is anchored on the need to fast-track measurable environmental recovery while strengthening ecosystem services that underpin agriculture, energy, tourism and other key sectors. “These measures are expected to contribute significantly to the achievement of our Vision 2050 goals, which seek to position Tanzania among the top 10 countries in Africa in terms of environmental sustainability and strong resilience to climate change,” he said.

According to him, through this programme, the government aims to achieve several major objectives, including to promote tree planting and sustainable cultivation of two billion trees annually and to restore five million hectares of degraded land. “Third, to increase the use of clean cooking energy in order to reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.

To strengthen waste management systems and environmental cleanliness and to promote the carbon market to increase national revenue and contribute to climate change mitigation,” he said. Mr Masauni said the programme seeks to increase public participation, particularly among youth and women, in green economy activities and environmental conservation.

A major highlight of the announcement was the significant progress in Tanzania’s clean cooking agenda, which has grown from 6.9 percent in 2021 to 28.6 percent in 2025. The government aims to scale up clean cooking adoption to over 80 percent in 2032 as part of efforts to reduce deforestation, improve public health, and cut carbon emissions.

Dr Nchimbi said expanding access to clean cooking energy remains central to Tanzania’s climate and development strategy, particularly in reducing dependence on biomass fuels such as charcoal and firewood. He also outlined plans to expand domestic and international climate finance, including carbon trading mechanisms, global environmental funds, and regional partnerships designed to support mitigation and adaptation.

Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Dr Richard Muyungi, said the programme responds to pressing environmental challenges including deforestation, land degradation affecting over 60 percent of arid areas, invasive species spread across more than 20 regions, and low waste recycling rates estimated at 37 percent. He said the government plans to scale up tree planting to billions of trees over the next decade, restore large areas of degraded land annually, and significantly expand access to clean cooking energy.

Dr Muyungi emphasised that the programme aligns with Tanzania’s long-term development blueprint and Vision 2050 environmental pillar, which seeks to position the country among Africa’s leading green and climate-resilient economies. “We are building a system that integrates waste management, renewable energy, carbon markets, and ecosystem restoration into one coordinated national framework,” he said.

The programme places significant responsibility on local government authorities, requiring municipalities and cities to establish and maintain green spaces, strengthen waste collection systems, and invest in recycling infrastructure to reduce landfill dependence. Urban planning authorities are also expected to enforce strict compliance in building permits, including mandatory tree planting requirements for new developments.

In addition, sector ministries are expected to integrate carbon market opportunities into their development programmes, while land authorities will enforce land-use plans to prevent environmental degradation caused by unregulated expansion. .

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has called on partner states to create business-friendly policies and strengthen the investment climate to ensure the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) becomes a catalyst for tourism growth, regional integration and economic development.

The regional bloc has also urged private sector players to develop cross-border tourism packages that will enable visitors attending the tournament to explore multiple destinations across East Africa. Speaking during the Karibu-KiliFair 2026 International Tourism Exhibition in Arusha, the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Dr Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said preparations for Afcon 2027 should extend beyond football and be viewed as an opportunity to showcase East Africa to the world.

He said millions of football fans, journalists and international visitors expected during the tournament could become long-term ambassadors for the region if offered memorable tourism experiences. “We want visitors coming for Afcon to leave with more than football memories.

We want them to return home as ambassadors of East Africa after experiencing our attractions, hospitality and unique cultures,” he said. Dr Malueth highlighted the EAC’s regional tourism campaign, Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe, which promotes the region as a single tourism destination by bringing together the diverse attractions and experiences available across partner states.

He said tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, accommodation providers and technology firms have a key role in creating integrated tourism packages that encourage visitors to travel across the region. According to him, East Africa’s strength lies in the diversity and complementarity of its tourism products rather than competition among member states.

He cited Tanzania and Kenya’s wildlife attractions, mountain gorilla tourism in Uganda and Rwanda, the beaches of Zanzibar and Diani, and Burundi’s cultural heritage as assets that can be marketed collectively to international travellers. “When we market East Africa as one seamless destination, we offer visitors an experience that no single country can provide on its own.

That is the power of regional cooperation,” he said. Dr Malueth added that implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, alongside investments in railways, roads and regional transport corridors, would make travel across partner states easier and more attractive.

Tanzania’s Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Theresa Mugobi, said Karibu-KiliFair remains an important platform for connecting investors, tourism operators and international buyers. She said regional cooperation and active private sector participation would be crucial in ensuring East Africa fully benefits from opportunities arising from Afcon 2027. Dr Mugobi noted that tourism contributes about 17.2 percent of Tanzania’s gross domestic product and supports more than 2.

5 million direct and indirect jobs. She said tourism earnings had risen from approximately $1.3 billion in 2021 to more than $4.4 billion, driven by increased visitor arrivals and sustained government investment in tourism promotion, conservation and infrastructure development.

“These achievements are the result of deliberate government investments in tourism promotion, conservation of natural resources, infrastructure development, service improvement and diversification of tourism products,” she said. According to Dr Mugobi, Tanzania continues to invest in tourism infrastructure, accommodation facilities, transport services, hospitality skills and international marketing to maximise the benefits expected from Afcon 2027. Meanwhile, KiliFair Promotions Managing Director Dominic Shoo described Karibu-KiliFair 2026 as East Africa’s largest international tourism and business exhibition.

Held at the Magereza Grounds in Arusha, the event attracted more than 500 exhibitors and over 1,000 international buyers, providing opportunities for business networking, partnerships and the promotion of African tourism destinations. “This exhibition serves as a strategic platform for marketing Tanzania and East Africa to international markets while facilitating discussions on tourism innovation, sustainability, emerging technologies and evolving global travel trends,” he said.

The exhibition attracted participants from more than 40 countries. The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) also participated in the event.

Arusha Regional Manager Eva Raphael said the authority was using the platform to educate businesses on tax compliance and raise awareness of the benefits of meeting tax obligations within the tourism sector. .

Moscow. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged the world to ensure that education is guided by wisdom, character and a commitment to humanity, saying knowledge alone will not be enough to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Speaking after receiving an honorary doctorate from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) in Moscow, President Hassan said the recognition reflected not only her personal achievements but also the enduring friendship between Tanzania and Russia and a shared belief in the transformative power of education. “I receive this honour with humility,” she said.

“It is not uniquely mine. It is a tribute to the people of Tanzania, whose confidence and trust have given me the privilege to serve.

” The university awarded President Hassan Doctor honoris causa in recognition of her contribution to education, reconciliation, human development and the strengthening of relations between Tanzania and Russia. In a speech her speech, she emphasised that education as a tool for national transformation and global solidarity, warning that while the world is becoming increasingly interconnected through technology, it remains in need of wisdom.

“The world is very much connected, but it needs deep wisdom,” she said. “Education must prepare trailblazers who can solve the challenges of a world that is increasingly connected but still deeply in need of wisdom.

” Addressing academics and university leaders, President Hassan described universities as institutions that must go beyond imparting professional skills and instead nurture international understanding, human liberation and public service. She praised RUDN University’s historic mission of bringing together students from different countries and cultures, saying knowledge should never be isolated from friendship.

“The very name of this university reminds us that knowledge must never be isolated from friendship, but rather serve as a cornerstone for international and intercultural understanding,” she said. The President also highlighted the historic role of education in Africa’s liberation and development, noting the university’s association with the late Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba.

She said education and freedom have often advanced together, helping newly independent nations build institutions, strengthen human capacity and pursue socio-economic progress. President Hassan acknowledged Russia’s historical support for anti-colonial movements in Africa and praised the long-standing educational partnership between Tanzania and Russia.

According to her, more than 5,000 Tanzanians have studied in the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation over the years, with about 1,100 graduating from RUDN University alone. “They returned home as doctors, engineers, scientists, diplomats, teachers, administrators and public servants,” she said.

“This is the quiet power of education.” The President said Tanzania’s own education journey demonstrates the impact of investing in human capital.

At independence, access to higher education was limited, with the University of Dar es Salaam beginning with fewer than 20 students. Today, the country has 52 universities and university colleges enrolling more than 250,000 students annually.

However, she stressed that future demands require even greater investment in science, technology and innovation. “The question is not whether we shall participate in the knowledge economy, but how we shall prepare our young people to lead within the changing world,” she said.

President Hassan linked that ambition to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which places science, technology, innovation and skills development at the centre of national transformation. While infrastructure projects remain important, she said roads, ports, industries and digital systems alone cannot transform a country.

“Transformation requires people–skilled people, disciplined people, innovative people and mature people who understand that knowledge must serve the common good,” she said. The President also highlighted the government’s scholarship programme launched in 2023 to support high-performing students, particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

The initiative has already supported more than 5,000 students, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. She described the programme as an investment in future doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators and teachers who will drive Tanzania’s development.

Turning to students from across the world, President Hassan delivered a direct message on leadership and responsibility. “You are studying at a time of great uncertainties, but also with great possibilities,” she said.

“The world you inherit will require more than skills and certificates. It will require character, discipline, curiosity, compassion and patriotism.

” She urged young people to work across cultures, disciplines and borders and to view education not merely as a pathway to personal success but as a call to public service. “Education will open doors for you, but what you do after passing through those doors is what will define your contribution to humanity,” she said.

Drawing on the teachings of Tanzania’s founding President, Julius Nyerere, President Hassan said development must always place human beings at its centre and that education should ultimately serve humanity. She pledged to continue strengthening academic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Tanzania and Russia and to encourage more Tanzanian students and scholars to pursue opportunities at RUDN University.

As she accepted the award, President Hassan said the honour belonged not only to her but also to teachers, parents and young people whose aspirations continue to shape the future. “It belongs to the teachers who shaped us, the parents who sacrificed for us and the young people whose dreams continue to remind us that leadership must always be about service,” she said.

Earlier, Russia’s Deputy Minister for Science and Higher Education, Mr Konstantin Mogileksky said currently, there were a total of 250 Tanzanian students in Russia and that his country was determined to raise the number further. “Last year alone, we planned to accommodate 150 students and the number will keep rising,” he said.

Founded in 1960 and named after former Congolese leader, Patrice Lumumba, the RUDN University was established to prepare experts in various fields that would transform leadership and economies in developing countries. He said several leaders, including some ministers in Tanzania, were alumni of the RUDN University.

In his remarks, the Rector of the RUDN University, Prof Oleg Yastrebov, said President Hassan was specifically picked for the award due to her role in promoting the very same ideals for which RUDN was established “Since 1960, at that time known as Lumumba University and formed by the USSR Government, RUDN has been training highly qualified experts for Asia, Africa and beyond,” he said. It has so far trained experts from 160 countries in fields like Chemistry, Petroleum, Mathematics, Agriculture and Linguistics among others.

“It is the most multi-disciplinary university in Russia. Out of its current 46,000 students, 13,000 are international ones,” he said.

Africa, he said, was a strategic region for the university and Russia at large. He said Kiswahili was being taken seriously at RUDN University and that best performing students were given an offer to study the language for free.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s transition to cash-lite economy is accelerating at a faster pace, with the number of merchants accepting digital payments more than doubled last year.

According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT)’s National Payment Systems Annual Report for 2025, the number of merchants accepting digital payments increased to 2.79 million, up from 1.

33 million in 2024. The surge reflects a broader transformation in payment-to-business (P2B) transactions, which increased by 30.44 percent in volume and 41.04 percent in value over the year. In total, 2.

30 billion transactions worth Sh37.52 trillion were processed in 2025, highlighting growing reliance on digital channels for everyday commercial activity. The central bank attributes the growth to the widespread adoption of merchant payment solutions such as TANQR codes and mobile-based “Pay Bill” systems, commonly known as Lipa Namba.

“These solutions have enabled customers to make payments easily using their mobile phones without the need for cash or physical point-of-sale (POS) devices,” the report stated in part. Beyond convenience, the growth has been reinforced by improvements in Tanzania’s digital financial infrastructure, particularly interoperability across payment systems and the rollout of instant payment capabilities, which have improved transaction speed and reliability.

Speaking to The Citizen, Financial analyst, Christopher Makombe said the rise in digital payments was generating benefits that extend beyond the financial sector. “The main positive impact of the increase in digital transactions is that it promotes financial inclusion, improves convenience, and increases transparency in economic activities,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the rapid expansion of digital transactions also exposes users and businesses to emerging risks. “The main challenge is the possibility of increasing cybercrime, such as hacking, identity theft, and digital payment scams.

Therefore, there is a need for public awareness on these risks and stronger cybersecurity measures,” Mr Makombe added. Financial analyst and auditor, Eric-Alex Hamissi described the growth in merchant payments as evidence of a maturing digital financial ecosystem.

“The growth we are seeing in digital P2B transactions is a strong indicator of the maturity of Tanzania’s digital financial ecosystem. It suggests that businesses and consumers are increasingly embracing formal digital channels, which is positive for efficiency, transparency, and economic participation,” he said.

Mr Hamissi noted that the rapid expansion was shifting attention from adoption to governance and oversight. “From an audit and assurance perspective, rapid growth of this nature naturally shifts attention toward the robustness of the underlying control environment.

The question is no longer whether digital payments are being adopted, but whether governance, risk management, and oversight mechanisms are evolving at the same pace as the market,” he said. According to him, one of the biggest advantages of digital transactions is the availability of detailed transactional data and clear audit trails.

“Compared to cash-based activity, this provides significantly greater visibility for regulators, financial institutions, and businesses to monitor trends, identify anomalies, and strengthen accountability,” he said. Mr Hamissi added that as the ecosystem continues to scale, maintaining high standards of data integrity, cybersecurity, operational resilience, and reporting consistency would remain critical.

“These are not necessarily concerns arising from weakness, but rather the natural priorities of a growing and increasingly sophisticated payments landscape,” he said. He said a well-governed digital payments ecosystem could support greater economic formalisation, improve efficiency across the financial sector, and provide policymakers with more reliable data for decision-making and long-term economic planning.

The BoT report notes that merchant adoption of digital payments is expanding across retail, transport, hospitality, and small and medium-sized enterprises, signalling a broader transition from cash-based transactions to more efficient, secure, and traceable payment methods. During the period under review, provision of financial services through digital channels continued to record a remarkable adoption and growth.

Banks in collaboration with fintech continued to provide The value of digital savings increased by 263 percent, reaching Sh3.18 trillion, rising from Sh1.2 trillion reported in 2024, supported by growing use of mobile money services, improved technology, and ongoing financial inclusion and cash-lite efforts. Digital credit transactions value increased by 32.29 percent to Sh5.5 trillion in 2025 from S.

21 trillion registered in 2024, attributed to the mobile technology and alternative credit scoring models that use mobile money transaction histories to extend financing to individuals and businesses without traditional collateral or banking requirements. As more businesses embrace digital payments, analysts say Tanzania is steadily moving toward a more digitised and data-driven economy, with merchants increasingly becoming central to the country’s financial transformation.

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Kigali. The Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) has become the first securities exchange in East, Central and Southern Africa to establish dedicated Listing and Trading Rules for Islamic capital market products, marking a significant step towards expanding Shariah-compliant investment opportunities in the region.

The new framework is expected to facilitate the listing and trading of a wide range of Islamic financial instruments, including Sukuk (Islamic bonds), Islamic collective investment schemes and Shariah-compliant real estate investment trusts (REITs). Speaking during a validation workshop for the rules, RSE chief executive officer, Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, said the initiative would enhance the exchange’s capacity to attract capital from both regional and international investors.

“The introduction of these rules will open up new opportunities for capital mobilisation from East Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as various Shariah-compliant instruments will be able to cross-list on the Rwanda Stock Exchange,” he said. The rules were developed by Tanzania-based Mayzuh Company Limited with financial support from Luxembourg Aid and Development.

According to Mayzuh Company Limited chief executive officer, Sheikh Mohamed Issa, the framework provides comprehensive legal, regulatory and Shariah compliance requirements for Islamic capital market products. Luxembourg’s envoy to Rwanda, Jeanne Crauser, said the development would strengthen Rwanda’s position within the global Islamic finance industry.

“The establishment of Islamic capital markets listing and trading rules will open the Rwanda Stock Exchange to the wider world of Islamic finance and attract new investors,” she said. The workshop was also attended by Rwanda Capital Market Authority (CMA) chief executive officer, Romeo Ngarambe, who pledged the regulator’s support for initiatives aimed at diversifying capital market products and improving market infrastructure.

“Clear regulations are essential for advancing Shariah-compliant products and enabling sustainable financial instruments to access Rwanda’s capital markets,” he said. The rules development process was led by Sheikh Issa, who is also Yusra Sukuk Company’s executive chairman and who served as lead consultant on the project.

He has previously worked with regulators across the region on Islamic finance frameworks. In 2022, he supported the establishment of Corporate, Municipal and Subnational Sukuk Guidelines for Tanzania’s Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), which were subsequently gazetted in 2023. He later worked as a consultant for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in developing Islamic capital market guidelines for Uganda’s Capital Markets Authority.

The latest development positions Rwanda among a growing number of African countries seeking to tap into the global Islamic finance market, which continues to attract interest from investors looking for Shariah-compliant investment opportunities. .

Dar es Salaam. Growing economic pressure, changing family structures and limited preparation for marriage have caused to a sharp rise in marital disputes in Tanzania, with nearly 50,000 cases recorded through the social welfare system in the first 10 months of the 2025/26 financial year.

According to figures contained in the ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups’ 2026/27 budget speech, a total of 49,573 marriage-related disputes were reported between July 2025 and April 2026. Of these, 9,995 cases were closed, 8,036 were referred to courts, while 31,542 remain under mediation. The figures show a rise compared with previous years, when 31,380 cases were recorded in 2024/25 and 28,773 in 2022/23. Tabling the budget in Parliament on Monday the minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, said mediation remains central in resolving disputes, arguing it helps preserve relationships and ease pressure on courts.

This is because, she said, mediation strengthens social stability and helps families recover from conflict and rejoin productive life. “Unstable families contribute to violence, child neglect, and breakdown of community wellbeing,” she warned.

Sociologists say rising disputes reflect economic stress, changing norms, and limited communication skills among couples. University of Dar es Salaam sociologist, Ms Faudhia Mfaume, said financial hardship is a major trigger of household conflict.

“Expectations around marriage are changing faster than couples’ ability to manage conflict,” she said. Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) sociologist, Mr Alfani Mduge, said rising reports may reflect increased awareness of available support systems.

“More people are now seeking help instead of suffering in silence,” he said. Clinical psychologist, Dr Kelvin Kiberiti, said stress, money problems, and poor communication fuel many domestic conflicts.

“Emotional strain often lies beneath disputes that appear purely financial,” he said. Religious leaders have called for stronger counselling and reconciliation to strengthen families.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) cleric Richard Hananja said marriage requires patience, forgiveness and continuous dialogue. Council of Imams secretary-general Sheikh Issa Ponda said reconciliation depends on honesty and accountability.

Officials say the rising caseload is also increasing pressure on social welfare officers, who are responsible for mediation, counselling, and referrals to courts across the country especially in urban areas where population growth, and cost of living are higher straining already limited community support services. Economic analysts say rising living costs, unemployment, and informal income instability are intensifying household stress, particularly among young families in urban centres such as Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Arusha.

With rent, food and transport expenses increasing, many couples struggle to meet basic needs, often leading to disputes that escalate into formal mediation cases. Experts warn this trend may continue without targeted economic interventions and improved job creation policy support.

Government and development partners have been urged to expand premarital education, strengthen community counselling services and integrate family stability programmes into wider social protection strategies. This includes empowering local leaders, improving access to mental health support and enhancing early dispute resolution mechanisms at ward and district levels to reduce escalation of conflicts and protect family cohesion across the country today.

Strengthening family resilience is increasingly seen as essential to reducing social welfare caseloads and improving community wellbeing nationwide long term. .

There is a tendency to view sector reports through the lens of growth alone. Subscriptions rise, transactions increase and percentages rise and fall.

But every so often, the data reveals something deeper, not just growth, but a shift. The latest Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) sector report offers one such insight.

During the first quarter of 2026, telecommunications subscriptions grew by 4.6 percent.

Internet subscriptions increased by 1.5 percent.

These are steady, expected gains which signal a maturing connectivity landscape. But mobile money data tell a different story; subscriptions grew by 5.

9 percent, and more notably, transactions increased by 7.4 percent.

At first glance, this may appear to be a continuation of Tanzania’s well-documented digital progress. In reality, it signals something far more significant: mobile money is no longer growing alongside telecommunications; it is beginning to outpace it and, more importantly, to redefine the industry.

For years, Tanzania’s digital transformation agenda has focused on access: expanding coverage, increasing connectivity and bringing more people online. That work remains important.

But as connectivity matures, the question is no longer simply whether people are connected. It is what they do once they are connected and this is where mobile money is emerging as the central player.

The growth in mobile money transactions suggests that digital financial services are becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life. Tanzanians are not just signing up for mobile money accounts; they are relying on them more frequently, more consistently, and more deeply in their daily lives.

Transactions are no longer occasional. They are habitual, they are part of everyday life This is a critical distinction.

Because growth in usage signals something that growth in access cannot: dependence. From paying school fees to receiving salaries, from settling supplier invoices to supporting family members across regions and most recently investing in capital markets, mobile money has quietly embedded itself into the rhythms of everyday economic activity.

It is no longer a convenience layered on top of the system; it is becoming the system itself. This is why it is no longer sufficient to describe mobile money as a financial service.

It is the financial infrastructure. Not in the traditional sense of roads, ports or power stations, but in the same functional sense: a system upon which millions of economic interactions depend.

Globally, the GSMA has recognised mobile money as one of the most transformative financial inclusion innovation of the last two decades. Across Africa, it has become the primary gateway to formal financial services for millions of people who previously operated outside the financial system.

Tanzania has been one of the continent’s strongest examples of that transformation. The true impact of mobile money extends far beyond payments.

Over the past years, millions of Mixx customers have collectively saved billions through digital savings solutions. Across agricultural value chains, including cashew nuts, cloves, cotton, sesame and coffee, thousands of farmers receive digital payments, financially including them for the first time, improving transparency and reducing the risks associated with cash transactions.

These examples point to a deeper reality. Mobile money is not simply digitising transactions.

It is reshaping financial behaviour, expanding opportunity and enabling greater participation in the economy. Imagine a Tanzania where mobile money is removed from the equation, even for a single day.

Can we survive? Informal traders would struggle to transact. Small businesses would face delays in payments.

Families would find it harder to support one another across distances. Entire segments of the economy would slow down.

That is the hallmark of infrastructure. Every successful digital economy is built on the ability to make secure, affordable and convenient everyday payments.

Whether paying for transport, groceries, utilities or agricultural inputs, digital payments create the transaction layer upon which modern economies operate. The more frequently consumers and businesses transact digitally, the more efficient and transparent the economy becomes.

This has important implications for policymakers, businesses and development partners. If the first phase of Tanzania’s digital transformation was about connectivity, the second phase is about utility.

It is about enabling people not only to connect, but to participate meaningfully in the digital economy–to transact, save, borrow, invest and grow. The TCRA data does not simply tell us that mobile money is growing.

It tells us that it is becoming more central, more embedded and more essential to how Tanzanians live and work. In other words, the conversation must evolve.

Mobile money is no longer a parallel story within telecommunications. It is no longer simply an instrument of financial inclusion.

It is the infrastructure powering economic participation at scale. And as Tanzania’s digital economy continues to evolve, the question is no longer whether mobile money will grow.

The question is how we ensure it continues to serve as a trusted, resilient and inclusive foundation for the opportunities ahead. Angelica Pesha is the Chief Executive Officer at Mixx, one of the leading mobile financial services in Tanzania .

Dar es Salaam. Stanbic Bank Tanzania has secured a Sh70 billion facility to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those operating in sustainable agriculture and related value chains.

The financing was structured in two phases, comprising a Sh50 billion tranche secured and drawn in 2025 and a further Sh20 billion facility drawn in 2026. The funding is expected to deepen access to local-currency financing and support inclusive economic growth. The facility was arranged in partnership with Finance in Motion and the eco.

business Fund and will be channelled towards businesses involved in agriculture, processing, trade and other sectors that contribute to productivity, employment and long-term economic development. Speaking during the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Stanbic Bank Tanzania Chief Financial and Value Officer Derick Lugamala said the facility reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting businesses with financing that enables growth while promoting responsible business practices.

“SMEs remain central to Tanzania’s economic future. They create jobs, support households, strengthen supply chains and drive local enterprise.

Through this facility, we are expanding access to financing that helps businesses invest, grow and become more resilient,” he said. Mr Lugamala said the partnership would support enterprises seeking not only capital but also more sustainable ways of doing business.

By providing financing in Tanzanian shillings, the facility is expected to reduce foreign exchange exposure for SMEs and provide greater certainty for long-term planning and investment. The transaction aligns with Stanbic Bank’s broader strategy of supporting sustainable development through financing that promotes climate resilience, financial inclusion and responsible business growth.

The facility also reflects growing confidence in the bank’s ability to deploy capital effectively within the SME sector and highlights the role of partnerships between local financial institutions and international impact investors in addressing financing gaps. For Finance in Motion and the eco.

business Fund, the partnership supports efforts to channel capital towards businesses and financial institutions that promote sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Chairperson of the eco.

business Fund Board of Directors, Michael Evers, said the partnership demonstrates how targeted financing can support both economic growth and environmental sustainability. “We are pleased to continue working with Stanbic Bank Tanzania to expand access to finance for businesses operating in sustainable agriculture and agricultural value chains.

These sectors are vital to local economies, and the right financing can help improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and support more sustainable production practices,” he said. He added that the facility would give more Tanzanian businesses an opportunity to grow while protecting natural resources, supporting communities and building long-term resilience.

Stanbic Bank Head of Business and Commercial Banking, Fredrick Max, said the lender would continue working with partners who share its commitment to Tanzania’s economic development. “Our focus is to provide solutions that meet the needs of our clients and support the development of the economy.

This facility enables us to serve more SMEs, support more sectors and contribute to a stronger business environment,” he said. As Tanzania pursues inclusive growth, SMEs are expected to remain a key driver of employment, innovation and value creation, with access to affordable financing seen as critical to unlocking their full potential.

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By Elvis Ndunguru East Africa, led by Kenya, is emerging as a powerful trade hub driven by infrastructure investment, regional integration and expanding intra-African trade. As a gateway for natural resources, it boasts rare earths, gold, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and other commodities the world needs.

Trade finance is the key to unlocking cross-border flows, supporting SMEs and enabling regional value chains, opening up economic benefits for the region. As East African trade accelerates, better Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies have a stronger bearing on the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar, attracting capital movement.

As stronger regional demand reshapes trade patterns, increased urbanization and population growth are driving intra-African trade in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), construction materials, and processed goods. Improving macro-stability boosts invest ability as better fiscal and monetary management emerge.

But global flows demand dependence on solid infra structure. As corridor-led infrastructure unlocks trade flows, investments in establishing ports, rail, and roads enable trade in new ways.

For example, the Port of Mombasa and the Standard Gauge Railway are reducing transit times and connecting important inland markets like Uganda and Rwanda. Regional integration is being driven particularly under the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), resulting in lowered tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Between South Tanzania and North Kenya, strategically placed ports improve both inter- and intra-continental trade flow. To bolster regional connectivity, Tanzania will spend Sh12 trillion on port expansions.

Meanwhile, the $1.4 billion TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) Railway rehabilitation is underway. Kenya is investing in rail, and a new fuel pipeline is being established from Uganda to Tanzania.

The Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway is indeed positioned to complement and strategically link with the Lobito Corridor, even though they originate in different parts of the continent. The strategic connection lies in creating a transcontinental logistics network for DRC: goods, especially critical minerals like copper and cobalt, can move more efficiently across Africa, either east to Indian Ocean markets or west to Atlantic routes.

This reduces reliance on single export routes, improves resilience, and enhances intra-African trade under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area. These developments give life to new trade flows, like transporting fuel from Uganda to the Middle East, or moving copper from Congo to China.

In the SADC and EAC regions, comprising over half a billion people, the demand for goods and services, including fuel, is significant. Regional agreements must be fostered to harmonize customs, tariffs, regulations, and the movement of goods, people and services.

Frameworks like the EAC Customs Union and AfCFTA have reduced tariffs, but the system is often plagued by border delays and inconsistent enforcement, which dilute the impact of trade. If banks with trade finance capabilities, including institutions like Absa with a growing pan-African footprint, support infrastructure development, this will boost connectivity, lower transport costs, and improve trade opportunities.

Currently, it’s cheaper to move goods from China to Dar es Salaam than to transport them from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, a region within Tanzania. Trade finance is most impactful in sectors with predictable cross-border demand on agriculture, energy, and FMCG.

Structured trade finance and supply chain finance help large corporates extend terms to suppliers, indirectly supporting SME participation. The East African economy is largely driven by SMEs.

In Tanzania, 96% of our economy depends on SMEs, but they lack funding to support themselves. The majority are trade based, with imports from the Middle East, China, India, and others, and exports like minerals or agricommodities to other parts of the world.

While banks can help support SMEs, the locals must also support them to benefit the local market. Besides raising capital, risk perception and informality are constraints to their success.

Better credit data with digital identities and scalable guarantee schemes backed by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) help to mitigate risk. While simplified, digital trade finance products are now available, these are still limited.

Anchor-led eco-systems with stronger linkage to large corporates is manifesting in the mining, FMCG, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. DFIs as key stakeholders can work alongside financial institutions to help enhance trade routes.

While it might be difficult for them to be on the ground, they can collaborate with the banks in certain markets within the continent to extend their reach. To help digitization, we must empower fintechs to enable much stronger platforms.

In Tanzania, SME customers work together to collaborate on small platforms, to submit bulk orders to China. There’s strength in numbers.

Banks have capabilities to support trade flows and payment via digitization in areas like Ethiopia and the DRC. While some markets like DRC are high-risk, our competitors are growing there.

Last year, a regional bank made 30% of their profit in Congo, for example. We can find safe ways to play in those markets, selecting the sectors we can perform in.

Banks with a Pan-African presence, which operates across key trade corridors, must bring a true corridor strategy to build sector-specific solutions like agri-value chains across multiple countries; use digital platforms to serve mid-market clients, not just large corporates; partner with DFIs to expand risk appetite in frontier markets; and position themselves as a trade enabler, not just financiers, by integrating advisory, foreign exchange, and working capital solutions. The real differentiator will be the ability to intermediate not just capital, but meaningful connectivity, helping to link clients across markets, currencies, and the supply chain.

This article reflects the personal opinions of Elvis Ndunguru, Managing Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, NBC, Tanzania .

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has added another landmark achievement to his growing list of global accolades, becoming the first African artist to contribute to FIFA World Cup soundtrack projects in two consecutive tournaments. Davido first made history in 2022 when he featured on ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)’, one of the official songs of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, alongside Trinidad Cardona and AISHA.

The track became one of the defining anthems of the tournament, introducing his music to millions of football fans around the world. Four years later, he returns to the FIFA World Cup music stage through ‘No Place Like Home’, a track from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album.

The song sees him collaborate with acclaimed electronic music group Major Lazer and Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado, placing him among a star-studded line-up that includes Shakira, Burna Boy, Rema, Tyla, Stormzy, French Montana, Future and LISA. Davido is not the only African artist featured on the album.

Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Rema and Ayra Starr also make appearances on the project. Burna Boy joins Colombian icon Shakira on ‘Daidai’, while Rema features alongside LISA and Anitta on ‘Goals’.

South African Grammy Award winner Tyla collaborates with Future on ‘Game Time’, while Ayra Starr teams up with American rapper Latto on ‘Show Me’. Ghanaian singer Moliy appears on ‘Lighter’ alongside J Balvin and Carin Leon, highlighting the strong African presence across the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album.

The latest milestone makes Davido the first African artiste to feature on FIFA World Cup soundtrack projects in two successive tournaments, further cementing his status as one of the continent’s biggest musical exports. It also reflects the growing influence of Afrobeats and African music on the global stage.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be the largest edition of the tournament in history, featuring 48 national teams and attracting a global audience of billions. .