Category: The Citizen

Leonard Clement Mususa (LCM), an icon of Tanzania’s private sector, who passed away on May 30, 2026, was laid to rest yesterday. Who was LCM to me? Firstly, some reflection on his Christian names.

If I start with “Leonard”, this is a derivative of “Leonhard” a name of old “High German” (Hoch Deutsch) origin, with two core elements: (i) “leon” meaning “lion”, and (ii) “hardu” meaning “brave,” “hardy,” or “strong”. So in summary “brave lion” or “lion-hearted”.

On the other hand “Clement” comes from the Latin word “clemens”, which translates to “mild,” “gentle,” or “merciful.” It is traditionally a masculine name that reflects a calm, compassionate, and benevolent nature.

These two names were singularly appropriate for LCM. He was a man defined by conviction and integrity – something that required a lion heart.

At the same time he was invariably modest and compassionate when dealing with people. Synonymous with LCM was PwC.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) [and legacy firm Coopers and Lybrand (CandL)] was where he spent most of his working career (1978 to 2014) holding various senior roles both nationally and regionally. Earlier in his career he was Human Capital Partner for Tanzania a testament to his passion for developing talent.

His final role was Country Senior Partner for Tanzania, a role he held for 14 years till his retirement in 2014. During this period he was also a founding member and board member of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt); he retired from the CEORt board in 2017 but up to his demise remained a very active participant in CEOrt engagements. My first interactions with LCM were in the mid-90s when I was considering returning to Tanzania from the UK.

As the then Human Capital Partner he played a key role in convincing me to come back – and in October 1995 I joined CandL (which in 1998 became PwC). I still have a copy of the employment offer letter he sent me! In 1999 I was admitted to the Partnership and over the years I held various national and regional leadership roles within PwC – including succeeding him as Country Senior Partner on his retirement in 2014, a role I held till my retirement in 2024. Why mention this? Well, my personal story is just one illustration of the type of impact LCM had on people’s development.

Coaching, training and mentoring were a passion of his – allied to this he was prepared to take a risk on people (in my case, the novel idea in Tanzania then of a dedicated tax practice); and so there are hundreds if not thousands of others (not just in the accounting profession, but also within commerce and Government) who can share similar sentiments as to how in one way or another he helped shape and support their personal growth. At the time of his retirement, some anticipated that LCM would take it a little bit easier.

Little did they budget for the “Lionheart” – indeed, I recall at the time the joke at PwC was that if anything LCM seemed to have become busier throwing himself into non-executive director roles as well as some ad hoc consulting. If his time at PwC was defined by nurturing talent, then his time post PwC was defined by nurturing institutions.

At the time of his demise he was Chairman of Tanzania Breweries Plc, Reliance Insurance Tanzania Limited, and Selcom Microfinance Bank Limited and on the board of Sotta Mining Corporation Limited. Previous board roles had included Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) as Chairman, as well as Nation Media Group Plc, NMB Bank Plc, and Bank One Mauritius.

October 2024 saw both of us appointed as Commissioners in the Presidential Tax Reform Commission, whose report was presented in March 2026. As you can imagine the nature of work as part of such a team requires the very qualities that LCM had – not just the considerable intellect and experience, but also the “lionheart” to “say it as it is” but do so in a mild and gentle manner. Indeed, LCM’s modesty made it impossible for him to act as if he had a monopoly on the truth – instead his focus was on hearing all perspectives and engaging in open and honest dialogue.

One distinguished overseas academic who had engaged with the Commission on hearing of LCM’s demise wrote to me to express their shock and condolences, and also state that “Tanzania will miss him. It needs people like him – to achieve its potential”.

Certainly the country will miss him, the business community will miss him, but his family will miss him even more. Leonard, we all will miss you – but what an amazing legacy and example – and a challenge to us all as to the legacy we will leave.

Fare thee well, gentle lionheart LCM. David Tarimo is Chairman of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has taken another step towards establishing itself as a regional sports and tourism destination following the successful staging of the Tanzania Pickleball Open 2026, which attracted players from more than seven countries.

The five-day tournament, sponsored by Absa Bank Tanzania and held at the Gymkhana Club in Dar es Salaam, brought together top pickleball players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Turkey and Dubai. Organised through a partnership between the Tanzania Pickleball Association (TPA) and the East Africa Racket Sports Club (EARSC), the event featured a corporate prize pool of $15,000 and drew strong participation from both international competitors and local fans.

In the competition, Rakshika and Agni won the women’s doubles title, while Yuvraj and Purvansh emerged champions in the men’s doubles category. Purvansh also claimed the men’s singles crown, while Agni won the women’s singles title.

Shaheed and Deandra triumphed in the international mixed doubles event, while Rakshika and Dev secured victory in the mixed doubles category. As the title sponsor, Absa Bank Tanzania said its involvement reflects a broader commitment to youth empowerment, community engagement and the development of emerging sports in the country.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the bank’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Beda Biswalo, said the tournament highlighted the growing appeal of pickleball and its potential to create opportunities for young people. “We are inspired by the remarkable energy, discipline and international talent displayed throughout the tournament,” said Biswalo.

“Our partnership reflects a deeper purpose of championing a sport that unites communities while creating meaningful opportunities for young people.” He encouraged more Tanzanians, particularly the youth, to embrace the sport, noting that pickleball offers opportunities for recreation, fitness and professional growth.

The sport’s accessibility and relatively low cost have also contributed to its increasing popularity across different age groups. Biswalo said Absa Bank’s investment in the tournament supports the government’s efforts to develop sports infrastructure, nurture local talent and position sports as a driver of economic activity and tourism.

The bank also acknowledged the support of the government, co-sponsors Pepsi and CBD Hotel, technology partner Courtly, tournament organisers and fans who contributed to the championship’s success. On his part, the President of Tanzania Pickleball Association and the East Africa Rackets Sports Club Director, Kartik Kapor described the event as a major milestone for the sport in Tanzania.

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars, will no longer play their scheduled international friendly matches against Uganda and Rwanda in Marrakech, Morocco, after the fixtures were postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.

Taifa Stars had been set to face Uganda on June 5 before taking on Rwanda on June 9 during the FIFA international window. The two matches were expected to provide the technical bench with an opportunity to assess players and continue preparations for upcoming international assignments, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and continental competitions.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Secretary General, Oscar Mirambo, confirmed the development, saying the federation would issue an official statement providing further details regarding the postponement. “Yes, we have received information regarding the postponement of the matches, and the federation will release an official statement shortly,” said Mirambo.

According to information received by the federation, the cancellation was communicated by the match agents responsible for organizing the fixtures in Morocco. The report indicated that the decision was made due to sanitary and public health considerations raised by the relevant authorities.

The unexpected postponement comes after Taifa Stars had already assembled in Marrakech for a training camp under head coach Miguel Gamondi. The camp brought together local and foreign-based players as the team sought to build momentum and strengthen preparations for future competitive matches.

The friendly matches were also expected to offer Gamondi an opportunity to evaluate several players, including newcomers and young talents recently promoted to the senior national team setup. Despite the setback, the team is expected to continue its preparations while awaiting further communication from the federation regarding possible alternative arrangements during the international window.

TFF is expected to provide additional details on the situation, including any plans to reschedule the matches or organize replacement fixtures, in its forthcoming official statement. .

Kampala. Questions over the eligibility of ministers holding dual citizenship dominated proceedings yesterday as Ugandan Parliament’s Appointments Committee began vetting President Museveni’s Cabinet and State ministerial nominees.

The issue surfaced during the appearance of businessman and Trade minister-designate Sanjay Tana before the committee, with legislators seeking clarification on reports that he holds dual citizenship, which would render him ineligible for appointment to a ministerial office under the law. However, committee members said Mr Tana denied the allegations and explained that he is a Ugandan citizen by birth.

”The issue of dual citizenship was raised when Sanjay Tana appeared before us, but he clarified that he does not hold dual citizenship as had been claimed,” Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol said after the session. She noted that most of the nominees appearing before the committee were already serving ministers, making the vetting process relatively straightforward.

”Sanjay was born in Uganda and has lived and served here. Most of the ministers who appeared before the committee have already been serving, so there were no major difficulties,” Ms Aol, who is also a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, added.

The Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker of Parliament Markson Jacob Oboth-Oboth, Tuesday June 02, 2026 commenced the vetting exercise as Parliament scrutinises President Museveni’s new Cabinet selections ahead of their formal assumption of office. Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Mr Chris Obore, said the committee’s recommendations on each nominee will be forwarded to President Museveni for consideration.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, also raised concerns about the appointment of individuals who may hold dual citizenship, urging the government to address the matter. ”There has been concern about people who hold dual citizenship, and we are hoping that, just as the issue regarding Hon Kasule Lumumba’s appointment was rectified, this matter will also be addressed,” Mr Ssenyonyi said.

(NMG) The Opposition leader was referring to the earlier controversy surrounding the appointment of former NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip despite not being an elected Member of Parliament, a matter that was later corrected. Mr President appointed Ms Lumumba the ICT minister and Dr Jane Ruth the Government Chief Whip.

Nominees unveil agenda after vetting As the vetting exercise continued, several ministers-designate outlined their priorities for the new term, promising reforms aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating economic growth. Third Deputy Prime Minister and minister without Portfolio Rukia Nakadama said she intends to push for stricter monitoring of ministerial attendance in Parliament.

”We want to introduce a roster system indicating which ministers are expected to appear in Parliament. If a minister misses three appearances, we shall report them to the appointing authority,” she said.

Her remarks were echoed by Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Walter Kiyonga, who pledged to mobilise ministers to regularly attend to parliamentary business. ”We have been elected to articulate the concerns of our people and ensure resources are equitably shared.

That responsibility requires ministers to be present,” Dr Kiyonga said. Agriculture minister-designate Frank Tumwebaze, who retained his portfolio, promised continued support for farmers through increased access to affordable financing.

”We shall continue working with the Ministry of Finance and Uganda Development Bank to expand low-interest financing for all categories of farmers, from small-scale to large-scale producers,” he said. Finance Minister-designate Henry Musasizi said government spending would increasingly focus on sectors that generate economic growth.

”We must achieve allocative efficiency and direct resources to sectors that drive economic transformation. We shall move funding from less critical activities to those that contribute more directly to growth,” Mr Musasizi said.

He said his ministry would prioritise implementation of the government’s tenfold economic growth strategy. Minister-designate for Science, Technology and Innovation Jonard Asiimwe emphasised the importance of innovation across all sectors of the economy.

”Innovation is required in every aspect of life, whether in health, agriculture, information technology, or education. It is central to Uganda’s transformation agenda,” he said.

Works and Transport Minister-designate Fred Byamukama identified the expansion of Uganda Airlines and the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway as some of his key priorities. Meanwhile, Local Government Minister-designate Balaam Barugahara vowed to crack down on corruption and poor performance among public servants, while Public Service Minister-designate Gen Edward Katumba Wamala pledged to strengthen efficiency in government institutions.

”Public service is like the gears that run a machine. When the gears function properly, the machine performs well.

When they do not, productivity suffers,” Gen Katumba said. The vetting exercise continues today as Parliament considers the remaining nominees before they are formally sworn into office.

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Simanjiro. The High Court of Tanzania, Moshi Registry, has acquitted Mr Nestory Machibya, who was charged with trafficking narcotic drugs khat weighing 116.69 kilogrammes, after finding that the prosecution failed to prove the case to the required legal standard.

The ruling was delivered on Friday, May 29, 2026, by Justice Safina Simfukwe, who was hearing Economic Sabotage Case No 18604/2024 against the accused. According to the charges, on July 6, 2023, at Rikweni Village in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, Mr Machibya was alleged to have been found trafficking illegal drugs contrary to the law.

The prosecution called six witnesses and produced nine exhibits, while the accused was the sole defence witness. The court was told that the operation was conducted by officers of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) following a tip-off that the accused was involved in khat farming and trade.

Evidence showed that DCEA officers arrested the accused at Rikweni and allegedly led them to his farm, where they found four plastic sacks containing fresh leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs. The officers testified that they marked the exhibits, took samples, and submitted them to the Government Chemist for analysis.

The court heard that laboratory tests confirmed the leaves were narcotic drugs known as khat. The report indicated the drugs weighed 116.69 kilogrammes and were later destroyed by burning under a court order due to their perishable nature.

In his defence, Mr Machibya, denied the allegations and said he was arrested while attending his father-in-law’s funeral in Heikonti Village, Same District. He further denied leading officers to any farm or knowing the seized exhibits.

Defence lawyer Desiderius Hekwe applied for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the charge sheet had serious legal defects. He argued that it did not clearly specify how the accused allegedly engaged in drug trafficking, preventing him from preparing an adequate defence.

He also challenged the search and seizure process, arguing that legal requirements regarding an independent witness were not followed. Court decision In his analysis, Justice Simfukwe agreed that the charge sheet had defects because it failed to clearly state the nature of the alleged offence.

The judge said it only stated that the accused was “trafficking drugs” without specifying the manner in which the offence was committed, therefore, undermining the accused’s right to a fair defence. The court also found flaws in the search and seizure process, noting that one of the officers involved acted as a so-called independent witness.

The judge ruled that a person involved in an operation cannot qualify as an independent witness. The court also noted that there were procedural gaps in the destruction of the exhibits, as records did not properly document the accused’s consent or objections.

However, the court confirmed that the Government Chemist report established that the seized leaves were khat. Despite this, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the drugs were in the possession or control of the accused.

The judge concluded that the evidence did not meet the legal threshold for conviction. He therefore acquitted Mr Nestory Machibya and ordered his immediate release unless held for other lawful reasons.

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Dar es Salaam. Two young Tanzanian innovators have developed a fishing technology that uses adjustable light intensity to attract specific fish species, a solution they believe could improve catches, raise fishermen’s incomes and promote sustainable fishing practices.

The innovation was developed by former St Joseph Cathedral High School students, Mr Samy Basil and Mr Samwel Milangali, whose project emerged as the national winner at last year’s Young Scientists Tanzania (YST) exhibition. The pair are now seeking support from the government and other stakeholders to secure intellectual property rights and advance the technology towards commercialisation.

Speaking about the innovation, Mr Basil said the project was inspired by challenges facing many fishing communities despite Tanzania’s vast water resources. “Our project focuses on introducing modern technology into the fishing industry.

We want to help fishermen attract fish in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way,” he said. According to him, the technology uses specialised underwater light strips whose brightness can be adjusted automatically depending on environmental conditions and the type of fish being targeted.

The system enables fishermen to select light intensities that attract specific species, making fishing operations more predictable and efficient. “Different fish respond differently to light.

Through our research, we identified light ranges that attract particular species. This allows fishermen to target specific fish rather than relying on guesswork,” he said.

The innovation also aims to address environmental concerns associated with destructive fishing methods. Authorities have for years struggled to combat illegal practices such as the use of explosives, poison and prohibited fishing gear, which threaten aquatic ecosystems and fish breeding grounds.

Mr Basil said the technology could provide fishermen with a practical and environmentally sustainable alternative. “If fishermen can attract fish effectively using technology, there will be less temptation to use methods that damage the environment,” he said.

The system operates through three modes. One uses a real-time clock mechanism that automatically switches the lights on and off according to predetermined schedules aligned with fish movement patterns.

Another uses photoresistors to regulate brightness based on natural light conditions, ensuring optimal illumination without repelling fish. The students said their research also revealed that many fishermen fail to secure good catches not because fish are scarce, but because the lighting systems they use are ineffective.

“We discovered that some lights either fail to attract fish or actually drive them away. Fish are naturally attracted to specific levels of light, but excessively bright light can trigger a defensive response and cause them to move deeper into the water,” Mr Basil explained.

The technology also includes a manual adjustment option that allows fishermen to select light intensities associated with particular species such as tilapia and catfish. “This improves efficiency while also supporting conservation efforts by reducing the capture of unintended species,” he added.

Young Scientists Tanzania co-founder Mr Gozibert Kamugisha said the project demonstrates how young people are applying science and innovation to address real-world challenges. “These projects show that science extends beyond the classroom.

Young people are using scientific knowledge to solve problems affecting livelihoods and contribute to national development,” he said. Karimjee Foundation executive officer Ms Careen Rowland said the programme has produced numerous success stories since its inception.

“We are proud to see young Tanzanians developing innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Many former participants have gone on to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation,” she said.

She added that the foundation has so far awarded scholarships to 53 students through the programme and plans to support another 53 this year. The young innovators hope their technology can eventually be adopted by fishing communities across the country, helping to modernise the sector while supporting environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

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Dar es Salaam. A total of 22 swimming clubs and about 410 swimmers from Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia are expected to compete in the 10th Tanzania National Junior Championship 2026, scheduled for June 6 and 7 at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Masaki, Dar es Salaam.

The two-day championship, organised by the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) in collaboration with Africa Aquatics and World Aquatics, is regarded as one of the country’s premier youth swimming competitions and a key platform for identifying future national team athletes. The event will feature swimmers from across Tanzania alongside competitors from Kenya and Zambia, adding an international dimension to the championship.

Among the foreign clubs expected to participate are Aquatics Riders Swim Club , Kalene Swim Club, Lechwe swimming Club, Ndola Rapids Swim Club and Orcas Swim Club, all are from Zambia. Also in the list is Bandari Swim Club from Kenya.

TSA Secretary General Inviolata Itatiro said preparations for the championship have been completed and all stakeholders are looking forward to a highly competitive event. “We are delighted by the response from clubs and swimmers.

Having 22 clubs and around 410 swimmers participating is a clear indication that swimming continues to grow in Tanzania and across the region,” said Itatiro. Tanzania clubs are qua Riders Swim Club, Bluefins Swim Club, Braeburn Sharks, Champion Rise Swim Club, Dar Swim Club, FK Blue Marlins, Lake Victoria Sports Club, Malaika Aqua Eagles, Milestones Swimming Club, Monti Aqua Force, Mwanza Swim Club, North Coast Swimming Club, Pigec Swimming Club, Premier Swim Club, Riptide Swim Club, Taliss-IST and Wahoo Swim Club-ISZ.

According to Inviolata, the championship has continued to grow in stature, attracting increasing numbers of swimmers while providing a pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at regional and international levels. ” This championship is an important platform for talent identification and development.

It gives young swimmers an opportunity to compete at a high level while preparing them for future regional and international competitions,” she said. Participants will compete in various age groups and swimming disciplines, with medals and honours at stake in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

The tournament has received support from Clyde and Co Genesis Sports Ltd, Pepsi, RM, IST, Kilombero Sugar, Jusfit sports Gear and G1 Security. Inviolata expressed confidence that the participation of foreign swimmers would help raise the standard of competition and provide valuable exposure for local athletes.

“We expect exciting races and strong performances throughout the two days. Most importantly, we want the championship to inspire more young people to take up swimming and pursue excellence in the sport,” said Inviolata.

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Dar es Salaam. Taifa Stars have departed for Marrakesh, Morocco, ahead of two international friendly matches against Uganda and Rwanda, but will be without influential attacking midfielder Feisal Salum, popularly known as “Fei Toto”, after he was ruled out through injury.

The national team is scheduled to face Uganda on June 5 before taking on Rwanda on June 9 during the Ffifa international window, with the matches expected to help the technical bench assess players and continue preparations for future assignments, including continental competitions and World Cup qualifiers. Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo confirmed that Fei Toto reported to camp as required but was later withdrawn after medical examinations revealed he would not be fit to feature in either match.

“Fei Toto joined the team in camp, but after undergoing medical assessments, it was established that he is not in a condition to play the two friendly matches. The technical and medical teams agreed that he should not travel with the squad,” said Ndimbo.

Despite the setback, Ndimbo expressed confidence in the rest of the squad, noting that all other players are fit and ready for the assignments in Morocco. “Other players are in good condition and ready for the matches.

The preparations have gone well and the team is looking forward to the two encounters,” he added. The friendlies will also mark an important step for Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi as he continues shaping his squad.

However, Gamondi did not travel with the first group of players and is expected to join the team in Morocco after the conclusion of the CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations final involving Tanzania’s Serengeti Boys and Senegal tonight. Gamondi is expected to arrive alongside two rising stars from the Under-17 side, Luqman Mbalasalu and Kassaim Juma, who have earned maiden call-ups to the senior national team following impressive performances in Morocco.

The duo have been instrumental in Tanzania’s historic run to the AFCON U-17 final, the first time the country has reached the championship match of the continental youth tournament. Mbalasalu has attracted attention with his pace, creativity and attacking flair, while Kassaim has won praise for his composure, discipline and consistent displays throughout the competition.

Their inclusion in the Taifa Stars squad underlines Tanzania’s growing commitment to integrating promising young talent into the senior team setup. The 24-man squad selected by Gamondi features a blend of experienced players and emerging talents drawn from clubs in Tanzania and abroad.

Domestic giants Simba SC, Young Africans and Azam FC contribute the bulk of the squad, while several foreign-based players add valuable international experience. The Morocco friendlies are expected to provide a crucial opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate combinations and build momentum as Taifa Stars continue preparations for future competitive engagements.

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has taken an unprecedented step to safeguard the integrity of the Mainland Premier League by scheduling all matches in the final three rounds of the season to kick off simultaneously.

Traditionally, only fixtures on the last day of the campaign are played at the same time to prevent teams from gaining an advantage by knowing results elsewhere. However, with both the title race and relegation battle entering a decisive phase, TPLB has extended the arrangement to rounds 28, 29 and 30. According to the fixture schedule, all Round 28 matches will kick off at 4pm on June 24, while Round 29 fixtures will be played simultaneously at 4pm on June 27. The final round of the season, Round 30, will also start at 4pm on June 30. The move is widely viewed as an effort to minimise the risk of match manipulation and ensure that clubs competing for the title, continental qualification places and survival fight under the same conditions.

With only a handful of matches remaining, the championship contest remains wide open. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), Simba and Azam FC are all still in contention and need maximum points to strengthen their title ambitions.

At the other end of the table, the battle to avoid relegation is equally intense. Clubs including KMC, Tanzania Prisons, Mbeya City, Namungo, Mtibwa Sugar, Mashujaa, Coastal Union, Fountain Gate, Dodoma Jiji and Pamba Jiji are still fighting for safety, making every remaining fixture crucial.

Football stakeholders believe simultaneous kick-offs reduce the possibility of teams altering their tactics based on results from other venues. Without knowing developments elsewhere, clubs are forced to focus solely on securing positive results in their own matches.

The decision comes amid growing concerns across world football over match-fixing and result manipulation, particularly during the closing stages of competitions when the stakes are highest. By ensuring all teams play at the same time, TPLB aims to preserve the credibility of the league and ensure final standings are determined purely on sporting merit.

Round 28 features several high-profile fixtures, including Mtibwa Sugar versus Simba, Yanga against Azam FC and Namungo hosting KMC. Three days later, Round 29 will see Azam FC face Coastal Union, Simba take on Singida Black Stars and Yanga meet TRA United.

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Arusha. Tanzanian banks are increasingly moving to the centre of blended finance deals across Africa, as development financiers turn to them to unlock lending in sectors considered too risky for private capital.

The shift was highlighted yesterday in Arusha during a panel discussion on ‘Blended Finance and Risk Mitigation for Tanzania’s Investment Pipeline’ at the Tanzania Investment Summit 2026, where financiers stressed that scaling investment will depend on how effectively domestic banks are integrated into financing structures. Moderated by Convergence Finance Senior Associate for Africa, Basil Kandaya, the session brought together different financial institutions.

The discussion centred on how blended finance is moving from theory into practice in order to unlock private capital in markets where risk perception remains high. IFC Director for Trade and Supply Chain Finance, Nathalie Louat, said blended finance is increasingly being used as a market-building tool rather than just a funding mechanism.

“Blended finance is not just a financial tool. It is an instrument for market creation,” she said.

Ms Louat explained that concessional capital, often deployed through IDA-backed facilities, is used to de-risk early-stage investments and attract commercial lenders. She said IFC structures aim to mobilise several times the original concessional contribution, with leverage ratios reaching up to six times in some cases.

However, she cautioned that impact, efficiency and transparency remain critical. “If we cannot clearly show development impact and who is benefiting, then concessional finance risks sitting idle instead of being catalytic,” she said.

From Tanzania’s guarantee sector, PASS Trust managing director, Yohane Ibrahim Kaduma, said risk-sharing instruments have been central in pushing banks into sectors they would otherwise avoid. “We started by carrying the risk ourselves, but we quickly realised that collaboration with banks was the only way to scale,” he said.

Mr Kaduma said guarantee facilities now enable lending to smallholder farmers and agribusinesses who would otherwise be excluded from formal credit. He added that PASS operates across multiple financing levels, from small digital loans of about $100 to larger facilities of up to $20 million.

CRDB Bank Plc, one of Tanzania’s largest lenders, said blended finance has directly changed its risk appetite in agriculture. CRDB Head of Credit Sanction, Ms Azmina Hemed, said the biggest question for banks remains repayment certainty.

“The biggest thing for a bank is simple — how do we get the money back,” she said. Ms Hemed said concessional finance and guarantees have enabled CRDB to expand lending into agriculture by lowering funding costs and sharing risk with development partners.

In some cases, she said, this has reduced borrowing costs to single-digit interest rates, compared to market levels that can exceed 20 percent. She added that guarantee-backed structures have allowed the bank to scale lending without breaching internal risk limits.

Ms Hemed went on to say collateral requirements and regulatory constraints continue to limit access to finance, particularly for smallholder farmers and informal businesses. From the development finance side, representatives from PIDG, DEG and DBSA said modern blended finance structures increasingly combine multiple instruments within a single investment pipeline.

PIDG Business Development Manager Doris Muthami said no institution can finance projects alone across their entire lifecycle. “Flexibility is critical.

No single institution can finance the whole lifecycle of a project alone, which is why collaboration is essential,” she said. DBSA’s Senior Debt and Blended Facilities specialist, Mr Bongo Bacela, said blended finance plays a structural role in correcting market failures that keep private capital away from risky sectors.

“Blended finance plays a key role in correcting market failures by absorbing early-stage risks that discourage private investors,” Mr Bacela said. He added that this early-risk absorption is what allows commercial financiers to enter markets that would otherwise remain underfunded.

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