Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars head coach Miguel Gamondi has named a 24-man squad ahead of two international FIFA friendly matches against Uganda and Rwanda scheduled to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco early next month.

The friendlies are expected to give the technical bench an opportunity to assess players and continue building a competitive squad for future international assignments. Taifa Stars will begin their campaign with a match against Uganda on June 5 before taking on Rwanda on June 9 in what are expected to be highly competitive regional encounters.

The matches form part of FIFA’s international calendar and will help the team maintain momentum as preparations continue for upcoming continental and World Cup qualifying competitions. Coach Gamondi has selected a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents from clubs both within Tanzania and abroad.

Domestic league giants Azam FC, Simba SC and Young Africans SC dominate the squad, highlighting the strength of the local league in producing national team players. The players called into the squad are Zuber Foba (Azam FC), Aishi Manula (Azam FC), Yona Amos (Pamba Jiji), Pascal Msindo (Azam FC), Nickson Kibabage (Simba SC), Ibrahim Hamad (Young Africans), Elias Lawi (Azam FC) and Bakari Mwamnyeto of Yanga.

Others are Vedastus Masinde (Simba), Mohamed Mussa (Mashujaa FC), Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England), Novatus Dismas (Galztepe FC, Turkey), Mohammed Sagaf (Eastbourne, England) and Abdukarim Kiswanya of Namungo FC. Others are Mudathiri Yahya (Yanga), Charles M’mombwa (Floriana FC, Malta), Alphonce Mabula (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan), Bakari Msimu (Coastal Union), Tarryn Allarakhia (Rochdale FC, England), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq), Selemani Mwalimu (Simba), Cyprian Kachwele (HFX Wanderers, Canada) and Said Khamis who plays for Immigration of Malaysia.

The inclusion of foreign-based players is expected to strengthen the squad with international experience, while local-based stars will be keen to prove themselves on the international stage. Several players have been impressive for their respective clubs this season and will be looking to carry their form into the national team setup.

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Arusha. A total of 150 women from pastoralist communities in Simanjiro and Kiteto districts in Manyara Region have been awarded customary land ownership certificates in a move aimed at strengthening their economic independence and addressing cultural barriers that have historically denied women the right to own land.

The certificates were handed over on May 23, 2026, in Arusha as part of efforts to empower women from pastoralist communities, many of whom have long faced discrimination under traditional customs and practices. One of the beneficiaries, Helena Isaya from Naisinyai village in Simanjiro District, said the initiative had brought renewed hope to many women who had endured hardship due to the lack of legal land ownership documents.

“We thank God and the organisation that helped us secure these title deeds because without this support we faced many difficulties. We suffered a great deal because even if you bought land, without legal ownership documents it remained a challenge.

Now we will have freedom over our land,” said Ms Isaya. She called on the government and development partners to continue providing civic education within pastoralist communities in order to address discriminatory customs and traditions, particularly those related to women’s land rights.

Another beneficiary, Suzan Lembris, said the certificate would enable her to legally own land and pursue development activities without fear of losing her property. “We are grateful to receive these title deeds because they will help me legally own my land.

Previously, we faced many challenges, including being denied land ownership because of our community’s traditions and customs,” she said. Kiteto District Council land officer Valence Huruma said organisations working alongside the government have played a major role in empowering women from pastoralist communities in areas such as education, health and now land ownership.

He said although Tanzanian laws guarantee equal rights to land ownership, women in pastoralist communities have continued to miss out due to entrenched cultural practices. “The Village Land Act No.

5 clearly outlines the right of every citizen to own land, but because of customs and traditions, women in these communities have not been given direct opportunities to own land,” said Mr Huruma. He added that collaboration between the government and development partners has helped raise awareness among women about their fundamental rights to own and use land for personal and community development.

“We appreciate these stakeholders for working with the government to build the capacity of pastoralist communities, especially women, so they too can access land ownership and use it to improve their livelihoods,” he said. Earlier, the executive director of the Maasai Women Development Organisation (MWEDO), Ms Ndinini Kimesera, said the distribution of the certificates coincided with the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

She said the organisation focuses on empowering women, girls and pastoralist communities through programmes in education, health, economic empowerment and land ownership. “Today is a day of celebration for us as we mark 25 years of our organisation, while also handing customary title deeds to women from pastoralist communities.

Many of them have very limited means and a large number are widows,” said Ms Kimesera. She said that through collaboration with the district authorities of Kiteto, Simanjiro and Longido, the organisation had successfully facilitated the issuance of customary land ownership certificates to 150 women.

Beyond land rights, Ms Kimesera said the organisation has also been implementing education projects for girls, ensuring those who miss out on schooling opportunities receive support. “So far, we have supported the education of more than 2,000 girls, some of whom are now professionals in fields such as law, medicine and nursing,” she said.

She added that the organisation also runs health programmes in 15 villages in Kiteto District, focusing on maternal and child health services that benefit more than 10,000 people annually. On climate change, she said the organisation has been educating communities on ways to cope with drought and encouraging alternative economic activities suited to changing environmental conditions.

“We are looking at how communities can adapt to climate change, including crops that can survive in dry conditions and livestock breeds that are drought-resistant. But none of this can succeed unless women have ownership of land and resources,” she said.

Lawyer Elifuraha Laltaika said empowering women is essential to national development. “As men, if we fail to empower women, then we are not doing the right thing.

When you empower a woman, you empower the nation and the entire community,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam: As Tanzania prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), T9 Company has launched an initiative aimed at helping Tanzanians tap into the economic opportunities expected to come with the continental tournament through the introduction of T9 Magazine Opportunity Plus. Speaking during the launch in Dar es Salaam, T9 Chief Executive Officer Othman Razak said AFCON is not only a football competition, but also a major platform for business, tourism and investment that could transform the lives of many Tanzanians.

“AFCON marks the beginning of huge opportunities. We want Tanzanians to understand how they can benefit from the arrival of visitors from different African countries and across the world,” said Razak.

He urged stakeholders, companies and institutions to use the platform to showcase and promote available investment and business opportunities linked to the tournament. Razak said the magazine has been specially designed to highlight sectors expected to benefit significantly from AFCON, including hospitality, transport, food services, tourism and small-scale businesses.

“Today is a very important and joyful day for us. We are launching a magazine with great value that touches on the economy, health and sports.

We are following the good example set by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in promoting people-centred development,” he said. He added that Tanzanians should begin preparing early to benefit economically from the tournament, noting that T9 would play a role in connecting entrepreneurs and stakeholders to maximise the available opportunities.

Razak further explained that the magazine, together with the T9 website, would continue providing updates on developments in sports, business and investment, adding that another edition of the publication is expected next month. He noted that major investments in infrastructure and transport services have positioned Tanzania to benefit significantly from the tournament, especially through increased tourism, trade and business activities.

“When you talk about AFCON, you are talking about enormous opportunities. Hotels will benefit, transport services will expand, and even small businesses such as food vendors, coffee sellers and transport operators will gain more customers before and after matches,” he said.

Razak added that the magazine would also help visitors’ access important information about tourist attractions, hotels and various services available in Tanzania, a move expected to boost tourism and contribute to broader economic growth. .

Dar es Salaam. The Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) has emphasised that the future performance of public institutions and state-owned enterprises hinges largely on strong governance systems, accountability and results-oriented leadership.

The remarks were made by the OTR Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Chacha Marigiri, on May 24, 2026, while presenting a paper titled “Governance in Public Investment Entities the Functions and Powers of the Treasury Registrar” at a forum for chairpersons and chief executive officers held in Zanzibar. Mr Marigiri noted that sustainable development cannot be achieved through investment alone, but requires robust management systems that safeguard public resources and ensure they are deployed productively for national development.

He said public entities remain central to driving economic growth, delivering essential services and advancing the national development agenda, and must therefore be managed under high standards of transparency, efficiency and accountability. He further noted that government investments in public institutions, including entities in which the State holds minority shares, have reached 92.3 trillion shillings, underscoring the need to strengthen governance and investment management frameworks.

The investments span 308 public investment entities, covering commercial and non-commercial institutions, companies with minority government shareholding, as well as domestic and foreign investments. Mr Marigiri said the role of the OTR goes beyond routine oversight, focusing on ensuring that institutions operate with financial discipline, efficiency and full alignment with national priorities.

He outlined the core functions of the OTR as monitoring performance, tracking government dividends and returns, advising on board appointments and evaluations, conducting performance assessments and guiding investment decisions. He urged board chairpersons and chief executives to reinforce governance systems through the use of technology, strengthened risk management, ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making.

Citing international experience from countries such as Singapore, Norway, China and Malaysia, Mr Marigiri said the success of public investment depends more on the quality of governance than the scale of capital injected. “No nation succeeds merely by owning public institutions.

Success depends on how those institutions are managed with professionalism, accountability and long-term vision,” he said. Mr Marigiri added that the OTR has developed a Long-Term Perspective Plan (2025/262049/50) aimed at positioning the office as a catalyst for economic growth through strategic public investments in transport, energy, finance, agriculture, industry, tourism and mining.

He said sustained success will depend on stronger collaboration between boards, chief executives, government and oversight bodies in building competitive institutions capable of delivering measurable results. .

Mutukula. Tanzania and Uganda have intensified joint border surveillance and emergency response measures following a surge in Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as regional health authorities move to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

The cross-border operation, coordinated by the East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC), aims to strengthen regional preparedness and establish a coordinated epidemiological response to prevent further transmission. The intervention follows an Ebola outbreak in the DRC that has since spread into Uganda, prompting high-level technical engagements to reinforce emergency response systems across the region.

Implemented in partnership with regional ministries of health, the exercise focuses on high-risk border areas, including the TanzaniaUganda, UgandaKenya and TanzaniaBurundi frontiers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) classified it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), following a sharp increase in infections linked to the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, for which there is currently neither an approved vaccine nor specific treatment.

Speaking on the urgent need for a unified regional response, the Director General of ECSA-HC, Dr Ntuli A. Kapologwe, said cross-border disease threats require stronger coordination and localised leadership.

“Disease outbreaks do not respect national borders; they thrive on our interconnectedness. Therefore, our response must match the speed of our communities,” said Dr Kapologwe.

He noted that while Uganda is a core ECSA-HC member state, the intergovernmental body is also supporting the DRC through its regional health security and emergency preparedness frameworks. “We stand in full solidarity with the governments, ministries of health and frontline healthcare workers in Uganda and the DRC.

As a region, we are not merely planning; we are actively deploying smarter systems by strengthening cross-border simulations, harmonising surveillance data and equipping border teams with real-time digital tools,” he said. Through ECSA-HC interventions, a Digital Point of Entry (PoE) Screening system has been rolled out at high-risk border posts and mass gatherings to replace traditional paper-based reporting with a real-time digital surveillance network.

The platform enables health officials to capture traveller information instantly, monitor highly mobile populations, improve data accuracy and transmit alerts directly to national surveillance databases for rapid verification and contact tracing. Uganda has intensified surveillance across 35 official Points of Entry and extended community monitoring to 44 border districts.

Tanzania has also expanded its surveillance infrastructure by mapping 59 official Points of Entry and deploying more than 600 port health officers to high-risk border areas. Speaking during the opening of the cross-border engagement at Mutukula, ECSA-HC Senior Specialist in Health Systems Strengthening and disease surveillance expert, Dr Benedict Mushi, described the initiative as timely.

“The increasing movement of people, goods and services across our borders continues to heighten the risk of cross-border transmission of infectious diseases, including Ebola. These Points of Entry are not only gateways for trade and integration; they are also the frontline of public health security,” he said.

Dr Mushi added that preparedness must be viewed as a continuous obligation. “Recent outbreaks in the region have reminded us that preparedness is not a one-off exercise.

This initiative is about operational readiness — ensuring our systems can detect outbreaks early, respond rapidly and coordinate effectively across borders,” he said. Providing an epidemiological update, Uganda’s Principal Medical Officer in the Department of Integrated Epidemiology, Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies, Dr Moses Ebong, said the outbreak first raised alarm in the DRC following unusual clusters of community and healthcare worker deaths reported in late April and early May.

By May 15, the DRC had declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, with cases spreading across Mongbwalu, Rwampara and Bunia health zones before extending to North Kivu, including Goma and Butembo. Uganda reported its first imported case in Kampala on May 15 involving an elderly traveller from the DRC who later died.

Post-mortem tests later confirmed infection with the Bundibugyo strain. The team from the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community led public health experts from Uganda and Tanzania in assessing Ebola response preparedness at the TanzaniaUganda border on Saturday, 23 May 2026. PHOTO | Courtesy According to the latest WHO situation update issued on May 21, 2026, suspected cases linked to the outbreak had risen to 746, with 176 suspected deaths recorded across the region.

Confirmed infections in the DRC and Uganda stood at 85 cases, including two confirmed cases in Uganda, while the confirmed death toll had reached 10. Dr Ebong warned that the outbreak was expanding rapidly, particularly in densely populated border communities. “The numbers are doubling in less than a week,” he said.

“While rigorous screening is underway at official Points of Entry, there are also people crossing through informal routes. This means community-based surveillance must be strengthened significantly.

” Tanzania’s Principal Epidemiologist, Dr Remidius Kakulu, said the interconnected nature of communities across the region made coordinated action essential. “Communities in Uganda, the DRC and Tanzania are deeply interconnected through social and economic ties.

Because our borders are naturally porous, collective regional action and harmonised real-time surveillance tools are the only way to stay ahead of this virus,” he said. The initiative adopts a One Health approach, bringing together ministries of health, immigration, customs, security agencies, local government authorities, veterinary services and port health officials to strengthen regional preparedness against the growing health threat.

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) is also working closely with its 11 member states alongside regional bodies, including the Africa CDC and the WHO, to safeguard the collective health and wellbeing of the region. Through its regional network comprising Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the intergovernmental body is coordinating a united response aimed at containing the expanding Ebola threat across the region.

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Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam will from June 1, 2026 host a high-profile Malaysian higher education delegation comprising officials from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), and representatives from nine leading universities during the Malaysia Education Expo.

The three-day expo, scheduled for June 13, 2026, is expected to bring together students, parents, universities and education stakeholders to explore opportunities in admissions, scholarships, academic partnerships and research collaboration between Tanzania and Malaysia. A 19-member delegation from Malaysia will also hold strategic meetings with the Ministry of Education, the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), local universities and schools as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education.

Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam, Global Education Link (GEL) Executive Director Mr Abdumalik Mollel said the visit presents a major opportunity for Tanzania to expand international education links and expose students to globally competitive academic programmes. “This is not just a regular admissions exhibition.

It is a national opportunity to connect Tanzania and Malaysia in higher education, scholarships, joint programmes, research, innovation and cooperation agreements between universities of both sides,” he said. He said the delegation will include senior officials from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, EMGS leaders and university representatives who will provide information on academic programmes, tuition fees, admission procedures, student life and scholarship opportunities.

Among the universities expected to participate are Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, University of Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UCSI University, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Selangor and Putra Business School, with additional institutions expected to confirm participation. Mr Mollel said the expo will benefit Tanzanian students seeking international education opportunities in science, technology, engineering, health, business, information technology, creativity and entrepreneurship, fields he noted are in growing demand globally.

He added that the initiative goes beyond student recruitment and seeks to strengthen institutional partnerships between Tanzanian and Malaysian universities through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), joint research projects, student and lecturer exchange programmes, innovation initiatives and short-term professional training. “Malaysian universities are ready to meet Tanzanian universities.

They are ready to listen to the needs of our universities and see how to build mutually beneficial partnerships. This is a good opportunity for our universities to connect with the international education system,” he said.

According to Mr Mollel, a joint engagement session will also be held where Malaysian universities will present their programmes and partnership priorities, while Tanzanian institutions will outline their interests in areas such as 2+2 academic programmes, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional development. He said the expo is also significant for the Ministry of Education, the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), the Samia Suluhu Hassan Scholarship Scheme Committee, parents and students, as it provides a direct platform for discussions on scholarships, international education standards and student mobility.

For TCU, he noted, the engagement could also create opportunities for exchanging experience with Malaysian higher education authorities on quality assurance, accreditation systems, joint programme development and management of students studying abroad. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed nine judges to the Court of Appeal of Tanzania in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s highest appellate court.

According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications at State House and signed by Chief Secretary Ambassador Moses Kusiluka, the appointees include serving High Court judges and principal judges from various divisions across the country. Those appointed are Justice Abdi Shaaban Kagomba of the High Court, Dodoma Zone; Justice Yohane Bokobora Masara of the High Court, Arusha Zone; and Justice Immaculata Kajetan Banzi, Principal Judge of the High Court in Kagera Region.

Others are Justice Rabia Hussein Mohamed of the High Court of Zanzibar; Justice Cyprian Phocas Mkeha, Principal Judge of the Commercial Division of the High Court in Dar es Salaam; and Justice Yose Joseph Mlyambina, Principal Judge of the Labour Division of the High Court in Dar es Salaam. The list also includes Justice Imani Daud Aboud of the High Court, Dodoma Zone; Justice Mzee Ibrahim Ibrahim of the High Court of Zanzibar; and Justice Juliana Laurent Masabo, Principal Judge of the High Court in Dodoma.

The statement added that the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Court of Appeal judges will be conducted on a date to be announced later. .

Dar es Salaam. Stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to appoint a special criminal investigation commission to probe violence linked to the October 29, 2025 General Election, with some describing it as an opportunity for accountability while others question whether it can win public trust.

President Hassan announced the formation of the new commission on Monday through a statement issued by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka. According to the statement, the ‘Criminal Investigation Commission on Violent Incidents During and after the 2025 General Election’ has been formed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 32. The commission will be chaired by Court of Appeal Judge Shabani Ally Lila, alongside retired High Court judges Gad John Mjemmas, Awadhi Mohamed Bawazir and Aishieli Nelson Sumari as commissioners.

The move marks another significant phase in Tanzania’s response to violence that erupted during and after the 2025 General Election, leaving hundreds dead, thousands injured. The newly appointed body is expected to conduct deeper criminal investigations into killings, disappearances and alleged abuses reported during the unrest as the government faces continued pressure from opposition parties, civil society organisations and sections of the international community to ensure accountability and national reconciliation.

Some analysts believe the newly established commission could still provide an important opportunity for the country to rebuild trust and strengthen long-term stability if it conducts its work independently and transparently. A political analyst from the State University of Zanzibar, Prof Ali Makame Ussi, said the commission now carries the responsibility of ensuring that the process gains public confidence and meets citizens’ expectations on accountability.

“The commission has a major task of ensuring that it earns the trust of the public and achieves the objective of holding those responsible accountable, as many citizens expect,” he said. According to Prof Ussi, the success of the process would play an important role in helping Tanzania restore unity and achieve lasting peace and stability.

“If the process is handled properly and fairly, it will help the nation return to unity and long-term calm,” he said. A lecturer at the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie, said the commission faces a significant credibility test from the outset.

“The first responsibility before the commission is to build public trust so that its findings can help remove the country from the current deadlock,” he said. Dr Loisulie noted that divisions that emerged before and after the election had not yet healed because opposing sides still remained far apart.

“Even the earlier report did not unite the country. It was itself received in a divided manner,” he said.

He warned that the commission could face resistance from different groups unless wider national consensus was first established. However, National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Mr Onesmo Olengurumwa, said the country still lacked a clear consensus on the best path forward.

“As a nation, it is as if we still do not fully understand what we want and what we should do to achieve it,” he said. Mr Olengurumwa argued that the country needed a broader and more transparent process built around public participation, truth-seeking, reconciliation and institutional reforms.

“We should undertake something we are certain will help us move forward,” he said. For her part, Human rights activist Dr Ananilea Nkya said another major challenge would be whether the commission could independently investigate and identify suspects who may still occupy positions within state institutions.

“People are already exhausted, traumatised and frustrated. Some of the suspects in the killings could still be among leaders within government structures, and many fear the commission may struggle to openly address that,” she said.

Religious leaders have also weighed in on the debate, urging the commission to pursue truth and responsibility without fear. Bishop Amon Kinyunyu of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania said the new body should now focus on identifying those responsible for the violence and recommending practical accountability measures.

“The earlier commission helped explain what happened. This criminal commission must now identify the people responsible and ensure accountability measures are taken in order to help heal the nation,” he said.

For political parties, Deputy Secretary for Information, Publicity and Public Relations at ACT Wazalendo, Ms Shangwe Ayo, said the party still preferred an independent international investigation. “We still see the same situation as before.

Just as we did not support the previous commission, we do not see how this new commission will help us obtain anything meaningful,” she said. “Our position remains unchanged.

We believe only an independent international investigation will help establish the truth about what happened on October 29.” Vice Chairman of NCCR-Mageuzi for Mainland Tanzania, Mr Joseph Selasini, also questioned whether the process would help restore public confidence. “The leaders are trying to avoid accountability.

The earlier report was not positively received by sections of society,” he said. Mr Selasini warned that creating another commission based on recommendations from a process already rejected by some groups risked deepening divisions rather than resolving them.

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Kibaha. A research centre focusing on development and poverty alleviation strategies inspired by the philosophy and approaches of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been launched on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Kibaha, Tanzania’s Coast Region.

The centre has been launched as Southern African liberation movements seek new approaches to transform their economies and alleviate poverty. The centre, established at the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School, is expected to serve as a platform for leaders and officials from six Southern African liberation movements to study China’s development experience and exchange ideas on improving citizens’ welfare.

The facility has already received more than 200 books and publications detailing China’s economic policies, poverty reduction strategies, and development experience, which Chinese authorities say contributed to lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty between 2012 and 2021. Leaders attending the launch represented liberation movements from six countries, including Tanzania’s CCM, South Africa’s ANC, Namibia’s SWAPO, Angola’s MPLA, Mozambique’s FRELIMO, and Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF. Speaking during the launch, CCM Secretary-General, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, said the longstanding solidarity among Southern African liberation movements should be preserved because it continues to play an important role in promoting development across the region.

She said the establishment of the centre marks a new chapter of cooperation aimed at strengthening efforts to combat poverty through the exchange of development experiences and policy ideas. “This unity has a long history linked to the liberation and development of our people.

We believe this centre will strengthen efforts to fight poverty and improve the lives of citizens,” she said. Head of the Tanzanian delegation, Mr Richard Kasesela, said the centre would become an important hub for learning how China implemented its development strategies and transformed the lives of millions of citizens within a relatively short period.

He said leaders and officials from the participating movements are expected to meet regularly for training on rural development, infrastructure investment, use of technology, and economic empowerment initiatives. “China has shown how practical development policies can rapidly improve people’s lives.

This is valuable experience for African countries seeking economic transformation,” he said. Principal of the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School, Prof Marcelina Chijoliga, said the centre was established through cooperation among the secretaries-general of the six liberation movements and would strengthen the institution’s role in leadership and development training.

“This is a leadership institution where we train different groups, including public servants and private sector stakeholders, to strengthen their skills and improve performance in their responsibilities,” she said. According to organisers, the centre is expected to strengthen cooperation between China and Southern African countries, build leadership capacity, and support research on strategies for reducing poverty and improving economic development.

Many countries within the Southern African bloc continue to face significant economic challenges despite possessing abundant natural resources. Tanzania, for example, continues to invest heavily in infrastructure projects such as the standard gauge railway, energy, ports, and mining, while a large share of the rural population still depends on agriculture for livelihoods.

South Africa, despite remaining Africa’s largest economy, continues to struggle with high unemployment and widening income inequality. Zimbabwe is still battling inflation and economic instability that continue to affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

Angola and Mozambique remain heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, while unemployment and limited social services continue to be major public concerns. Namibia also faces persistent unemployment, particularly among young people, alongside growing concerns over income inequality.

The alliance among Southern African liberation movements dates back to the 1960s during anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles, when the parties worked together politically and diplomatically to support independence movements across the region. Under the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania played a central role in supporting liberation movements by providing shelter, training, and logistical assistance to freedom fighters from different Southern African countries.

Following independence, the liberation movements continued to maintain political, economic, and social cooperation aimed at advancing regional solidarity and improving the welfare of citizens. .

Dar es Salaam. Equity for Tanzania Limited (EFTA) has officially listed its corporate bond on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) after raising Sh33.04 billion, more than double its initial target.

The bond, issued under the EFTA Corporate Bond programme, surpassed its Sh15 billion target, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s leasing-based financing model and the growing strength of Tanzania’s capital markets. The offer opened on February 10, 2026 and closed on March 16, 2026, attracting strong participation from both retail and institutional investors.

Speaking during the listing ceremony, EFTA Managing Director Nicomed Bohay said the oversubscription demonstrated growing trust in the company’s business model and signalled a broader shift in how Tanzanian firms are raising capital. “These results reflect trust in the EFTA business model and Tanzania’s capital markets,” he said.

“The strong demand for high-quality fixed-income instruments has strengthened our funding position and supported our strategy to diversify capital sources by moving away from foreign currency loans in US dollars and euros and instead securing long-term financing in Tanzanian shillings.” Mr Bohay said the move would reduce exchange rate exposure and improve financial sustainability.

He said that proceeds from the bond would be used to expand EFTA’s financing of productive equipment, particularly in agriculture, transport and machinery sectors. The listing was welcomed by the DSE, which described the bond as a landmark issuance with wider economic significance beyond the capital market.

DSE Chief Executive Officer Peter Nalitolela said Tanzania’s capital markets had recorded strong growth over the past five years through increased issuances and innovative financing instruments. “Over the last five years, capital markets in Tanzania have experienced impressive growth in terms of successive issuances and the introduction of innovative ways of raising capital,” he said.

Mr Nalitolela said the EFTA bond stood out because of its alignment with national development priorities, particularly in agriculture, SME financing and financial inclusion. “This bond has multiplier effects on the Tanzanian economy.

It aligns with SME financing frameworks, agricultural financing and expanding financial inclusion,” he said. He added that the initiative also supports the country’s Development Vision 2050, which aims to build a resilient, inclusive and industrialised economy.

“Through EFTA’s business model, which uses agricultural machinery, we are shifting from traditional tools to more mechanised systems that enhance productivity,” he said. Meanwhile, Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA) Director General Nicodemus Mkama said the successful issuance reflected government efforts to deepen financial markets and improve access to capital for productive sectors.

He described EFTA’s performance as one of the standout bond issuances of early 2026 after raising Sh33 billion against a Sh15 billion target. “These funds will be used to finance productive equipment such as tractors, processing machines, cargo and tourism vehicles, as well as mining and construction machinery,” Mr Mkama said.

He added that EFTA had become the first financial-sector company to offer leasing services through a publicly listed bond on the DSE. According to CMSA data, 99.4 percent of investors were local, with retail investors accounting for 95.4 percent, highlighting growing domestic participation in Tanzania’s capital markets.

Institutional investors accounted for the remaining 4.5 percent.

Mr Mkama attributed the strong uptake to policy incentives, including the removal of withholding tax on bond interest and the reduction of the minimum investment threshold from Sh1 million to Sh100,000, which widened participation among youth and women investors. He also cited digital platforms such as CRDB Bank’s SimBanking application for simplifying subscription and payment processes, alongside public financial education campaigns that improved investor awareness.

CMSA said it would continue strengthening the regulatory environment to encourage more public and private entities to raise capital through bonds, equities and collective investment schemes. .