Category: The Citizen

Dodoma. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has criticised the banking system for selling borrowers’ collateral without considering the outstanding loan balance, saying the practice is unfair and requires urgent review.

He also raised concern over cumbersome loan procedures, noting that borrowers seeking large loans are often subjected to the same paperwork requirements as those applying for much smaller amounts. According to him, the situation discourages some borrowers and pushes them towards informal lenders with fewer procedures.

Speaking on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board (WRRB) in Dodoma, Dr Nchemba said the practice of selling collateral despite substantial loan repayments was hurting many Tanzanians. “For example, someone borrowed Sh37 million using a tractor as collateral.

After repaying part of the loan, only Sh10 million remained, yet the bank went ahead and sold the entire tractor. This is unfair,” said Dr Nchemba.

He urged the Governor of the Bank of Tanzania to establish a framework and lending window that would allow movable assets to be used as collateral. The Prime Minister also reiterated his position that academic certificates should be recognised as security for loans.

On the warehouse receipts system, Dr Nchemba said Tanzanians should embrace reforms, arguing that informal trust-based arrangements had become outdated. He said many successful individuals had achieved progress by adhering to proper systems rather than seeking shortcuts.

However, he acknowledged challenges facing the warehouse receipts system, including long distances between farming areas and warehouses, as well as delays in payments after produce is delivered. According to him, such challenges have contributed to negative perceptions of the system among farmers.

Dr Nchemba proposed the construction of warehouses closer to farming communities and the introduction of advance payments for produce purchases to help farmers meet immediate household needs while waiting for full payments. Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga said the success of the warehouse receipts system depended largely on reliable markets.

Ms Kapinga said competitive markets ensured better prices and higher returns, urging farmers and other stakeholders to continue supporting the system. .

Historically, Tanzania’s development ambitions were often constrained by one stubborn reality: a shortage of highly specialized scientific and technological expertise. Today, however, a quiet but profound transformation is unfolding.

From Ireland to South Africa, from nuclear science laboratories to artificial intelligence classrooms, some of Tanzania’s brightest young minds are being dispatched to the world’s leading institutions under the government-backed Samia Scholarship initiative ‘extended’. This is a move increasingly viewed as a long-term investment in the country’s knowledge economy and that the country no longer wants to merely consume global technology, but to build, shape and eventually export it.

In the 2026/27 education budget speech presented by Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda recently, the government outlined a strategy aimed at positioning science, technology and innovation at the center of its economic transformation agenda. A new generation for a new economy The government’s broader vision is anchored in the idea that the future economy will depend less on raw commodities and increasingly on knowledge-intensive industries powered by artificial intelligence, digital systems, engineering, biotechnology, robotics and advanced manufacturing.

The ministry’s vision itself speaks directly to creating “an educated Tanzanian with knowledge, skills and a positive mindset capable of contributing to sustainable national development.” This philosophy now appears to be evolving from policy rhetoric into concrete action.

In one of the most significant sections of the budget speech, Prof Mkenda reiterated the launched specialized international scholarship program- Samia Scholarship Extended, DS/AI+, specifically targeting artificial intelligence and data science. The program selected 50 top-performing Form Six graduates from science combinations involving mathematics through what the minister described as a transparent and competitive process.

Sixteen students have already been admitted to the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, while 34 others secured placements in Ireland, mainly at the University of Limerick and Dublin institutions. The students underwent preparatory orientation training at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha before departure.

For education analysts, this is not merely another scholarship scheme. It is the beginning of a deliberate state-led effort to cultivate a globally competitive scientific class capable of steering Tanzania into the digital industrial age.

Betting on artificial intelligence and frontier science What stands out in the government’s approach is the deliberate targeting of frontier disciplines. The ministry openly acknowledges that artificial intelligence could either become an opportunity or a threat if Tanzania fails to understand and control it.

“Government recognizes the importance of building national capacity to understand, manage and effectively utilize artificial intelligence and related technologies,” Prof Mkenda noted in the speech. That concern partly explains why the country is now investing in advanced fields previously viewed as too specialized or distant for most Tanzanians.

Beyond AI and data science, the government revealed that it is sponsoring Tanzanian students in nuclear medicine, medical physics and nuclear engineering through the Samia Scholarship Extended Nuclear Science program. The significance of this move stretches far beyond academia.

As Tanzania expands its ambitions in energy, healthcare, mining, transport and industrialization, experts say the country will increasingly require sophisticated scientific expertise that cannot be developed overnight. A Tanzanian education policy analyst, Prof Idris Kikula, says countries that aspire to industrial transformation must first invest heavily in scientific human capital.

“You cannot build a competitive industrial economy using outdated skills. Countries that are leading today invested in science and technology talent decades ago.

Tanzania is now trying to position itself for that future,” he says. According to him, the focus on AI, engineering and nuclear science signals a shift from traditional manpower planning towards strategic global competitiveness.

“This is no longer just about producing graduates. It is about producing problem-solvers, innovators and creators of technology,” he adds.

A country aspiring to run advanced rail systems, aviation engineering, nuclear diagnostic medicine, digital governance platforms and AI-driven industries cannot rely indefinitely on imported expertise. The government appears to understand this.

Indeed, the budget speech repeatedly links education reforms to Tanzania’s industrial and economic ambitions. The ministry states clearly that its priorities are designed to support industrialization, increase youth employment and strengthen global competitiveness through education, science and technology.

The global knowledge strategy What is emerging is effectively a “global knowledge acquisition strategy.” The government is not only funding students abroad but also redesigning the broader education system to align with future labor market demands.

Among the reforms announced are a National Internationalization Strategy for Education 2025 aimed at producing graduates who meet global standards and attracting foreign academic partnerships. The government has also developed a national framework to increase scholarship opportunities locally and internationally in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, specialized medicine, aircraft engineering, marine engineering, rail engineering and automotive technologies.

This is happening alongside heavy investments in STEM infrastructure, digital learning hubs and vocational excellence centers. In Dar es Salaam, the Regional Flagship ICT Centre at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology has been completed with modern technological facilities.

The government is also building innovation and technology support centers, industrial research laboratories and DigiSTEM hubs to strengthen practical science education nationwide. At the same time, Tanzania is increasingly integrating universities with industries.

The ministry disclosed that 250 Memorandum of Understanding have been signed between universities and industries to support practical training, collaborative research, innovation and technology transfer. More than 154,000 students have already received industrial practical training under these partnerships.

According to Dr Benson Kinyusi, a governance and policy expert, the scholarship initiative reflects a growing recognition within government that economic competitiveness in the coming decades will largely depend on mastery of technology and innovation. “The global economy is changing very fast.

Countries are competing through knowledge, digital systems and innovation capacity. Tanzania cannot remain dependent on low-skilled production if it wants to become a middle and eventually high-income economy,” he tells SmartWorld in an interview.

According to him, the significance of sending top-performing students to specialised universities abroad goes beyond academic prestige. “These students are being exposed to ecosystems where innovation is part of everyday life.

When they return, they bring not only technical skills but also a different mindset on research, productivity and problem-solving,” he notes. Vision 2050 and the human capital race While Tanzania Vision 2050 is still being operationalized, the education ministry’s direction increasingly reflects what economists describe as a “human capital race.

” Globally, countries that dominate the coming decades are expected to be those with the strongest capabilities in advanced science, innovation and digital technologies. The World Economic Forum has repeatedly warned that artificial intelligence, automation and green technologies will dramatically reshape labour markets worldwide, rewarding nations that invest early in future-ready skills.

Tanzania now appears determined not to be left behind. The education ministry’s strategy links science and innovation directly to sustainable development, industrial competitiveness and economic transformation.

Already, signs of this ecosystem are beginning to emerge. The government says local innovators have developed AI-based eye disease diagnostic systems, flood prediction systems, smart electricity applications and robotics innovations.

A new Samia Innovation Commercialization Fund has also been launched to provide concessional financing for innovators seeking to commercialize technologies and transform them into viable businesses. Seven innovators have already received support through the fund.

To many analysts, this suggests the government is attempting to build not only scientists, but an entire innovation economy. Education researcher Dr Hellen Mbozi says the long-term impact of the programme may become visible over the next 10 to 20 years.

“What Tanzania is doing now is planting seeds for a future knowledge economy. The real impact may not be immediate, but these investments could fundamentally transform sectors such as healthcare, energy, agriculture and digital governance,” she says.

She, however, cautions that scholarships alone are not enough. “We must also strengthen local research institutions, laboratories, innovation financing and university-industry collaboration so that returning graduates find an environment capable of utilising their expertise,” she adds.

The challenge ahead Still, major questions remain. Some education experts warn that scholarships alone are insufficient unless accompanied by strong domestic research ecosystems, attractive working conditions and sustained investment in innovation financing.

Others caution about the risk of brain drain if global opportunities become more attractive than local prospects. Yet there is growing consensus that the current direction represents one of the country’s most strategic long-term investments.

For years, Tanzania focused heavily on expanding access to education. Now, the focus appears to be shifting toward quality, specialisation and global competitiveness.

The government’s own policy language reflects this transition. It speaks of building a workforce with “skills, knowledge and competitiveness” capable of supporting sustainable development.

What is really cooking? Perhaps the clearest signal lies not in the scholarships themselves, but in the sectors being prioritised: Artificial intelligence, Nuclear science, Digital systems, Engineering, Industrial innovation and Technology commercialisation. Global university partnerships These are not random investments.

They point to a country preparing for a future where economic power will increasingly depend on scientific capability and technological independence. In many ways, expert argue that Tanzania is attempting to build what Asian economies such as Singapore, South Korea and China aggressively pursued decades ago: a globally exposed, technically skilled generation capable of transforming national productivity.

Whether the country fully succeeds will depend on execution, continuity and the ability to convert knowledge into industries and jobs. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is increasingly looking to universities to develop practical solutions to challenges in land governance, urban planning and infrastructure development.

The focus emerged during the opening of the 2026 Research and Innovation Week at Ardhi University yesterday, where government officials, researchers and development stakeholders discussed how research and technology can support land administration and urban development. Opening the event, the National Planning Commission’s Deputy Executive Secretary for Business and Innovation, Dr Blandina Kilama, said Tanzania’s future development would depend on how effectively research and innovation are translated into practical solutions.

“Vision 2050 requires land services to become digital and transparent, urban planning to utilise modern technologies, and the construction sector to stimulate employment, innovation and industrial growth,” she said. Dr Kilama said Tanzania must adopt modern approaches in urban planning, affordable housing and climate-resilient infrastructure as cities continue to expand rapidly.

She warned that weak planning and limited use of research-based evidence continue to contribute to challenges such as flooding and unplanned settlements in urban areas. “The real challenge is the absence of proper planning, weak utilisation of research and lack of innovation to solve problems before they occur,” she said.

Against that backdrop, Ardhi University is being positioned as one of the institutions expected to support the modernisation of land administration systems, digitisation of land records and improvement of urban planning. Dr Kilama said the government expects universities to produce research that directly addresses social and economic challenges.

“We do not want research that ends up only in libraries. Research must become solutions for society,” she said.

She added that Tanzania now needs technologies that can simplify land surveying, land information management and resolution of land disputes through digital systems. ARU Vice Chancellor Prof Evaristo Liwa said the university has expanded research partnerships, industrial collaboration and innovation-based learning aimed at producing graduates capable of addressing practical challenges.

“One of the greatest strengths of Ardhi University is its project-oriented learning model, which equips students with practical skills and innovation,” he said. According to Prof Liwa, the university has also recorded growth in research publications, patents and collaborative projects with international institutions and industries.

The university also launched an Ardhi Clinic in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development to bring land-related services closer to citizens. The initiative will provide support on title deeds, land rent, land advisory services and dispute resolution.

Urban planning expert Dr Moses Luhuye said Tanzania can no longer manage urbanisation using outdated systems if it hopes to meet the goals of Vision 2050. “Our cities are growing faster than the systems designed to manage them. Without digital land governance and integrated urban planning, the country risks increased land conflicts and unplanned settlements,” he said.

Education and innovation analyst Mr Mani Mbwana said future economic growth would depend on institutions capable of combining academic knowledge with technology and innovation. .

A little over three years ago, I was “that woman”, the one sitting up at an ungodly hour, laptop glowing in my face like it was judging me, applying to so many jobs my CV started looking at me like, “Sis again?” I was burnt out, crusty-eyed, and delusional enough to think I didn’t “deserve” rest. Apparently in my mind, rest was for people who had jobs not for people trying to get one.

Job searching is often described as a practical task where you look for openings, submit applications, and prepare for interviews, but it’s also a psychological process. Long job searches keep people in a state of uncertainty, where effort does not necessarily lead to results and feedback is limited or unclear.

Over time, this uncertainty can affect your confidence, perception of your abilities, and increase your overall stress levels. What makes job-search stress especially challenging is that it tends to build gradually.

There is rarely a single point of failure. Instead, it accumulates through unanswered applications, slow decisions, and near-misses.

Without intentional ways to manage this pressure, even highly capable professionals can begin to question their skills and value. Separating your identity from your occupation is an important first step.

Work is something a person does, not who they are. When self-worth becomes closely tied to productivity or job title, the job search can start to feel like a judgment on personal value rather than a market process shaped by factors like: timing, competition, and broader economic conditions.

Worry can also feel productive, even when it is not. During a job search, constant in box checking, late-night browsing, and replaying interviews may feel like effort but in reality, ongoing worry reduces mental flexibility and affects decision-making.

Managing stress, therefore, is not separate from finding work, it is a necessary part of the process. Creating structure during an unstructured period is an effective way to reduce the pressure.

Job searching often removes external routines, which can cause days to blur and effort to feel endless. Establishing a daily schedule helps restore a sense of control.

This can include setting specific hours for applications, networking, and follow-ups, along with clear stopping points. Remember closing your laptop at a consistent time is not avoidance, it’s a boundary that protects energy and focus.

Time spent with family, friends, or community during this period is not wasted time. In many cases, it is time that will be harder to access once full-time work resumes.

Maintaining these connections provides emotional grounding and perspective. Normalising the irregular rhythm of job searching is essential.

Keep in mind that job searches are uneven in nature. Some weeks present interviews and promising conversations, while others are quiet.

Interpreting slower periods as personal failure only adds to unnecessary pressure. Variability is part of the process, not a reflection of ability or effort.

Learning can also serve as a stabilizing force during this time. Skill development is often discussed in terms of employability, but it also plays an important psychological role.

Research on self-efficacy shows that learning restores a sense of control and progress. Gaining new skills, whether directly tied to your career goals or personally meaningful skill development, reinforces the idea that growth continues even in uncertain periods.

This matters because extended job searches can narrow a person’s sense of possibility and learning helps expand it again. A more sustainable way forward begins with recognising that job-search stress is not a personal failing but rather a predictable response to uncertainty, delayed feedback, and shifts in identity.

This period does not have to be a pause on life. Think of it as a time of recalibration.

The job WILL come, but protecting mental and emotional capacity ensures that when it does, you will be able to step into it with steadiness rather than depletion. .

Dar es Salaam. Islamic insurance Takaful is steadily gaining momentum across East Africa, with Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda showing different stages of development shaped by regulation, market awareness and the maturity of Islamic finance systems.

In Tanzania, recent data from the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (Tira) shows a sharp rise in Takaful uptake, with Gross Written Premiums reaching about S.1 billion in 2024, up from roughly Sh541 million previously.

The growth reflects a market that became fully operational in 2023. The rapid rise has been supported by operators such as First United Takaful and Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, alongside the entry of new players including Alibarakah Takaful Insurance. “The increased competition has widened product availability and improved visibility of Sharia-compliant insurance products in the market,” reads part of the report.

However, a Takaful consultant, Sheikh Yasser Awadh, said the sector’s potential remains strong although it’s still constrained by limited awareness and investment. He noted that many potential customers still do not fully understand how Takaful works, limiting deeper penetration beyond urban and formally insured populations.

He also pointed to international experience, particularly in Malaysia and Kenya where long-term policy support and wider adoption helped accelerate market maturity over several decades. In Kenya, the Takaful segment is more established in structure but remains a niche within the wider insurance industry.

The sector began in 2011 with the entry of Takaful Insurance of Africa, which pioneered Islamic insurance offerings in the country. While Kenya has a more developed insurance regulatory environment and wider financial infrastructure, Takaful remains a niche segment within a market where overall insurance penetration remains low at about 23 percent.

Growth is supported by a Muslim population estimated at 1015 percent and the gradual expansion of Islamic financial products. Industry observations suggest that overall insurance penetration in Kenya remains low, and Islamic insurance products account for only a small share of the market.

Growth has been gradual, supported by a growing but still minority Muslim population and increasing interest in ethical financial products. Product diversification particularly in health and family Takaful, also remains limited, with many operators relying heavily on agency distribution and bancassurance channels.

Uganda represents the newest entrant into the East African Takaful landscape. The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda has recently introduced Takaful and Retakaful regulations, establishing a formal legal framework for Islamic insurance products.

While the move is expected to enhance financial inclusion and attract new segments of the population, the market is still at an early stage, with few operators and low public awareness. Across the region, analysts say Takaful growth is being driven by increasing demand for ethical, risk-sharing financial solutions and broader efforts to deepen financial inclusion.

In Tanzania, industry stakeholders caution that strong growth figures could slow unless supported by aggressive public sensitisation and investment in human capital. First United Takaful board chairman, Dr Kassim Hussein, said the industry’s long-term success depends on expanding outreach beyond formal financial institutions and reaching communities at the grassroots level, where financial literacy remains low.

“The challenge is taking the message from boardrooms to the streets, farms and fishing communities, proving that financial protection can align with people’s beliefs,” he said. Dr Hussein said Kenya started earlier than Tanzania and by establishing Islamic windows and Islamic banking, where lenders require borrowers to have Takaful coverage before accessing loans, which helped the sector grow faster.

“Tanzania also has Islamic banks that require similar insurance arrangements, which is expected to further support the growth of Takaful in the country,” he said. Despite the impressive growth rate, the Tira report does not paint an entirely rosy picture.

A persistent lack of public awareness remains the sector’s biggest bottleneck. Millions of Tanzanians who reject conventional insurance due to Riba (interest) and Gharar (uncertainty) simply do not know Takaful exists.

Sanlam General Insurance chief executive officer Mr Khamis Suleiman noted that Takaful operators are still operating cautiously, particularly in the early stages of market development. “Companies are highly selective in underwriting, ensuring strict compliance with Sharia principles by avoiding sectors such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco and other non-permissible industries,” he said.

He added that insurers also carefully assess clients’ claims histories before entering contracts, as part of broader risk management and capital preservation strategies. .

By Tage Biswalo Across East African Community (EAC) member states, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, education systems are undergoing profound transformation. New competency-based curricula, expanded access to schooling, and the growing influence of global knowledge economies are reshaping how young people learn and how teachers teach.

Yet amid these reforms, a critical question often goes unasked: whose knowledge counts in our classrooms? To respond to this question, let us look at Pluralism in education. It is recognising and valuing multiple ways of knowing, learning, and understanding the world.

It is not a luxury for East Africa. It is a necessity.

The limits of a single knowledge tradition For decades, education systems across the region have largely followed inherited colonial structures that privilege a narrow set of epistemologies, languages, and teaching traditions. Schools often emphasize standardized knowledge rooted primarily in Western academic frameworks while local knowledge systems, community histories, indigenous languages, and everyday forms of expertise remain marginal.

The result is a subtle but powerful disconnect. Many learners enter school with rich cultural knowledge grounded in community practices, local languages, and lived experience.

Yet the classroom frequently requires them to suspend or even abandon those forms of knowing in favour of distant curricular frameworks. When this happens, education risks becoming an exercise in assimilation rather than empowerment.

Why pluralism matters for East Africa’s future Pluralistic education does not reject global knowledge. Rather, it creates space for dialogue between global, national, and local knowledge systems.

In practical terms, this means: teaching science alongside indigenous ecological knowledge relevant to climate resilience, integrating local histories and community narratives into social studies curricula, recognising multilingual realities by valuing African languages alongside global languages and encouraging critical dialogue rather than memorisation of singular “correct” perspectives. For EAC countries facing complex development challenges, from climate change to urbanisation and technological transformation, solutions will not emerge from a single intellectual tradition.

Innovation often arises when different knowledge systems interact. Pluralistic classrooms cultivate precisely this capacity.

A foundation for social cohesion Pluralism also has a deeper civic purpose. The East African region is culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse.

Schools are one of the few institutions where young people from different backgrounds encounter each other regularly. An education system that acknowledges multiple perspectives prepares learners not only to tolerate difference but to engage with it constructively.

In societies where historical tensions sometimes surface along ethnic, linguistic, or political lines, pluralistic education becomes a quiet but powerful tool for social cohesion. Aligning with current education reforms Encouragingly, several EAC countries are already moving toward reforms that implicitly support pluralism.

The competency-based curricula introduced in Kenya and Tanzania emphasise critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that thrive when learners engage multiple perspectives. However, curriculum reform alone is not enough.

Pluralism must also shape teacher education, assessment systems, and classroom practice. Teachers need preparation to facilitate dialogue across knowledge traditions.

Assessments must reward critical engagement rather than rote recall. And schools must build partnerships with communities whose knowledge has historically been excluded from formal education.

A call for educational imagination The future of East Africa’s education systems should not be framed as a choice between tradition and modernity. That binary is misleading.

The real challenge is how to bring diverse knowledge traditions into productive conversation. Pluralism offers a way forward.

By embracing pluralistic education, EAC countries can cultivate learners who are intellectually confident, culturally grounded, and globally engaged. Such learners will not merely consume knowledge produced elsewhere; they will contribute new ideas rooted in the rich intellectual traditions of the region itself.

In a rapidly changing world, that may be East Africa’s greatest educational advantage. Dr Tage Biswalo is an Assistant Professor specialising in Policy Studies at the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, East Africa .

Dar es Salaam. The up-and-coming Bluefins swimmers have scooped 42 medals at the recently concluded FK Blue Marlines Championships held at the FK International Secondary School pool in Bahari Beach.

Among them, 20 medals were gold, while eight medals were silver and 13 were bronze, helping the club finish second overall with 851 points in the exciting two-day event, which attracted a total of 15 swim clubs from around the country, including Zanzibar. The highest number of points for Bluefins was won by Shuneal Bharwani, who collected 96 points.

Bharwani managed to win six gold medals and one silver medal and also won the overall trophy for the boys’ age category of 15 and over. He was closely followed by Diti Latighra from the girls’ side with 94 points after she scooped six gold and one bronze medal and also won the overall age group trophy in the same age category.

Mohammadhussein Imran had the third-highest number of points for Bluefins with 88 points after winning five gold and two bronze medals. He was also the runner-up in the boys’ 15 and over age category behind Bharwani.

Other swimmers who won medals for Bluefins were Sakina Abdulali, who won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals; Insiya Adamji (one silver and one bronze); Adam Hassanali (two silver and one bronze); Amatullah Mustansir (one gold and two bronze medals); and Maahira Noorani, who won one gold medal. The list also included Azaan Momin (two silver and one bronze medal), Kanzi Mussa (one silver medal), and Ummeabiha Esmail, Burhannudin Fazleabbas and Inaya Raheel, who each won a bronze medal.

“This was a good event for our young swimmers to be able to achieve new personal bests, which will enable them to qualify for next month’s National Junior Championships,” said the club’s founder and head trainer, Rahim Alidina. “We entered a team made up mostly of young swimmers so they could be introduced to the world of competitive swimming and gain some experience before going for the Nationals, and we are happy to say that most of our swimmers managed to achieve new personal bests, which will enable them to qualify for the National Junior event,” said Alidina.

He said preparations for the upcoming competition are underway as the club’s panel of coaches continues to train the swimmers. .

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) are facing one of the most decisive moments of their season as their hopes of retaining both the CRDB Federation Cup and the Mainland Tanzania Premier League titles could depend on two crucial back-to-back matches against Azam FC.

According to the CRDB Federation Cup schedule, Yanga will face Azam FC on June 20 at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza in a highly anticipated semifinal clash. Just four days later, the two sides will meet again on June 24 in a Mainland Premier League fixture at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam.

The two matches are expected to define Yanga’s season and determine whether the club can continue its dominance in Tanzanian football. In the CRDB Federation Cup semifinal, Yanga must win to secure a place in the final.

A defeat would mean the end of their hopes of defending the trophy they have won for four consecutive seasons. The pressure is therefore immense on coach Miguel Gamondi’s side, as only victory will keep their dream alive.

The second encounter against Azam FC in the league could prove even more important. Yanga will again need maximum points to stay on course for a fifth straight Mainland Premier League title.

However, unlike the cup match where only a win matters, the league race will also depend on Simba SC’s results in their remaining fixtures. Currently, Yanga lead the league standings with 54 points from 23 matches, while arch-rivals Simba SC are second with 52 points from the same number of games.

Azam FC remain third in the standings with 46 points and could play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Their performances against Yanga may either strengthen Yanga’s grip on the championship or hand Simba a golden opportunity to reclaim the trophy.

Before facing Azam FC on June 24, Yanga still have four difficult league matches to navigate. The league leaders will face Singida Black Stars on May 22, Namungo FC on May 25, Mashujaa FC on June 13, and Fountain Gate FC on June 17. Yanga must collect positive results from all those matches to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.

Simba SC also have a demanding schedule ahead as they continue chasing the title. The Msimbazi giants will play Coastal Union on May 21, Dodoma Jiji FC on May 24, Pamba Jiji on June 14, Mbeya City on June 18, and Mtibwa Sugar on June 24. With only a two-point gap separating the two giants, the title race remains wide open.

Simba cannot afford to drop points if they want to keep their championship hopes alive, while Yanga know that every remaining match is effectively a final. As the season approaches its climax, all eyes will now turn to Azam FC, the team that could ultimately decide the fate of both Yanga’s league and cup ambitions.

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Dar es Salaam. Rising fuel prices in the country have turned vehicle gas conversion into one of the most sought-after services, with many companies overwhelmed by the growing number of motorists seeking installations.

The surge in demand has forced some firms to prioritise cash-paying customers while temporarily suspending credit arrangements for clients who previously paid in instalments, a situation largely linked to shortages of equipment. The trend has also pushed up installation costs, with an 11-kilogramme cylinder, preferred by most motorists, now costing between Sh1.8 million and Sh2.1 million, compared to between Sh1.5 million and Sh1.65 million charged by some companies before the current crisis.

The situation has left some companies with waiting lists of up to 300 customers, while delays in cargo shipments have been cited among factors slowing a service increasingly viewed as a lifeline by motorists. Tanzania remains among countries feeling the impact of rising global fuel prices following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil production, storage and refining infrastructure, including production wells, storage facilities and refineries, ultimately affecting global supply capacity.

The situation has pushed fuel prices in Dar es Salaam to S,115 per litre of petrol, S,248 for diesel and S,677 for kerosene, making compressed natural gas an increasingly attractive alternative for motorists. Compared to compressed natural gas sold at Sh1,550 per kilogramme, petrol users save about Sh2,565 while diesel users save around Sh2,698. “The difference is currently huge.

Demand has increased sharply because everyone is looking for relief from fuel costs, but the biggest challenge now is the availability of equipment needed to serve customers,” said Exogas Green Solution Limited marketing officer, Mr Aron Dosha. He said the company currently receives more than 100 calls daily from customers seeking information on gas conversion costs, while over 300 people are already waiting for installation services.

“Equipment is our biggest challenge at the moment. We placed orders, but the ship carrying supplies delayed.

Because of the limited materials available, we have suspended instalment-based services and are prioritising customers paying cash,” he said. He added that shortages had pushed the installation cost of the widely used 11-kilogramme cylinder to Sh1.8 million from Sh1.65 million previously charged before the conflict escalated.

“When equipment is limited, you cannot continue charging Sh1.5 million or Sh1.65 million. Prices must increase because demand is high and costs have also risen,” he said.

EAM Autogas Garage managing director, Mr Emmanuel Mwakaje, said although installation costs had started stabilising, public demand for gas conversion had increased significantly. He said before the Middle East conflict, only a few motorists sought gas conversion services, and customers were difficult to secure, unlike now, when installers are many and demand is even higher.

“When demand rises, prices increase slightly, and most customers prefer 11-kilogramme cylinders because they fit easily in small vehicles,” he said. According to him, before the current global crisis, installations cost around Sh1.6 million with room for negotiation, but prices have now risen to no less than Sh1.8 million without bargaining opportunities.

“In the past, business was difficult. We had to lower prices to attract customers because people lacked motivation to install the systems.

Now the number of motorists seeking gas conversion has risen sharply as they try to avoid high fuel costs amid equipment shortages,” he said. Explaining the current charges, he said installation costs now stand at Sh1 million for a 4.

5-kilogramme cylinder, Sh1.2 million for six kilogrammes, Sh1.8 million for 11 kilogrammes, Sh2.2 million for 15 kilogrammes and Sh2.5 million for 17 kilogrammes. Before the Middle East conflict, some companies reduced installation charges by between Sh200,000 and Sh250,000 in efforts to attract customers to the business.

Nk CNG Auto Limited director, Mr Nurdin Kombo, whose company has also suspended credit services for gas installations, said the cost of fitting an 11-kilogramme cylinder had reached between Sh1.9 million and Sh2 million. “The equipment shortage has worsened because demand is increasing rapidly.

The industry has been overwhelmed and many businesses are rushing to order equipment. I believe prices will eventually return to normal,” he said.

Using his company as an example, he said more equipment was expected to arrive in June or July, particularly cylinders that cannot easily be transported by sea, forcing some firms to use air freight for smaller equipment. “Once companies receive the equipment they ordered, the market will stabilise, and prices will fall again.

But for now, some customers have been asked to wait until equipment becomes available,” he said. Situation at DIT While private companies complain about overwhelming demand and equipment shortages, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) project manager for compressed natural gas vehicle integration, Dr Esebi Nyari, said the institution still had adequate equipment.

“It is true that customer numbers have increased. Previously, we struggled to attract clients, but now people call and visit daily seeking gas conversion services.

We currently handle four vehicles a day according to our capacity,” he said. Speaking separately, driver Victor Mashaka criticised the increase in installation costs and called for measures to make the services more affordable.

“If you missed the earlier period when negotiations were possible, you are unlucky now. Without at least Sh1.9 million or Sh2 million, you cannot get the service at many places,” he said.

The remarks come as the Ministry of Energy’s 2026/27 budget estimates that more than 20,000 transport and logistics vehicles are currently using natural gas across the country. In addition, by March 2026, a total of 86 local and foreign private companies had been licensed to invest in Tanzania’s natural gas value chain.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s road racing calendar is set for another thrilling chapter after the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) officially flagged off the seventh edition of the NBC Dodoma Marathon, scheduled for July 26, 2026 in Dodoma City, with organizers targeting a record-breaking field of more than 15,000 runners from Tanzania and across the globe.

Fresh from last season’s impressive turnout of over 12,000 participants, the marathon continues to rise in stature as one of Tanzania’s premier long-distance running events, combining elite competition, community participation and life-changing social impact under one banner. The official launch ceremony, held in Dar es Salaam, brought together key stakeholders behind the race, including officials from the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Benjamin Mkapa Foundation (BMF), sponsors and NBC staff members.

Speaking during the launch, NBC Managing Director Theobald Sabi said the seventh edition carries renewed ambition — not only to elevate the race experience, but also to deepen its impact on healthcare and community development across Tanzania. “As we continue building the NBC Dodoma Marathon, our vision is for this race to remain much more than an athletics competition.

This is a race for hope, a race for health and ultimately, a race dedicated to saving lives,” said Sabi. According to Sabi, this year’s edition aims to raise funds that will support efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths during childbirth, facilitate heart surgeries for children suffering from cardiac conditions, and strengthen bone marrow transplant services for children living with sickle cell disease.

The marathon will once again feature four race categories — the 5KM fun run, the 10KM road race, the Half Marathon (21KM) and the grueling Full Marathon (42KM), expected to attract strong competition from both local and international runners. Sabi noted that since its inception six years ago, the NBC Dodoma Marathon has raised more than TZS 1.

5 billion to support various healthcare initiatives across the country. He explained that more than 80 percent of the funds raised have been directed toward the fight against cervical cancer through a partnership with the Ocean Road Cancer Institute.

Through the initiative, over 200,000 women have undergone health screening, while many others have received treatment and fully recovered. “Since 2023, we have also contributed more than TZS 400 million toward diploma scholarships for 200 midwives through our partnership with the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation.

The objective is to help reduce maternal and child mortality during childbirth, and this year we are looking to expand the program to reach even more healthcare professionals,” he added. Sabi further revealed that NBC has allocated TZS 200 million this season to support pediatric heart surgeries through JKCI, alongside another TZS 200 million aimed at strengthening bone marrow transplant services for children living with sickle cell disease through Benjamin Mkapa Hospital.

“All these achievements have been made possible through the strong support of our stakeholders and partners who have stood with us throughout this journey. We sincerely appreciate all our sponsors and partners for continuing to back these important efforts,” he said.

Speaking at the event, JKCI Director Dr Peter Kisenge said the institute currently has more than 1,500 children waiting for heart surgery, with treatment costs ranging from TZS 4 million to TZS 8 million per child. “NBC Dodoma Marathon has brought hope to many families with children suffering from heart conditions.

This support will help us procure medical equipment and improve treatment services. Statistics show that out of every 100 children born, two are born with heart complications,” said Dr.

Kisenge. He added that beyond supporting treatment, the marathon has also become a powerful platform for promoting fitness, active lifestyles and the fight against non-communicable diseases through sport and exercise.

On his part, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Prof Abel Makubi said bone marrow transplant treatment for a child living with sickle cell disease can cost as much as TZS 200 million, making the partnership a significant boost toward expanding specialist training in the field. “So far, 30 children have successfully undergone bone marrow transplants and recovered.

Our target now is to increase the number of beneficiaries from the current 10 children annually to 30 every year. We believe NBC Dodoma Marathon will continue to serve as a major source of hope for these children and their families,” said Prof.

Makubi. Meanwhile, Benjamin Mkapa Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr.

Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro said the partnership between BMF and the NBC Dodoma Marathon, which began in 2023, has enabled the training of 200 midwives and nurses from public health facilities who are now serving in more than 150 health centers across 31 districts nationwide. Representatives speaking on behalf of the marathon sponsors, including Sanlam Allianz Tanzania and GSM Group, said their continued support stems from the marathon’s strong commitment to using sport as a vehicle for saving lives and driving positive social transformation.

Registration for the NBC Dodoma Marathon is now officially open through the NBC Dodoma Marathon Registration Portal, www.events.

nbc.co.

tz with entry fees set at TZS 45,000 for individual runners and TZS 42,000 per participant for group registrations of 30 people or more. .