Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. A journey of hope for a young man, Mr Shukurani Kigodi, from Morogoro, who was travelling to Iringa to attend a funeral, ended in tragedy after the cargo lorry he had boarded was involved in an accident, leaving him and others with no compensation due to the illegal nature of their journey.

The young man had boarded a cement-laden lorry at the end of last month after failing to raise the bus fare. According to relatives, the lorry overturned near Mikumi after the driver lost control, killing some of the passengers on board.

The incident reflects a growing trend across the country in which people board cargo vehicles such as lorries for travel or work purposes. Risks of travelling in cargo lorries Insurance expert Dr Anselmi Anselmi says passengers travelling in cargo lorries expose themselves to the risk of losing compensation, as such journeys breach both traffic laws and insurance conditions.

He says insurance is governed by strict legal principles that determine when compensation is payable. “One of the core principles is that insurance does not cover losses arising from illegal acts or actions against public interest,” he said.

He explained that cargo vehicles are not licensed to carry passengers, and doing so constitutes a violation of road safety regulations. “When a cargo vehicle is used to carry passengers, it is already an offence.

That is why traffic police impound such vehicles and issue fines,” he said. He added that in the event of an accident, insurers may refuse compensation because the journey falls outside the vehicle’s permitted use.

“Both the passenger and vehicle owner are considered to have violated the law. Even legal claims become complicated because there is no formal transport contract like in buses,” he said.

He further noted that insurance claims typically require proof of transport, such as tickets, which do not exist in cargo travel. On cases where passengers claim to be escorting goods, he said the law still does not permit anyone to ride inside cargo lorries.

“An escort should follow the cargo in a separate vehicle, not sit inside the lorry,” he said. Legal framework The Road Traffic Act, Cap.

168 of 1973, as amended in 2023, provides that cargo vehicles must be used strictly for goods unless special permission is granted. The law states that using a vehicle outside its registered purpose is an offence and may invalidate insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

It also places responsibility on owners to ensure lawful use of their vehicles, while regulations prohibit carrying passengers in cargo lorries without authorisation. Lawyer Haron Sanga says insurers base compensation on the declared use of the vehicle in the insurance contract.

“If a lorry is insured for goods only, passengers on board are not covered,” he said, adding that many people misunderstand insurance coverage. “People assume insurance covers everyone in the vehicle, but it is the lawful use of the vehicle that determines liability,” he said.

The Transport Licensing Act, Cap. 317 of 1973, also requires passenger vehicles to hold special licences and meet safety standards.

Lorry associations speak out Deputy Secretary of the Tanzania Truck Drivers Association (Chamamata), Mr Muhidini Sangoti, says carrying passengers in cargo lorries is illegal, with the law generally allowing only the driver and an assistant. “If a third person is found in the lorry, it must be explained.

But legally, it remains an offence,” he said. He noted that enforcement sometimes creates confusion when colleagues travel together for operational support but are treated as illegal passengers.

He also cited cases involving sand lorries where workers are transported to assist with loading and unloading. The association, he said, has held discussions with traffic police in Dodoma to address such challenges.

Employers’ view Chairman of the Association of Medium and Small Truck Owners (Tamstoa), Mr Chuki Shabani, said the law prohibits carrying passengers in cargo lorries due to safety risks. He said drivers are usually expected to travel alone or with an authorised assistant known to the employer.

“In most cases, the driver travels alone, and the owner cannot monitor everything on the road,” he said. He added that even the presence of conductors is regulated depending on the vehicle type and journey.

“In some cases, only the driver is allowed to ensure safety and proper rest during long trips,” he said. He urged drivers to comply with regulations, noting that unauthorised passengers increase road risks.

Police stance Head of the Traffic Police Unit in Kiteto District, Mr Raphael Karani, said during an inspection along the ArushaLobosiret road that drivers must stop carrying passengers in cargo vehicles. Traffic Police Commissioner William Mkonda said enforcement operations against such offences are ongoing nationwide.

He said police are also intensifying public education on road safety compliance. “We continue enforcement operations against dangerous traffic offences to ensure road safety,” he said.

He added that legal action will continue against offenders, urging the public to cooperate in reducing road accidents. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s push for clean cooking energy is rapidly reshaping the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market, triggering stiff competition among major gas firms as they race to capture millions of households shifting away from charcoal and firewood.

The government-backed clean cooking agenda seeks to reduce dependence on biomass energy, protect forests, improve public health and ease the burden on women who spend hours searching for firewood. The government’s target is for at least 80 percent of Tanzanians to use clean cooking energy by 2034. So far, adoption has risen to over 20 percent from just six percent before the campaign started in 2024. The shift is now transforming Tanzania’s energy business landscape, with LPG companies aggressively expanding distribution networks, retail outlets and cylinder accessibility in a battle for market dominance.

According to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) Mid and Downstream Petroleum Sub-Sector Performance Report for 2023/24, Oryx Energies Tanzania remained the market leader with a 35.2 percent market share, followed by Taifa Gas at 32.1 percent, while Manjis Gas controlled 15.8 percent. The figures reflect a sharp shift from 2020, when Oryx dominated the market with 46.6 percent, Taifa Gas held 22.2 percent and Manjis Gas accounted for about nine percent.

As competition intensifies, new firms continue to enter the market and reshape Tanzania’s LPG industry. During the financial year under review, LPG imports rose by 38 percent to 403,638 metric tonnes from 293,167 metric tonnes recorded previously, underlining rising demand driven by the clean cooking campaign.

The data suggests that over the past five years, the LPG market has become increasingly competitive as the clean cooking campaign expands gas consumption across urban and rural Tanzania. While Oryx still leads the market, its share has declined by more than 11 percentage points, reflecting mounting pressure from rivals, particularly Taifa Gas, whose market share has risen by nearly 10 percentage points over the same period.

Regional consumption patterns also point to growing nationwide demand. The Coastal Zone accounts for 34 percent of national LPG consumption, followed by the Northern Zone at 21 percent, Lake Zone at 20 percent, Central Zone at 15 percent and Southern Highlands at nine percent.

Commenting on the trend, Ewura acting director general, Mr Gerald Maganga, said all LPG firms operate under the same regulatory framework and standards, with investment now becoming the key factor determining competitiveness. “There has been significant growth over the past several years, which indicates that people have started to understand the importance of using LPG and are gradually moving away from firewood and charcoal, which essentially have serious health and environmental impacts,” he said.

Mr Maganga noted that the sector, which was once dominated by a few companies, has attracted more players over time, intensifying competition and signalling growing investor confidence in the market. He said a company’s ability to expand depends largely on investments in gas cylinders, storage infrastructure and distribution networks.

Firms that fail to invest adequately, he added, struggle to distribute gas widely or attract distributors and consumers. “At the moment, we assess companies within an environment of equal competition.

The regulations are the same for everyone, but the difference comes in investment levels and how a company operates. To remain in the market, you must invest at a level that enables you to reach more customers,” he said.

On the other hand, Ministry of Energy director of Clean Cooking, Mr Nolasco Mlay, said the use of LPG continues to grow rapidly, intensifying competition among companies seeking to capture a larger share of the market through pricing strategies and aggressive marketing. “We have seen the market growing very fast as companies compete to attract customers through prices and other incentives.

We will continue encouraging the public to adopt clean cooking solutions, not only LPG,” he said. However, he expressed concern over the rising cost of LPG, noting that Ewura should strengthen price regulation to ensure clean cooking energy remains affordable for consumers.

“In promoting clean cooking, the goal is to ensure the end user can access these products at affordable prices,” he said. He added that LPG currently leads Tanzania’s clean cooking sector, followed by other energy sources such as electricity, biogas and modern cooking stoves, adding that the next major task is to continue educating the public on the availability and benefits of alternative cooking energy.

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Arusha. Shareholders of CRDB Bank Plc have expressed a desire for Group Chief Executive Abdulmajid Nsekela to remain in office beyond the legally permitted 10-year tenure, citing strong financial performance, dividend growth and expansion under his leadership.

The call was made during the bank’s 31st Annual General Meeting in Arusha, where shareholders reviewed the institution’s performance and long-term strategy. Shareholders said the bank had delivered significant value since 2018, when CRDB’s share price on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange stood at about Sh95. By April 2026, the price had risen to around Sh3,000. Dividend payments also increased sharply, from Sh5 per share in 2018 to Sh90 per share following the 2025 financial results, which shareholders described as the strongest in the bank’s history.

The approved dividend will result in a total payout of Sh235.1 billion compared to Sh169.8 billion distributed in the previous year. CRDB’s market capitalisation now exceeds $2.8 billion, with shareholders citing it as evidence of improved investor confidence.

One founding shareholder, Godfrey Mosha, said the bank had recorded unprecedented growth in profitability and balance sheet strength under Dr Nsekela. He said profits had increased by more than 1,000 percent since 2018, while total assets rose from Sh7.6 trillion to Sh23.9 trillion by 2026. Customer deposits increased from S.

8 trillion to Sh16.2 trillion, while loans expanded from Sh3.6 trillion to Sh14.7 trillion. “These are extraordinary results.

We should not lose leadership that has delivered this level of growth,” he said. According to the bank’s annual report, CRDB holds 28 percent of customer deposits, 27 percent of banking sector assets, 29 percent of loans and 30 percent of post-tax profits in Tanzania’s banking industry.

A shareholder and former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye said leadership transitions in strong-performing institutions should be carefully considered, noting that changes in senior management can affect investor confidence and performance. Shareholders also pointed to the bank’s “Evolve” strategy (20232027), which has driven expansion in digital banking, regional operations and financial inclusion.

More than 98 percent of transactions now occur outside branches, while 50 percent of new accounts are opened digitally. About 40 percent of transactions are conducted outside normal branch hours.

CRDB has expanded operations to Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Dubai, strengthening its regional presence. In the first quarter of 2026, the bank posted a profit after tax of Sh206 billion, the highest quarterly profit recorded by any bank in Tanzania.

Subsidiaries also recorded growth, including CRDB Bank Burundi (Sh12.9 billion profit), CRDB Bank DRC (Sh828 million) and CRDB Insurance (Sh1.8 billion). Despite calls for continuity, shareholders said they respect regulatory limits on tenure but urged authorities to consider the broader interests of stability and sustained growth.

A committee led by shareholder Christopher Gachuma has been formed to present their views through official channels. Shareholders said their position reflects a desire to preserve institutional performance and maintain CRDB’s growth trajectory into its next strategic cycle.

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Dar es Salaam. Rachel Wandeto, the Kenyan woman who suffered severe burns after being attacked by unknown assailants allegedly over a tattoo bearing the image of President William Ruto on her shoulder, has died while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Kenyan media reports said Ms Wandeto succumbed to her injuries on Monday after days in critical condition following the attack in the Mwiki area of Nairobi. She had reportedly sustained more than 70 percent burn wounds after attackers allegedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze.

The incident sparked outrage across Kenya, with preliminary police investigations indicating the attack may have been politically motivated. Authorities said a specialised team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had been assigned to pursue the perpetrators.

Ms Wandeto had gained public attention after tattooing President Ruto’s image and political slogans on her body. According to reports, she was attacked by unidentified men while heading to visit a friend in the Kasarani-Mwiki area.

Several Kenyan leaders and public figures condemned the attack, while calls intensified for swift investigations and justice for the victim. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier visited her in hospital and pledged government support as she underwent treatment.

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It is a little over a year ago that Ambassador Juma Volter Mwapachu was laid to rest in Pande Village, Tanga Region. On Sunday April 19, a jovial remembrance event was held for the man simply known as JV to many.

It is no child’s play to do justice to JV’s illustrious life, as I had stated upon his death. In his introductory remarks during the remembrance evening, a former law professor at the University of Dar es Salaam, Chris Peter Maina, laid out the entire gamut of JV’s writings.

It is my deeply considered view that after Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, no one else matched him on the subject of writing on issues critically focused on development questions for Tanzania. A public intellectual par excellence was JV.

Indeed, it was the ex-president of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, who made reference to JV as a “development specialist”. A fellow ambassador and one whom JV would defer to as his senior, Ami Mpungwe, put it aptly in Ambassador Mwapachu’s book: “It would mostly take institutional memory to match JV’s vast networks of personalities and varied issues that he has encountered in his life’s journey, all in search for meaningful development pathways for Tanzania, Africa and the world in general” Such was JV’s lived experience of Tanzania’s rural and urban settings and changing landscape.

Tanzania irrefutably stands to gain immeasurably from much of his thinking, as well as equally inspiring public officials to also put their pens to paper. In keeping with the latter point, I am making this heartfelt appeal to Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Ambassador JV Mwapachu had served in various capacities from India to Ethiopia to France, before his final posting in Arusha as Secretary General (SG) of the East African Community (EAC).

It was incidentally while at the EAC that he was conferred a doctorate of political science by the National University of Rwanda. And a year before that, during Kenya’s 48th Independence Day celebrations on December 12, 2011, he was decorated by President Mwai Kibaki with the Republic of Kenya’s highest national award, the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) for his outstanding service as SG of the EAC (2006-2011) in advancing regional integration.

We may note that, besides JV, no other Tanzanians have been publicly documented as recipients of Kenyan national honours. My appeal to the ministry is to consider honouring Ambassador Mwapachu with an “Award for Outstanding Writing”.

I mean here is a man who established a magazine in 1993 by the name Change. It lasted piteously only five years.

In JV’s words, “it was aimed to inspire professional and intellectual Tanzanians and others to address some of the burning issues facing our country and the region.” As managing editor, JV made a personal contribution of no less than 37 articles.

Change magazine was even subscribed to by some educational institutions from overseas. Tanzanians deserve to be proud of that history.

Other than Change, Ambassador Mwapachu authored on his own four books and co-authored three others. He had five chapters in published books, 14 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, three book reviews, 64 publications in a local newspaper called The African, three publications in the Daily News newspaper as well as eight publications in The Citizen daily newspaper.

It is unbelievable stuff to get round the head! JV even has a chapter, from 20 years ago, on how to brand Tanzania for those involved in tourism promotion. He never left anything out.

One can’t say more other than to humbly request the ministry that is the image of the country to honour this dedicated son of Tanzania through his incredible writings. Andrew Bomani is a political writer and a co-founder of Tanzania’s yet-to-be-registered Independent People’s Party .

Kigali. NMB Bank Plc has signed two strategic financing agreements worth a combined $180 million (over S50 billion) with International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment and Norfund to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), agribusinesses, women-led enterprises and youth-driven businesses across Tanzania.

The agreements, signed on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, comprise $100 million from IFC and $80 million from BII and Norfund. The facilities are expected to strengthen NMB’s lending capacity and support the provision of longer-term structured financing to businesses operating in key productive sectors of the economy.

NMB said in a statement yesterday that the funding will help address growing demand for credit among expansion-oriented enterprises, particularly those seeking working capital, investment financing and support to strengthen supply chains. The statement further added that the facilities also align with its Medium-Term Strategic Plan 20262030, which focuses on responsible growth, financial inclusion and sustainable finance.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, NMB managing director and chief executive officer Ruth Zaipuna said the agreements reflected growing international confidence in the bank’s strategy, governance and contribution to Tanzania’s development agenda. “Securing these facilities is a strong endorsement of NMB Bank’s growth strategy and development mandate.

The additional long-term capital will enable us to expand financing to SMEs, agribusinesses, women entrepreneurs and youth-led enterprises..

,” said Ms Zaipuna. She said the facilities would strengthen the bank’s ability to provide fit-for-purpose financing, accelerate product innovation and deepen partnerships across value chains to support resilient business growth and wider socio-economic impact.

Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, Chris Chijiutomi, said the latest commitment builds on the institution’s existing partnership with NMB. “This latest commitment builds on our enduring partnership with NMB Bank since we invested in NMB’s Jamii Sustainability Bond in 2023. By providing and mobilising long-term, stable capital to MSMEs and agricultural businesses, BII is supporting Tanzania’s inclusive and resilient growth alongside NMB Bank’s continued efforts to provide more tailored and accessible financing solutions to underserved businesses across the country,” he said.

The transactions further position NMB among Tanzania’s leading financial institutions in mobilising development finance for the private sector. The bank said it would deploy the facilities in line with its strategic priorities, with a focus on expanding access to finance for entrepreneurs and supporting growth in productive sectors of the economy.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and the United States have started discussions on a new health cooperation agreement expected to strengthen health security, universal health insurance and local production of medical supplies, in what officials say could become a model for other African countries.

The discussions took place on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, during a meeting between the Minister for Health, Mr Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, and US global health official Mr Brad Smith. During the talks, both sides agreed to fast-track negotiations on a proposed memorandum of understanding on global health cooperation between Tanzania and the United States.

The two parties stressed that the partnership should deliver mutual benefits while respecting national laws and international obligations. Mr Smith serves as senior adviser for global health affairs and senior adviser in the Office of Global Health Security and Diplomacy at the US Department of State.

The discussions marked what officials described as a new phase of health cooperation between the two countries, with Tanzania signalling its intention to build a stronger and more self-reliant healthcare system capable of addressing current and future health challenges. Speaking during the meeting, Mr Mchengerwa said Tanzania was optimistic about the discussions and ready to begin technical cooperation immediately.

He said Tanzania was seeking a balanced partnership aimed at strengthening health systems, particularly in the areas of universal health insurance, local manufacturing of medical products and the use of digital technology in healthcare services. “We want a cooperation framework that delivers long-term results, improves access to quality healthcare services and strengthens the country’s capacity for greater self-reliance in the health sector,” he said.

Universal health insurance emerged as one of the key areas of cooperation during the talks. Tanzania is currently implementing the Universal Health Insurance Act of 2023, which seeks to expand access to healthcare services, reduce out-of-pocket health spending and integrate healthcare financing systems.

Through the proposed partnership, Tanzania expects to benefit from US expertise in innovative healthcare financing, insurance claims management, fraud control and strengthening the financial sustainability of health insurance funds. The two sides also underscored the importance of strengthening local production of medicines, diagnostic equipment and other medical products to reduce dependence on imports.

Mr Mchengerwa said increased domestic manufacturing would improve regional health security, enhance access to medical products and create investment opportunities for US companies in Tanzania. In that regard, he cited the existing partnership between Tanzania and Abbott in supporting the production of rapid testing kits for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis as an example of cooperation that could be expanded further.

For more than two decades, Tanzania and the United States have cooperated in combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria through various health programmes, including PEPFAR. The cooperation has also helped strengthen laboratory systems, medical supply chains and the development of healthcare professionals in Tanzania.

Through the proposed agreement, the two countries now hope to establish a more structured long-term cooperation framework focused on measurable results and capable of being replicated in other African countries. Mr Mchengerwa was accompanied at the meeting by Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdallah Saleh Possi.

On the US side, Mr Smith was accompanied by Mr Michael Behan, public health adviser at the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations in Geneva. .

At first glance, the media industry appears to be thriving. Audiences are larger, content consumption is at an all-time high, and digital platforms have made news and entertainment more accessible than ever before.

In markets across Africa, including Tanzania, millions of people engage with media daily scrolling, watching, listening, and sharing. By traditional logic, this growth in audience should translate into stronger revenues.

But it hasn’t. Beneath the surface lies a silent crisis: media revenues are shrinking, even as audiences continue to expand.

This contradiction is not only puzzling it is dangerous. It challenges the sustainability of media organisations and raises fundamental questions about the future of the industry.

The root of this crisis lies in a shift in how value is created and captured. Historically, media organisations monetised attention through advertising.

The more people you reached, the more valuable your platform became. This model worked effectively in an era where media channels were limited and audiences were relatively captive.

Today, that model has been disrupted. Digital platforms such as Google and Meta have redefined the rules of the game.

They offer advertisers precision targeting, real-time analytics, and performance-based pricing. Instead of paying for potential reach, advertisers now pay for measurable outcomes clicks, conversions, and engagement.

As a result, a significant share of advertising budgets has shifted away from traditional media toward these global platforms. For media houses, this has created a paradox.

They continue to produce content that attracts large audiences, but they no longer control the primary channels through which that content is distributed or monetised. Traffic flows through platforms that capture the majority of advertising value, leaving content creators with a shrinking share of the revenue.

At the same time, audience behaviour has evolved in ways that further complicate monetisation. Consumption is increasingly fragmented across multiple platforms and devices.

Users no longer engage with a single media outlet; they move fluidly between websites, social media, video platforms, and messaging apps. Loyalty has declined, and attention spans have shortened.

In such an environment, capturing attention is only half the battle–retaining and monetising it is far more difficult. Another factor contributing to the revenue decline is the commoditisation of content.

The digital landscape is saturated with information. News, entertainment, and opinion are produced at scale, often at little or no cost to the consumer.

This abundance has driven down the perceived value of content, making it harder for media organisations to charge premium prices for advertising or subscriptions. So what is the way forward? First, media organisations must rethink their value proposition.

The future is not in selling space, but in delivering solutions. Advertisers are looking for partners who can help them achieve business objectives whether that is brand awareness, customer acquisition, or market expansion.

This requires a shift toward integrated offerings that combine content, data, and experiential elements to create measurable outcomes. Second, there is a need to invest in audience intelligence.

Understanding who the audience is, how they behave, and what drives their engagement is critical to unlocking value. Data should inform not only editorial decisions but also commercial strategies.

Media organisations that can demonstrate deep audience insights will be better positioned to attract and retain advertisers. Third, diversification of revenue streams is essential.

Relying solely on traditional advertising is no longer viable. Opportunities exist in events, branded content, subscriptions, partnerships, and niche products tailored to specific audience segments.

The goal is to build a more resilient business model that is less vulnerable to shifts in advertising spend. Finally, media organisations must recognise and leverage their unique strengths.

Local media, in particular, holds an advantage in trust and cultural relevance. These attributes cannot be easily replicated by global platforms.

The silent crisis facing the media industry is not a result of declining demand for content. On the contrary, demand has never been higher.

The challenge lies in capturing value in a rapidly changing ecosystem where traditional models no longer apply. Addressing this crisis will require more than incremental adjustments.

It demands a fundamental rethinking of how media organisations operate, compete, and deliver value. The audiences are there.

The opportunity is clear. The question is whether the industry is ready to adapt before the silence becomes irreversible.

Angel Navuri is a Media, Partnerships and Growth Strategist .

Navigating stocks and commodities this year must be done with a keen attention to detail. Both markets are different by nature and therefore require different analytical approaches, but that doesn’t stop them from reacting similarly to broader macroeconomic conditions, nor does it negate the research you should put into understanding every driver.

As always, you’ll need a strong understanding of how the “underlinestock and commodity markets work and their varying volatility a comprehensive deep dive can be found in this article by Exness multiple technical indicators to assist you with timing entries and identifying trends, and robust risk management strategies.

But apart from this, it’s important to stay aware of key economic indicators that will influence overall market direction.

There are numerous macroeconomic factors that could affect the stock and commodity markets in 2026, and while no one knows for sure how global conditions will evolve, it’s wise to expect a continued level of volatility across both asset classes.

H2: Inflation

Let’s start by looking at inflation.

For those unaware, this measures how quickly prices for goods and services are rising, with higher inflation often impacting interest rates and market volatility.

When it comes to the stock market, this can often be a headwind for valuations, as each stock is ultimately influenced by company performance.

If inflation is high, that likely means the company is being affected, and the stock in question is likely to experience downward pressure or at the very least, increased volatility.

For the commodity market, it plays a different role, with commodities like gold and oil often acting as hedges during inflationary periods.

H2: Interest Rates

Another economic indicator to keep an eye on is interest rates. These are set by central banks such as the US Federal Reserve or the Bank of England, and they play a key role in shaping stock valuations and influencing currency strength.

For instance, when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, borrowing becomes more expensive for both consumers and businesses. This then leads to slower economic growth and reduced corporate profits.

At the same time, higher interest rates can strengthen the US dollar, which might negatively impact commodities like oil and gold, which are tied to dollars and therefore become more expensive for foreign buyers.

H2: Gross Domestic Product

Gross Domestic Product measures overall economic growth, with a strong GDP working to support stocks through higher corporate earnings and stronger investor confidence, and a weak GDP working to lower risk appetite and lead many to expect future growth decline.

In terms of the commodity market, it also acts as a key demand signal. Because strong economic growth typically increases industrial activity and energy consumption which can support commodities like natural gas it generally leads to higher demand for raw materials and upward pressure on commodity prices.

For “underlinenatural gas trading, this can then create stronger short-term trading opportunities, which makes it a particularly popular asset when seasonal demand is high again, you can find more details on this particular type of trading through Exness.

H2: Employment Data

If you’re more heavily invested in the stock market than commodities, employment data including unemployment rate and payrolls is going to be particularly important for assessing market health.

In 2025, for instance, “underlinejob growth in the US slowed to its weakest pace since 2020, with only 49,000 new jobs monthly. Likewise, the unemployment rate rose to a four-year high of 4.

6% in November, finishing the year at 4.4% in December.

Savvy investors would have foreseen this, using all the indicators at their disposal to draw a clear picture and manage their portfolios accordingly.

In 2026, then, it’s your job to have these indicators at your disposal NFP, average hourly earnings, and economic calendars and understand how employment can affect the overall economic outlook with strong employment supporting consumer spending and equities, and weak employment signalling economic slowdown.

H2: Purchasing Managers’ Index

Another forward-looking indicator is the Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures business activity in manufacturing and services across an economy. It’s based on surveys of business leaders, who report on numerous factors such as new orders, output levels, and supply chain conditions, making it one of the earliest signals of how economic momentum is shifting.

The interpretation can be complicated for new traders, but the important thing is that anything above 50 equals expansion, while anything below 50 equals contraction. Expansion is positive for economic growth and typically supportive for stocks, while contraction is a warning sign of slowing activity and often negative for risk assets.

The distance from 50 also matters for instance, a reading of 52 suggests mild growth, while a jump to 58 signals strong expansion and accelerating economic activity but if the move isn’t sustained, it’s not going to be a reliable indicator of long-term direction. What you’re looking for is sustained movement above or below 50, which is a strong signal of economic momentum and broader business confidence.

H2: How to Navigate the Stock and Commodity Markets

All of these economic indicators are going to have an impact on the stock and commodity markets this year, so it’s important to remain alert and keep your ear to the ground.

As we noted previously, there are numerous ways you can do this, including keeping up to date with NFP and continuously checking economic calendars to track upcoming releases and anticipate periods of high market volatility.

Apart from this, it’s also a good idea to follow central bank announcements and forward guidance closely, as these often signal future changes in interest rates before they happen.

You can also monitor real-time market reactions on “underlinefinancial news platformsand trading dashboards, which will not only help you understand what’s happening, but process the overall sentiment which will be so crucial to gauging market direction.

Combining all of this with technical chart analysis will be the key to managing your portfolios more efficiently, and ensuring that, whatever might happen, you have the appropriate framework to deal with it. .

Nyang’hwale. The second phase of a multi-million-dollar education infrastructure programme jointly implemented by the government and Barrick Mining Corporation has reached 83 percent completion.

Known as the Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme, the $30 million initiative aims to expand education infrastructure through the construction of 1,090 classrooms and 270 dormitories. Through the project 1,640 toilets in 161 schools across the country will be constructed, benefiting an estimated 49,000 students.

During the first phase, implemented between 2023 and 2024, Barrick invested $10 million to support 64 schools through the construction of 396 classrooms, 97 dormitories and 600 toilets. The second phase, which runs from 2025 to 2026, targets 65 schools and involves the construction of 318 classrooms, 116 dormitories and 542 toilets.

Speaking during a foundation stone-laying ceremony at Nyang’hwale Secondary School in Geita District over the weekend, Barrick Country manager, Melkiory Ngido, said Sh19 billion had already been disbursed to 65 schools since March 2025 under the second phase of the programme. He said Nyang’hwale Secondary School was set to receive S01.8 million for the construction of two dormitories, five classrooms and eight toilets, noting that 76 percent of the funds had already been released.

“When we build educational infrastructure, we are building dreams, capabilities and future lives,” said Dr Ngido. Dr Ngido said Barrick views education as a strategic pillar for national development rather than simply a corporate social responsibility initiative.

“True development is not measured by economic output alone, but by how investments transform the lives of ordinary citizens,” he said. According to Barrick, the project in Nyang’hwale will help reduce classroom congestion, improve accommodation for female students and strengthen sanitation and health standards.

District leaders welcomed the initiative, with Administrative Secretary Kaunga Amani thanking President Hassan for creating an enabling environment for investors whose projects support sectors such as education, health, water and roads. Meanwhile, Executive Director Husna Toni said the new infrastructure would provide students with a more conducive learning environment and improve academic performance.

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