Category: The Citizen

Kigali. The African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), a pan-African reinsurance institution owned by African states, insurers and development finance institutions, is urging African governments to treat insurance and reinsurance as strategic economic tools, arguing that stronger insurance markets could help East African countries manage climate shocks, finance infrastructure and reduce dependence on costly external borrowing.

Launching a new strategy report during the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali on Friday, May 15, 2026, Africa Re warned that African economies continue to suffer heavy losses from floods, droughts and other disasters because most risks across the continent remain uninsured. “Africa is not short of ambition.

Africa is not short of resources. As we have been saying in this conference and in others, we are short of execution and resilience, and insurance and reinsurance are designed to build exactly that,” said Africa Re Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Corneille Karekezi.

The report, titled Unlocking Africa’s Growth Potential: The Strategic Role of Insurance and Reinsurance, argues that insurance should no longer be viewed merely as a financial product, but rather as a strategic development tool capable of strengthening resilience, supporting infrastructure financing and mobilising long-term domestic capital. For East Africa, where governments are simultaneously grappling with climate shocks, infrastructure financing gaps and rising debt pressure, the report presents insurance as part of the solution rather than a secondary financial service.

According to Africa Re, only six to seven percent of catastrophe-related losses across Africa are insured, leaving governments, businesses and households to absorb more than 90 percent of damages directly. “The macroeconomic impact of a disaster is not primarily determined by its size, but by the proportion of losses that are insured,” the report states.

Floods, droughts and storms continue to place enormous pressure on African economies, particularly in countries where governments are forced to divert resources from development projects towards emergency response and reconstruction. “When there is flooding, when bridges are wiped out, when houses collapse, governments stop other priorities and start reallocating budgets.

It’s better to have something to rely on when catastrophe hits than to start rebuilding from scratch,” said Dr Karekezi. In East Africa, where agriculture remains the backbone of most economies, the financial consequences are particularly severe.

Millions of farmers across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda continue to rely heavily on rainfall, yet only a small proportion have agricultural insurance coverage. When crops fail or livestock die because of drought or floods, governments often step in with emergency support while affected families struggle to recover.

Africa Re believes expanding insurance coverage could significantly reduce such vulnerabilities while easing pressure on public finances. “We are calling for action.

If we don’t do this, then every climate shock becomes a fiscal shock,” said Dr Karekezi. The report cites Nigeria as one example where agricultural insurance programmes supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Africa Re have already extended coverage to more than 1.

47 million farmers through index-based products linked to weather conditions. “In Nigeria we are helping to scale index-based agricultural insurance reaching over 1.

4 million farmers. That is still scratching the surface.

We should do this more and more so that we protect our farmers and help them rebuild when disasters happen,” said Dr Karekezi. The institution says East Africa could replicate similar models on a larger scale, particularly because the region already has advanced mobile money and digital payment systems.

Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem, Tanzania’s growing fintech sector and Rwanda’s digital transformation initiatives are creating opportunities for insurers to distribute low-cost products through mobile platforms instead of relying solely on traditional insurance branches. Africa Re says such innovations could help extend insurance coverage to millions of informal workers, farmers and low-income households that have historically remained outside formal financial systems.

“Today we have technology, satellites, mobile phones and digitalisation of supply chains. All these things are available and we are calling for action,” said Dr Karekezi.

However, the corporation insists technology alone will not be enough. The report argues that stronger insurance markets require deliberate policy reforms, better regulation and greater government involvement.

Among the reforms proposed are stronger insurance regulators, modernised legal frameworks, expanded microinsurance programmes and national financial literacy campaigns aimed at improving public understanding of insurance. Africa Re says many Africans still rely on family networks rather than formal insurance because the culture of risk planning remains weak.

“If an average hustler in Lagos has an accident, he calls family members to help him. He does not go first to an insurance company.

So we have to change mindsets through reforms, education and enforcement,” said Dr Karekezi. The institution also wants governments to integrate insurance more directly into national disaster management and development planning.

One of the examples highlighted in the report is Morocco, where coordinated reforms involving regulators, ministries and insurers significantly increased insurance penetration over the past decade. Morocco later established a national catastrophe coverage system capable of mobilising rapid payouts after disasters.

“When Morocco had the earthquake near Marrakesh in 2023, they could mobilise close to $300 million within weeks. That is what we need to build in Africa,” said Dr Karekezi.

Africa Re says such systems demonstrate how insurance can reduce economic disruption after disasters while protecting government budgets from sudden shocks. The institution is also positioning insurance as a potential source of long-term development financing for African economies.

According to the report, Africa requires between $130 billion and $170 billion annually for infrastructure development but currently mobilises only around $80 billion, leaving a financing gap of between $50 billion and $90 billion each year. Africa Re believes stronger insurance industries, especially life insurance, could help close part of that gap by mobilising domestic savings and directing them into infrastructure, housing and government bonds.

“Infrastructure and housing are long-term projects. To find resources which match that profile, you need insurance, especially life insurance,” said Dr Karekezi.

In countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius, insurance company assets already exceed 35 percent of GDP, creating large pools of long-term capital available for investment. East Africa’s insurance markets remain relatively small by comparison, but Africa Re says the region has strong growth potential because of its expanding middle class and rapid urbanisation.

“We cannot wait for outsiders to develop Africa. Financial resources are what drive development,” said Dr Karekezi.

At the same time, the institution acknowledges that the insurance sector still faces significant trust challenges across many African countries. Many consumers remain sceptical because of delayed claims settlements, poor customer experience and limited understanding of how insurance products work.

The report therefore calls for stronger consumer protection frameworks, improved transparency and faster claims settlement systems as part of efforts to build public confidence in the sector. “Insurance is not sexy because we are asking people to bring money today to build a future.

But those savings are what finance economies,” said Dr Karekezi. Africa Re is also encouraging greater regional cooperation so that more African insurance risks are retained within African financial systems instead of being transferred to international markets.

“Our dream is that African risks are first absorbed in Africa. That would be incredible for building strong African financial systems,” said Dr Karekezi.

For East Africa, where climate pressures are intensifying and governments continue searching for sustainable development financing, Africa Re says insurance may no longer be an optional financial service. Instead, the corporation argues, it could become one of the region’s most important economic tools for protecting livelihoods, managing risk and supporting long-term growth.

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Kampala. Uganda has granted a licence to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink to operate in the country, President Yoweri Museveni announced in a post on X on Friday.

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has been rapidly expanding across Africa and already operates in more than a dozen countries on the continent, including Somalia. Museveni said he presided over the signing of an operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Starlink, describing it as a significant step towards the company’s entry into the Ugandan market.

The UCC is Uganda’s communications sector regulator. “I am pleased that Starlink has agreed to comply with Uganda’s laws and regulatory requirements as it prepares to begin service delivery in the country,” Museveni said.

The approval follows months of regulatory uncertainty, during which Ugandan authorities had imposed restrictions on the importation and customs clearance of Starlink equipment due to compliance concerns. Uganda joins a growing list of African countries opening up to Starlink, which is positioning itself as a provider of satellite-based internet in markets with limited broadband infrastructure and connectivity gaps, particularly in rural areas.

The service is widely seen as a potential boost to internet access, although high equipment costs and regulatory hurdles remain key challenges across several African markets. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji is investing $50 million in a soft drinks manufacturing plant in Mombasa, Kenya, as MeTL Group expands its footprint in Africa’s growing beverage market.

The facility, to be developed through MeTL Group, will produce the company’s flagship beverages including Mo Cola, Mo Xtra and Mo Malto.The investment forms part of the conglomerate’s broader expansion strategy across East and Southern Africa.

ccording to Kenya’s Business Daily, MeTL plans to price a 300-millilitre bottle of Mo Cola at around 15 Kenyan shillings, far below competing products that retail at nearly 40 shillings, positioning the brand as an affordable mass-market option.Dewji said the project is still in the planning stage, but construction could begin within the next 12 months.

He added that MeTL is also setting up a manufacturing plant in Uganda.MeTL’s beverage products are already distributed across Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the company’s growing regional footprint and ambitions in Africa’s consumer goods market.

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Former England captain David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsperson, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List. Beckham and his wife, fashion entrepreneur and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, now have a combined fortune estimated at Pound 1.185 billion.

The sharp rise in the couple’s wealth has largely been driven by Beckham’s investment in Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club he co-owns in the United States. The club’s value increased significantly following the arrival of Argentine star Lionel Messi, while the Miami Freedom Park real estate project also boosted Beckham’s fortune.

Victoria Beckham’s fashion business, which reportedly generated more than Pound 100 million in revenue this year, also contributed to the milestone. The Sunday Times described Beckham’s achievement as historic, placing him among Britain’s wealthiest public figures and highlighting the growing commercial power of global sports brands beyond athletes’ playing careers.

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Arusha. Nigeria and Ghana are set to participate in the 2026 Karibu-Kilifair international tourism exhibition for the first time, as organisers intensify efforts to position Tanzania as a key tourism and business hub in Africa.

The two West African nations are among 13 countries expected to take part in this year’s exhibition, which will also bring together more than 546 exhibitors and at least 1,000 international buyers from over 40 countries. Speaking on Thursday, May 14, the director of Kilifair Promotion, Dominic Shoo, said preparations for the exhibition had been completed, with this year’s edition expected to be the largest since its establishment.

The event is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 6, 2026, at the Magereza Grounds in Arusha. Mr Shoo said the participation of Nigeria and Ghana for the first time signals the growing international recognition of the exhibition and Tanzania’s tourism sector.

“This year we have more than 546 exhibitors from 13 countries and at least 1,000 international buyers from over 40 countries. The networking opportunities and business engagements during the exhibition will be enormous,” he said.

Other participating countries include Tanzania, Germany, Zanzibar, Uganda, South Africa, Turkey, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Zambia. According to Mr Shoo, the exhibition seeks to bring together tourism stakeholders from within and outside Tanzania under one platform to strengthen business partnerships and market Tanzania’s tourism attractions globally.

Participants will have an opportunity to hold business meetings, exchange experiences and promote tourism products from Tanzania and other participating countries. The exhibition will officially be opened on June 5, 2026, by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji.

Mr Shoo said one of the highlights of this year’s exhibition will be a unique Mount Kilimanjaro climbing experience set up within the exhibition grounds. Participants will also compete in a special Mount Kilimanjaro challenge, where the winner will receive either a climbing trip to the mountain or a cash prize of Sh1 million.

He said the initiative aims to further market Tanzania through the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro while creating fresh excitement among both local and international participants. Apart from promoting tourism, the exhibition is also expected to boost the economy of Arusha through increased visitor arrivals and business activities during the event.

In another development, organisers have officially introduced a sports tourism segment in partnership with renowned Tanzanian long-distance runner Alphonce Simbu. Mr Shoo said Simbu will serve as an ambassador for sports tourism promotion as part of efforts to diversify tourism products showcased during the exhibition.

Meanwhile, tourism stakeholder Timothy Mdinka said the exhibition offers local tourism players a rare opportunity to connect directly with international buyers without incurring the high costs of travelling abroad. He said the introduction of sports and cultural tourism components would further strengthen the exhibition and help Tanzania attract more international tourists.

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Arusha. The government has invited Russian investors to partner with Tanzania private sector in tapping into opportunities arising from preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), as the two countries strengthen ties.

Authorities also highlighted wider investment prospects across mining, energy, technology, manufacturing, modern agriculture, pharmaceuticals and vocational education. The appeal was made on May 15, 2026 in Arusha during the opening of the TanzaniaRussia Business and Investment Forum by the Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Dr Pius Chaya.

Dr Chaya said the co-hosting of Afcon 2027 by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda presents significant opportunities in sports infrastructure, hospitality, transport, ICT, aviation, entertainment and tourism-related services. “We invite Russian investors to partner with Tanzania’s private sector in projects linked to Afcon 2027 and the country’s wider economic transformation agenda,” he said.

He noted that Tanzania has continued to implement broad economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening infrastructure and enhancing competitiveness in global markets. Dr Chaya further pointed to the country’s strategic location within East and Southern Africa, saying its access to a regional market of more than 300 million people through the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) places it at the centre of continental trade and investment flows.

He added that government facilitation mechanisms, including the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) and its One Stop Facilitation Centre, have been strengthened to streamline investment procedures for both local and foreign investors. According to him, the strong participation of Russian companies in the forum reflects growing confidence in Tanzania’s economic outlook and long-term growth trajectory.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said Tanzania and Russia have maintained long-standing diplomatic relations, but stressed the need to translate those ties into tangible economic gains. “What we need now is to transform our excellent political and diplomatic relations into real economic outcomes for our people,” he said.

Prof Mkumbo said Tanzania remains among Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with growth projected at 6.1 percent this year and between 6.

3 and 6.5 percent next year.

He identified energy, mining, agriculture and industrial development as priority areas for expanded bilateral cooperation, noting Tanzania’s vast resource base. Citing World Bank assessments, he said Tanzania is among countries with significant mineral wealth, including gold and critical minerals.

On agriculture, Prof Mkumbo said Tanzania has more than 44 million hectares of arable land, with only about a third currently under cultivation, leaving substantial room for investment in food production and agro-processing. “The world needs more food than ever before, and Tanzania has the potential to feed Africa and beyond through cooperation with experienced Russian companies,” he said.

He also pointed to opportunities in industrial manufacturing through Special Economic Zones, as well as tourism, science, technology and education. Prof Mkumbo encouraged Tanzanian firms to explore opportunities in Russia, while urging greater access for Tanzanian agricultural, fisheries and mineral products in the Russian market.

“Tanzanian products should find space in Russian supermarkets so consumers there can access goods from Tanzania and Africa,” he said. Tiseza Board Chairman, Dr Aziz Mlima, said the forum formed part of the third session of the Joint Intergovernmental TanzaniaRussia Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

He said the event brought together more than 120 Russian companies and over 200 Tanzanian firms, providing a platform for investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry leaders to explore partnerships and trade opportunities. The forum, he added, is expected to deepen economic relations between the two countries while unlocking new avenues for trade, technology transfer and long-term investment cooperation.

Russia’s Minister for Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, said Moscow was committed to strengthening economic cooperation with Tanzania to ensure mutual benefits through expanded trade and investment. “Russia has continued opening its market to Tanzanian products and investment opportunities, and we are committed to expanding this cooperation further,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. Uganda has stepped up efforts to attract Tanzanian investors into its inaugural sovereign Sukuk issuance worth Pound 405 million (about Sh1.2 trillion).

The bond is part of efforts to seek alternative financing for its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project while deepening regional capital market integration. The Shari’ah-compliant bond, which includes a Pound 45 million greenshoe option, will partly finance the construction of the 272-kilometre SGR line linking Malaba on the Kenyan border to Kampala.

Uganda’s Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Patrick Ocailap, pitched the investment opportunity to Tanzanian investors and secondary market dealers during a Non-Deal Roadshow meeting held at the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE). According to a statement shared by local Sukuk consultants, Yusra Sukuk Company Limited, Uganda opted for Sukuk financing as part of efforts to diversify funding sources for strategic infrastructure projects.

“The Sukuk is intended to finance 15 percent of the Pound 2.702 billion required for the construction of the Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway,” Mr Ocailap said.

The issuance, which is being arranged by Yusra Sukuk Company Limited, is expected to be launched globally in either the third or final week of June 2026. Ugandan officials said investor interest had already been strong following a series of regional and international roadshows, raising prospects of an oversubscribed offer. Yusra Sukuk Company Limited executive chairman, Sheikh Issa Mohamed, said the arranger had already engaged nearly 25 prospective investors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through virtual roadshows, alongside more than two dozen regional investors.

“Currently, we are conducting physical roadshows across East Africa, and we expect to travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia later this month, followed by South Africa, for further investor engagements,” he said. Ugandan authorities said additional subscriptions could be accommodated should demand exceed both the original issuance and the greenshoe option.

“We will not deny investors who want to participate in Uganda’s development,” Mr Ocailap said. He noted that the portion expected to be financed through the Sukuk would cover only about 42 kilometres of Uganda’s planned 1,724-kilometre SGR network.

Under the financing structure, development finance institutions are expected to fund 25 percent of the Malaba-Kampala railway project, while export credit agencies will provide 60 percent. The Sukuk issuance will finance the remaining 15 percent.

The Sukuk has been structured as a hybrid Forward Ijarah and Istisna instrument. Under the arrangement, the Ijarah component will provide semi-annual returns to investors, while the Istisna structure will finance construction works.

Uganda plans to issue the Sukuk in two tranches. The domestic and regional tranche will amount to Pound 205 million, alongside a Pound 30 million greenshoe option, while the international tranche will account for Pound 200 million with an additional Pound 15 million greenshoe option.

The regional tranche will be denominated in Ugandan shillings and US dollars, while the international tranche will be issued solely in US dollars. DSE chief business development officer, Emanuel Nyalali, welcomed the planned issuance, saying it would strengthen East Africa’s financial market integration and expand investment products available within the region.

“This Sukuk issuance is not only about East African market integration, but also financial and product integration, which will deepen regional capital markets,” he said. Mr Nyalali added that the DSE would cooperate with Ugandan authorities to facilitate cross-listing and investor participation in Tanzania.

The Sukuk will be issued through a special purpose vehicle, Uganda Treasury Sukuk1 Limited, which is wholly owned by the government of Uganda. The bond is expected to be cross-listed on several regional and international exchanges, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Dubai, the London Stock Exchange and Bursa Malaysia Ugandan authorities also said preparatory work for the SGR project was already underway, including land acquisition, feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and contractor mobilisation.

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Dar es Salaam. The government is in the process of strengthening its competition framework as part of broader efforts to improve market efficiency, protect consumers and create a more attractive environment for sustainable investment amid continued economic expansion.

Government officials and regulators say effective competition policies are becoming increasingly important as the country diversifies its economy and deepens integration into regional and global markets. Opening a high-level competition and trade forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade Aristides Mbwasi said competition policy was now central to economic transformation and inclusive growth.

“Competition policy is no longer a technical or secondary issue. It sits at the heart of economic transformation,” Mr Mbwasi said while representing the Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Judith Kapinga.

He said Tanzania’s economic growth must remain inclusive and avoid market concentration that could disadvantage smaller businesses and consumers. “As Tanzania’s economy continues to diversify and integrate into regional and global markets, we must ensure that growth does not become concentrated in ways that limit opportunities for smaller players,” he said.

According to him, a strong competition regime creates conditions that encourage innovation, consumer protection and long-term investment. “A well-functioning competition regime creates the conditions necessary for innovation, consumer protection and sustainable investment,” he added.

Mr Mbwasi commended the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) and its partners for organising the forum at a time when the country was facing emerging challenges linked to digital markets, regional integration and cross-border trade. He said Tanzania was seeking to build a transparent and predictable business environment capable of attracting both domestic and foreign investors while safeguarding fairness in the marketplace.

“The collaboration we are witnessing today is very commendable, and we congratulate the FCC for setting an example for other institutions under the ministry,” he said. Mr Mbwasi also revealed that since 2007, the FCC has received and analysed 843 merger applications, with 794 approved unconditionally and 91 granted conditional approval.

He said the commission had also investigated several unnotified mergers and issued eight final decisions, imposing penalties in seven cases. “These are businesses that, without a competition commission, would not have proper oversight.

The FCC is playing a critical role in ensuring fair competition in the market,” he said. Acting FCC director general Khadija Ngasongwa said competition law was increasingly influencing how companies enter markets, expand operations, set prices and engage with consumers.

“Competition law is no longer just a regulatory subject. It affects how businesses enter the market, how they grow, how they price and how they compete with each other,” she said.

Ms Ngasongwa said Tanzania’s goal was to build a predictable, transparent and competitive economy that supports investment while protecting consumers and smaller enterprises. She urged businesses to view compliance not as a regulatory burden but as a mechanism for reducing commercial risk and improving investor confidence.

“Properly understood, competition compliance gives investors confidence and helps companies understand risks before enforcement action becomes necessary,” she said. The FCC also announced plans to digitise several of its services, including the introduction of an online merger application system and a digital consumer complaints dashboard aimed at improving efficiency and public access to competition oversight services.

Ms Ngasongwa said stronger cooperation between regulators, investors and businesses would be necessary as competition enforcement increasingly overlaps with areas such as consumer protection, intellectual property, trade regulation, digital services and public procurement. She said the forum should serve as the beginning of sustained engagement between regulators and the private sector in strengthening Tanzania’s competition and investment environment.

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Mother’s Day had me emotional for two minutes then exhausted for the remaining 23 hours and 58 minutes. Between carrying snacks, carrying a child, and carrying the entire mental load of remembering absolutely everything, I had a realisation, Motherhood is ghetto.

And I say this as a fully grown woman with WiFi, a smartphone, adult money, and access to online parenting advice at 2 AM. Some days I still feel like a teen mom mentally.

Like, excuse me you people trusted ME with somebody’s life? Because one minute I’m giving responsible adult answers, and the next minute I’m hiding in the bathroom eating snacks in silence so I don’t have to share. Motherhood is beautiful, yes.

But it is also hard, emotional, draining, confusing, and deeply humbling. Which then made me think If I, a grown woman sometimes feel overwhelmed by motherhood what about an actual 15-year-old? Or a 16-year-old girl suddenly expected to become somebody’s wife and somebody’s mother? Because, be serious for a second.

At 15, most girls are still figuring out algebra, friendships, acne, crushes, and whether they even like themselves yet. Suddenly society wants to hand them a husband, a baby, and lifelong responsibilities like it’s a group assignment they volunteered for.

Absolutely not. Sometimes people talk about child marriage so casually too.

“She’s mature for her age.” No.

She was forced to grow up early. There’s a difference.

Trauma can look like maturity from a distance. And honestly, adulthood itself is already a scam half the time.

Back pain. Trying to decide what to cook every single day until the end of time.

Now imagine adding marriage and motherhood to a child on top of that? Even grown adults are out here whispering. “I just need a break.

” “I’m tired.” “I don’t know what I’m doing.

” “I hope this child survives my parenting.” So why do we act like little girls can magically handle all that pressure better? And please, I know somebody somewhere will say “But our grandmothers married young.

” Yes and many of them were also exhausted, silenced, overworked, and robbed of choices. We just romanticise their survival because they endured it quietly.

Surviving is not the same thing as thriving. A girl child deserves more than survival.

She deserves time. Time to grow.

Time to dream. Time to make mistakes that don’t involve raising another human being before her own brain is fully developed.

Because motherhood should be a choice made with readiness, not a burden forced onto girls still trying to understand life themselves. Honestly, this Mother’s Day just confirmed something for me, If motherhood sometimes makes grown women cry in parked cars and hide in bathrooms for peace Then surely we can all agree a child should not be pushed into it early.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian football giants Young Africans (Yanga)have officially unveiled plans to construct a modern 20,000-capacity stadium in Dar es Salaam, with the ambitious project expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months.

The major development was announced on May 15, 2026, during a landmark signing ceremony between the club and GSM Group held at Yanga’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Speaking during the event, Yanga President Hersi Said described the project as a historic milestone that will transform the club into one of the most modern and self-sustaining football institutions on the continent.

“This is a special day for Yanga members, supporters and Tanzanian football as a whole. We are laying the foundation for the future generation of this club.

The stadium will meet international standards and will become one of the best sporting facilities in East and Central Africa,” said Hersi. He revealed that the state-of-the-art stadium will comply with all requirements set by world football governing body FIFA and African football governing body Confederation of African Football.

According to Hersi, the ownership structure of the stadium will be shared equally between Yanga and GSM Group, with each side holding 50 percent ownership rights. “This partnership reflects trust, vision and commitment to the growth of football infrastructure in Tanzania.

We believe this project will open new economic opportunities for the club and improve the matchday experience for our fans,” he added. For her part, GSM Group Chief Executive Officer Aisha Mohamed pledged to deliver a world-class stadium that matches international quality and standards.

“We are not just building a football stadium, we are building a legacy for Tanzanian sports. This project will symbolize ambition, professionalism and the enormous potential that exists in our football industry,” said Aisha.

She added: “Our commitment is to ensure that every aspect of the stadium reflects modern technology, safety, comfort and international standards. Yanga supporters deserve a facility that matches the stature and history of their club.

” Aisha further noted that the project would also create employment opportunities for Tanzanians during both the construction and operational phases. “We want this stadium to become a source of pride for the nation.

It will stimulate economic activities, create jobs and inspire the next generation of athletes and sports investors,” she said. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila hailed the project as a major step in the development of sports infrastructure in the country.

“This is a historic investment not only for Yanga but also for Tanzania. The government welcomes such initiatives because they contribute to youth development, employment creation and economic growth,” said Chalamila.

He added that the project demonstrates how partnerships between private companies and sports institutions can accelerate development and position Tanzania as a leading sporting destination in Africa. The colourful ceremony was attended by government officials, Yanga executives, GSM representatives, club legends and hundreds of excited supporters who welcomed the announcement with celebrations and optimism over the club’s future.

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