Category: The Citizen

The race for the Academy Tournament crown has entered its final phase, with four teams battling for two places in the championship match of the youth football competition being held at Akeri Grounds in Arumeru District.

Organised by Pareto Youth Center, the tournament kicked off on June 26, 2026, bringing together eight community-based teams in a competition aimed at nurturing young football talent while promoting environmental conservation and youth engagement.

The participating teams are Akeri Football Club, Tengeru Soccer Club, Pareto Soccer Club, Poli Football Club, Kuza Football Club, Sura Football Club, Leganga Sports Club and Lesser Flamingos Football Club.

After the group stage, Kuza FC, Tengeru Training Center, Pareto FC and Lesser Flamingos FC advanced to the semi-finals, setting up a thrilling battle for a place in the final.

Kuza FC strengthened their hopes of reaching the final after securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Tengeru Training Center in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

Meanwhile, Pareto FC and Lesser Flamingos FC played out a 1-1 draw in an entertaining encounter, leaving their tie evenly poised ahead of the return leg.

The four teams will return to Akeri Grounds on Thursday for the decisive semi-final matches, with Kuza FC facing Tengeru Training Center and Pareto FC taking on Lesser Flamingos FC in a winner-takes-all battle for a place in the final.

Beyond competition, organisers say the tournament is designed to provide young players with a platform to showcase their talent while using football to promote community development, environmental awareness and youth empowerment.

Tournament coordinator and Pareto FC head coach Jordan Mosses said the competition was born out of a desire to revive grassroots football in Arumeru after the district went for more than a decade without a structured local league.

‘The Pareto League is named after pyrethrum, a local crop that symbolises authenticity and our indigenous roots,’ Mosses said.

He explained that the initiative started with Pareto Sports Club (PSC), which relocated from Mlandizi in Tanzania’s Coast Region to Arumeru with the aim of revitalising football activities in the district.

‘We are now fully established in Arumeru to strengthen sporting activities across the district, and the league has already brought new energy to the community,’ he said.

Mosses added that the tournament extends beyond football by giving young people opportunities to interact, develop leadership skills and participate in initiatives that promote environmental conservation.

For Lesser Flamingos FC captain Peter Lucas, the team’s identity reflects its commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity.

‘We chose the Pink Flamingo identity to highlight the importance of environmental conservation and wildlife protection, particularly birds,’ Lucas said.

He added that the club is using football as a platform to create awareness among young people and communities on the need to protect nature.

Lesser Flamingos FC is supported by Nature Tanzania, a conservation organisation involved in bird protection efforts, as part of broader initiatives to safeguard bird species across East Africa.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila has given bar and nightclub owners in Kinondoni District one week to comply with government regulations on noise control, safety, licensing and environmental standards or face closure.

The directive follows growing complaints over excessive noise, violence involving bouncers, the presence of minors in entertainment venues and alleged prostitution in some establishments.

Speaking during a meeting with bar and nightclub owners and operators, Mr Chalamila directed Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule to work with relevant authorities to enforce the law without discrimination.

He warned that businesses failing to comply within the deadline would be closed and their operating licences revoked.

“The government will not allow businesses that violate the law and endanger public safety to continue operating,” Mr Chalamila said.

He instructed owners to address issues that had previously attracted warnings, including reducing noise pollution, preventing children from entering bars and nightclubs, obtaining the required licences and complying with environmental regulations.

The Regional Commissioner also directed the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) to allow businesses that had complied with environmental requirements to resume operations.

Earlier, Mr Mtambule said authorities had received numerous complaints about the conduct of bouncers, describing it as a growing public concern.

He cited a recent incident in which a young man died after allegedly being assaulted by bouncers at a bar he had visited.

Mr Mtambule also raised concerns over allegations that some entertainment venues were facilitating prostitution and allowing underage children to enter bars and consume alcohol, contrary to the law.

Bar owners and operators acknowledged the concerns raised by the authorities and pledged to address the identified shortcomings.

They also appealed to the Regional Commissioner to maintain dialogue with the sector, saying many businesses had already begun implementing the government’s directives and remained committed to improving compliance.

For 17 years, Mr Ombeni Sefue worked at the centre of the presidency, first as a presidential aide and later as Chief Secretary.

While many associate state house with prestige and influence, he says the reality was defined by immense responsibility, relentless pressure and little room for errors.

Tanzania and the United States have maintained diplomatic relations for about 65 years, building a partnership that has steadily expanded from diplomacy to trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Growing business links and increasing travel have strengthened economic cooperation, while the Tanzanian diaspora in the United States has become an important bridge between the two countries. On July 2, 2026, the two governments further reinforced their partnership by signing a five-year health memorandum of understanding worth Sh8 trillion.

Against this backdrop, the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, DC, is intensifying efforts to promote two-way trade and investment through commercial diplomacy.

One of its flagship initiatives was a Business Luncheon held on May 6, 2026, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre. The event combined Tanzania’s National Day celebrations with an investment promotion campaign aimed at showcasing the country’s economic progress and attracting American investors.

Rather than focusing solely on diplomatic protocol, the luncheon highlighted the experiences of American companies already operating in Tanzania while positioning the country as a competitive investment destination and a regional trade and logistics hub.

Speaking at the event, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Elsie Kanza, described the gathering as both a celebration of the longstanding partnership between the two countries and a reaffirmation of Tanzania’s commitment to trade, investment and strategic partnerships.

She said the Government remained committed to maintaining a competitive and investor-friendly business environment, assuring investors that Tanzania remains open for business.

The event also featured a panel discussion during which executives from companies operating in Tanzania shared their experiences and encouraged other American firms to explore opportunities in the country.

The Embassy said the timing of the luncheon reflected the growing importance both governments attach to commercial diplomacy.

The event also provided an opportunity to counter negative perceptions about Tanzania by allowing policymakers and business leaders in Washington to hear directly from investors with first-hand experience of operating in the country.

The luncheon attracted senior officials from the US Government, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of development finance institutions, business associations, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and the Tanzanian diaspora.

Among those attending were Ambassador Eric Kneedler, Acting Director of the US Department of State’s Office of East African Affairs, ambassadors from several African and other countries, as well as representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group, the International Cotton Advisory Committee and the US Chamber of Commerce.

During the event, District of Columbia Secretary Kimberly Bassett presented a proclamation declaring April 26, 2026, as Tanzania Day in Washington.

Dr Kanza outlined Tanzania’s investment proposition around four key pillars.

The first was credibility. She noted that Tanzania is East Africa’s highest-rated sovereign, with a B+ credit rating from Fitch and a B1 rating from Moody’s, reflecting improving macroeconomic stability and stronger economic fundamentals.

The second pillar was infrastructure development. Electricity generation has more than doubled over the past five years, largely due to the commissioning of the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, improving energy security and supporting industrial growth.

The third pillar was Tanzania’s strategic location. She said the country’s role in the Central Corridor, reinforced by a memorandum of understanding signed with the Northern Corridor in January 2026, strengthens its ambition to become the leading logistics and trade gateway for East and Central Africa.

She also highlighted Tanzania’s vast critical minerals resources and major liquefied natural gas projects, saying they have the potential to transform the country’s economy in the coming years.

These priorities, she said, are aligned with Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which aims to achieve high-income status through private sector-led growth. The Government expects the private sector to contribute about 70 percent of the projected $1 trillion economy.

Dr Kanza assured investors that Tanzania protects both domestic and foreign investments under national legislation and international agreements and remains committed to resolving challenges through dialogue with investors.

The panel discussion, moderated by Kendra L. Gaither, President of the US-Africa Business Centre and Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce, featured executives from The Friedkin Group, Global Export Marketing Company (GEMCO), Kostiv Investment Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Their testimonials provided practical insights into Tanzania’s investment climate and reinforced confidence among prospective investors.

Representatives from global companies, including Abbott and Citigroup, also attended.

One of the event’s major announcements came from The Friedkin Group, which revealed plans to establish Auberge Safari, a collection of nine luxury properties across Tanzania under its internationally recognised Auberge Resorts Collection brand. The investment further strengthens Tanzania’s position as a premium tourism destination.

Dr Kanza also highlighted the growing commercial relationship between the two countries, noting that bilateral trade exceeded $1.4 billion in 2024, the highest level recorded to date.

She identified mining and critical minerals, healthcare, banking and financial services, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing as priority sectors for future investment. These sectors support the Government’s ambition of positioning Tanzania as a regional hub for food production, healthcare, trade, logistics and investment.

The Embassy aims to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion by 2030.

According to the Embassy, trade between the two countries has more than tripled since 2021, when it stood at $380.2 million, reflecting growing investor confidence and stronger economic ties.

It is also working to sustain US investment in strategic sectors. Recent developments include the signing of a $300 million agreement with US-backed Panda Hill Tanzania Limited and continued negotiations on major projects in Mahenge graphite, Kabanga nickel and liquefied natural gas.

The Business Luncheon demonstrated how commercial diplomacy can strengthen bilateral relations while creating opportunities for trade and investment.

Beyond attracting influential policymakers and business leaders, the event generated fresh investment commitments, reinforced confidence among existing investors and showcased Tanzania’s economic progress.

It also highlighted the important role played by the Tanzanian diaspora in strengthening business and people-to-people ties.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Pius Mutalemwa, President of the Tanzania Community in the Washington Metropolitan Area, underlining the diaspora’s growing contribution to expanding economic cooperation between Tanzania and the United States.

Young Africans (Yanga) are facing a crucial challenge ahead of the new season as the club’s leadership works to ensure three foreign players remain with their respective loan clubs in order to free up foreign player slots for new signings.

The Mainland Tanzania champions are keen to strengthen their squad before the start of the 2026/2027 campaign, but their plans depend largely on the future of three players currently on loan.

The players are Ivorian defender Mohammed Doumbia, who recently joined South African Premier Soccer League side Marumo Gallants, Chadian winger Celestin Ecua, who has signed for Algerian club JS Kabylie on loan, and Guinean midfielder Moussa Balla Conté, who has completed a loan move to Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic. A member of Yanga’s executive committee told The Citizen that the club’s immediate priority is to convince the three clubs to retain the players beyond their initial loan arrangements.

According to the official, keeping the trio away from Jangwani Street giants would allow Yanga to utilise the available foreign player slots to recruit new talent identified by the technical bench.

“Our biggest task now is to convince the clubs to continue using the players,” said the official, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.

“If they agree to keep them, it will create room for us to register new foreign players.

That is our priority because we want to strengthen the team without creating unnecessary congestion in the squad.” The source admitted that Yanga already has a contingency plan should any of the clubs decide not to keep the players after their loan spells.

“If the clubs decide against retaining them, we will have to look for other teams willing to sign the players.

The objective remains the same, which is to create room for new foreign signings before the registration window closes,” the official said.

Yanga have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market as they prepare to defend the Mainland Tanzania Premier League title and compete in the CAF Champions League.

The club recently appointed South African coach Manqoba Mngqithi to lead the technical bench and is expected to make further additions to strengthen several departments.

Club officials believe maintaining a balanced squad while complying with player registration regulations is essential if Yanga are to remain competitive both domestically and on the continental stage.

Negotiations with the three clubs are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with Yanga hopeful that mutually beneficial agreements can be reached.

A successful outcome would allow the club to proceed with its recruitment plans while giving the three players an opportunity to continue gaining regular playing time abroad.

. A new Sh1 billion youth empowerment programme is set to equip nearly 600,000 young Tanzanians with the knowledge and skills to influence public policy, as stakeholders push to close the gap between young people and the country’s decision-making processes.

The KEYJana Impact Project, launched yesterday, July 14 by DFC Tanzania Fellows in partnership with ActionAid Tanzania and the Royal Danish Embassy, aims to strengthen civic participation by enabling young people to understand government policies, engage with public institutions and contribute to national development.

Over the next 18 months, the project will be rolled out in Ruvuma, Mara, Kigoma and Pemba, where participants will receive training on governance, civic engagement, climate justice and policy processesSpeaking to The Citizen, KEYJana Impact Project representative Hellen Sisya said many young people remain disconnected from policy discussions despite being directly affected by government decisions.

‘Our goal is to ensure young people understand existing policies, participate in decision-making processes and contribute to the formulation of future policies,’ she said.

She further added that the project would also create a platform for regular dialogue between young people and policymakers, helping to build trust and improve accountability.

‘When young people are given the opportunity to participate, they become partners in development. That is how we build stronger institutions and more responsive governance,’ she said.

ActionAid Tanzania country director Bavon Christopher said the initiative recognises young people as drivers of change rather than passive beneficiaries of development programmes.

He said the project would provide practical skills that enable young people to engage in public affairs, understand policy frameworks and advocate for reforms that respond to the needs of their communities.

‘Sustainable development depends on the meaningful participation of young people, women and persons with disabilities in decision-making. Through this project, young people will gain practical knowledge that will enable them to engage confidently in governance processes,’ he said.

Beyond civic participation, the project also seeks to prepare young people for an increasingly digital public sphere, where access to information is often accompanied by challenges such as misinformation, disinformation and online harassment.

The Danish Ambassador to Tanzania, Jesper Kammersgaard, said digital platforms have become powerful tools for civic engagement, but warned that without the skills to navigate them responsibly, they can undermine informed public debate.

‘That creates enormous opportunities, but also real challenges. Misinformation and disinformation can distort public debate. Online intimidation can silence voices that deserve to be heard. Without the skills to navigate digital spaces safely and critically, participation becomes harder, not easier,’ he said.

Mr Kammersgaard said the project therefore combines civic participation with digital literacy, arguing that responsible engagement requires both confidence and the ability to assess online information critically.

He also welcomed the Government’s decision to establish a ministry responsible for youth affairs, saying it reflects growing recognition of young people as partners in shaping Tanzania’s future.

‘It sends an important signal that young people are recognised not simply as beneficiaries of development, but as partners in shaping the country’s future. We look forward to working alongside government institutions as this project moves forward,’ he said.

Defending champions Dar City face mounting pressure at the top of the Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL) as Stein Warriors and Pazi continue to close the gap in what is shaping up to be an exciting three-way title race.

Dar City lead the standings with 18 points from nine matches, while Stein Warriors and Pazi are tied on 17 points after playing the same number of games.

The defending champions have also dominated statistically, scoring 763 points while conceding only 412, giving them the league’s best offensive and defensive record. Stein Warriors have scored 693 points and conceded 445, while Pazi have registered 625 points and allowed 504.

The battle for top spot comes at a time when players have an added incentive to win following sports betting firm betPawa’s renewal of its sponsorship of the league through the popular Locker Room Bonus (LRB) program.

The renewed partnership will see basketball players competing in the 2026 BDL season share an estimated Sh588.9 million, with every victory bringing an instant financial reward.

Under the program, each player in a winning team receives Sh88,750, while members of the technical bench also earn bonuses after every league victory.

A total of 12 players and four technical officials, including two coaches, from every winning team qualify for the payments, making every match more rewarding and increasing the competition for league honours.

Speaking during the sponsorship signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, betPawa Regional Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, Bwalya Noah, said the company remains committed to investing directly in players.

‘At betPawa, we believe success on the court should create value for the people who make it happen.

That belief gave birth to the LRB. When a team wins, the players and technical staff who earned that victory should receive an immediate reward,’ she said.

Noah said the initiative recognises players’ efforts, rewards excellence and ensures outstanding performances translate into tangible financial benefits.

She added that the program has become one of Africa’s leading sports development initiatives, benefiting thousands of athletes in Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria and Cameroon, while hundreds of Tanzanian basketball players have also earned bonuses.

Basketball Dar es Salaam League president Shendu Hamis welcomed the renewed sponsorship, saying it has significantly improved the league’s competitiveness.

‘This partnership continues to bring real value to our league. It motivates players to perform at their best because every victory now carries an immediate financial reward,’ said Hamis.

He noted that the Locker Room Bonus has changed the mindset of clubs and players, encouraging professionalism while raising the overall standard of competition.

Meanwhile, betPawa East Africa Marketing Coordinator Nassoro Mungaya said the company will continue working with the Basketball Dar es Salaam League and the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) to strengthen the sport through better administration, player registration, match reporting and sustainable investment.

The long-held dreams of Songosongo island residents in Kilwa District, Lindi Region, to secure reliable transport will finally materialise following the commencement of a modern ferry construction project designed to provide safe travel and boost the local economy.

The Sh5.7 billion ferry, fully funded by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, is being constructed by the contractor Qiro Group Ltd.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during the project’s official launch at the Malindi port slipway in the Urban West Region of Unguja, Lindi Regional Commissioner Zainab Telack said the ferry would bring immense relief to the islanders who have long endured severe transport hurdles.

She noted that despite the island’s critical importance to the national economy, driven by its natural gas reserves and luxury tourist hotels, transportation has remained perilously unreliable, with residents sometimes getting lost at sea while using makeshift vessels.

“This island is vital to our economy; it produces substantial natural gas and serves as a premium tourism destination boasting large hotels. Until now, our tourists have strictly relied on air travel,” Ms Telack stated.

“We are now confident that this modern ferry will offer tourists an alternative, safe route to explore our country. Tourism drives our economy. Therefore, alongside providing safe transit for Songosongo residents, we are unlocking the doors to accessible tourism on these islands, which will ultimately boost the economy for both the citizens and the nation at large,” said the regional commissioner.

Songosongo Ward councillor Hassan Mbai said the island’s 5,600 residents feel as though they have been reborn, noting that since independence in 1961, they have relied on highly unreliable and dangerous maritime transport.

“To tell the truth, if we were not in paradise, then we must be near its gates. God has miraculously protected us all these years, even though our local ferries were incredibly unsafe,” Mr Mbai reflected.

He added that the dire transport situation forced government experts and institutional officials to execute local projects remotely via phone calls, as reaching the island was considered too hazardous.

“On behalf of the residents of Songosongo and Kilwa, we are overjoyed today. We firmly believe our travel safety will drastically improve once this modern vessel is completed,” he said.

For his part, acting TPDC executive director, Mr Francis Mwakapalila noted that the corporation deeply recognises the immense economic and strategic contributions of Songosongo island through its continuous natural gas production.

“Consequently, this investment forms a core part of our CSR strategy to uplift the welfare and living standards of the communities surrounding our project areas,” said Mr Mwakapalila.

He revealed that TPDC allocated Sh5.76 billion for the project, with 100 percent of the funding derived from the corporation’s effective internal revenue management, ensuring that national energy resources directly benefit the citizens.

Furthermore, the Director of Ferries at the Tanzania Electrical and Mechanical Services Agency (Temesa), Mr Lukombe King’ombe, noted that alongside the Songosongo project, the agency is managing the construction of six other similar vessels to serve various regions across Mainland Tanzania.

“We are currently constructing a new ferry for the Mafia-Nyamisati route, which will serve as the second operational vessel there. Additionally, we are building five other ferries designated to serve communities across Lake Victoria,” explained Mr King’ombe.

A consulting engineer from the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), Mr Lazaro Isaac, detailed that the new ferry will measure 28.8 metres in length and 8 metres in width.

It will boast the capacity to carry 54 seated passengers, two small vehicles, and an estimated 10 tonnes of general cargo.

He noted that the eight-month project commenced following an advance payment of Sh1.5 billion on June 16, 2024.

Execution has currently reached 31 percent, and the contractor is expected to complete the vessel by February 2027, as per the contract.

Wrapping up the launch, Qiro Group Ltd managing director, Mr Yang Hao, popularly known locally as ‘Makame Mchina’, assured stakeholders that his company is fully committed to delivering the ferry on schedule while strictly adhering to all stipulated quality and safety requirements.

Nigeria plans to take on a bigger role in coordinating humanitarian responses inside the country, as it shifts away from a system led largely by international donors and UN agencies, officials said on Tuesday.

The move was outlined at a joint transition workshop in the capital of Abuja, where the Nigerian government and the United Nations began talks on transferring greater responsibility for planning, coordination, and financing ?of operations to national institutions.

Nigeria’s humanitarian minister Bernard Doro said the move was not a withdrawal of international support but a transition to government-led coordination that would continue to receive technical backing from the UN and other partners.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall said the decision was not about reducing support, but to shift to a new model that takes advantage of more government and ?private-sector funding to drive humanitarian response.

Donor funding has been under growing pressure globally, while Nigeria wants to strengthen its ability to respond to conflict, displacement, food insecurity, flooding, climate shocks and public health emergencies.

The UN ?has said nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger this year following the collapse of global aid budgets.

Doro said his ministry would work with ?federal and state authorities, aid agencies and affected communities to coordinate humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery efforts nationwide.

He said Nigeria aims ?to take the lead in developing its 2027 humanitarian plan, with technical support from OCHA and the wider UN system.

Whenever the price of coffee falls, farmers expect government to intervene. When fuel prices rise, motorists demand action. When bus fares increase, passengers look to regulators for protection.

More recently, butchers in Bukoba reportedly appealed to government to support higher meat prices after a local rancher began selling beef more cheaply than they were charging.

These examples have one thing in common. They all reflect a deeply rooted belief that government should determine prices whenever markets produce uncomfortable outcomes.

That expectation is understandable. It is a legacy of Tanzania’s economic history.

For nearly two decades after the Arusha Declaration of 1967, government occupied the commanding heights of the economy.

It owned major industries, controlled agricultural marketing, regulated trade and fixed many producer and consumer prices.

Citizens naturally came to view the state not merely as a regulator but as the principal economic actor responsible for determining what producers would receive and what consumers would pay.

The economic reforms introduced from the mid-1980s marked a fundamental turning point.

They followed a period of intense national debate over structural adjustment programmes promoted by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was among their strongest critics, warning that externally-driven reforms could impose heavy social costs and reduce national policy autonomy.

Nevertheless, under the new administration, Tanzania gradually embraced market liberalisation, private enterprise and competition as the principal means of allocating resources.

The reforms changed not only economic policy but also the relationship between government and the market.

Yet, almost 40 years later, one important question remains unresolved: What exactly is the role of government in a liberalised economy?

Many of today’s policy debates suggest that while our institutions have changed, our expectations have not. Whenever producer prices fall, farmers ask government to raise them. Whenever consumer prices rise, the public expects government to reduce them.

Whenever competition creates winners and losers, businesses often seek official intervention to protect their commercial interests.

The greatest misunderstanding about liberalisation is that it reduced the role of government. It did not. It changed the role of government-from setting prices to ensuring that markets function fairly, competitively and in the public interest.

This distinction is important because a liberal economy does not mean an economy without government. Nor does it mean that markets should always be left entirely alone. Equally, it does not justify government fixing prices whenever markets become politically uncomfortable.

Before intervening in any market, policymakers should ask three simple questions.

First, is the market failing? Markets sometimes fail because of monopolies, cartels, collusion or inadequate competition. In such circumstances, government has a legitimate responsibility to act.

But not every price increase or decrease represents market failure. International commodity prices, weather conditions and changes in supply and demand also influence prices.

Second, who ultimately bears the cost? Government may announce higher producer prices or lower consumer prices, but if those prices do not reflect the true cost of production, someone must absorb the difference.

If transport fares are held below operating costs, services eventually deteriorate.

If producer prices are fixed above market realities, marketing institutions incur losses. Economic policy cannot eliminate costs; it merely determines who pays them.

Third, will intervention strengthen or weaken the market? Good policy encourages investment, productivity and competition. Poor policy often weakens incentives, discourages efficiency and reduces innovation.

The objective should not simply be to change prices but to improve the way markets function.

Governments possess many instruments besides fixing prices. They can invest in infrastructure, improve storage facilities, strengthen market information systems, reduce unnecessary taxes and levies, promote competition, enforce consumer protection laws and regulate monopolies. In many cases, these measures produce more sustainable results than administrative price controls.

It is also important to distinguish between price determination and price regulation. Competitive markets determine prices through transactions between buyers and sellers.

Regulators, on the other hand, oversee markets where competition is naturally limited or where consumers require protection. The two functions are complementary, not contradictory.

The remaining articles in this series will examine how these principles apply to Tanzania’s producer prices and consumer prices.

The next article asks whether, after four decades of liberalisation, agricultural marketing has fully embraced competition. We shall examine producer prices, AMCOS, the Warehouse Receipt System (Stakabadhi Ghalani), indicative prices and the continuing restrictions on farm-gate buying.

The discussion is not about returning to the past or abandoning liberalisation. It is about ensuring that government intervention strengthens markets rather than substitutes for them as we implement Vision 2050.

After four decades of experience, Tanzania’s challenge is no longer choosing between state control and free markets. It is defining the proper role of government in building competitive, efficient and fair markets that serve both producers and consumers.