Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Raoma Foundation, in partnership with Vodacom Tanzania Plc, has launched a new digital education system aimed at expanding access to quality learning through technology.

The digital platform dubbed Somo was developed by Vodacom Tanzania to support teaching and learning across all subjects in line with the national curriculum. The system enables a teacher to deliver lessons to students in multiple locations simultaneously, bridging geographical barriers and addressing teacher shortages.

According to the company, the platform seeks to complement ongoing reforms in the education sector by connecting schools and teachers through technology, while offering interactive tools for both learners and educators. The initiative is designed to make modern, high-quality digital education accessible to students nationwide.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Ladslaus Mnyone, who represented the Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Ameir Hafidh, said digital innovation was critical to achieving the country’s long-term development ambitions. “As we pursue the 2050 Development Vision of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy, we recognise that education is the foundation of that transformation.

By integrating digital technology into teaching and learning, we are widening access, enhancing quality and equipping Tanzanian children with the skills required to drive national development,” he said. He commended Raoma Foundation and Vodacom for the collaboration, noting that the system had been developed by local experts to serve Tanzanian learners and represented a significant step forward for the education sector.

The director of Raoma Foundation, Ms Rahma Abdallah, said the partnership demonstrated how private sector players could contribute meaningfully to improving education services. She added that the foundation was working closely with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, as well as development partners and other stakeholders to ensure the system reaches schools across the country.

For his part, Vodacom Tanzania’s head of Enterprise Products and Solutions, Mr Ali Z Ali, said the innovation aligned with the company’s broader objective of accelerating Tanzania’s digital transformation. “One of our priorities is to support the country’s transition into the digital era.

This system will enable a single teacher to instruct multiple schools or large groups of students in different locations without being physically present,” he said. .

Zanzibar. The Second Vice President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, has commended National Bank of Commerce (NBC) for its growing contribution to the socio-economic development of the Isles.

He made the remarks while gracing a special Iftar hosted by the bank for its customers and key stakeholders at the weekend. The gathering brought together a cross-section of NBC’s clients and partners, including senior government officials and religious leaders.

In his address, Mr Abdulla expressed appreciation for NBC’s continued support to development efforts in the Isles through financial services, professional advisory support and participation in social and economic initiatives. “Coming together to break the fast with your stakeholders, including customers, is a noble gesture during this Holy Month.

It is meaningful for you as organisers, for us as beneficiaries and before Almighty God. We are sincerely grateful,” he said.

He noted that NBC had distinguished itself as an institution attentive not only to commercial objectives but also to faith-based engagement and national development. “Through such gatherings, more Zanzibaris are drawn closer to your institution–not solely for business, but because you have shown that your relationship with customers extends beyond transactions,” he added.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining an enabling environment for financial institutions, enabling them to leverage growth opportunities arising from ongoing development projects and key sectors such as tourism, trade and fisheries. For his part, NBC Director of Credit, Mr Saleh Mohammed, who represented the bank’s Managing Director at the event, said hosting Iftar events in various regions, including Zanzibar, forms part of NBC’s longstanding tradition of strengthening its bond with the communities it serves.

As part of that approach, he highlighted NBC’s La’ Riba service, which provides Muslim customers with financial solutions aligned with Islamic principles. He added that the bank has also expanded its digital banking platforms to enhance convenience, including online account opening, government payments through the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GEPG), electricity purchases and bill payments.

Customers were encouraged to utilise digital channels such as the NBC Kiganjani App, NBC Connect, point-of-sale machines and payment cards to access secure and efficient banking services. The evening concluded with the presentation of gifts to guests and an opportunity for participants to exchange views and strengthen networks in the spirit of Ramadan.

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Simanjiro. Former Simanjiro District Executive Director (DED), Samwel Gunzah, has died while serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction on corruption and abuse of office charges.

The current Simanjiro District Executive Director (DED), Gracian Makota, confirmed on Monday, March 2, 2026, that Gunzah had passed away while in custody in Dodoma after a period of illness. “It is with deep sorrow that I inform you that I have received information about the death of our colleague Gunzah, who served as DED of the council from 2021 to 2023,” said Mr Makota.

Gunzah had been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption and economic sabotage. He later filed an appeal at the High Court of Tanzania’s Manyara Registry, which upheld the 20-year sentence.

The ruling was delivered on February 6, 2026, by Judge Devota Kamuzora. According to the court’s decision, he was to continue serving the 20-year sentence for corruption and abuse of office.

Gunzah was initially convicted by Resident Magistrate Charles Uiso at the Simanjiro District Court on September 18, 2025. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the first count and two years on the second count of abuse of office, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. In a separate case involving allegations of receiving Sh5 million in corrupt payments and abuse of office, Gunzah was acquitted.

The case, which was heard before Senior Resident Magistrate Onesimo Nicodemo at the Simanjiro District Court, ended with his acquittal on those charges. Meanwhile, some residents of Simanjiro District have expressed sadness over his death, describing him as humble and sociable outside official duties.

A motorcycle taxi rider in Orkesumet, Mr John Alfonsi, said that outside the office, one would hardly recognise that Gunzah was a district executive director. “He used to mingle freely with young people, elders, men and women regardless of his position.

May God grant him eternal rest,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has carried out a series of diplomatic postings, appointing Lieutenant General Mathew Mkingule as Tanzania’s ambassador to Cuba, succeeding Humphrey Polepole.

The changes were confirmed in a statement issued by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka and signed by the Director of Communications at State House, Bakari Machumu. According to the statement, Lt Gen Mkingule takes up the Havana posting 209 days after Polepole was relieved of his ambassadorial duties on August 5 last year.

The decision was said to have taken effect from July 16, 2025. The development comes months after Polepole publicly announced his resignation, sharing a letter on his Instagram page dated July 13, 2025. In the letter, he cited disappointment with what he described as leadership lacking direction in upholding justice, peace and respect for people. Polepole previously served in various capacities, including as a nominated Member of Parliament, District Commissioner and Secretary for Ideology, Propaganda and Training for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

He was also a member of the Constitutional Review Committee. In the wider reshuffle, Ambassador Togolani Mavura has been appointed Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, moving from his previous posting in South Korea.

Ambassador Cyprian Luhemeja has been named Tanzania’s representative to Zambia, replacing Lt Gen Mkingule, while Ambassador Salim Othman Hamad will serve as envoy to Comoros, taking over from Ambassador Saidi Yakubu. Ambassador Maulidah Bwanakheri Hassan has been appointed ambassador to Oman, succeeding Ambassador Fatma Mohammed Rajab.

Ambassador Suleiman Suleiman has been posted to China, replacing Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, while Ambassador Swahiba Mndeme will represent Tanzania in Sweden, taking over from Mobhare Matinyi. Matinyi has been relieved of his posting in Sweden after serving for 342 days since his appointment on March 25, 2025. Before his ambassadorial role, he served as Chief Government Spokesperson.

The statement further indicated that Ambassador Musa Haji Ali has been appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations in New York, replacing Hoyce Temu. .

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that his country has accepted a U.S.

request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers. “The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.

We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” he said in a video message on X. Starmer reiterated that Britain was not involved in the joint U.

S.-Israel air strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, adding that Britain would not join further waves of strikes.

But he said Iran had retaliated by launching sustained attacks across the region and its missiles had hit airports and hotels where British citizens were staying. “Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate, not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement, one in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon,” he said.

“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless, and putting British people at huge risk.” Britain’s partners in the Gulf had asked it to do more to defend them, he said, and it was his duty to protect British lives.

British fighter jets were already taking part in coordinated defensive operations and had intercepted Iranian strikes, he said, but the only way to stop the threat was to destroy the missiles at their source in storage depots or launchers. Accepting the U.

S. request, therefore, was based on the “collective self-defence of long-standing friends and allies and protecting British lives” in accordance with international law, he said.

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Dar es Salaam. East African Community (EAC) secretary-general Veronica Nduva has commended Tanzania for its steadfast commitment to advancing regional integration and development.

“Tanzania remains a strong champion of cooperation, playing a vital role in promoting economic growth and unity among EAC partner states,” she said. Ms Nduva praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her close cooperation and support during her tenure.

She described the President as a leader deeply committed to the Community’s development and as someone who values women’s leadership. “President Hassan’s leadership has reinforced momentum toward advancing the EAC integration agenda for the benefit of East African citizens,” Ms Nduva added, thanking her for the facilitation and support extended during her time in Tanzania.

With her term expected to conclude in April 2026, Ms Nduva’s visit served as a farewell courtesy call, highlighting the importance of strong collaboration between Tanzania, as host country and the EAC Secretariat. President Hassan reaffirmed Tanzania’s role as a key stakeholder in regional development and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods.

“These include facilitating trade among partner states, strengthening economic cooperation, combating climate change and advancing other priority areas,” she said, congratulating Ms Nduva on her contribution to enhancing trade within the Community. She noted that Tanzania is amending the Customs Union Protocol to operationalize the Trade Remedies Committee before submitting the revised framework to the EAC Secretary General.

The President also emphasized the importance of adhering to the Community’s Constitution and rotational principles when appointing a new Secretary General, affirming Tanzania’s support for the appointee. Discussions also covered final preparations for the EAC Heads of State Summit scheduled for March 7, 2026, in Arusha.

“I reaffirm Tanzania’s readiness to ensure the summit is successfully held by providing full cooperation and an enabling environment,” she said. Key agenda items at the summit will include the appointment of a new EAC Secretary General and other measures to strengthen development and regional integration.

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Is it just me, or does asking for a raise feel unnecessarily dramatic? We overprepare, rehearse every sentence, and brace for rejection, as if we are about to defuse a bomb rather than talk honestly about the value we create. In a world where the cost of living climbs faster than your phone battery drains at two percent, knowing how to advocate for your worth is no longer optional, it is essential.

Employees are navigating heavier workloads, tighter budgets, and performance expectations that continue to rise, while organisations face their own pressures to justify every increase and every decision. The modern professional is no longer just asking, “How do I get a raise?” but rather, “How do I make a clear, credible case for my value that holds up under scrutiny and cannot be easily dismissed?” Here is what the research consistently shows.

Roughly 70 percent of employees who ask for a raise receive one, at least in part, according to PayScale, yet only about 37 percent of employees ever initiate the conversation, as reported by Harvard Business Review. Over the course of a career, avoiding negotiation altogether can cost individuals a large sum of earnings.

Most managers however repeatedly cite the same reason for not awarding raises: the employee never asked. Staying silent is often far more costly than initiating the conversation, so today I want to walk you through a few strategies that may be useful if you plan to ask for a raise sometime this year.

The first shift is reframing how you think about asking for a raise, not as a reward for loyalty or effort, but as an adjustment that reflects the value you currently add to the business. You are not begging for approval; you are presenting evidence.

When you move from “please approve me” to “here is the measurable impact of my work,” the conversation changes in tone and substance, and raises stop feeling like gifts or high-stakes bomb defusions. At their core, raises are business decisions, and like most business decisions, they can be influenced through preparation.

1. Build a value portfolio.

Start by creating a living record of the contributions that make your case concrete rather than emotional. Keep a running document that captures wins, metrics improved, money saved, client outcomes, systems fixed, and any recognition you have received, because specificity is your strongest ally in compensation conversations.

Saying you “improved a process” invites interpretation, while demonstrating that you reduced processing time by 34 percent in the second quarter anchors your value in results that are difficult to dispute. 2.

Time the conversation strategically. When you ask matters almost as much as how you ask.

The strongest windows tend to follow the completion of a major project, coincide with performance review cycles, align with team or organisational wins, or occur during budget planning periods. While good timing does not guarantee a yes, it significantly improves the likelihood that your request will be evaluated within the right organisational context.

3. Anchor your ask in market reality.

Ground your request in credible market data rather than personal sentiment. Referencing sources such as Glassdoor, PayScale, LinkedIn Salary Insights, or relevant local job boards reframes the discussion from a subjective appeal into an evidence-based comparison.

This approach also makes it easier for your manager to advocate on your behalf, because the conversation shifts from opinion to externally validated benchmarks. 4.

Rehearse for clarity, not performance. Practice the conversation until the words feel familiar rather than fragile.

Say your request out loud, record yourself, or run it by a trusted colleague, because confidence is built through repetition, not bravado. A simple, direct script often works best: “Based on my performance over the last year, the measurable impact I have delivered, and current market ranges for this role, I would like to discuss adjusting my compensation.

” No apologies, no shrinking, and no unnecessary explanations. 5.

Prepare for every outcome. Walk into the conversation ready for a yes, a no, or a maybe, so you remain grounded regardless of the response.

If the answer is no, ask what specific milestones would position you for a raise in the next three to six months. If the answer is uncertain, schedule a clear follow-up.

This keeps the conversation active, protects your agency, and prevents the discussion from dissolving into ambiguity. Advocating for your worth is not arrogance; it is a professional responsibility.

Each time you choose clarity over discomfort, you strengthen your voice, your confidence, and your long-term career trajectory. Choose one concrete action this week, whether documenting your wins, researching your market value, or initiating the conversation itself, and trust that your future self will thank you for refusing to stay silent about the value you bring.

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Dar es Salaam. Imagine leaving the heart of Dar es Salaam, perhaps after a long day at work or running personal errands, tired and eager to reach your home in Mbagala.

You join the flow on Kilwa Road, hoping traffic might ease. Yet what begins as a short journey soon becomes a test of patience.

By the time you reach Uhasibu (Tanzania Institute of AccountancyTIA) in Temeke District, heading towards Mtoni Kwa Aziz Ali, vehicles stretch endlessly along the road, barely moving. Resident Aziz Ally describes it as “no real movement, only gradual inching forward.

” Engines roar, air conditioners struggle against the coastal heat, passengers check their watches repeatedly, and drivers sigh in exasperation. Meanwhile, motorcycle taxi operators, bodaboda, weave cautiously through the dense traffic.

What starts as a minor inconvenience quickly turns into an ordeal. Descending towards Mtoni Mtongani, the railway bridge offers momentary relief.

The car nudges forward, a sea breeze flows through the windows, and for a brief moment, it feels as if a small victory has been won. But the respite is fleeting.

Approaching the Misheni area, traffic slows again, advancing at a frustrating crawl that allows only shallow breaths. By Mbagala Kipati, the journey is far from over.

Congestion intensifies, vehicles jostle for space, and large lorries dominate the lanes as if oblivious to urgency. Public transport minibuses, or daladala, halt and restart every few metres.

By the time commuters reach Mbagala Zakhem, spending 35 minutes, or even an hour, to cover a short stretch has become routine. At Mbagala Rangi Tatu, mental fatigue sets in.

This is not a morning jam or an occasional evening problem; congestion is relentless, casting a shadow across the city’s roads. It persists throughout the day, from morning to night.

Although traffic may ease intermittently, it rarely disappears entirely. Perhaps most striking amid the chaos is the proliferation of dry port, or Inland Container Depot (ICD), signage.

Locations once slightly removed from main roads now lie close to heavily trafficked areas. Container lorries constantly enter and exit these facilities, increasing pressure on already overburdened streets.

Ordinary commuters, including office workers, homemakers, students, and daladala drivers, remain at the mercy of daily gridlock shaped by city planning decisions, road capacity, and the rising presence of ICDs. Under such circumstances, a trip from central Dar es Salaam to Mbagala becomes more than a question of kilometres.

It is a test of patience, endurance, and precise calculation of time, minutes, or even hours. For residents, this scenario exemplifies the daily challenges of navigating the city, exacerbated by the growth of dry ports.

ICD expansion sparks public outcry The rapid development of ICDs in Dar es Salaam has prompted complaints from residents along major roads and adjacent residential areas. Many argue that these investments have been implemented without adequate urban planning, environmental assessment, or meaningful citizen engagement.

Dry ports serve as transit hubs for receiving and transporting cargo containers away from the main seaport. Their official purpose is to ease congestion at the primary port and facilitate the movement of goods within Tanzania and to neighbouring countries.

However, some residents contend that the proliferation of ICDs near residential areas has become a nuisance rather than a solution. Despite government encouragement to expand transport infrastructure to boost commerce, the immediate effects on daily life have been severe.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, during a joint meeting with ICD operators, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda urged operators to provide 24-hour services to match customs clearance schedules. He acknowledged the role of ICDs in facilitating trade and generating tax revenue.

Residents’ complaints While Mr Mwenda highlighted the benefits, residents expressed deep concern over the constant passage of heavy lorries near schools. A resident of Sandali, Temeke District, Ms Manka Mushi, said the rapid transformation of the neighbourhood had created multiple lorry bottlenecks, threatening the safety of children commuting to and from school.

“In a very short time, changes occurred that we did not anticipate. There are two schools here, a primary and a secondary.

Parents are worried, and children must be escorted to and from school for safety,” said Ms Mushi. Similarly, a resident of Chang’ombe, Mr Riziki Sharif, reported that traffic congestion from lorries entering and exiting a nearby dry port forced her family to sell their home and relocate.

“We had a house near the Taifa (national stadiums), but the lorry problem was unbearable. Vehicles were constantly passing through, so we had no choice but to move for the safety and peace of our family,” he said.

Perspective of ICD operators On February 27, 2026, the Tanzania Association of Truck Owners (Tamstoa) chairperson, Mr Chuki Shaban, criticised municipal authorities for issuing licences to establish ICDs in residential areas. He blamed such decisions for congestion, infrastructure damage, and conflicts with residents.

Mr Shaban argued that heavy container operations are unsuitable in areas lacking adequate infrastructure. He called for a review of all licences and proposed relocating ICDs to areas with proper transport networks.

“We are not against development. We only need suitable locations where we can operate without adversely affecting residents,” he said.

Citizen engagement Sandali Ward chairperson, Mr Habibu Ndege, expressed surprise at the sudden demolition of walls to accommodate containers and lorry parking, which blocked access roads without prior public notification or consultation. “The ward office was not involved in any land-use changes, which puts local leadership in a difficult position when asked about the legality of this project,” said Mr Ndege.

Urban planning laws require public announcement and citizen consultation before land-use changes. Residents claim this procedure was not followed.

The uncoordinated changes have caused road damage, dust, and lorry congestion, affecting commuters heading towards Mchicha and Viwandani. A week prior, authorities held a meeting to register complaints, promising residents full responses by February 27, 2026. Government response Chief Government Spokesperson (CGS), Mr Gerson Msigwa, explained that the increase in dry ports is driven by rising demand for cargo storage.

He said the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Albert Chalamila, would visit all areas hosting dry ports to assess the situation. “Dry ports are registered in accordance with the law.

Any port operating illegally will face legal action. Today, February 26, 2026, I have spoken with RC Chalamila, who has outlined steps to address severe congestion partly caused by dry ports and lorries,” said Mr Msigwa.

He also referenced the Kurasini Logistic Park project, designed to expand dry port facilities and reduce scattered sites across the city. The CGS said the project plans to increase storage capacity to 210,000 square metres, accommodate 700,000 containers, and improve operational efficiency.

Regarding the Kwala Port project, Mr Msigwa emphasised that services continue, but stakeholders are encouraged to use the port to reduce city congestion. On July 31 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the strategic Kwala Port, aimed at lowering transportation costs, reducing lorry congestion, and improving efficiency at Dar es Salaam Port.

She described it as a long-term solution to the rising demand for off-city cargo handling. President Hassan highlighted that Dar es Salaam Port’s cargo throughput had grown by 25 to 30 percent annually, with shipments rising from 23.69 million tonnes in 2023 to 27.76 million tonnes in 2024. The number of vessels increased from 1,860 to 1,990, creating significant congestion as most goods are transported by road.

She said relocating some port activities to Kwala would expand service coverage and improve unloading and cargo handling speed. Urban planning considerations An official from Dar es Salaam’s Urban Planning Unit, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed that citizen participation is legally required in any land-use change.

Authorities must ensure planning decisions comply with the law and involve residents or users of affected areas. Legislation, including the Urban Planning Act No.

355 of 2007, the Land Act No. 4 of 1999, and the Village Land Act No.

5, grants residents the right to consultation. Land must be zoned according to intended use, considering housing, social services, schools, hospitals, cemeteries, roads, electricity, and industrial areas.

Incompatible uses, such as placing schools near heavy industrial facilities, are legally and practically inappropriate. ICD management perspective One ICD manager, Mr James Masanja, explained that operations occur in largely vacant areas or previously agricultural or residential plots, noting that licences are issued after proper assessments.

“We follow all procedures and do not occupy people’s land forcibly. Lorries come to load and offload cargo, which is beyond our control,” said Mr Masanja.

The Tanzania Dry Ports Owners Association (CIDAT) chairperson, Mr Meleck Shange, confirmed that all dry ports follow legal procedures and obtain licences, insisting that approved sites now range from 20,00060,000 m. Mr Shange explained that the surge in ICDs results from the high volume of incoming cargo, creating storage shortages and prompting new ports.

Tanzania now has 90 ICDs, with two more expected within a week. “They are categorised into container cargo depots, empty container depots, and lorry cargo depots,” he said.

He apologised for the inconvenience to residents, noting that the proliferation of dry ports followed DP World’s entry and government approval of certain locations, including Kurasini. Legal framework ICD registration and operation in Tanzania is governed by the Tanzania Shipping Agency Act No.

415 and the 2023 regulations on cargo protection and operational safety. The Tanzania Ports Authority coordinates these facilities, linked to rail, road, and main ports.

Under the Land Act No. 4 of 1999 and the Land Acquisition Act of 1967, land for dry ports must be legally acquired, with compensation provided where appropriate.

Dar es Salaam’s growing dry port network underscores the tension between urban expansion, commerce, and citizen welfare. While ICDs are essential for trade efficiency and revenue generation, their rapid proliferation without adequate planning, citizen consultation, and infrastructure readiness has contributed to daily traffic chaos, community concerns, and calls for comprehensive, long-term solutions.

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Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania plans to build a Sh1 trillion economy by 2050, education experts say the country must urgently guide students towards specialised science and engineering courses that match the demands of an industrial economy.

Discussions among academics, parents, students and industry specialists during the Study in Sweden Fair organised by Dar es Salaam-based education consultancy EduKwanza recently, revealed a widening gap between what local universities offer and the skills required to support industrialisation under Dira 2050. While traditional academic degrees remain important, they argue that industrial growth depends on targeted investment in advanced technical skills. Key priority fields identified include welding engineering, renewable energy engineering, industrial automation and robotics and marine engineering.

Speaking in an interview with The Citizen, education specialists said the country should design deliberate strategies to sponsor students and lecturers to pursue specialised programmes abroad in areas where Tanzania faces clear skills shortages. The government has already taken steps in this direction through initiatives such as the Samia Scholarship Extended in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DS/AI), which aims to develop highly skilled professionals capable of supporting a technology-driven economy.

At the same time, education agencies are changing their approach by bringing foreign universities directly to Tanzanian students to improve career guidance and programme selection. EduKwanza co-founder and managing director Sarfraz Kassam said students and parents need reliable information before making decisions about studying abroad.

“Our approach allows students and parents to meet university representatives face to face and understand the strengths of each institution before choosing programmes that match future career opportunities,” he said. He noted that in the past many students applied online without proper guidance, often choosing courses with limited relevance to future labour market needs.

“We want students to understand which programmes are relevant for the future before they apply. This is the reason why we bring the best universities every year in Tanzania to meet with students and parents for mutual decision making,” he said.

Specialised courses in demand A professor of welding technology at University West in Sweden, Prof Paul Kah, said Tanzania must plan strategically for the skills required in an industrial economy. “Industrial development depends on specialised skills.

Countries that industrialised invested heavily in engineering and technical education,” said the Cameroonian-born engineer. He emphasised that welding engineering remains one of the most critical professions in industrial economies, supporting construction, mining, transport and manufacturing.

Despite its importance, welding engineering is rarely taught at university level in Tanzania. “Without welding there is no industrialisation.

Welding engineers design, test and supervise industrial production,” he said. He further noted that Tanzania’s major infrastructure projects, including railways, bridges and factories, require highly trained welding specialists.

Renewable energy engineering is another field expected to grow rapidly as countries shift towards clean energy. Energy education specialist based in South Africa, Prof Mandla Nkosi said Africa’s economic growth will depend heavily on reliable energy systems.

“Renewable energy engineering is not just about electricity. It supports manufacturing, mining and agriculture,” he said.

Tanzania’s expanding solar and hydropower projects have increased demand for energy engineers, yet the country produces few specialists. Industrial automation and robotics are also becoming central to modern manufacturing worldwide.

Experts say Tanzania must begin preparing engineers who understand automated production systems if local industries are to remain competitive. “Factories today rely on automation.

Students who understand robotics and digital manufacturing will be essential in the future economy,” said Prof Kah. Marine engineering was identified as another critical field because of Tanzania’s long coastline and expanding port operations.

Marine engineers maintain ships, port equipment and offshore installations, making them essential for maritime trade. Prof Nkosi said maritime industries remain underdeveloped in many African countries due to limited specialised training.

“Marine engineering offers strong employment opportunities, especially for countries with strategic ports,” he said. They also stressed the importance of training university lecturers in emerging technical fields abroad to strengthen local institutions.

“When lecturers gain specialised knowledge abroad, they return and build new programmes locally. That is how strong education systems develop,” said Prof Kah.

Education analysts say aligning foreign study programmes with national development priorities will be essential if Tanzania is to build the skilled workforce needed to achieve Dira 2050. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has formally activated three new agricultural growth corridors–Northern, Central and Mtwara–under a single national framework coordinated by the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) in partnership with the Agcot Centre.

The consultations, spanning 17 regions, mark the first phase of a nationwide policy sensitisation exercise and lay the foundation for a $100 billion agricultural economy by 2050 under the National Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050). The rollout builds on the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (Sagcot), which mobilised $6.34 billion in investment between 2010 and 2024, benefiting over one million smallholder farmers, putting 1.

3 million hectares under climate-smart agriculture, and creating more than 253,000 jobs. Of the funds mobilised, $5.02 billion (79.2 percent) came from the public sector for infrastructure, energy, roads and rural electrification, while $1.32 billion (20.8 percent) from the private sector supported agribusiness, processing and value chains.

Sagcot officially transitioned to Agcot on April 27, 2025. Consultations were held from February 10 to 24, 2026, in Arusha, Singida, Mwanza, and Mtwara, transitioning Flagship No. 7 of the national Agriculture Master Plan 2050 from planning into full national operations.

The initiative is led by ATO, the Agcot Centre, the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. “These consultations are not simply policy announcements; they represent the beginning of a generational shift.

By unifying the Northern, Central, and Mtwara corridors under a single national framework, Tanzania is moving from fragmented interventions to an integrated transformation strategy. The goal is clear: build a $100 billion agricultural economy that positions Tanzania as Africa’s breadbasket,” said Geoffrey Kirenga, CEO of Agcot Centre.

Northern Corridor: High-value exports and cross-border trade The Arusha consultation consolidated the strategic roadmap for Tanzania’s gateway for horticultural exports and East African Community (EAC) trade. Priorities include strengthening horticultural value chains, cold chain infrastructure, and export-ready aggregation systems.

Special investments will also boost commercialisation of the livestock sector, including beef, poultry, and aquaculture, with Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) tools ensuring environmental, social, and economic governance compliance. “The agriculture sector has been identified as transformative under Vision 2050 due to its contribution to employment, GDP, and foreign exchange,” said Hon.

Batilda Buriani, Regional Commissioner of Tanga. Central Corridor: Sunflower revolution and the Great Lakes Livestock Hub The Central Corridor, the largest geographically, spans ten regions from Dodoma to the Lake Zone.

Consultations in Singida focused on the sunflower value chain, edible oil import substitution, and drought-tolerant crops. Dodoma and Singida produce over 53 percent of national sunflower output, with production projected to rise from 204,000 to 420,000 metric tons within four years through contract farming and digital information systems.

Mwanza consultations addressed a $200 million livestock development opportunity, including the establishment of the Great Lakes Livestock Hub with modern feedlots and slaughterhouses in the Mwanza Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ). Aquaculture and fisheries also present significant investment potential.

The region accounts for about 30 percent of Tanzania’s rice and has ideal conditions for pulses, fruits, vegetables, and spices. “This is serious work.

Each of us must follow the blueprints, work collaboratively, and ensure tangible results,” said Hon. Halima Omari Ndendego, Regional Commissioner of Singida.

Mtwara Corridor: Diversification beyond cashew Mtwara is prioritising crop diversification. The Tanzania Sustainable Soybean Initiative (TSSI) targets 150,000 smallholder farmers, producing 250,000 metric tons of soybeans annually.

Ruvuma is cultivating 900 hectares of avocado and expanding potato farming. The corridor also emphasises local cashew and sesame processing.

“These regions have major opportunities in priority crops: cashew, sesame, pigeon peas, maize, beans, coffee, soybeans, and tobacco,” said Hon. Zainab Rajab, Regional Commissioner of Lindi.

Financial architecture and blended finance The AMP 2050 targets 70 percent private sector contribution. The Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) has disbursed over $203 million in cumulative loans, backed by $66 million from the African Development Bank and $81 million from the French Development Agency (AFD), targeting 20 percent of lending to women and youth.

The Cooperative Bank of Tanzania (CBT), launched in April 2025, serves over 6,500 cooperatives with combined assets exceeding TZS 5.1 trillion.

“The government-private sector partnership is critical for production, employment, and livelihoods. We must create an enabling investment environment,” said Hon.

Said Mohamed Mtanda, Regional Commissioner of Mwanza. Inclusive growth, climate resilience and continental positioning AGCOT’s “Inclusive Green Growth” principle invests in youth and women through the “Building a Better Tomorrow” initiative, targeting 10,00050,000 young agri-entrepreneurs.

Climate-smart practices such as agricultural lime, water-saving technologies, and sustainable land management are central. Drip irrigation could increase production by 8 percent while using 14 percent less water by 2030. Tanzania’s corridors position the country as a key food supplier for Africa, aligning with AfCFTA and the African Food Systems Platform.

In July 2025, Agra Malawi studied the corridor model for replication, highlighting Tanzania’s continental leadership in agricultural policy. “With the sub-national architecture in place and corridor Blueprints nearing completion, Agcot and partners are ready to deploy teams to quintuple agricultural GDP, reshape crops, livestock, and fisheries, and ensure benefits reach women and youth,” said Geoffrey Kirenga.

The first phase of regional engagement is complete, with accelerated implementation, private sector mobilisation, and development partner alignment set to continue, and Blueprints and Greenprints expected by the end of March 2026. .