Category: The Citizen

Dodoma. The government is banking on its investments under the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme, coupled with concessional loans and infrastructure expansion, to transform Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries sectors through job creation, value addition and export growth.

Presenting his ministry’s S33.38 billion budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in Parliament yesterday, Livestock and Fisheries Development minister, Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa said the initiatives are designed to increase youth and women participation in productive economic activities. Among the flagship initiatives is the BBT Project I at TALIRI Kongwa, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a cost of $32.3 million (about Sh82 billion).

The five-year project is expected to empower 2,175 youths through commercial goat fattening, irrigated pasture farming and livestock feed processing. Dr Kakurwa said the project will involve the construction of 23 livestock sheds capable of accommodating 23,000 goats and sheep at once, 12 deep water wells, dipping facilities, warehouses and hostels for 218 youths.

The project will also establish a livestock feed processing factory with capacity to process 40 tonnes per day and introduce centre pivot irrigation technology expected to increase hay production from 150 to 450 bales per acre annually. “The project is intended to enable youths and women to create self-employment opportunities through livestock value chains while improving productivity and value addition,” he said.

The minister said the government would continue implementing concessional loan schemes for fishing boats, fish cages and livestock fattening in collaboration with the President’s Office, regional authorities and the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB). Under President Hassan’s youth empowerment initiative, the ministry has so far received Sh23.69 billion to provide concessional loans to young people investing in livestock and fisheries ventures.

Of the amount, Sh9.55 billion was allocated for fishing boats and equipment, Sh9.38 billion for cage fish farming and S.75 billion for livestock-related BBT activities.

The loans target youth-led investments in fish farming, fishing gear, poultry, piggery, goat and sheep keeping, seaweed farming and fisheries processing. According to Dr Kakurwa, the ministry had by April 2026 received 3,004 applications from youths seeking financing opportunities in livestock and fisheries value chains.

Commercial banks are also increasing financing to the two sectors. The minister said the ministry, through its Investment and Capital Desk, facilitated loans worth Sh698.14 billion during the 2025/26 financial year through partnerships with CRDB, NMB, TADB and TCB banks.

Of the total amount, S17.69 billion was disbursed to fisheries projects benefiting 27,214 people, while Sh280.45 billion went to livestock ventures benefiting 5,356 people. The fisheries loans supported investments in fish cages, fishing boats, fish ponds and processing industries, while livestock financing targeted dairy production, feed manufacturing, pasture farming, poultry keeping and livestock processing.

The minister said the investments were already contributing to growth in production and exports. Fish production increased by 7.

4 percent to 526,763 tonnes valued at S.9 trillion in 2025/26, up from 490,372 tonnes in the previous year.

Meanwhile, meat production rose by 4.4 percent to 1.

1 million tonnes valued at Sh10.84 trillion. Dr Kakurwa also said meat exports increased by 22.3 percent, with Tanzanian products reaching markets in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

To strengthen value addition and trade, the government is also investing in fisheries infrastructure, including the near-complete Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port, the planned Bagamoyo Fishing Port and several fish markets and landing sites across the country. According to the minister, the livestock sector contributes 6.

2 percent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while the fisheries sector contributes 1.6 percent and supports about six million Tanzanians through various value chains.

Tanzania’s cattle population increased by 3.4 percent from 39.24 million during the 2025/26 fiscal year to 40.57 million as of April this year while goats increased by 3.

5 percent from 28.59 million to 29.59 million and sheep increased by 3.0 percent from 9.

66 million to 9.94 million.

Similarly, the number of chickens increased by 4.7 percent from 108.22 million to 113.36 million, of which indigenous chickens rose from 47.39 million to 49.75 million, while improved breeds increased from 55.69 million to 58.47 million.

Meanwhile, the number of pigs increased by 5.6 percent from 4.

13 million to 4.36 million.

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At a time when Zanzibar is pursuing inclusive growth, gender equality, youth employment and climate-resilient agriculture, the Project for Advancing Gender Equality in Tanzania (PAMOJA) has become a strategic development vehicle capable of reshaping livelihoods for thousands of women and vulnerable communities across Unguja and Pemba. The initiative reflects a wider policy shift in which economic empowerment is no longer viewed solely as a welfare issue, but as a core pillar of national productivity, social stability and sustainable development.

The PAMOJA programme, funded by the World Bank through a package worth approximately $104 million, equivalent to over Sh262 billion, was designed to expand women’s access to economic opportunities while strengthening systems for the prevention of gender-based violence. According to World Bank implementation reports, the project aims to directly benefit at least 319,850 women and indirectly reach nearly 399,000 additional beneficiaries, including families and communities.

The programme officially became operational in April 2025 and will continue until February 2029, covering both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. In Zanzibar, implementation is being coordinated through the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in collaboration with ZEEA, an institution established to strengthen economic empowerment systems for citizens.

The agency was specifically created to improve productivity, market access, entrepreneurship support, financing opportunities and coordination of empowerment programmes throughout Zanzibar. Through PAMOJA, ZEEA has gained an unprecedented platform to mobilise women’s groups, youth enterprises and community-based cooperatives into structured economic activities linked to agriculture, fisheries, trade, tourism and small industries.

The significance of the partnership was highlighted during a high-level meeting held on May 11, 2026, at Kinazini in Unguja, where Permanent Secretary Abeida Rashid Abdalla met with Varalakshmi Vemuru to discuss implementation strategies for PAMOJA. One of the most transformative opportunities connected to the PAMOJA-ZEEA partnership is the proposed expansion of Zanzibar’s clove economy through the planting of 30 million clove trees under women-led community initiatives.

Cloves remain Zanzibar’s historic economic backbone and one of its most recognisable export commodities. However, declining productivity, aging trees, climate variability and limited value addition have constrained the sector for decades.

Under the proposed women empowerment framework, thousands of women’s groups could participate in nursery establishment, seedling distribution, organic farming, spice processing and export-oriented packaging. The multiplier effect would be substantial.

Agricultural experts estimate that a mature clove tree can produce between 2 and 8 kilograms of cloves annually depending on age and climate conditions. If even half of the proposed 30 million trees reach productive maturity over the next decade, Zanzibar could significantly increase foreign exchange earnings while creating tens of thousands of rural jobs in farming, transportation, drying, storage and export logistics.

Beyond agriculture, the initiative also creates opportunities for industrial diversification. Clove by-products support essential oil extraction, cosmetics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine production, food processing and tourism souvenirs.

Zanzibar currently imports many processed consumer products despite possessing abundant raw materials. By linking women entrepreneurs with business development services, training and financing under PAMOJA, the islands could gradually shift from exporting raw cloves toward exporting higher-value finished products.

Equally important is the project’s social impact. Zanzibar, like many developing regions, continues to face challenges associated with youth unemployment, gender inequality and gender-based violence.

World Bank reports indicate that PAMOJA combines economic empowerment with social protection and community support systems. The programme includes plans for safe houses for GBV survivors, childcare centres and institutional strengthening for social welfare services.

Such investments recognise that sustainable development cannot be achieved without protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring women participate fully in economic life. Evidence strongly supports this approach.

Studies consistently show that increasing women’s participation in economic activities leads to higher household incomes, improved child nutrition, stronger educational outcomes and greater community resilience. In Tanzania, women already form a major share of informal agricultural and tourism labour, yet many remain excluded from financing, land ownership and formal markets.

PAMOJA seeks to address these structural inequalities by strengthening community institutions, expanding training opportunities and improving financial inclusion for women-led enterprises. Environmental sustainability is another major advantage of the Zanzibar partnership model.

Large-scale clove tree planting supports reforestation, biodiversity protection and climate adaptation while reducing land degradation in vulnerable rural areas. Clove trees also contribute to long-term carbon absorption and ecosystem restoration, aligning Tanzania’s development agenda with global climate goals.

By combining environmental protection with women’s empowerment and economic modernisation, the initiative represents a rare example of integrated sustainable development planning in East Africa. As Umoja Conservation Trust (UCT), we believe the success of PAMOJA in Zanzibar could eventually serve as a continental model for inclusive island economies.

If effectively implemented with urgency, transparency, accountability and strong public, private and community participation, the Ministry of Gender and Community Development ZEEA -World Bank partnership could transform Zanzibar from a largely consumption-driven economy into a resilient, export-oriented and gender-responsive green economy. More importantly, it could demonstrate that empowering women is not merely a social policy objective, but one of the most powerful economic investments a nation can make.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s ambition to provide clean and safe water to its growing population will depend on a radical shift towards public-private partnerships (PPPs), stakeholders have said.

Speaking at a recent water forum organised by the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), they warned that Vision 2050 targets could remain unattainable without stronger private sector participation. Addressing the event, former Controller and Auditor General (CAG) and executive director of the Wajibu Institute of Public Accountability, Mr Ludovick Utouh, described the country’s water situation as a “crisis” rooted in a lingering socialist mindset that continues to view private investment with suspicion.

Presenting a paper titled Tanzania PPP Crisis, Mr Utouh argued that although the country has enacted laws, including the PPP Act, Chapter 103, implementation remains weak because of poor enforcement and institutional resistance. “There is still a mindset where people think the private sector is undesirable and unwanted.

With that situation, it becomes difficult to see how PPPs will contribute 70 percent to the successful implementation of Vision 2050,” he said. Mr Utouh said Tanzania faces a significant execution gap, noting that some local government authorities avoid PPP arrangements and instead label them “joint ventures” to bypass oversight from the PPPC.

“Some officials avoid the PPP framework because oversight limits opportunities for corruption and informal commissions,” he said. He also pointed to structural weaknesses within the sector, revealing that Tanzania has only 14 certified PPP professionals against a target of 40. To address the challenges, Mr Utouh called for a “100 percent turn” in national culture to embrace private investment and transparent procurement systems.

He urged the government to publish the long-awaited PPP procurement guide and a consolidated implementation manual adapted from regional models such as Kenya and Senegal. Mr Utouh further recommended automatic access to international arbitration mechanisms and the closure of loopholes that allow local authorities to evade oversight.

PPPC executive director, Mr David Kafulila, echoed the need for reforms, describing water as a cross-cutting issue linked to poverty reduction and public health. Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, Mr Kafulila said every dollar invested in water infrastructure saves four dollars in healthcare costs associated with waterborne diseases.

He added that Tanzania loses about 42 percent of its water through leakages, illegal connections and governance inefficiencies, costing the country an estimated Sh248 billion annually. “But do you think someone would illegally connect water if private investors had put their money there? It would be impossible.

That is why we want such interventions,” he said. Mr Kafulila said the PPPC is working to become a One Stop Centre to speed up investment procedures before legal vetting and reduce bureaucratic delays.

He said recent legal amendments allowing international arbitration through the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) were a positive step, adding that the arrangement would be expanded to other bodies. A lecturer from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Dr Abiud Bongole, said Tanzania possesses about 106 billion cubic metres of water resources but currently utilises only 54 percent because of inadequate storage and harvesting infrastructure.

“This is where PPPs can help us develop infrastructure that increases efficiency in water use, reduces losses, improves monitoring and lowers non-revenue water,” he said. Dr Bongole said irrigation remained another major challenge, noting that although 29.4 million hectares are suitable for irrigation, only 2.

5 percent had been utilised by 2022. He said achieving the country’s 2028 irrigation targets would require the development of at least 157,453 hectares annually, a task unlikely to be achieved through public financing alone. Representing the private sector, Tanzania United Contractors and Allied Services Association (TUCASA) secretary general, Mr Baraka Materu, said the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan seeks to mobilise Sh16 trillion from private investors.

“Sh16 trillion represents more than 68 percent of the projected investment requirement. The government must therefore strengthen investor confidence while ensuring greater participation of local investors,” he said.

The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Water and Environment, Mr Jackson Kiswaga, also backed greater private sector participation, saying the government’s more than 1,000 ongoing projects worth S trillion were struggling to match population growth and climate change pressures. “In the past, rivers in many villages flowed throughout the year, but today many have dried up because of climate change and environmental degradation,” he said.

Mr Kiswaga cited the success of Tanga’s Sh54 billion green bond as evidence that Tanzanians are willing to invest in infrastructure projects capable of generating returns. Deputy Minister for Water, Mr Kundo Mathew, said the government had prepared a private sector investment strategy for the 2026/27 financial year to support implementation of the national water grid project.

He said rural water access had reached 85.2 percent, but warned that achieving universal access by 2030 would require financing beyond the central government budget. “If we depend solely on government funding, the national water grid will remain a dream,” he said.

Mr Mathew invited domestic and foreign investors to participate in developing mini-grids that will form part of the national water network. Participants at the forum agreed that although Tanzania has established an adequate legal framework for PPPs, unlocking the country’s water potential will depend on transparent implementation, institutional reforms and a national shift in attitudes towards private sector participation.

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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is set for a commanding return to the big screen after director Christopher Nolan confirmed she will portray both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in his upcoming epic The Odyssey. According to details linked to Nolan’s recent United State’s Time Magazine interview, Nyong’o will embody two of Greek mythology’s most complex female figures, Helen of Troy, whose abduction ignited the legendary Trojan War, and Clytemnestra, the politically charged and emotionally intense wife of Agamemnon.

The dual casting has already generated widespread discussion online, with audiences praising both the ambition of the roles and Nyong’o’s reputation for emotional depth and versatility. Film analysts have noted that playing two contrasting characters in the same narrative could become one of the defining performances of her career.

The film itself is shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s biggest productions of 2026. Matt Damon leads the cast as Odysseus alongside an ensemble featuring Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron. Reports suggest the $250 million production was filmed entirely using IMAX cameras across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland and Scotland.

Nyong’o’s casting has also reignited conversations around representation in classical mythology, with some critics debating traditional portrayals of Helen of Troy. While others defend modern reinterpretations as part of cinema’s evolving storytelling language.

Beyond this role, Nyong’o remains one of the most influential performers of her generation. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her breakthrough role in ’12 Years a Slave’, and later earned global recognition for her performances in films such as ‘Black Panther’ and Jordan Peele’s psychological thriller ‘Us,’ where her dual performance was widely praised for its intensity and range.

Born in Mexico City and raised in Kenya, Nyong’o has also built a reputation as a prominent voice for African representation in global cinema. She has been involved in advocacy work around women’s rights, diversity in Hollywood, and wildlife conservation, often using her platform to highlight under-represented voices in the entertainment industry.

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Dar es Salaam. Eye health specialists have identified mentorship programmes for trainee ophthalmologists as an important step in reducing cases of cataracts and blindness in Tanzania.

The experts said cataracts remain the leading eye condition in the country, with cases increasingly affecting younger people compared to previous years when the disease was mostly associated with old age. The remarks were made during a mentorship training programme for ophthalmology residents organised by Eye Corps (IOP), bringing together local and international specialists to strengthen practical skills among trainee doctors.

Eye Corps Chief Executive Officer Dr Susan Macdonald said Tanzania has increased the number of ophthalmology trainees, but still faces a shortage of qualified mentors to provide practical surgical training. She said the number of trainees has risen from six to about 20 annually in programmes lasting three to four years.

“The government has increased the number of specialist eye doctors in training, but the challenge is who will train them. We do not have enough mentors,” she said.

Dr Macdonald said Eye Corps, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, has been conducting outreach camps in areas with limited access to eye specialists while also training residents through practical experience. Retina specialist at CCBRT Hospital, Dr Mustafa Yusufali, said mentorship is important because training institutions cannot provide enough hands-on experience for all students.

“Medical schools are few and students are many, so mentorship helps improve practical skills,” he said. He added that new technology used during training enables students to observe surgical procedures more closely and improve their understanding.

Dr Yusufali said cataracts are increasingly being diagnosed among younger age groups, adding that lifestyle factors such as nutrition and technology use could be contributing to the trend. Retina specialist at KCMC, Dr Maria Kissanga, said mentorship programmes expose trainees to a wider range of eye conditions and surgical procedures.

She cited a recent outreach camp in Mbeya where nearly 170 patients received treatment and surgery while six residents underwent practical training. Meanwhile, Eye Corps Tanzania Director of Training Dr Dennis Nachipyangu said the organisation has been working with the Ministry of Health since 2018 to improve access to eye care services in rural areas.

“We want doctors in rural areas to provide services at the same standard as those in urban centres,” he said. .

Dodoma. The government has opted to sustain ongoing strategic transport projects in the 2026/27 financial year, with the sector’s budget rising slightly to Sh2.87 trillion amid continued investment in railways, ports, airports and the national carrier.

Presenting the 2026/27 ministerial budget proposals in Parliament in Dodoma yesterday, Transport minister Prof Makame Mbarawa requested the House to approve Sh2.87 trillion for the coming financial year. Of the total amount, Sh126.04 billion has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while Sh2.74 trillion will finance development projects.

The proposed allocation marks a slight increase from the Sh2.74 trillion approved for the ministry in the 2025/26 financial year. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project continues to dominate the ministry’s development agenda, taking the largest share of the budget.

The government has allocated Sh1.51 trillion in local funds and Sh61.84 billion in external financing for the project’s implementation. Prof Mbarawa said the funds would support maintenance works on the Dar es SalaamMakutupora section, completion of the MorogoroMakutupora stretch and continued construction of the MakutuporaTabora, TaboraIsaka, MwanzaIsaka, TaboraKigoma and UvinzaMusongati sections.

The budget will also finance the procurement of locomotives, wagons, machinery, spare parts and maintenance equipment, as well as environmental management and supervision of the project. The minister told Parliament that the government had secured a concessional loan worth $1.277 billion to accelerate stalled sections between Makutupora, Tabora and Isaka, which had experienced implementation delays for a prolonged period.

According to Prof Mbarawa, Tanzania expects to have a total of 2,809 kilometres of SGR lines upon completion of both phases of the project. He said passenger transport on the Dar es SalaamDodoma SGR route continued to grow strongly, with 2.

51 million passengers transported between July 2025 and March 2026, compared to 2.05 million passengers during the same period in the previous financial year.

“Cargo transportation through the SGR also began during the period, with the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) transporting 102,452 tonnes of cargo between July 2025 and March 2026.” The minister said the government was continuing with integration works linking SGR and metre gauge railway (MGR) infrastructure at Ruvu and Bahi to facilitate cargo transfer between the two systems and strengthen connectivity with the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga. Beyond railways, the government has allocated significant funds to improve port infrastructure and aviation services.

The Dar es Salaam Port improvement project has been allocated Sh120.74 billion in external financing for further expansion and modernisation works. The government has also earmarked Sh16.42 billion for the Kigoma Port improvement project, which includes rehabilitation of the access road, passenger jetty and passenger terminal building.

Prof Mbarawa said increased efficiency at the Port of Dar es Salaam had significantly boosted cargo volumes and reduced operational costs. “Cargo handled at the port increased from 16.27 million tonnes in 2020/21 to 27.76 million tonnes in 2024/25, representing a 70.62 percent increase,” he said.

Monthly container handling capacity rose from 61,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 102,000 TEUs, while the average waiting time for container ships at berth fell from 10 days to three days. Meanwhile, the average waiting time at anchorage for conventional cargo vessels dropped from 46 days to seven days.

The government has also allocated funds for airport expansion and rehabilitation projects across the country. Mwanza Airport has been allocated Sh6 billion for continued construction of a new passenger terminal and related infrastructure, while Arusha Airport will receive Sh3.08 billion.

The government has also earmarked Sh32 billion for rehabilitation works at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), including runway rehabilitation, installation of airfield lighting systems and construction of perimeter fencing and administrative buildings. At Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Sh26.75 billion has been allocated for passenger terminal upgrades, runway safety improvements, installation of ICT systems and strengthening airport security infrastructure.

Regional airports development projects have been allocated Sh14.38 billion to support construction, rehabilitation and expansion works. Prof Mbarawa also highlighted progress in reviving Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), saying the airline’s fleet had expanded from one aircraft in 2016 to 16 aircraft in 2026. Passenger numbers increased from 107,166 in 2016/17 to 1.

17 million in 2024/25, while revenue rose from Sh23 billion to Sh595.7 billion. During the period between July 2025 and March 2026, ATCL transported 1.

07 million passengers, representing a 22.38 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The airline has been allocated Sh185.32 billion for aircraft acquisition, procurement of spare engines and rehabilitation of maintenance facilities.

Another Sh97.73 billion has been allocated to strengthen ATCL operations, including construction of a new aircraft maintenance hangar, cargo facilities and acquisition of pilot training simulators. However, the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure expressed concern over delays in the release of development funds to the ministry.

Presenting the committee’s views, chairperson Moshi Kakoso said the ministry had received only 67.6 percent of its approved budget by March 2026, below the implementation target of 75 percent. “The committee was not satisfied with the trend in the availability of funds for development projects in the Ministry of Transport,” he said.

He urged the government to reduce dependence on external financing for strategic transport projects and ensure timely disbursement of development funds approved by Parliament. The committee also called on the government to accelerate transport infrastructure improvements to boost economic growth and create more employment opportunities for young people.

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Dodoma. Tanzania has emerged as one of Southern Africa’s leading countries in disaster management, earning recognition within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) for its strengthened systems aimed at preventing, monitoring, and responding to disasters.

The recognition was highlighted during the Sixth Ordinary Meeting of the Sadc Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management, currently underway in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, where member states are sharing experiences and strategies to strengthen regional resilience against disasters. The new development was unveiled through a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, 2026, by the Prime Minister’s Office on behalf of Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination, and Persons with Disabilities, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi.

Representing Prof Kabudi, the Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr Kaspar Mmuya said Tanzania’s progress stems from sustained investment in disaster coordination and preparedness systems. Mr Mmuya said Tanzania has significantly strengthened its capacity to prevent disasters, reduce risks, enhance preparedness, and restore normalcy following emergencies through strategic reforms and technology-driven approaches.

One of the key milestones, he said, is the establishment of the National Emergency Operation and Communication Centre Situation Room, a 24-hour facility dedicated to monitoring, analyzing, and coordinating information on disasters and emerging threats. “Through this centre, the government has been able to receive early warnings on potential disasters, assess possible impacts, and implement rapid response strategies,” said Mr Mmuya.

He added that the use of advanced technology in collecting and analysing real-time data has improved decision-making efficiency while enabling authorities to communicate timely and accurate information to citizens on disaster preparedness measures. “We are using both current and historical data to predict potential risks, which helps the government plan effectively for recovery efforts while continuing to protect the lives of citizens,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also invited delegates from SADC member states to visit Tanzania and observe the country’s disaster management systems and the innovations supporting them. The four-day summit has brought together representatives from 16 SADC member states, alongside national experts and international organisations, to discuss the implementation of regional disaster management programmes and ways to deepen cooperation.

The meeting is also expected to serve as a platform for ministers and development partners to explore increased investment in disaster management systems as the region seeks to build stronger resilience against increasingly frequent climate-related and global emergencies. .

Dar es Salaam. Cargo transportation through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has officially commenced at the Malindi area of the Port of Dar es Salaam following the completion of 99.7 per cent of rail infrastructure works in the zone.

The start of operations from Malindi is expected to improve efficiency, reduce transport costs and shorten delivery times for goods moving between Dar es Salaam and Ihumwa in Dodoma. The development marks a key milestone in integrating the Port of Dar es Salaam with the country’s modern railway network, enabling faster and more reliable movement of cargo to inland regions and neighbouring countries.

Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Head of Public Relations Fred Mwanjala told The Citizen that freight operations under the SGR project are now 99.7 per cent complete, with cargo trains already reaching the Malindi port zone, a key logistics hub designated for rail-based cargo handling. He said the entry of trains into the area on May 10 marked a significant step in linking port operations directly with the rail system.

“Malindi is the designated port zone for cargo handling under the SGR system. The linkage between the port and the railway will eliminate delays previously caused by transferring cargo by truck before connecting to rail,” he said.

Mr Mwanjala said cargo will now move directly from Malindi to Ihumwa via the SGR line, reducing travel time from about 12 hours by road to roughly four hours by rail. He added that the system will improve reliability and security, as containers will be transported on a dedicated line under controlled conditions.

TRC said discussions are ongoing with major firms, including Dangote Industries, Bakresa Group, GSM Group and Azania Group, to encourage use of the SGR for cargo transport. The corporation also expects the railway to strengthen Tanzania’s position as a regional logistics hub serving neighbouring landlocked countries that depend on the Port of Dar es Salaam for trade.

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Dar es Salaam. South African medical scheme administrator Discovery Health Global Health Solutions has unveiled a new strategy aimed at improving workplace healthcare services in Tanzania, as the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the country’s growing employer health insurance market.

The company, formerly known as Vitality Health International (Africa), officially rebranded earlier this year as part of a wider expansion plan targeting employer healthcare and workforce wellness solutions across Africa. Speaking on the company’s plans for Tanzania, Discovery Health Global Health Solutions chief executive officer Emma Knox said the firm wants to move beyond conventional medical insurance by integrating healthcare cover, employee wellness programs and digital health management systems.

“We want to go beyond traditional health insurance by building an integrated health system for employers across Africa,” she said. “The model combines medical insurance, the Vitality wellness program, and advanced clinical and administrative capabilities,” she added.

The company said it plans to strengthen partnerships with local insurers in Tanzania to provide healthcare solutions tailored to the needs of employers and workers. Among the key priorities outlined by the firm are preventive healthcare programs focusing on exercise, nutrition and regular medical screenings, which the company says could help improve employee wellbeing and productivity while reducing long-term treatment costs.

Discovery Health also plans to expand the use of digital healthcare services and telemedicine in Tanzania to improve access to medical support, especially for workers in different regions of the country. Knox said the company would use health data analytics and technology to identify disease risks early and help employers better manage healthcare costs.

The company also intends to introduce incentive-based wellness programs aimed at encouraging workers to participate in health and fitness initiatives at workplaces. In addition, Discovery Health said it will focus on addressing health challenges affecting Tanzania, including malaria, chronic illnesses, and maternal and child health.

In Tanzania, the company will continue working with local insurer Strategis Insurance, a partnership that began in 2024. According to the company, the collaboration is intended to ensure healthcare products and services reflect local market conditions and the needs of Tanzanian employers. Strategis Insurance chief executive officer Dr Malav Manek said the partnership would help expand innovative health insurance products in the country.

“We believe this collaboration will improve service quality for our clients while contributing to the growth of Tanzania’s health and insurance sectors,” he said. Besides traditional health insurance services, Discovery Health has also introduced Administration Services Only (ASO), a healthcare management model designed to help large companies manage employee healthcare services more efficiently.

Discovery Health is among South Africa’s largest managed healthcare companies, with more than 34 years of experience in medical scheme administration and managed care services. The company currently manages healthcare services for more than 3.

6 million members across Africa, using digital systems, data science and clinical expertise to improve healthcare delivery and contain medical costs for employers and institutions. .

By Hussein Farid The rise of remote and hybrid work has fundamentally reshaped Africa’s professional landscape. From Nairobi and Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam, Kigali, and Lagos, work is no longer confined to office spaces.

Instead, it flows seamlessly between homes, airports, and co-working hubs. While this shift has improved flexibility and efficiency, it has also introduced a critical–and often underestimated–risk: a surge in cyber threats.

As organizations accelerate digital transformation, cybersecurity has become not only more important, but significantly more complex. The traditional security perimeter has dissolved, with sensitive corporate data now moving far beyond controlled office networks.

The expanding corporate perimeter What began as a temporary response to the Covid-19 pandemic is now a permanent feature of modern work. Employees access systems through home networks, personal devices, and cloud platforms–dramatically expanding the attack surface.

This shift has created new opportunities for cybercriminals. Phishing, ransomware, and credential theft are increasingly targeting African organizations, particularly in data-sensitive sectors such as consulting, finance, and telecommunications.

A single compromised device is no longer an isolated incident–it can trigger a chain reaction. An attacker who gains access through a phishing email can harvest credentials, move across systems, and access confidential client data.

The consequences go beyond financial loss or regulatory penalties; they directly impact on client trust. In advisory-driven industries, trust is the foundation of every engagement, and once compromised, it is difficult to rebuild.

A rapidly evolving threat landscape Cyber threats today are more organized, targeted, and sophisticated than ever. Ransomware attacks are often executed by coordinated groups seeking to disrupt operations and extract significant payments.

Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams are also increasing, with attackers impersonating executives or partners to initiate fraudulent transactions. At the same time, growing reliance on cloud platforms and connected devices is introducing new vulnerabilities.

This evolving landscape makes one thing clear: traditional, perimeter-based security approaches are no longer sufficient. VPNs: Necessary, but not sufficient To enable secure remote access, many organizations initially relied on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

While VPNs encrypt communication and provide an important layer of protection, they were not designed for today’s scale of remote work. Increased usage has exposed limitations such as latency, system overload, and, more critically, vulnerabilities in VPN gateways that attackers can exploit.

As threats evolve, relying solely on VPNs is no longer enough. Zero trust: A modern security approach Organizations are now shifting toward Zero Trust architecture–a model built on the principle of “never trust, always verify.

” Unlike traditional approaches that assume users inside the network are trustworthy, Zero Trust requires every user and device to be continuously authenticated and authorized before accessing systems. In practice, this means: Verifying identity and device security before granting access Limiting access to only what is necessary (least privilege) Continuously monitoring user activity for suspicious behavior This approach significantly reduces risk, particularly by preventing attackers from moving freely within systems if a device or account is compromised.

In a distributed work environment, Zero Trust provides a more resilient and adaptive security framework. Multi-factor authentication: a baseline requirement Passwords alone are no longer sufficient.

They remain one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) strengthens security by requiring additional verification–such as one-time codes, biometrics, or authentication apps.

Even if credentials are compromised, MFA can prevent unauthorized access. For organizations handling sensitive financial or advisory data, MFA is no longer optional.

It is a baseline requirement for protecting systems and maintaining client confidence. The human factor: the first line of defence Despite technological advances, human behaviour remains the most significant vulnerability.

Remote work has blurred the line between personal and professional environments, with employees often using unsecured networks and personal devices. Cybercriminals exploit this through sophisticated phishing attacks designed to mimic legitimate communications.

In many cases, a single click can lead to serious breaches. To address this, organizations must prioritize cybersecurity awareness.

Training employees to recognize and respond to threats is one of the most effective defenses. An informed workforce is not a weakness it is a critical security asset.

Conclusion: a strategic imperative Remote and hybrid work are now embedded in Africa’s corporate reality. As digital adoption accelerates, cybersecurity must evolve alongside it.

Building resilience requires a multi-layered approach: strengthening access controls, enforcing MFA, adopting Zero Trust principles, and fostering a security-aware culture. The battlefield may be invisible, but its impact is real.

Organizations that succeed will be those that treat cybersecurity not merely as a technical function, but as a strategic pillar one that protects trust, safeguards reputation, and enables sustainable growth. Hussein Farid is an IT Services Senior Associate with KPMG in Tanzania ([email protected]).

The views and opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of KPMG. .