Category: The Citizen

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has launched the 2026 Regional Quality Awards, a new initiative aimed at recognising enterprises across the region that demonstrate excellence in quality management, standards compliance, innovation and continuous improvement.

The awards are designed to strengthen a culture of quality among East African businesses, enhance the competitiveness of locally produced goods and services, facilitate regional trade and deepen economic integration within the bloc. They will also promote the adoption of internationally recognised standards, encourage innovation and improve market access for firms operating across Partner States.

The launch was held during the 28th Meeting of the East African Standards Committee (EASC) on May 13, 2026, in Arusha, bringing together EAC officials, development partners and private sector stakeholders. The initiative is supported by the European Union through the EUEAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) under the Global Gateway initiative and is being implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with regional and national partners, including the East African Business Council (EABC).

Speaking during the launch, EAC Director of Customs and Acting Director of Trade, Flavia Busingye, said the awards go beyond recognition to strengthening institutional and enterprise capacity across the region. She said the programme aligns with industrialisation strategies, regional integration efforts and the broader goal of enhancing competitiveness in African and global markets.

“Quality is the foundation of competitiveness. Even where the term may not be explicitly stated in some policy instruments, it is reflected in our industrialisation strategies, integration agenda and efforts to build a competitive economy,” she said.

Ms Busingye added that the awards provide a platform for the private sector to be recognised for producing goods and services that meet international standards, thereby encouraging business growth and investment. She said the 2026 cycle is expected to attract more than 300 participants, mainly from the private sector, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses.

“We must ensure inclusivity. That is why we emphasise the participation of SMEs and emerging enterprises as key drivers of a competitive and inclusive economy,” she said.

She noted that the process will allow companies to assess their systems, improve operations, strengthen innovation and better position themselves for regional and international markets. The 2026 edition will feature four main categories: Product of the Year, Company of the Year, Service Excellence Awards, and Exporters in Agro-processing, covering both large enterprises and SMEs.

The awards will be implemented in two stages, with national competitions coordinated by national standards bodies in Member States, while regional winners will be selected by the EAC Secretariat. Applications will run until June 30, 2026. National winners will be announced on August 30, 2026, while regional winners will be unveiled on September 30, 2026. The grand awards ceremony is scheduled for October 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, alongside the EAC MSME Trade Fair.

EAC Director of ICT, Martin Kimanya, said the initiative is expected to enhance market access, promote innovation and strengthen consumer confidence in East African products. He said that it will further position East Africa as a competitive production hub while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Partner States.

Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry Director of Domestic Trade, Cassien Karangwa, confirmed that Rwanda has agreed to host the ceremony and pledged full commitment to ensuring its successful organisation. He said the country is ready to deliver a well-coordinated event that reflects the importance of the awards in advancing regional integration and economic development.

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Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has dissolved the Board of Trustees of the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), just about 14 months since it was inaugurated.

According to an official statement issued by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka, the decision takes effect from 14 May, 2026. The statement was released by the Acting Director of Presidential Communications at State House, Shaaban Kissu. The current PSSSF Board of Trustees was inaugurated in March, 2025 under Ms Joyce Mapunjo as its Chairperson.

The PSSSF was formed in 2018 after the enactment of the Public Service Social Security Fund Act, 2018, which consolidated several former public service pension schemes into a single fund for government and public service employees. The Act, which came into force in 2018, also established the governance structure of the fund, including the Board of Trustees mandated to oversee management of contributions, investments, and payment of retirement benefits to public servants.

The Public Service Social Security Fund itself was created following wide-ranging pension reforms that merged the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF), Government Employees Provident Fund (GEPF), and the PPF Pensions Fund into a unified system aimed at improving efficiency and financial sustainability. Since its establishment, the Board has been responsible for providing oversight of the fund’s operations under the supervision of the Ministry responsible for labour and social security.

The statement did not state the reason behind the dissolving of the board. .

Arusha. Police in Arusha are investigating the death of businessman Sifaeli Christofa Mollel, 48, whose badly decomposed body was discovered inside a house linked to an alleged traditional healer in Muriet area, Arusha City.

Mr Mollel, a resident of Kijenge Street in Kimandulu Ward, disappeared from his home on May 3, 2026. His body was found seven days later, on May 10. Arusha Regional Police Commander SACP Justine Masejo confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. “We have already launched investigations to determine the cause of the incident and those involved.

Legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible,” he said by phone. The deceased’s brother, Augustino Onesmo Simon, said the family started searching for Mr Mollel immediately after he went missing, including circulating his photographs on social media platforms.

“On Monday, while following up the matter at the police station, we received a call informing us that a badly decomposed body had been found inside a house and taken to Muriet Health Centre mortuary,” he said. Mr Simon said the family was initially informed that the deceased was believed to be a traditional healer found dead at his residence in Muriet.

“Because our relative was neither a traditional healer nor a resident of Muriet, we hesitated. Later, we decided to go and confirm for ourselves,” he said.

Accompanied by police officers, the family visited the mortuary and identified the body as that of Mr Mollel. “We found his body badly swollen and decomposed,” he said.

The family later visited the house where the body was discovered and reportedly found the deceased’s shoes, traditional healing items and business licences. According to Mr Simon, the names appearing on documents found inside the house differed from those of the deceased.

“Our relative was Sifaeli Mollel, but local government records, tenancy details and licences found in the house bore the name Isihaka Hamis Mwitu,” he said. He added that the mystery deepened after the deceased’s mobile phone reportedly continued ringing for several days after the body had been discovered, with signals traced in different parts of Arusha.

“If he died inside that house, who was moving around with his phone?” he asked. The family suspects Mr Mollel may have visited the house as a client before being killed and robbed of his belongings.

A resident of the area, Leonard Swai, said the alleged traditional healer was not well known in the neighbourhood because he was not a permanent resident. “I was among those who broke the door after residents noticed a strong smell and many flies coming out through openings in the house,” he said.

“We peeped through a small opening near the window and saw a body inside before informing local leaders and the police.” Mr Swai said the body was found lying inside the room, partially covered with a kitenge cloth alongside items associated with traditional healing practices.

Muriet Street chairman Joseph Emmanuel said he received reports from residents on Sunday about a strong smell and flies coming from the house. “After receiving the information, I contacted the police.

When they arrived and broke the padlock, we found the body severely swollen, lying on its back with the chest uncovered and partly covered with a kitenge cloth,” he said. Mr Emmanuel said efforts to trace the tenant had proved difficult because even the landlord allegedly lacked reliable contact details.

He urged landlords to ensure tenants register with local leaders to strengthen security and ease investigations when incidents occur. “We are urging the police to intensify efforts to trace the traditional healer who had been living there because available information indicates the deceased had gone there seeking services,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. Financial and capital market experts have urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania to strengthen governance, improve financial reporting and formalise their operations if they are to attract sustainable financing and long-term investment capital.

The experts made the remarks during a panel discussion organised by the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) on initiatives designed to improve access to financing for growing businesses. The discussion focused specifically on the DSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme (DEAP) and the Endeleza Portal.

The discussion brought together capital markets and enterprise development specialists who said many SMEs continue to face financing challenges despite having viable business ideas and growth potential, largely because they lack proper governance systems, reliable records and investor readiness. DSE business development and sustainability professional, Mr Innocent Mbele, said the DSE was positioning DEAP and the Endeleza Portal as practical tools to bridge the gap between SMEs and financiers.

“The goal is to help businesses prepare, become visible, and access the right type of capital for their growth journey,” he said. According to him, many enterprises are not yet ready to access public capital markets, but still require structured support to improve their operations and attract suitable financing.

Through DEAP, participating businesses receive training and technical support in areas such as corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting, business strategy, investor readiness and capital raising. The Endeleza Portal, meanwhile, serves as a digital private market platform where SMEs can register and showcase their businesses to potential financiers, including private equity firms, venture capital funds, angel investors and development finance institutions.

FSD Tanzania Knowledge Management Manager Bernie Mshana, said access to finance goes beyond the availability of funds, noting that many SMEs fail to attract investors because they lack transparency and credible business information. “For SMEs to attract financing, they need more than ambition.

They need proper records, clear growth plans, good governance, and access to reliable market information,” she said. She added that platforms such as Endeleza could help reduce the information gap that often exists between businesses and financiers.

The discussion comes at a time when Tanzania is placing greater emphasis on private sector growth, industrialisation, innovation and job creation, with SMEs playing a central role in employment and local value addition. However, experts noted that many businesses remain excluded from conventional financing due to weak financial structures, limited collateral and low investor visibility.

CRDB Bank Plc Senior Manager for Securities Brokerage Services Imani Muhingo, said many enterprises still have limited understanding of the financing instruments available beyond traditional bank lending. “Many businesses are not fully aware of the different financing instruments available in the market.

Beyond traditional bank loans, SMEs can explore structured financing, private capital, bonds, and eventually public market opportunities depending on their stage of growth,” he said. He noted that financial institutions and capital market intermediaries have a responsibility to help enterprises understand the broader financing ecosystem and prepare for long-term capital access.

The experts also highlighted the importance of sector-specific support in improving the effectiveness of SME financing programmes. The 2026 DEAP cohort is expected to focus on sectors aligned with national development priorities and investor appetite, including mining, agriculture, fintech and real estate.

Under the programme, mining firms will receive support on governance, geological documentation and capital market financing options, while agribusinesses will be guided on expansion financing, working capital and value-chain investment opportunities. Fintech companies are expected to receive support on scalability, regulatory readiness and investor engagement, while real estate enterprises will be exposed to structured financing models and investment partnerships.

Africapital chief consultant Adam Mayingu said investors increasingly assess businesses on governance quality, management capability and accountability rather than business ideas alone. “Investors are looking for businesses that are scalable, properly structured, and able to demonstrate both growth potential and accountability,” he said.

He added that SMEs must strengthen their internal systems before approaching financiers if they want to improve their chances of securing investment. .

Dar es Salaam. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has stripped Tanzanian professional boxer Fadhili Majiha of his title after failing to defend it since winning the crown in 2023. The decision was confirmed by WBC vice president Houcine Houichi, who said the council had exhausted all efforts to engage the boxer’s management before taking action.

He explained that WBC repeatedly communicated with Majiha’s camp over mandatory defence obligations, but the efforts did not yield results. Houichi, who also serves as president of the African Boxing Union (ABU), said Majiha continued to take part in non-title fights instead of arranging a required defence, leaving the council with no option but to strip him of the belt.

“We made several efforts to communicate with the boxer’s management team concerning the defence of the title, but unfortunately our efforts proved futile,” said Houichi. “He continued to feature in non-title bouts while the championship remained inactive for a long time.

Under WBC regulations, we had no choice but to take this decision.” He added that Tanzania has many talented professional boxers, but weak management structures often hinder their progress at international level.

“I know Tanzania has so many talented boxers, but they lack professional management,” he said. “A boxer can work hard to win a title, but can also lose it through poor planning and failure to defend it in time.

” The development is a setback for Majiha, who won the WBC title in 2023 and had raised hopes of becoming one of Tanzania’s leading figures in international boxing. The decision now leaves him without the belt and raises questions over his future in the sport.

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Morogoro. A bodaboda rider identified as Ally Kambi (24), a resident of Kingolwira in Morogoro Municipality, is believed to have been killed and his motorcycle stolen by unknown individuals who allegedly hired him for a trip in the Mkono wa Mara area in Morogoro District.

A family account from the deceased’s uncle, Mr Shukuru Msonga, said the young man was hired by an unknown person on the night of Monday, May 11, 2026, and never returned home. His body was later discovered on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in a bush in the Mkono wa Mara area, bearing signs of injuries.

“After he failed to return home for a full day, we reported the matter to the local government office and police station, and a search began. We looked for him in different areas, including hospitals, and informed bodaboda groups.

Eventually, we were told a body had been found in the bush,” said Mr Msonga. He added that when the family arrived at the scene, they identified the body as that of their relative, noting that it bore injuries.

Nearby, they found a stick and a blood-soaked T-shirt. The attackers are also alleged to have stolen his motorcycle, an unknown amount of money, and his mobile phone.

Another deceased’s uncle, Mr Ahmed Ramadhani, said he received news of his disappearance on May 11, 2026, and joined search efforts until the body was found in the Mkambarani area. “Death is inevitable for everyone, but this particular death is very painful because he was robbed of his life and his property, including his motorcycle.

He was a disciplined, calm young man who did not like conflict. He has left behind a wife and children,” he said.

Some bodaboda riders who worked with him said the deceased was not in the habit of staying late at the stage and usually returned home early, which is why they became concerned when he failed to return. One rider, Mr Fadhil Shabaani, said the deceased left the Kingolwira stage with a passenger on the day of the incident and never returned.

“The next morning, we heard that Ally was being searched for. We all joined his family in the search.

Later, we received information that his body had been found in the bush and his motorcycle stolen. His family confirmed the body was his,” he said.

He added that the motorcycle the deceased used was under a temporary arrangement from a friend who had lent it to him for a few days for work. Mr Shabaani said incidents of bodaboda killings and motorcycle theft in Kingolwira had previously reduced, making riders less cautious, but noted that this incident had renewed fear and would force them to be more vigilant.

Morogoro Regional Police Commander Andrew Kantimbo confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible. .

Kagera. The Tanzania Coffee Board has distributed between 20 million and 22 million improved coffee seedlings to farmers nationwide as part of efforts to boost production and improve incomes for communities that depend on coffee farming.

Chairperson of the Tanzania Coffee Board, Aurelia Kamuzora, said the number of seedlings produced is expected to rise to 30 million in the 2026/27 financial year to ensure farmers have adequate access to quality planting materials. “The production of improved seedlings will continue increasing to help farmers raise productivity and improve the quality of Tanzanian coffee in the international market,” said Prof Kamuzora during a tour of coffee projects in Kagera Region on May 14. The board members, including Mwananchi Communications Limited Managing Director, Ms Rosalynn Mndolwa-Mworia, visited the AMIMZA coffee processing factory in Bukoba as part of a wider campaign aimed at encouraging coffee farming and promoting the production of internationally competitive coffee.

While visiting the JADI coffee seedling nursery in Muleba District, Prof Kamuzora urged farmers to adopt modern farming methods to improve yields and quality. She said the government was continuing to implement strategies to increase the production of improved coffee seedlings in order to raise farmers’ earnings and support national economic growth through the cash crop.

The delegation also toured coffee farms and held discussions with farmers on challenges facing the sector, while emphasising the importance of using improved seedlings and following professional agricultural advice. Kagera regional manager for the Tanzania Coffee Board, Edmond Zani, said the region distributed 13 million seedlings during the previous farming season.

He added that Kagera produces between 50,000 and 80,000 tonnes of coffee annually, making it one of Tanzania’s leading coffee-producing regions. Meanwhile, chairperson of the youth coffee growers’ group in Makongora, Muleba District, Amstamiru Rugarabamu, said the youth project manages 300 hectares of coffee farms, with each participant cultivating one hectare containing more than 400 coffee trees.

He said the initiative was helping young people improve their livelihoods through coffee farming. The board members also visited the JADI improved coffee seedling nursery, the 300-hectare youth coffee farm in Makongora, as well as the Kyeju factory and coffee farm in Muleba.

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East African stars Abigail Chams, Bien and Joshua Baraka are set to light up Kigali, Rwanda, with special performances during the 2026 Basketball Africa League playoffs and finals. The BAL announced the artists as part of its halftime entertainment lineup for the games taking place at BK Arena in Kigali between May 17 and May 31. The performances are expected to blend basketball, African music and culture into one of the continent’s biggest sporting entertainment spectacles.

Kenyan hitmaker Bien was confirmed for a live halftime performance during the BAL playoffs, with the league teasing fans about the “unmatched energy” he will bring to Kigali. Tanzanian singer Abigail Chams was also unveiled among the East African acts scheduled to perform during the tournament.

Reports shared by regional entertainment platforms indicated that she will join Bien in representing East Africa on the BAL stage in Rwanda. Ugandan breakout star Joshua Baraka has additionally been confirmed for a halftime show appearance on May 23, adding more excitement to the entertainment roster.

The 2026 BAL season marks the sixth edition of the league, with Kigali once again hosting the playoffs and finals under a long-term partnership between Rwanda and the BAL. The inclusion of Abigail Chams, Bien, and Joshua Baraka highlights the growing influence of East African music on major continental platforms as organisers continue to combine sports and entertainment to attract younger African audiences .

Dar es Salaam. Rukwa Regional Commissioner and veteran politician Charles Makongoro Nyerere is among three CRDB Bank customers who have won tickets to watch the FIFA World Cup final live in Canada through the “Fainali Ndo Mpango” campaign in partnership with TemboCard Visa.

The other winners are Abdullauf Suleiman Muta and Arun Vithaldas Lodhia, both residents of Dar es Salaam Region. The winners join the first draw winners, namely Keneth Bina, Arnold Samugabo, and Erick Mlinga, all residents of Dar es Salaam, as well as Gasper Melkiory Kavishe from Morogoro Region.

Apart from the grand prize, three other customers won a modern 85-inch television set, a decoder, and a subscription package that will enable them to follow all FIFA World Cup final matches to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The winners of these prizes are Amina Awadhi, Ester Kabakama, and Lusekelo Michael. Speaking about the promotion, CRDB Bank Senior Manager for Card Business, Karington Chahe, said the winners were selected after using TemboCard Visa cards (Debit, Prepaid, or Credit) to make various payments, automatically qualifying them for the draw.

He congratulated the winners and encouraged other customers to continue using the cards to increase their chances of winning various prizes. Chahe added that the campaign is still ongoing, with six more opportunities to win World Cup travel packages and seven more large-screen televisions with full subscriptions to watch all the matches.

He said the aim of the campaign is to reward customers and promote the use of digital payments, noting that the world is increasingly moving toward digital systems and Tanzanians should adapt to these changes. “This campaign is part of CRDB Bank’s efforts to encourage the use of digital payments, bring innovation to financial services, and reward our customers for their loyalty,” he said.

He further explained that any customer who makes at least 30 transactions per month using a TemboCard Visa at POS machines or online automatically qualifies for the draw. Meanwhile, two winners from the first draw in the television prize category have already received their prizes.

The winners are Samson Mkumbo and Theresia Mawalla, both residents of Dar es Salaam. Another winner, Eunice Masigati from Dodoma, received her prize in Dodoma.

The prizes were handed over by CRDB Bank PLC Tanzania, DR Congo, and Burundi Manager for Card Transaction Monitoring and Dispute Management, Flora Josephat Mackanja, together with Chahe. .

When unveiling the Cabinet, in November 2025, Her Excellency, the President, made a fundamental change, which many may have not noticed, but which was significant for those with a keen interest in local government, in general, and in urban development, in particular. The office of the Regional Development and Local Government, was shifted from the President’s Office, to the Prime Minister’s Office, PORALG to PMORALG.

The President had her reasons, but my gut feeling is that she wanted to shift this important office, to where action is supposed to be, that is, the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime minister is the prefect for all government activities.

The move was very much welcome by all those who long to see active and functioning local governments. Local governments in Tanzania, include those that are focused on rural governance and development (District Councils) and those that are trained on the governance and management of urban areas, that is city, municipal and town councils.

Way back in 1996, these was a Local Government Reform Agenda, which aimed at putting in place, semi-independent local government authorities, which, while implementing the national agenda and being agents of the central government, were, at the same time, expected to have their own programmes and to be responsive to local needs and aspirations. They were expected to be largely financially independent, and to be able to hire and fire personnel as they deemed it necessary.

The Local Government Reform Agenda was kind of still-born, but the relationship between local governments and the central government was that which is described as D-by-D, that is Decentralization by Devolution. The Prime Minister’s Office therefore needs to enforce this agenda.

The reason why there needs to be a focus on urban areas is because the country is urbanizing. Currently, the urbanisation rate is 35.76 percent of population (2024) and growing at (4 percent pa) faster than the national population growth rate.

Urban areas are supposed to be engines of development, yet urban areas in developing countries do not play this role, because they are unplanned, they lack the necessary infrastructure; they are generally generating costs more than benefits. Among the reasons for this situation, are the fact that some 60 percent of urban land in Tanzania, for example, is in informal or unplanned areas.

The proportion of urban residents living in unplanned areas is much higher, given that more than one households, occupy on piece of land or house. Transport is a huge problem and urban dwellers spend hours and a high part of their budget, on congested roads and in overloaded means of transport.

The litany of what is wrong in urban areas is long. The question is, who should take action? Today we all agree that the majority of urban residents live in informal areas; that urban areas are developing in an unplanned manner; that most people earn their livelihood by undertaking activities in the informal sector.

Who should be tasked with the current situation of unplanned development in urban areas throughout the country? Is it the Ministry of Lands? Or the Ministry responsible for local government? This is an area that needs urgent resolution. The onus of managing urban areas, including ensuring that they grow in an orderly manner, lies with local authorities, not with sector ministries, such as that of lands, or of transport, or of telecommunication.

If urban areas must govern and manage themselves, they need strengthening. The urban directors must be experts who are well-versed in managing urban areas.

If we do not have such cadre of personnel, they must be trained. Urban directors must be appointed on merit and through competition.

They must be tasked to solve the myriads of problems in their urban areas. In London, the problem of transport lies to a large extent, with the London government not with the central government.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has earned himself world and local fame, for ensuring smooth and efficient public transport in that largest City in the UK. The way things are in Tanzania, is that residents of the largest urban area in the country, Dar es Salaam, have no idea who their mayors and directors are.

They have no idea who manages the city. Projects like BRT and DMDP and those implemented by DAWASA, TANROADS, TARURA, or sector Ministries, are identified more with the central government than with local governments One area where the Prime Minister and his Minister of State, need to focus their attention on, is to groom urban authorities so that they, to a large extent, run their affairs.

They are no longer babies. They need to be weaned from, and stop being spoon-fed by, the central government.

In our next article, we will argue why the Vice President’s office also needs to have a serious urban agenda. .