Category: The Citizen

Rising Tanzanian Bongo Flava star Pipijojo has officially parted ways with Chief Loot Music, the label confirmed on Tuesday, February 24. The 16-year-old singer, known for her breakout hit Chakacha and her EP ‘I Want To Make My Mama Proud’, will now continue her career independently. In a statement released on February 24, 2026, Chief Loot Music director Godlove Billionaire announced the decision.

“Starting today, February 24, 2026, we have officially ended our management agreement with artist Pipijojo. From this date, the artist is independent and no longer under the management of this label,” the statement read.

He added that the management was grateful for the working relationship they shared and urged stakeholders and fans to continue supporting the singer as she embarks on the next phase of her career. Pipijojo has rapidly become a household name in Tanzania, climbing the charts with Chakacha and earning praise for her distinctive sound and stage presence.

Despite her young age, she has drawn public attention for her openness about personal challenges, including being abandoned by her father. The singer has also addressed and dismissed online rumours surrounding her personal life, maintaining that her focus remains firmly on her music career.

The announcement, shared on the label’s social media platforms, attracted thousands of reactions and comments from fans across the country. .

Dar es Salaam. The Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, has commended the more than Sh700 billion investment by Kilombero Sugar Company Limited, describing it as a major driver of employment creation and industrial development in Tanzania.

Speaking during a working visit to Kilombero District, Prof Mkumbo toured the company’s sugar factory and said the investment has created numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly in engineering and technical professions. “The industrial sector plays a strategic role in accelerating national economic growth and strengthening job creation, especially for skilled and professionally trained youth,” he said.

He noted that large-scale projects such as Kilombero Sugar not only increase the production of essential commodities like sugar but also stimulate growth in related sectors, including sugarcane farming, transportation and distribution services. The minister urged other investors to emulate Kilombero Sugar Company by prioritising local employment, stressing that Tanzanians should directly benefit from projects implemented within the country.

“Such efforts will help reduce unemployment, increase household incomes and improve overall social welfare,” he said. Prof Mkumbo also highlighted Tanzania’s progress towards sugar self-sufficiency.

He said that through improvements in infrastructure, technology and production capacity, sugar output has increased significantly — from between 130,000 and 260,000 tonnes — helping to meet domestic demand, reduce reliance on imports and strengthen food and industrial raw material security. During his visit to the newly expanded factory — described as the largest sugar plant in East, Central and Southern Africa — the minister praised the project as a tangible achievement in advancing Tanzania’s industrial agenda.

He said the expansion will nearly double annual production from 130,000 tonnes to 270,000 tonnes. The factory is expected to generate employment opportunities for about 900,000 people across its value chain, many of them young Tanzanians and university graduates.

Prof Mkumbo linked the project to the government’s Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050), which aims to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Tanzania’s projected population of 118 million has access to decent jobs by 2050. Kilombero District Commissioner Dunstan Kyobya said the commencement of production at Kilombero Four (K4) in June is expected to end the country’s long-standing sugar shortages. Prof Mkumbo also visited Mkulazi Sugar Factory and Agro Tech Company, where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to attracting both local and foreign direct investment in the sugar sector.

He noted that Tanzania’s annual sugar demand of approximately 700,000 tonnes presents significant opportunities for new investors, in line with Dira 2050’s objective of positioning Tanzania among the top ten African nations in food production. “The private sector is expected to contribute 70 per cent of our projected $1 trillion GDP, driven largely by investments such as these,” he said, underscoring the critical role of industrial projects in job creation and national economic growth.

Kilombero Sugar Company currently operates three sugar-producing factories — K1, K2 and K4 — while K3 is dedicated to ethanol production. The company is 75 per cent owned by private investors and 25 per cent by the government.

The minister’s visit underscores the government’s proactive role in monitoring strategic projects to ensure investments deliver tangible benefits to citizens while maintaining a conducive environment for further productive investment. The expansion of sugar production capacity is also seen as key to stabilising domestic supply, supporting agro-industrial development and reducing import bills, in line with Tanzania’s broader industrialisation strategy.

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Dubai. Iran says it is prepared to take any necessary steps to reach an agreement with the United States as the two sides prepare for a fresh round of negotiations this week.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, said Tehran would enter the talks in good faith and was keen to secure a deal as soon as possible. The negotiations are scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, where US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet an Iranian delegation.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as the United States strengthens its military presence in the Middle East. Iran has warned it would strike US bases in the region if attacked.

“We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We will do whatever it takes to make this happen.

We will enter the negotiating room in Geneva with complete honesty and good faith,” Takht-Ravanchi said in remarks carried by state media. At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Donald Trump preferred diplomacy but was prepared to use force if necessary.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran could consider sending half of its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the remainder and joining a regional enrichment consortium. In return, Iran is seeking recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment and the lifting of economic sanctions.

Takht-Ravanchi warned that any attack would trigger retaliation under Iran’s defence plans, calling a US strike “a real gamble”. Previous indirect talks last year ended without agreement, largely over Washington’s demand that Iran halt uranium enrichment on its own soil, which the US views as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons.

Iran has consistently denied pursuing such weapons. The US previously joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites last June, disrupting enrichment activities, though Iran is still believed to retain previously enriched stockpiles that Washington wants relinquished.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s prominent lady golfer Vicky Elias has confirmed her participation in the upcoming Entebbe Ladies Open, scheduled to take place from February 26 to 28, 2026, at the prestigious Entebbe Club in Uganda.

The tournament, which carries World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status, is expected to attract top female golfers from across the region and beyond, offering a competitive platform for ranking points and international exposure. Elias’ entry adds further prestige to the field, given her status as one of Tanzania’s most consistent and accomplished women golfers.

Vicky has built a strong reputation on the regional circuit through disciplined play, technical consistency and mental resilience, qualities that have seen her excel in several international and local competitions. Her appearance at the Entebbe Ladies Open signals her continued ambition to test herself against high-calibre opposition while improving her WAGR standing.

Speaking ahead of the event, sources close to the golfer said Elias is looking forward to the challenge and views the tournament as an important step in her competitive calendar for 2026. With the Entebbe Club course known for its scenic beauty, strategic layout and demanding greens, the event is expected to provide a stern test of precision, course management and endurance. The three-day tournament will bring together elite amateur and emerging professional golfers, making it one of the most anticipated women’s golf events in the East African region.

Beyond individual glory, the competition also plays a key role in strengthening regional golf ties and promoting women’s participation in the sport. For Tanzania, Vicky’ participation carries national significance.

She will be flying the country’s flag on a regional stage, inspiring upcoming female golfers back home and reinforcing Tanzania’s growing presence in competitive golf. Her involvement also reflects the steady progress of women’s golf in the country, driven by increased exposure to international tournaments.

As preparations intensify, Vicky is expected to fine-tune her game in the weeks leading up to the event, focusing on fitness, short-game sharpness and course adaptability. .

Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has ordered the immediate commencement of preparations to introduce bus rapid transit (BRT) services in Arusha, in a move aimed at improving public transport and preparing the city for increased travel demand ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The directive was disclosed by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Paul Makonda, during the inauguration of Kilombero Market in Arusha on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Mr Makonda, who is also the Arusha Urban Member of Parliament, said the Prime Minister’s instructions are intended to equip the city with a reliable, modern and environmentally friendly transport system. Quoting their discussions, he said the Prime Minister was impressed by the BRT systems operating in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and directed that Arusha should have a similar service.

“The Prime Minister told me he has seen those modern rapid buses in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and said, ‘Sit down and plan — I want to see them here as well,'” said Mr Makonda. According to him, the buses are expected to run on gas rather than conventional fuel, a move aimed at lowering operating costs and reducing environmental pollution.

He said the service will be particularly important during Afcon, when Arusha is expected to receive a large number of visitors from within and outside the country. Mr Makonda, who previously served as Arusha Regional Commissioner, said preliminary planning meetings will begin immediately after the Prime Minister concludes his tour of the region.

“The Prime Minister’s directives are an order. I assure him that, working with the regional leadership, preparations will start immediately after this event,” he said.

The planned introduction of BRT services in Arusha is seen as part of a broader strategy to upgrade urban transport infrastructure and strengthen the city’s status as a tourism and international conference hub. Traders warned over misuse of public spaces During the same event, Mr Nchemba commended the construction of Kilombero Market and the management of public funds used for development projects in Arusha, saying he was satisfied with the implementation compared to other areas he had visited where project management had raised concerns.

However, he criticised the practice of some individuals acquiring business stalls in public spaces only to sublet them to small-scale traders. He described the behaviour as exploitative and unacceptable, directing the relevant authorities to take immediate action to curb the practice.

The Prime Minister stressed that any public servant found engaging in such acts would face strict disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and public service regulations. .

Dar es Salaam. The government has unveiled a bold strategy to tap into the minds of engineering students as part of a wider push to strengthen innovation, address infrastructure bottlenecks and respond to rising youth unemployment.

Delivering a Special Address to the Engineering Community organized by the College of Engineering and Technology (CoET) at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) on February 23, 2026, the Minister of Works, Mr Abdallah Ulega, said the ministry was ready to directly engage students in finding solutions to persistent national challenges. “The Ministry of Works has many responsibilities, but one of the most important is that we are the custodian of engineers in this country,” Mr Ulega said.

“That is what has pushed us to come here today to speak about how we can move forward together.” He told students that he carried a message of hope from the government, rooted in a question once posed to him by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Every year, he said, the country spends billions of shillings rehabilitating rural roads, only for heavy rains to wash them away. “The President asked me: do we not have any technological innovation that can save us from spending the same amount of money every year on the same roads?” he said.

“Why can these roads not last at least three years so that those resources can be channeled into other development priorities?” In response, Mr Ulega threw down a direct challenge to engineering students at UDSM and other universities nationwide: develop innovative, practical solutions for recurring infrastructure problems and be rewarded. “I will give Sh10 million to a student or group of students who present a well-written, practical solution to challenges such as these in the construction sector,” he announced.

“This should be the seed of new thinking to address the problems facing our country.” He extended the challenge to other pressing issues, including chronic traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam.

While acknowledging that experts are already working on mitigation measures, the minister said students should not wait until graduation to contribute. “We would be very happy to see innovative engineering students, while still studying, bring forward short, clear proposals that can help us solve problems such as traffic congestion,” he said.

“During my tenure as minister, we are setting aside Sh10 million for the top three young innovators whose ideas we approve at the executive level.” For a country grappling with graduate unemployment, the move signals a shift from theory-driven education to solution-oriented training.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic at UDSM, Prof Rose Upor, said the initiative aligns directly with the university’s core mandate. “UDSM has a duty to teach, to conduct research and to serve the community.

Today’s engagement enables us to fulfil our community service mission in a very practical way,” she said. She noted that for more than 55 years, UDSM has led in engineering training, with graduates directly involved in national infrastructure projects.

“This visit has come at the right time. Our students are eager to see how they can contribute more directly to this critical sector,” she added.

“It also builds a bridge between policy and academia, helping young engineers understand national infrastructure priorities.” The Principal of CoET, Dr Innocent Macha, described the construction sector as the backbone of inclusive economic growth and central to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050. “Our national vision places science, technology, research and innovation at the centre of economic and social transformation,” he said.

Adding, “As a college, we have reviewed our curricula to ensure our graduates possess the skills demanded by the labour market.” He revealed that CoET is currently providing consultancy services in more than 40 ongoing projects through its Bureau for Industrial Cooperation (BICO), including strategic national undertakings such as the Mwalimu Nyerere Hydropower Project, the Standard Gauge Railway and major bridge and airport constructions.

For the students gathered at the conference, the message was clear. The future of Tanzania’s engineering solutions may begin with a single innovative idea and the courage to present it.

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Dar es Salaam. CRDB Bank and the Mining Commission on Monday, February 23, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at widening access to finance for small-scale miners and accelerating the formalisation of Tanzania’s mining sector.

The agreement signed, establishes a special financial framework tailored to the needs of miners, particularly those operating at small scale who have historically struggled to secure bank credit. The Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, who officiated at the event, described the MoU as a strategic intervention linking government policy reforms with structured financial support from the banking sector.

He said the mining sector now contributes 10 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product and accounts for more than 56 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, with annual mineral exports exceeding $5 billion. “What we are witnessing today is a bridge between the Government’s vision and financial capital,” Mr Mavunde said, noting that the partnership would bring thousands of small-scale miners into the formal economy.

Under the MoU, CRDB Bank will implement a dedicated financial framework that recognises alternative forms of collateral directly linked to mining operations. For the first time in Tanzania’s banking sector, valid mining licences, gold sale agreements and stored gold in accredited refining facilities will be accepted as loan security.

CRDB Group chief executive officer Abdulmajid Nsekela said the agreement reflects a shift towards sector-specific financing that takes into account the operational realities of mining. “This MoU lays the foundation for a comprehensive financial ecosystem covering extraction, processing, storage, transportation and trade,” he said.

“By accepting collateral generated from mining activities themselves, we are removing a long-standing barrier that excluded many small-scale miners from formal finance.” The framework will provide working capital loans, financing for modern equipment and machinery, gold-backed credit facilities, insurance services for mines and workers through CRDB Insurance, and dedicated mineral and gold transaction accounts to enhance transparency and traceability.

CRDB vice chairperson Donald Mmari said the board had adopted strategic guidelines to ensure that growth in the mining sector aligns with sustainability, accountability and inclusive development. “We expect this partnership to support miners in transitioning from traditional methods to improved technologies and formal markets, while promoting value addition within the country,” he said.

By the end of last year, CRDB had extended Sh186 billion in loans to the mining sector, including Sh50 billion to small-scale miners and Sh136 billion to large-scale operators. President of the Federation of Miners’ Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA), Mr John Bina, welcomed the signing of the MoU, saying it marks a turning point for small-scale miners who have long faced difficulties accessing credit due to rigid collateral requirements.

He pledged cooperation with both the bank and the Mining Commission to ensure responsible utilisation of the new financing window. Officials said the MoU is expected to strengthen formalisation, expand access to affordable capital, generate employment for youth and women in mining communities and increase government revenues through improved transparency and digital monitoring of mineral transactions.

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Dar es Salaam. The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Jacob Mkunda, has said the construction of the new permanent headquarters for the Ministry of Defence and the National Service (JKT) in Dodoma will cost approximately Sh318 billion, fully funded by the Government of Tanzania.

Speaking on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, during the inauguration of the facility at Kikombo in Dodoma, General Mkunda said the building was officially launched by the Commander-in-Chief, President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He said that all design and construction works were carried out by the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) in collaboration with the National Service.

According to General Mkunda, the main complex, which houses all ministry and military offices, has been built to high-quality standards and fitted with robust security infrastructure for soldiers and staff. “This is the first permanent headquarters in the history of both the ministry and the army.

Since 1964, the army headquarters — Ngome — and the National Service have operated from Upanga in Dar es Salaam. After the government relocated to Dodoma in 2019, we began with temporary offices at Msalato before starting construction of these permanent headquarters at Kikombo,” he said.

For the first time, he added, the Ministry of Defence, National Service, and the Army Headquarters will operate from one shared building, a move expected to simplify operations, strengthen coordination, and improve efficiency in national defence matters. General Mkunda thanked the government for financing the project and acknowledged the Parliamentary Standing Committee for its guidance, which enabled timely completion.

He also commended retired military chiefs for laying a strong foundation that helped shape construction standards and border security. He further praised stakeholders involved in implementation, including army-affiliated companies such as Suma JKT and Ngome Company, for ensuring the project was completed on schedule and to the required standards.

A 48-year journey The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and National Service, Dr Faraji Mnyepe, outlined the 48-year journey towards constructing the defence headquarters, noting that the total cost of the three phases stands at Sh318 billion. He said the first phase cost Sh121 billion, the second Sh107 billion, and the third Sh90 billion.

Dr Mnyepe explained that the idea of housing the Ministry of Defence, National Service, and Army Headquarters under one roof began decades ago but stalled due to economic challenges and war. Initial plans in the 1970s aimed to improve coordination among the institutions.

However, construction halted after the Kagera War with Uganda in 1978, which diverted resources and weakened the economy. “After the war, the economic situation did not allow the project to continue as intended,” he said.

The project was revived in 2014 under former President Jakaya Kikwete, with plans to build the headquarters at Lugalo in Dar es Salaam. However, economic constraints again delayed progress.

Shift to Dodoma Dr Mnyepe said a special committee formed in 2009 had recommended Mbezi Lugalo as a suitable site for the headquarters on strategic and security grounds. A major shift occurred in 2015, after the fifth-phase government under President John Magufuli implemented the decision to relocate the government headquarters to Dodoma.

Temporary offices were set up, including at Mtumba Government City, while planning began for the permanent complex. On 25 November 2019, President Magufuli laid the foundation stone, directing the army to use its own personnel and resources to construct the building and house all key offices under one roof.

Design works were managed by a special military committee, and construction followed a force account system, reducing reliance on external contractors. Project phases The first phase, completed at a cost of Sh121 billion, involved constructing the main headquarters, furnishing offices, building internal roads, and upgrading electricity and water systems.

The second phase, estimated at Sh107 billion, will include an administrative unit, foreign relations offices, and soldiers’ housing, and will commence once preparations are complete. The third phase, costing Sh90 billion, will focus on residences for general officers, other officers, and public servants.

Dr Mnyepe said the completion of the permanent headquarters marks a significant step in improving operational efficiency, enhancing coordination, and strengthening national security by bringing all key defence institutions together within a modern, secure complex. .

The long-running online feud between 50 Cent and T.I.

has intensified, now dragging in T.I.

‘s wife, Tiny Harris, and their son, King Harris. What began as a planned Verzuz battle intended to celebrate the artists’ extensive music catalogues–has spiralled into personal attacks and family insults.

T.I.

claims that while the two initially agreed to the Verzuz, 50 Cent later acted confused, prompting T.I.

to question his character. 50 Cent responded on Instagram with insults targeting Tiny, leading King to fire back with harsh remarks about 50 Cent’s family.

The rapper retaliated with a graphic caption reading, “God don’t like ugly,” escalating the exchange further. King then referenced 50 Cent’s 2013 domestic abuse trial, warning, “just getting started,” signalling the feud is far from over.

Adding fuel to the fire, T.I.

has dropped a new diss track titled Right One. In it, he brands 50 Cent a “5-0 dispatcher,” implying he’s a snitch, and mocks him as a keyboard warrior.

T.I.

also claims to hold prison-related documents tied to 50 Cent, directly challenging the rapper’s gangster image and credibility. .

The military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Willy Ngoma, was killed in an army drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, according to senior rebel officials, a regional diplomat, and a Western government adviser. The attack occurred near Rubaya in North Kivu at around 3 a.

m., following several days of sustained drone strikes on the area by the Congolese army, one of the senior M23 officials said.

Rubaya is a strategic coltanmining hub that produces about 15 percent of the world’s supply, making it a key financial stronghold for the M23 rebels. The Congolese government recently added the site to a shortlist of strategic mining assets being offered to the United States under a minerals cooperation framework.

Fighting intensifies despite mediation efforts Civil society sources reported heavy fighting in several localities near Rubaya since Sunday, forcing hundreds of families to flee. The killing of Ngoma comes as Qatarmediated ceasefire efforts continue, with Kinshasa and M23 having signed agreements in Doha to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism involving Qatar, the United States and the African Union as observers.

Ngoma had been under European Union sanctions since December 2022 for his role as M23 spokesperson. A spokesperson for the Congolese presidency declined to comment, while a representative of Congo’s army did not immediately respond.

M23, which the United Nations says is backed by Rwanda, controls large parts of North and South Kivu provinces after a rapid offensive last year, during which the rebels seized the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu. The group briefly captured Uvira in December, but the Congolese army retook the city last month.

Congo reopened its border with Burundi at Uvira on Monday. The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo has deployed a joint exploratory assessment team to Uvira this week to support the implementation of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism and evaluate security conditions in the area.

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