Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. A new digital platform aimed at simplifying fish trade for traders and fishers in Lake Tanganyika has been unveiled.

Known as the TanFishMarket digital marketplace, the platform is the brainchild of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). The launch marks a major step towards addressing long-standing challenges facing fishers and traders, including dependence on intermediaries, high transportation costs, limited access to reliable market information, and inadequate digital infrastructure.

These constraints have historically reduced profitability and limited the ability of fishers and traders to fully benefit from their efforts. Speaking during the handover ceremony, FAO Representative Dr Tupo Nyabenyi said the platform connects fish sellers with national, individual and even international buyers, opening new pathways for income growth.

“By directly linking producers to markets, TanFishMarket empowers small-scale fishers and traders to participate more fairly and effectively in fisheries value chains,” she said. Dr Nyabenyi noted that the initiative goes beyond technology adoption, representing a broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving market transparency, reducing post-harvest losses, expanding bio-research, and enabling fishing communities to compete in a modern, data-driven economy.

She said the achievement was made possible through strong collaboration among UDSM, FAO, national institutions, and development partners under the FisACP programme. “The programme demonstrates what can be accomplished when research, innovation, and development cooperation align with real community needs.

It stands as a model partnership built on trust, shared expertise, and a common vision for sustainable fisheries,” she said. She added that more than 200 community members have already been trained to use the system, with women accounting for 62 percent and youth 48 percent of participants.

This high level of inclusion reflects the platform’s role as a catalyst for empowerment. Women and young people, often underrepresented in formal market systems, are now actively engaging in digital commerce and strengthening their economic prospects.

The platform is also expected to enhance data generation and evidence-based decision-making for sector institutions, contributing to improved governance and sustainable resource management. “With the official handover completed, stakeholders will now focus on operationalising and scaling up the platform, including onboarding more sellers and buyers and strengthening technical support systems,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof William Anangisye, said the launch demonstrates what can be achieved when academia, development partners and government institutions work towards a shared goal. “As the University of Dar es Salaam, we are proud to contribute our research capacity, technical expertise, and innovative spirit to initiatives that directly influence livelihoods and national development,” he said.

He added that TanFishMarket exemplifies research with real-world impact, translating university-generated knowledge into tangible economic opportunities. The initiative reflects the university’s commitment to digital transformation, particularly through interdisciplinary collaboration within the College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT).

Prof Anangisye praised the leadership of Prof Abdi T. Abdalla and the dedication of the project team in delivering an initiative that bridges research, innovation and community service.

He emphasised that the partnership between FAO, the University of Dar es Salaam and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock demonstrates how international expertise, academic research, and government leadership can converge to produce sustainable solutions. The platform aligns with Tanzania’s national priorities by promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening food security systems, advancing the digital and blue economies, and empowering rural communities.

It also contributes to the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, food security, decent work, innovation and reduced inequalities. UDSM ICT lecturer Eva Shayo said the team is developing the online market primarily for fishers around Lake Tanganyika, where middlemen often exploit producers.

“Currently, there are middlemen who exploit fishers, and the online market will enable them to reach anyone, wherever they are, even outside the country,” she said, noting that 202 fishers have already been reached. Assistant FAO Representative Charles Tulai said the FisACP project at Lake Tanganyika also involves Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

“We are implementing the project to ensure the lake is protected and that its resources are sustainably managed,” he said. He added that the project aims to reduce post-harvest losses, eliminate exploitative middlemen, and ensure that fish contributes more effectively to nutrition and livelihoods.

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BY Katare Mbashiru Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s industrial sector is hoping for a bright future, with renewed investment, expanding industrial parks and growing youth participation.

From coastal regions to the highlands, manufacturing activity is gaining momentum as new industrial clusters and agro-processing facilities come on stream. Workshops that once operated below capacity are now reporting increased production, while large-scale industrial parks continue to attract domestic and foreign investors.

Speaking to journalists recently, about the first 100 days of the Sixth Phase Government’s second term, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Judith Kapinga, said the opening phase of the new term has focused on laying firm foundations for a competitive and inclusive industrial economy. “The first hundred days are about defining direction and strengthening the base for sustained industrial growth,” she said, citing political stability and policy consistency as key drivers of investor confidence.

According to the minister, Tanzania’s peaceful environment has reassured both local and international investors, translating into factory expansion, job creation and wider market access. Youth empowerment has featured prominently in the government’s strategy.

Through the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), more than Sh821 million has been disbursed in loans to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs across 19 regions. The funding has supported hundreds of direct jobs, largely among young people, while generating additional opportunities in agriculture, livestock, trade and light manufacturing.

Industrialisation is also spreading beyond major urban centres. Regions such as Manyara, Singida, Mbeya, Iringa, Shinyanga, Ruvuma, Morogoro, Kilimanjaro, Dodoma, Tabora and Kigoma are developing industrial clusters aimed at adding value to crops, livestock, fisheries, minerals and forest products.

Ms Kapinga said infrastructure has been completed in Kigoma, Morogoro, Mbeya and Singida to support small and medium-scale industries. “Factories are increasingly being established closer to raw materials and farming communities, supporting rural incomes and local value addition,” she noted.

The private sector, which accounts for more than 85 percent of national employment, remains central to the sector’s outlook. The Kilimanjaro Industrial Park in Kigamboni has already created thousands of jobs and is expected to generate significantly more upon full completion.

At the TAMCO Industrial Park, investors including Hyundai, Goodlife Investment Tanzania and Sanda Max Group are establishing operations expected to bring additional employment and technical expertise. Industrial development is also progressing in Kwala, Kamaka and the Benjamin Mkapa Industrial Park.

Value addition initiatives are being strengthened through the Tanzania Engineering and Manufacturing Development Organisation (TEMDO), which has installed processing plants in Geita, Arusha and Handeni, alongside an edible oil refining facility at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Business formalisation is also on the rise.

The Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) has registered thousands of companies and trade names in recent months, more than half owned by youth, expanding access to credit, tenders and export markets. Quality standards are receiving increased attention through the Samia Ubora Clinic initiative, under which more than 1,000 entrepreneurs have received training, while nearly 200 products have obtained certification marks at no cost.

Through TanTrade’s digital platforms, traders are accessing market intelligence and trade procedures to strengthen cross-border competitiveness. In the cashew sector, record sales under the warehouse receipt system during the 2025/26 season have injected over Sh1 trillion into farmers’ incomes, boosting rural economies and local government revenues.

Green economy initiatives, including alternative charcoal production, clean cooking energy projects, rubber farming in Kalunga and research into rare minerals, are further shaping the sector’s long-term prospects. .

By Aikande Makere When we talk about security, one is often tempted to picture armed guards, patrol cars, and surveillance cameras. However, in a world that is grappling with the climate crisis, security has evolved to more than just keeping people and property safe.

It also includes protecting the environment that sustains our communities and our economy. For security companies in Tanzania and the wider East African region, sustainability is not just a feel-good trend, it is a strategic imperative.

“Green security” is the new frontier that not only benefits our planet but also enhances security operations and benefits the Tanzanian economy. Tanzania, like many nations, faces mounting environmental pressures that cannot be ignored.

The country loses thousands of hectares of forest cover each year due to deforestation, and unsustainable land use. According to the Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS), the nation loses an estimated 470,000 hectares of forest cover annually.

Meanwhile, more than 90 percent of households still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking thus driving both deforestation and indoor air pollution. These pressures not only threaten ecosystems but also create ripple effects on social stability, increasing the potential for resource-based conflicts and community displacement.

The private security sector, often overlooked in green conversations, has a real environmental footprint; from fuel consumed by patrol vehicles to the electricity used for surveillance systems and refuse waste. Embracing green security means working deliberately to reduce this footprint, therefore positioning security firms as leaders in Tanzania’s green transformation.

The private security sector amplifies both its responsibility and its potential for change. For instance, private security firms employ tens of thousands of Tanzanians and are deeply embedded in communities, giving them a unique opportunity to lead the transition to greener practices.

By adopting eco-friendly practices, they can reduce operating costs, strengthen public trust, and contribute to the goals of Tanzania’s National Environmental Policy and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. Additionally, private security firms work closely with estates, schools, and businesses, giving them a unique platform to steer community sustainability initiatives. Through initiatives like tree planting, recycling drives, and e-waste collection campaigns, private security companies can expand their role from protecting individuals to safeguarding communities and the environment.

The opportunities for green security within the private security sector are unlimited as companies can opt for fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles, used in patrols and cash in transit fleets, and adopting innovative routing systems powered by digital tools without compromising on the desired response times. Replacing traditional kerosene lamps and diesel generators with solar-powered guard posts can help cut carbon footprints; a practical move given Tanzania’s abundant sunlight and growing solar market.

Offices and training facilities also present opportunities for impact. By investing in energy-efficient buildings, adopting waste segregation practices, and embracing paperless reporting systems, firms can make operations both greener and more efficient.

Changes, no matter how little, can make a huge difference. Thousands of uniforms are produced and replaced each year, and exploring eco-friendly textiles or recycling programmess could reduce waste and promote sustainability.

The business case for green security is also compelling. Tanzania’s electricity generation mix for the national grid is currently dominated by natural gas and hydropower, but the country is actively working to upscale energy production from solar and other renewable sources as part of a significant policy shift toward greater long-term renewable energy use.

Recent industry trends have witnessed an increase in demand for sustainability compliance in procurement processes particularly from locally situated embassies, NGOs and multinational corporations. This gives security firms that have embraced sustainability strategic positioning as a preferred partner for such clients.

Ms Makere is a Customer and Public Relations Manager at SGA Security Tanzania .

Dar es Salaam. High conversion costs is among factors that continue to deter private motorists from switching to compressed natural gas (CNG), slowing adoption despite the rapid expansion of refuelling infrastructure in the city.

The rate at which vehicles are being converted from petroleum products to CNG is not keeping pace with the growing number of gas filling stations. This imbalance is raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the CNG business model.

Data compiled by The Citizen shows that establishing a single CNG station can cost up to twice as much as setting up a conventional petrol station in an urban area. When fuel prices crossed the Sh3,000 mark in 2022, the government launched efforts to promote vehicle conversion to gas.

At the same time, it encouraged private investors to establish more refuelling stations to ease congestion and widen access. Under normal market conditions, the lower cost of gas would be expected to drive demand.

One kilogramme of CNG can power a vehicle for about 13 to 18 kilometres at a cost of Sh1,548. Petrol powers the same vehicle for 10 to 15 kilometres at Sh2,788 per litre, while diesel costs Sh2,701 per litre. Despite this clear price advantage, uptake has remained slower than projected.

Dar es Salaam currently has 11 CNG refilling stations, with plans to expand to 18 by the end of the year. The expansion depends on more private sector participation.

However, vehicle conversion rates have not matched infrastructure growth. This has complicated business operations for station owners and investors.

A supervisor at Tembo Energies, Mr Ambilikile Mwangolombe, said their outlets once served more than 1,000 vehicles and motorised tricycles daily. Today, the figure has fallen to between 100 and 200 vehicles per day.

“This means sales have declined,” he said. “We are now considering opening a new station in an underserved area to expand coverage.

” He added that low conversion rates are partly linked to the failure of the government to lead the process through examples. He said wider conversion of government fleets would help to boost demand.

At Rafki CNG Station, supervisor Ms Mariam Kibona said their station, which opened in September last year, serves about 400 vehicles daily. This is low compared with pump capacity.

She said customers report significant savings, especially those engaged in online transport and delivery businesses. The number of vehicles using natural gas has risen to 16,200, from just 60 in 2015. This includes 9,806 three-wheelers, 513 trucks, 783 buses and BRT vehicles, and 5,098 private cars.

However, the long queues that once defined CNG stations have largely disappeared. This signals slower-than-expected growth in daily usage.

Efforts to increase uptake The Director General of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), Mr Mussa Makame, said the initial priority was to reduce congestion by increasing the number of stations. “That objective has largely been achieved,” he said.

“The focus is now on ensuring the expanded infrastructure attracts enough customers to operate sustainably.” He noted that many stations are privately owned and are actively promoting CNG use.

While some outlets appear quiet in terms of private vehicles and three-wheelers, industrial demand remains strong. Large trucks continue to collect gas in bulk for factory use.

In the 2023/24 budget, the government introduced incentives to stimulate demand. These include a 25 percent customs duty exemption for imported CNG vehicle engines to reduce conversion costs.

TPDC has also partnered with the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology to establish vehicle conversion workshops in Dodoma and Arusha. Similar facilities are planned for Kilimanjaro and Tanga.

High conversion costs BQ Contractors Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Bura, said converting a petrol-powered vehicle to CNG costs about Sh2.1 million. He added that investors also face heavy capital requirements, with a single CNG station costing up to $2 million, excluding land.

“Commercial drivers, especially ride-hailing taxi operators, can recover costs in about eight months,” he said. “Private car owners remain hesitant because of the high upfront expense.

” The Director General of the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), Mr Charles Sangweni, said Tanzania’s population growth and regional energy demand would keep natural gas relevant, even as the world shifts towards renewable energy. As Tanzania pursues cleaner, locally sourced energy, analysts say the central challenge is no longer infrastructure alone.

It is the slow pace of consumer conversion. For private motorists, the decision remains a difficult calculation between high initial costs and long-term savings.

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Africa’s economic transformation over the past two decades has been shaped not only by governments and multilateral institutions, but also by a small group of globally connected business leaders who identified opportunity where others saw risk. Among the most influential are Indian-origin billionaires who have built vast fortunes while embedding themselves deeply in the continent’s industrial, technological, and infrastructure landscape.

From mining and energy to telecommunications, manufacturing, and consumer electronics, these entrepreneurs have leveraged capital, long-term vision, and emerging-market expertise to create businesses that generate jobs, transfer skills, and influence policy and investment flows across Africa. This article profiles five of the most powerful Indian-origin billionaires whose wealth and influence continue to shape Africa’s economic trajectory.

Anand Mahindra – Mahindra and Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra’s engagement with Africa reflects his long-term belief in emerging markets as engines of global growth. With an estimated net worth of over $10 billion, he brings both financial strength and strategic vision to the continent.

Through the Mahindra Group, he has built a strong presence across Africa in automotive, agriculture, infrastructure, and financial services. His approach emphasizes local manufacturing, skill development, and sustainable partnerships.

By investing in mobility solutions and farm equipment, Mahindra has supported job creation and technology transfer. His Africa strategy blends commercial success with social responsibility, positioning the Group as a trusted long-term partner in the region’s development.

Prateek Suri Maser Group and MDR Investments Prateek Suri, born in 1988, is recognised as the youngest and richest Indian businessman in Africa in 2025, with an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion. He founded Maser Group in 2012, focusing on affordable smart televisions and electronics.

By 2024, Maser had sold over 800,000 units across Africa and reached a valuation of $5 billion before being acquired by SCG Asia. Following this success, Suri launched MDR Investments, a venture capital firm investing in infrastructure, mining, and emerging technologies across Africa.

Through the Maser Foundation, he also partners with governments and NGOs to support development in underserved regions. Anil Agarwal Vedanta Resources Anil Agarwal, founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources, is one of the most influential Indian billionaires with major operations in Africa.

Born in 1954 in Patna, India, Agarwal built his metals and mining empire into a global powerhouse. In Africa, Vedanta is a key player in Zambia’s copper industry through its 80 percent ownership of Konkola Copper Mines, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the local economy.

As of 2025, Agarwal’s fortune is estimated at $1.6 billion, and Vedanta continues to expand its footprint in natural resources across the continent. Savitri Jindal and Family O.

P. Jindal Group Savitri Jindal, India’s richest woman, and her family oversee the O.

P. Jindal Group, valued globally at around $12 billion, with a strong African presence through Jindal Africa, headquartered in Johannesburg.

The group runs major mining and energy projects including the Kiepersol Colliery in South Africa, the Chirodzi coal mine in Mozambique, and the Mmamabula Energy Project in Botswana, with further interests in Namibia, Cameroon, Zambia, and Tanzania. These ventures cement the Jindals as one of the most influential business families shaping Africa’s steel, mining, and energy sectors.

Sunil Bharti Mittal Chairman of Bharti Airtel Sunil Bharti Mittal is the founder and chairman of Bharti Airtel, one of the world’s largest telecom groups with a deep and successful footprint across Africa through Airtel Africa. Operating in more than 14 African countries, including a strong presence in Airtel Tanzania, the group provides mobile, data, and mobile-money services to millions, driving digital inclusion and economic growth.

Mittal’s Africa strategy is widely seen as a benchmark for large-scale emerging-market execution. His net worth is estimated at around USD 1415 billion, reflecting decades of global telecom leadership and disciplined expansion.

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For years, a familiar question has echoed across Tanzania’s boardrooms and founder circles: why does startup capital flow more readily to Kenya than to Tanzania? The stock answers–Kenya has more investors, or Tanzania has fewer startups–only scratch the surface. According to Managing Partner at Warioba Ventures, Mr Martin Warioba, the real issue lies deeper in how venture ecosystems mature, particularly in frontier markets like Tanzania.

In this exclusive interview with The Citizen’s Josephine Christopher, Mr Warioba argues that Tanzania has an opportunity to change its investment narrative by strengthening the bridge between corporates and startups, while also expanding alternative financing tools beyond equity. Doing so, he says, could help build a more investable pipeline that attracts not only early-stage capital, but also growth funds already watching the market.

How do you see the Tanzanian startup and early-stage investment market today – opportunities, challenges, and trends? How do you see the Tanzanian startup and early-stage investment market today – opportunities, challenges, and trends? Tanzania has the fundamentals: a large and growing market, strong SMEs, and rising digital adoption. The biggest opportunities are in sectors where pain is structural – health supply chains, agriculture value chains, trade and logistics, B2B payments, and SME finance.

The challenge is not a shortage of ambition. It’s that we still have a thin “middle layer” that turns innovation into investable businesses: limited structured early capital, limited corporate demand signals, and limited technical assistance that allow startups to scale.

On the positive side, we’re seeing more founders building closer to real economics by focusing on distribution, collections, unit economics, compliance. That’s a healthy shift.

People often point to Kenya. What do you think Kenya has done differently that Tanzania can learn from? Kenya benefits from ecosystem density where there are more venture networks, more repeated founder wins, and more international capital that feels familiar with the market.

But mostly important, their local corporations play a stronger role in pulling startups into real revenue. When corporate buyers contract startups, integrate them into operations, co-build solutions, and sometimes acquire them, investors see a credible path to scale and exit.

It is now time for Tanzania to fire up its own corporate base: banks, MNOs, logistics firms, FMCG players, manufacturers, and energy companies. If these corporations turn engagement with startups into a structured strategy, capital will follow.

You’ve said corporations should do more. What does meaningful corporate participation look like? I think of five practical roles corporates can play: first as a customer and procure from startups by turning pilots into contracts; second as a distribution partner to provide channel access through agents, branches, merchants, suppliers.

They can also be capability builder for mentorship, technical expertise, governance coaching, forth as a co-investor to provide strategic tickets alongside local angel networks and local VC funds and lastly as an acquirer for when innovation works, local corporates can provide exit option by buying startup, merging with it, or building a joint venture. There has to be real intention of turning “innovation” into a predictable pipeline, not just a CSR activity For Warioba Ventures specifically, how many startups have you invested in and in which sectors? We have invested in two Tanzanian startups: Dawa Mkononi and Tunzaa, and we are currently working on a third investment right now.

We are sector-agnostic, early-stage, tech-enabled startups investors. We pair capital with technical assistance support particularly around technology expertise, governance, partnerships, and readiness for follow-on capital.

Have local angelscorporates co-investing with you helped unlock follow-on foreign capital? Any concrete examples? Yes. Local participation often de-risks and builds trust to foreign capital.

And we are very proud that through our angel network, WV Angels, we have invested with local angels in both our investments. A concrete example is Dawa Mkononi, where early local capital of about $100,000 and support helped create the confidence and momentum that attracted additional foreign investment of more than $2.5 million in form of equity and debt from Axian Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Social Engagement Fund, Pontem Ventures, Sanofi Impact Fund, Stanford Graduate School of Business Impact Fund, and Villgro Africa.

We have also raised matching impact grant funds from DeveloPPPKFW program, Daraja Impact Fund and ABAN Catalytic Fund. This has helped Dawa Mkononi to grow from 14 to 100 employees in the past 3 years, serving over 3,500 customers (pharmacies, clinics and hospitals) and generating revenue of $15.5 million while supplying medicines across all 30 regions in Tanzania.

With Tunzaa, they have just closed a contract with GSM Group, one of the leading conglomerates across East Africa. The broader principle is that when local stakeholders show up then international investors convert curiosity into conviction.

Our biggest upside is that we take risks together and local investors are on the ground to provide more support. If you could ask Tanzania’s corporate leaders for one thing in 2026, what would it be? Move from intention to structure.

Create an internal “innovation interface” with budget, procurement pathways, KPIs, and leadership accountability. Then switch into an investment mindset by engaging startups as customers and partners.

How will Warioba Ventures use this year especially as you structure WV Tusonge Mbele Fund across Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, DRC and Zambia? We are structuring a $10 million early-stage, tech-based startups regional VC fund that will be domiciled in Rwanda but focusing on investments in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. We are building a governance-first pipeline across these African Great Lakes countries where they have traditionally traded with each other and Tanzania is a gateway through the Indian Ocean.

Warioba Ventures will be active by being on the ground, working with founders, and partnering with local corporates to convert pilots into contracts and building sustainable and scalable business Our approach is regional and we want to collaborate. Trade corridors, health supply chains, agriculture markets, and industrial services don’t stop at borders, and neither should capital networks.

We are looking forward to the challenges. .

Dar es Salaam. In a development that could significantly reshape Tanzania’s trade competitiveness, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has become the first institution in the country to receive ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation for inspection services.

This is a milestone widely described by experts as a strategic breakthrough for the nation’s industrial and export ambitions. The accreditation, granted (handed over) by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) on February 13, 2026, formally recognises TBS as competent to conduct type A inspections under ISO/IEC 17020:2012 in the areas of food products and chemical-related products.

The certificates, announced on October 15 2025, are valid for five years until October 2030 and will remain under continuous surveillance by SADCAS. For Tanzania, this is not merely a ceremonial recognition.

It is a structural upgrade in how the country positions itself within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the broader global trading system. Speaking at the handover ceremony in Dar es Salaam, minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga described the accreditation as “a weapon for Tanzania to win the SADC and international markets.

” “The attainment of international competence accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020 removes technical barriers to trade,” she said. “It is proof of professionalism and integrity in our national quality infrastructure.

This strengthens confidence among both domestic and international stakeholders in products made in Tanzania.” ISO/IEC 17020 is an internationally recognised standard that specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection.

In simple terms, accreditation confirms that TBS inspectors are technically qualified, to operate under impartial systems, use calibrated equipment and follow globally accepted procedures. Chief Executive Officer of SADCAS, Ms Eve Christine Gadzikwa, underscored the weight of the achievement.

“Achieving accreditation is no small feat. It is a rigorous and demanding journey,” she said.

“Accreditation is a formal recognition by an authoritative body of competence to carry out inspection, testing or certification. In this case, we are celebrating inspection accreditation.

” She noted that as of January 13 2026, SADCAS had issued 406 accreditation certificates to 343 facilities across 13 member states, with additional certifications beyond the region. TBS now joins a select group whose accreditation is internationally recognised through SADCAS’ affiliations with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and the Global Accreditation Cooperation (GLOBAC).

“The importance of this certificate,” Ms Gozikwa emphasised, “is that it enables Tanzania to gain market access and competitive advantage when trading across borders. Consumers are asking: who has inspected this product? Can I trust it? Accreditation provides that confidence.

” Strengthening Tanzania’s regulatory backbone TBS operates under the Standards Act No. 2 of 2009 and is responsible for enforcing mandatory product standards, including pre-shipment verification of imports.

The ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation strengthens its regulatory mandate by ensuring its inspections meet globally benchmarked standards. Director General of TBS, Dr Ashura Katunzi, said the achievement is the result of more than a year of rigorous assessment, completed in October 2025. “TBS is now the first institution in Tanzania and the second in East Africa to receive this accreditation from SADCAS,” she said.

“This confirms that our inspection systems at production sites, ports and border posts meet international requirements.” She pledged that TBS would continue enhancing professionalism and integrity to maintain the accreditation and ensure Tanzania’s services remain globally competitive.

Trade experts say the accreditation positions Tanzania more favourably within SADC and under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A trade and industrial policy expert, Dr Haji Semboja, argues that technical barriers to trade have long undermined African exports.

“Many African countries struggle not because their products lack quality, but because their conformity assessment systems are not internationally recognised,” he said. “With ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation, Tanzanian inspection reports carry greater weight.

This reduces duplication of inspections and lowers transaction costs for exporters.” He added that sectors such as agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods stand to benefit significantly, areas already identified by SADCAS as regional priority value chains.

Similarly, an economist and industrial development analyst, Mr Samuel Wange, views the accreditation as an essential pillar for Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda. “Industrialisation is not just about factories; it is about systems of trust,” he explained.

“When buyers in SADC or Europe see that Tanzania’s inspection body is internationally accredited, they are more willing to source from us. This enhances our reputation as a reliable trading partner.

” Beyond trade facilitation, accreditation sends a strong signal to investors. It demonstrates that Tanzania’s quality assurance systems are credible, transparent and accountable.

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Rombo. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Kilimanjaro Regional Commander of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to investigate alleged irregularities in several stalled construction projects in Rombo District Council, including a case where a contractor was reportedly paid in full before completing the work.

The projects under scrutiny include the construction of a dormitory and 16 toilet cubicles at Maki Secondary School, which remain incomplete despite full payment having allegedly been made to the contractor. Dr Nchemba also ordered investigations into the construction of 10 toilet cubicles and two dormitory blocks at Mamsera Secondary School.

The project has reportedly stalled for an extended period, with some of the dormitory walls already developing cracks. In addition, the Prime Minister cited concerns over the construction of a fish pond at Mrao Keryo, where the contractor is accused of carrying out substandard work and reducing the size of the pond from the original design.

Speaking at Sabasaba grounds in Rombo on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Dr Nchemba expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the projects and questioned district officials over the delays and structural defects. “In a district like Rombo, how can a project stall for so long that buildings begin to crack?” he asked, directing the anti-corruption body to conduct a thorough probe and submit a report for further action.

He said the government would not tolerate negligence, laxity or misappropriation of public funds, adding that decisive measures would be taken once the agency presents its findings. Responding to the Prime Minister, Rombo District Executive Director Goodwin Chacha said the council would form a team to follow up on the projects.

He said that in one of the projects, the funds disbursed were insufficient, prompting the council to initiate procedures to request additional financing. Mr Chacha also noted that the Sh130 million allocated for the construction of a dormitory at Maki Secondary School was inadequate to complete the project, citing rising construction costs.

However, he maintained that not all funds had been paid directly to the contractor, saying part of the money was used to purchase materials and cover labour costs. Meanwhile, the council engineer, Mr Boniface Kalikela, said the contract for the fish pond project had already been terminated and that the council would proceed with the remaining works under force account.

The Prime Minister said action would be taken upon receipt of the investigation report. .

Njombe. Tanzania’s ambition to take higher education closer to its people is steadily taking shape in the Southern Highlands, as the University of Dodoma (UDOM) intensifies construction of its first-ever campus in Njombe Region.

The campus, being constructed under the government-backed Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project and valued at Sh20 billion, according to local experts, is a strategic intervention in a country where access to university education has for decades been geographically uneven. The project, which began in May 2025, is contractually scheduled for completion on May 26 2026, just weeks before the national deadline of June 2026 set for all HEET beneficiaries across the country.

Upon completion, the Njombe campus is expected to admit at least 1,000 students in the 2026/27 academic year, marking a turning point for a region that has long watched thousands of its young people migrate to Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Mwanza in search of limited university slots. During an inspection visit on February 18, 2026, UDOM Vice Chancellor Prof Lughano Kusiluka expressed confidence that the project could be completed three months ahead of schedule.

“This is a very encouraging stage of implementation. Despite the initial challenges, the contractor has intensified the pace of work, and we are confident the project will be completed within the agreed timeframe,” he said.

Prof Kusiluka stressed that meeting the May 2026 completion date is non-negotiable, given the national June 2026 HEET deadline. “We have no option but to deliver this project on time.

It is a strategic investment aimed at strengthening higher education and contributing to national development,” he emphasised. The Vice Chancellor directed both the project consultant and contractor to increase manpower immediately, secure construction materials in advance and maintain day-and-night shifts to safeguard the timeline.

He also underscored the importance of strict financial discipline. “These funds are dedicated to transforming higher education.

We must ensure value for money and tangible results that will benefit students and the wider community,” he said. What is being built? The 110-acre site, allocated by Njombe Regional authorities, will host an administration block, lecture theatres, modern laboratories, a library, a cafeteria and a dispensary.

The contractor says the project will complete as on time. “The contract clearly states that the project must be completed by May 26, 2026. To achieve this target, we are increasing manpower and reorganising our work schedule to accelerate progress,” said the Dimetoclasa Real Hope Ltd Managing Director, Mr Dickson Mwipopo.

He acknowledged that the project faced nearly two months of disruption due to material shortages and logistical miscalculations. He noted that the election period also slowed production in some manufacturing industries, affecting supplies of steel and aggregates.

“Currently, production has stabilised, materials are available, and with round-the-clock operations, we are confident we will meet the deadline,” Mr Mwipopo said. A reform beyond bricks and mortar The HEET project, financed through a World Bank facility, is one of Tanzania’s most ambitious higher education reforms in recent years.

Its goal is to expand infrastructure, modernise laboratories and learning facilities, strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes, and enhance universities’ capacity to drive economic transformation. Nationally, HEET is supporting public universities to expand enrolment, upgrade teaching and research infrastructure, and align academic programmes with Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda.

For years, access to higher education has been concentrated in a few urban centres. Data from the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) show that enrolment has grown significantly over the past decade, but demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly in science-based programmes.

Regions without university campuses have historically experienced lower transition rates from secondary to tertiary education. Students from Njombe, Ruvuma and neighbouring areas often face financial and social barriers associated with relocation to distant cities.

The establishment of UDOM’s Njombe campus directly responds to this imbalance. An education policy analyst based in Njombe, Dr Rehema Mhando, said the campus carries transformative potential for the region.

“For years, our brightest students have had to leave Njombe to access university education. Many never return.

Establishing a campus here changes that dynamic,” she said. “This is not just about 1,000 students.

It is about building a knowledge economy in the Southern Highlands. Local businesses will grow, innovation will increase, and the region’s human capital will improve.

” She added that decentralising higher education is essential if Tanzania is to achieve equitable development. “When higher education remains concentrated in a few cities, regional disparities widen.

HEET is attempting to correct that imbalance. The real test will be sustainability beyond infrastructure–quality teaching, strong programmes and industry linkages,” she said.

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Rombo. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has announced plans to revive the trade in live animals, including baboons and monkeys, rather than killing them, as a measure to reduce their numbers in residential areas and boost national revenue.

The announcement was made on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, while addressing concerns from Rombo District residents over animal invasions in their homes. “Rather than killing them unnecessarily, the government, under the guidance of our President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has directed the ministry to address this issue and revive the live animal trade so that these baboons and monkeys can be sold instead of being killed, generating revenue while solving the problem for our people,” said Dr Kijaji.

“Previously, we managed live wild animals, but the practice stopped in 2016 due to challenges. Government instructions have now directed us to address it.

Currently, we have been forced to kill more than 247 baboons due to this problem,” added the minister. Among other achievements, Dr Kijaji said that Kilimanjaro National Park (Kinapa) has generated over Sh363.7 million in revenue.

“Through our Kilimanjaro National Park, we, as a nation, are very proud. We commend Rombo residents for protecting our region and the park.

Kilimanjaro National Park is the second-largest contributor to national revenue,” he said. Residents’ concerns At the meeting, resident Ms Jenesta Tarimo said they have suffered for years from animals destroying crops annually.

“Honourable Minister, we request assistance to remove these destructive animals that have spread in our areas because they eat seeds and trample young crops. We are greatly suffering,” she said.

Another resident, Ms Silvia Tesha, said the animals have made farming impossible, “We have no food because of these animals. They have been a major nuisance to citizens.

We cannot farm or work on our fields.” .