Category: The Citizen

Juba. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed the country’s military chief and reinstated his predecessor whom Kiir had sacked three months earlier, state-run television announced.

The moves add to relentless turnover within the ranks of South Sudan’s military and government as Kiir contends with armed conflict and speculation within the country about his eventual succession. Kiir, 74, has led a transitional government in the impoverished and fractured nation since independence from Sudan in 2011. Scheduled elections have twice been postponed and First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir’s main rival during a 2013-2018 civil war, was charged last The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Wednesday that Kiir had appointed Paul Nang Majok to replace Dau Aturjong as the new Chief of Defence Forces, without providing a reason for the decision.

Aturjong was reassigned to be a technical adviser at the defence ministry. In July, Kiir had, without explanation, sacked Majok after seven months in the post and replaced him with Aturjong.

That decision came after renewed fighting in the northeast in which the military was briefly overrun by a militia from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. The government placed Machar under house arrest in March, accusing him of supporting the militia, and he went on trial for treason, murder and crimes against humanity last month.

Machar has denied the allegations. His detention reignited fears of a return to full-blown civil war, with his supporters accusing the government of violating a 2018 peace and power-sharing agreement.

Analysts say that Kiir’s repeated shake-ups of the government and security apparatus are aimed at consolidating his hold on power and keeping various factions satisfied. U.

N. investigators last month accused South Sudanese leaders of “systematic looting” of the nation’s wealth for their personal gain .

Dar es Salaam. After impressing at the Tanzania Vodacom Open, Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, has turned her focus to representing the country at the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled from October 13 to 15, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Kenya.

The high-profile tournament, part of the Sunshine Development Tour, will bring together elite golfers from across the region for three days of intense competition. Registration for the event opened on September 22 and closes on October 6, with players expected to register via golfplus.

co.ke.

The East Africa Swing is a key stage in the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, offering golfers the chance to gain ranking points, sharpen their skills, and compete on a professional platform that feeds into one of Africa’s premier golf circuits. Madina, who has consistently been Tanzania’s top female golfer, expressed excitement about the upcoming tournament.

“It’s always an honor to represent Tanzania in international tournaments,” she said. “Events like the East Africa Swing help us test our game against top players while also strengthening regional golf ties.

I’m looking forward to giving my best performance in Nairobi.” Over the years, Madina has helped elevate the profile of women’s golf in Tanzania through outstanding performances at events such as the Tanzania Ladies Open, the Geita Open, and the EAC Ladies Challenge Trophy.

Her participation in the Sunshine Development Tour highlights the growing recognition of Tanzanian golfers on the continental stage. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of East Africa’s oldest and most scenic courses, will host the tournament.

Known for its lush fairways and challenging layout, the venue promises an exciting contest as top male and female professionals compete for honors and ranking points. .

Alabuga Start international program is becoming increasingly popular among young people in our country. This initiative offers young women aged 18 to 22 the chance to move to Russia and start building their careers in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

The program description is certainly appealing, but only someone who has actually participated in Alabuga Start can truly describe what relocating to Alabuga is like. Redemptor Cathy spoke exclusively to The Citizen about the challenges of adapting to life in Russia, learning a new language and culture, and discovering the quirks of the local cuisine.

“EARNING, LEARNING, AND GROWING ABROAD — MY STORY WITH ALABUGA START” My name is Redemptor Cathy, I’m 23 years old and I’m from Uganda. I’ve always been curious about how people live in other countries.

I’ve dreamed of making decent money to travel the world someday. But with the average salary in Uganda being about $220 a month, it’s hard to imagine being able to afford a big trip like that.

The opportunity actually found me — I came across the international Alabuga Start program, which advertised a monthly salary of $541. At first, I found it hard to believe that such salaries were real, but after chatting with other participants in a group chat and talking with my HR representative, they convinced me it was true. That’s when I decided to give Catering a try through the program.

I started my career as a kitchen worker at Shokoladnitsa Cafe, where I helped with food preparation, learned to cook Russian dishes, and got to know the menu. After six months, I was promoted to waitress and received a pay raise.

By then, I was already mentoring a new Alabuga Start participant from Nigeria, who had just begun her journey in the Catering field. “RUSSIA’S WINTERS? BREATHTAKING NATURE, THRILLING SPORTS IT’S ALL HERE” I first heard about the Alabuga Start program from my friends, who saw advertisements for it on social media.

I decided to give it a try, so I applied on the website and immediately began learning 100 Russian words from the provided list, since that was required to participate. Not long after, Alabuga’s HR specialists got in touch with me and answered all my questions about the program.

Interestingly, another mandatory step before the Alabuga Start HR interview involved completing a namesake computer game. As my HR supervisor later explained, this business simulation is a proprietary tool developed by the Alabuga SEZ to assess three-dimensional and logical reasoning skills.

Once all my documents were gathered, my medical exam was finished, and I received my visa, Alabuga bought my tickets to Russia. When I first stepped outside in Kazan (the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan), I was amazed I had never seen snow before in Uganda.

Winter in Tatarstan is truly beautiful, and the region offers just as many wonderful winter sports. Last year, I learned to skate and ski for the first time, and this winter, my friends and I joined the biggest snowball fight with the students of Alabuga Polytech.

“THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE HIGHER YOU RISE” It was difficult to get used to new dishes, I had never tried Russian cuisine before. My first encounter with traditional Russian borscht is quite a tale in itself.

I remember being fascinated by this unique dish These days I’ve mastered cooking it myself, and not just borscht – I’ve also learned to make manti, ochpochmak, and rassolnik soup. They’re all classics from both Russian and Tatar culinary traditions.

Of course, the challenges weren’t just about getting used to local ingredients — the cultural differences and language barrier were tough too. At first, Russian felt impossible: everyone spoke so quickly, I struggled to express myself, and I relied on a translator constantly.

That frustration actually pushed me to work harder in my Russian lessons with our teacher Yoanna. Now, I can chat comfortably with native speakers.

My colleagues at Alabuga have been great too — whenever I ask them to practice, they’re happy to help. It’s a win-win: they improve their English while I work on my Russian.

I’m continuing to improve my Russian while also starting to learn Chinese. My friends often ask how I managed to climb the career ladder so quickly.

Honestly, there’s no big secret. It really comes down to working hard, taking your responsibilities seriously, and never skipping those Russian language lessons.

In our line of work, it’s crucial not just to understand Russian well, but to speak it fluently and accurately. I’m definitely not going to stop there.

Now I am 23 years old, I have been working at the Shokoladnitsa Cafe for more than a year, I managed to get my first promotion, I earn more than $800 a month and help my parents. Very soon, a friend from Uganda will fly to me to become a part of Alabuga Start.

If you have any questions about moving to Russia, living there, or about Alabuga Start, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help with anything you want to know. .

It’s that time of year again. The day we mark the passing of Tanzania’s founding father, Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

Twenty-six years now. I remember the day he died vividly.

I was a high-school student at Ilboru. We were all assembled, told the news, and given the rest of the day off.

I went to my dormitory, pulled the blanket over my head, and cried. I’m not entirely sure what to make of those tears now.

Maybe it was grief, maybe it was the weight of losing a national symbol. But I was a product of my time.

And Nyerere was a giant. I still think he is.

In a line-up of shockingly average leaders who followed him, he was a towering intellect. Nyerere wasn’t just a politician; he was a philosopher-king.

He translated Shakespeare into Kiswahili, debated world leaders on their own terms, and articulated a unique African vision with a clarity that still resonates. He was also a genuine patriot–not just in words, but in action.

He voluntarily stepped down from power, something unheard of in post-colonial Africa. He championed Kiswahili as a unifying national language, turning it into a tool of inclusion.

And he famously lived modestly even as president. But this year, I find myself wishing Nyerere was still here.

I would have moved heaven and earth to get an audience with him, to sit down and ask: “Mzee, what do you think of the Tanzania you founded?” Because honestly, the nation feels unwell. It’s in pain–stifled, stagnant, and socially fragmented.

We desperately need a leader of Nyerere’s moral gravity and intellect to help steer us through this. And yet, we must also confront an uncomfortable truth: It was his weaknesses, his specific failures as a leader that paved the road to our current predicament.

Take his rigid subscription to ideology. Nyerere embraced leftist doctrines with near-religious fervour.

He wasn’t just a socialist; he was a subscriber to every idealistic notion that leftist intellectuals propagated in the 60s and 70s. He took the ujamaa ideal and forced an entire economy into that mould, vilifying the very concept of individual profit as greed.

We never learned pragmatism. So, while our counterparts were asking, “What policy will make our people richer and our nation stronger?” we were asking, “Is this policy ideologically pure?” Even now, we are still stuck with practices that don’t make the country work.

Then there’s Nyerere’s complex relationship with democracy. On one hand, he was a man of the people: he lived and listened to them.

On the other hand, he was the man who decided for the people. He banned opposition parties in 1965, creating a one-party state under the guise of national unity.

He muzzled the alternative press. He didn’t open the nation up to political pluralism until he was well out of power, leaving a system already rigged for the incumbents.

If I had to boil it all down, Nyerere’s fundamental flaw was his misunderstanding of human nature. He was an idealist: he believed that if you put people in an ujamaa village, they would work hard for the collective good.

He believed that if you appointed leaders, they would use their powers for the benefit of all. He created a system where the key to power wasn’t competence or accountability, but the ability to pay lip service to his ideals.

But the ujamaa villages became sites of coercion, not cooperation. And the people who were singing “ujamaa” with him seamlessly transitioned into capitalists.

This is the tragic fallacy of Utopian leftism–they believe people are inherently good and will act with good intentions. But consider Pol Pot’s Cambodia, where the pursuit of an agrarian communist utopia led to the killing fields.

Stalin’s Russia, Mao’s China, and the ongoing struggles in Cuba and North Korea. Over 100 million people died because of systems built on such “good intentions.

” Nyerere himself was aware of the danger. He once said, “The constitution gives the president so much power that if I chose to be a dictator, I could.

” But he never reformed the constitution to limit those powers. He trusted future leaders to be as virtuous as he imagined himself to be.

What a fatal mistake. Human beings aren’t good people: there is wickedness in our hearts.

If you don’t set effective checks and balances, people will use their power to make fellow citizens subjects. People will weaponise their positions, their tribes, their religions, or their races against others.

We’ve all seen it, haven’t we? Today, as nations debate governance models–Western liberal democracy versus China’s authoritarian capitalism–I say this: follow the path proven to provide long-term stability and dignity. If a path suppresses people’s political, individual, economic, and social rights, it is a dead end.

Research and history are unequivocal on this. Without the bedrock of democracy and accountable institutions, the buildings we erect are merely houses of cards.

Nyerere should have known that. And maybe, if he were here today, he’d admit it.

Charles Makakala is a Technology and Management Consultant based in Dar es Salaam .

Dar es Salaam. The government has applauded the world football governing body, FIFA, for appointing three prominent Tanzanian football leaders to key international positions, describing the decision as a reflection of the nation’s growing stature in global football governance.

FIFA has confirmed the appointments of Wallace Karia, Hersi Said, and Neema Haji to serve in various international committees, a move that has been widely celebrated across Tanzania’s sporting fraternity. Karia, who serves as President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and a CAF Executive Committee Member, has been named FIFA’s Beach Soccer Vice Chairman.

Hersi, who is the President of the African Club Association (ACA) and Chairman of Young Africans SC, joins FIFA’s Club Competition Committee, while Neema Haji joins the FIFA Women’s Competitions Committee, in recognition of her significant contributions to the growth of women’s football in Tanzania. Speaking yesterday, Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, described the appointments as a proud moment for Tanzania and a testament to the country’s growing recognition in international sports administration.

Msigwa said the trio’s inclusion in FIFA structures demonstrates global confidence in Tanzanian leadership, professionalism, and football development. “This is a huge achievement, not just for the individuals appointed, but for the entire nation,” said Msigwa.

“FIFA’s trust in our leaders, Karia, Hersi, and Neema, proves that Tanzania is now firmly on the world football map. Their appointments show that our efforts to strengthen sports governance and professionalism are bearing fruit.

” Msigwa commended the TFF and its leadership for their consistent work in transforming football management in the country. He said the government will continue supporting initiatives that enhance transparency, youth development, and international collaboration in sports.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has placed sports at the center of national pride and diplomacy. We believe these appointments will open new doors for cooperation with FIFA and CAF, creating more opportunities for our players, coaches, and administrators,” he added.

The government spokesperson also lauded Engineer Hersi for his contribution to club football, noting his success in elevating Young Africans (Yanga) to continental prominence. Similarly, he praised Karia for his leadership at TFF and within CAF, and Neema for championing women’s football growth in Tanzania.

“Each of them has worked tirelessly to elevate Tanzanian football. Karia’s experience in governance, Hersi’s success in club management, and Neema’s expertise in women’s football make them excellent ambassadors for our nation,” said Msigwa.

He further urged the newly appointed officials to use their positions to promote Tanzanian talent and advocate for greater investment in African football. The appointments come at a time when Tanzania’s football profile continues to rise, following the national team’s competitive outings in continental tournaments and local clubs’ improved performances in CAF competitions.

.

More than 62,000 smallholder farmers across Tanzania have benefited from training provided by the World Vegetable Center Eastern and Southern Africa (WorldVeg), aimed at boosting productivity and economic empowerment. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project, WorldVeg Tanzania Programme Manager, Ms Colleta Ndunguru, said the initiative, launched in 2023, has supported farmers in Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.

“The project helped farmers formalise their businesses and distributed quality vegetable seeds to over 10,500 households,” she said. Over 10,000 seed producers were trained, 52 percent women and 29 percent youth.

The Director of the Zanzibar Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute, Dr Abdallah Ibrahim Ali, praised WorldVeg for advancing fruit and vegetable farming, noting that over 446,000 vegetable seedlings were distributed nationwide. CIMMYT Country Coordinator, Mr Peter Ojukwu, said the initiative tackles hunger and malnutrition by promoting quality seed systems and training.

Farmers reported increased yields and income, with some onion producers tripling their harvests. The project was funded by CIMMYT and implemented with partners including RIKOLTO, World Vision, and the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage in Zanzibar.

(The Citizen Reporter) .

Dar es Salaam. Africa’s battle against climate change could be transformed by home-grown artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that address the continent’s unique environmental and development challenges, leaders told.

The statement made yesterday by Deputy Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office (Environment) Prof Peter Msoffe at the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, a three-day hybrid event here in the city. Prof Msoffe underscored both the challenges and opportunities Africa faces in harnessing digital innovation for climate resilience.

The forum aims to accelerate local development and deployment of AI-powered solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation across the continent. “Africa faces unique challenges — including limited digital infrastructure, restricted access to high-quality climate data, financial constraints and capacity limitations,” he said.

He added, “But these challenges also offer us opportunities: to leapfrog outdated systems, innovate locally and create home-grown solutions.” Prof Msoffe emphasized that AI must be “shaped by equity and inclusion, grounded in trust and transparency and guided by our values and realities.

” “Together, we can ensure these technologies serve our people and our planet–and not the other way around,” he added. He highlighted the urgency of integrating AI into climate action strategies, particularly in agriculture, energy management and data-driven environmental monitoring.

He outlined five key objectives for the forum which include Showcasing local AI innovations, creating enabling policy environments and addressing data and infrastructure gaps. Other include recognizing excellence through the AI for Climate Action Awards 2025; and producing actionable recommendations for sustained progress.

“AI must be equitable, inclusive and guided by shared values. Together, we can ensure these technologies protect people, communities and our planet,” he said.

Advisor and Presidential Envoy of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania on Environment and Climate Change Dr Richard Muyungi said Tanzania’s hosting of the forum reflects both the government’s commitment and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership in prioritizing climate resilience. Dr Muyungi who also serve as Chairman of the Africa Climate Change Negotiators Group said, “This conference demonstrates Tanzania’s readiness to address climate change issues through modern technologies”.

He said, “It also creates an opportunity for youth to learn and develop AI innovations aimed at combating climate change.” Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Mr Simon Stiell, noted that AI is emerging as “one of the most powerful tools available to accelerate climate action.

” “We are already seeing applications that optimize energy and land use, monitor greenhouse gas emissions, map climate resilience, strengthen early warning systems, improve water and food security and manage supply chains,” Mr Stiell said. However, he warned that the technology’s benefits come with caveats.

“If left unaddressed, the digital divide, algorithmic bias and weak data governance could widen inequalities and undermine climate progress,” he cautioned. “But when managed responsibly, AI’s benefits far outweigh its risks.

” For Africa, he said, the stakes are especially high. The continent’s youthful population, expanding digital connectivity and urgent need for climate resilience create fertile ground for locally relevant AI innovations–but infrastructure and financing gaps remain major obstacles.

The Dar es Salaam forum takes place ahead of COP30 in Berlin this November, where countries are expected to submit updated climate action plans extending to 2035. Organizers view this gathering as a vital step toward ensuring Africa’s voice is central in shaping the future of climate-focused digital technologies. .

In an age where clean water is more valuable than ever, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems have become the unsung heroes of modern water treatment. But even the most advanced systems can falter if not properly maintained.

A small buildup of scale or biofilm can lead to higher energy costs, reduced efficien cy, and expensive membrane replace ments. To tackle this challenge, Davis and Shirtliff, a regional leader in water and energy solutions, has teamed up with H2O Innovation Ltd (Genesys) to pro vide specialized chemicals that keep RO plants running at peak performance effi ciently, reliably, and sustainably.

The power of the right chemical Choosing the correct chemical treat ment is not just maintenance it is a long-term investment in system perfor mance. Properly selected and dosed chemi cals can extend membrane life, reduce energy bills, reduced cleaning frequency and keep water quality consistent.

Using the correct chemicals can save up to 30% on operating costs while maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste. Choosing the right chemicals has sev eral far-reaching benefits.

They extend the lifespan of membranes by prevent ing scale and fouling, which in turn min imizes downtime and reduces the need for frequent replacements. Clean membranes also improve ener gy efficiency because they require less system pressure, leading to lower energy consumption.

Furthermore, maintaining mem branes in optimal condition ensures consistent water quality, which is a crit ical factor for industries such as phar maceuticals and food processing where precise standards must be met. Tailored solutions for every RO challenge A comprehensive range of advanced solutions, which have been designed to handle the toughest RO system chal lenges.

Among these are antiscalants such as Genesys LF, which offers broad-spec trum protection against common inor ganic scales, and Genesys SI, formulated specifically for high-silica feedwaters where conventional chemicals often fail. To complement these, the range of Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) chemicals pro vides deep cleaning and long-term pro tection.

Genesol 704 is a high-pH cleaner that removes organic foulants, including microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae with micro-bubble technol ogy. Genesol 38, a low-pH cleaner, tar gets inorganic scale and iron deposits.

Genesol 80 works as an effective biofilm remover, penetrating and disrupting biofilms to enhance membrane cleaning and prevent their formation. Together, these products ensure that RO membranes remain clean, efficient, and reliable throughout their operating life.

Maximizing ROI with smarter chemistry The right chemical management can make a measurable difference in both performance and cost. Davis and Shirtliff reports that well-chosen antiscalants can increase membrane, significantly reducing replacement and maintenance costs.

Clean membranes also lower system pressure, and cut energy consumption. In addition, the correct selection and dosing of chemicals through simulation can reduce overall chemical consump tion delivering efficiency gains while minimizing waste.

Such improvements directly translate to higher productivity and faster return on investment. Beyond chemicals: A partnership that delivers What sets Davis and Shirtliff apart is not just the quality of its products but its comprehensive after-sales support.

The company uses detailed simu lations and analyses to determine the optimal chemical type and dosage for each specific RO system, ensuring effi ciency and minimizing wastage. It also maintains a reliable supply of chemicals to prevent costly operational disruptions caused by stock shortages.

Beyond product supply, Davis and Shirtliff provides ongoing technical assistance, maintenance, and trouble shooting to help clients achieve peak performance. This commitment to part nership ensures that customers receive not only effective chemical solutions but also continuous support that protects their investment.

Equally important is the company’s emphasis on sustainability, promoting responsible water management practic es that enhance system efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. A trusted name in water solutions For businesses that rely on high-qual ity water, an RO system is a vital asset one that must be protected to ensure reliable operation and long-term value.

With Davis and Shirtliff’s expert solu tions and the proven performance of Genesys chemicals, plant operators can have confidence that their systems will continue to deliver efficient, safe, and sustainable water purification. Pure water, peak performance, and proven partnership that’s the Davis and Shirtliff promise.

.

Dar es Salaam. The first prosecution witness in the treason case against Chadema national chairperson Tundu Lissu has completed his testimony, insisting that incitement intended to threaten the government constitutes treason.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Bagyemu, the Deputy Zonal Crime Officer (DZCO) for the Dar es Salaam Special Zone, made the statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025 as he wrapped up four days of testimony before the High Court’s Dar es Salaam sub-registry. ACP Bagyemu took the stand from Monday, October 6, to Thursday, October 9, before a panel of three judges led by Judge Dunstan Ndunguru of the Iringa Sub-Registry, sitting with Judges James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde.

Mr Lissu is facing a treason charge under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, in connection with remarks he allegedly made suggesting the prevention of the 2025 General Election. Led by Principal State Attorney (PSA) Nassoro Katuga, the witness faced clarifying questions following two days of cross-examination by the accused.

He maintained that suspending elections through lawful means does not amount to treason, but doing so unlawfully, through intimidation or violation of the law, does. On Thursday, ACP Bagyemu spent about 27 minutes responding to the prosecution’s clarifying questions before being released after prosecutors confirmed the conclusion of their examination.

Among the key exchanges between the State Attorney and the witness were: Attorney: You were asked whether incitement is an act of treason, and you said yes. What did you mean? Witness : Incitement that threatens the government amounts to treason; it is not simply the act of incitement itself.

Attorney: You were shown the charge sheet and asked whether the word “Government” appears in it. You said even if it does not, it is implied.

Can you explain? Witness: The term “Government” is implied in context. Considering the statements and their intent, they amount to rebellion.

Elections are constitutional, so even if the term is missing, it remains contextually present. Attorney: You were also asked whether preventing elections is treason.

You said it depends on the method. Please clarify.

Witness: Preventing elections through legal procedures is not treason. But doing so unlawfully, through intimidation or defiance of the law, is treason.

Attorney: You were asked about who published the content online. You mentioned “P” and later both “P” and Tundu Lissu.

What did you mean? Witness: By speaking to journalists, particularly from Jambo TV, Mr Lissu intended his statements to be published online. The journalist was his conduit for dissemination.

Attorney: You were also asked whether it is an offence for an opposition party to challenge the government through lawful means. You said it is not.

Please clarify. Witness: Challenging the government through lawful means is not an offence.

It only becomes one when intimidation is involved. During Wednesday’s cross-examination, Mr Lissu questioned the witness extensively about his earlier testimony, while recounting his record in democracy and human rights advocacy.

He repeatedly asked whether the witness was aware of his background, achievements, or international recognition. ACP Bagyemu said he knew some details, was unaware of others, and denied a few outright.

He added that he did not know of Mr Lissu’s activism or that he was a prominent public figure. Following ACP Bagyemu’s conclusion, the prosecution called its second witness, Police Inspector John Kaaya, 45, from the Cybercrime Investigation Unit, who serves at the Online Patrol Desk.

.

Dar es Salaam. For the first time, pension funds across Africa are seeking to pool their resources to address the continent’s development challenges, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional foreign funding sources, according to leaders of the African pension industry.

Africa faces enormous annual financing gaps, with the African Development Bank estimating that the continent requires over $1.3 trillion each year to meet its development goals. Against this backdrop, the continent’s pension providers are preparing to commit to a “Development Fund for Africa” at the “$700bn in 1 Room” All Africa Pensions Summit, scheduled from November 5 to 7 at the Munyonyo Convention Centre in Kampala, Uganda.

Hosted by NSSF Uganda, the summit will be held under the theme, ‘Pension Funds Powering Africa’s Growth’. Its agenda focuses on deepening patient capital pools, strengthening partnerships, enhancing social impact and positioning pension funds as catalysts for infrastructure development.

“Pension funds across Africa hold about $700 billion in assets under management. This is a major opportunity for Africans to catalyse our own economies by providing funding that is not tied to unfavourable conditions from foreign donors,” said Mr Patrick Ayota, managing director of NSSF Uganda, East Africa’s largest fund valued at over $7 billion.

Mr Ayota emphasised that the realignment of global geopolitics has rendered traditional foreign funding insufficient to meet Africa’s expanding infrastructure requirements. “By setting aside just one per cent of the assets held by African pension funds, we are looking at $7 billion.

Two per cent translates to $14 to $20 billion a substantial resource that could drive meaningful development across the continent,” he said. United Nations Resident Coordinator for Uganda Leonard Zulu called for Africa to look inward and mobilise domestic savings, diaspora remittances and blended financing models.

“The traditional models of development cooperation are being redefined. Official development assistance, though important, is no longer sufficient to meet the scale and complexity of challenges we face.

Declining aid flows, shifting geopolitical priorities and funding uncertainties make it vital to develop innovative domestic financing solutions to support national development strategies while fostering resilience and sustainability,” he said. He noted that fifteen of the continent’s twenty traditional donor partners have reduced funding, underscoring the urgency for African nations to shift from aid to trade, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access capital crucial for achieving national goals.

For his part, Africa Social Security Association (ASSA) secretary general Meshach Bandawe highlighted that African infrastructure funding must increasingly be addressed by Africans themselves. “Pension funds are increasingly recognised as critical levers for inclusive development and can unlock long-term capital for infrastructure, agriculture, climate change mitigation and social impact initiatives,” he said.

According to ISSA, Africa has 51 pension and social security funds. Several, including Tanzania’s NSSF, have already demonstrated the potential of locally mobilised capital in development projects.

“The time is ripe for African pension providers to coalesce around this approach. With foreign funding sources drying up, there is no better moment than now to harness domestic capital for the continent’s development needs,” Mr Bandawe added.

The summit has attracted CEOs of pension funds, chief investment officers, global investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), venture and private capital firms, policymakers and government officials from across Africa and beyond. East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association chairperson Amanda Kabagambe explained the complementary role of private equity in infrastructure.

“There’s a role for governments and long-term players to fund infrastructure because private equity and venture capital typically do not have capital for projects spanning 15 to 20 years. These funds are more aligned to projects where risk, liquidity and return timelines are shorter.

But private equity can directly participate in infrastructure developed by DFIs, complementing their investments,” she said. The summit will also examine ways to expand pension coverage and deepen capital pools.

Many Africans, particularly in the informal sector, save in livestock or land rather than formal financial instruments. Pension funds aim to convert these savings into investable capital, thereby increasing domestic long-term savings.

“African countries still have savings in the low teens as a percentage of GDP, compared with Asian tigers such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, where domestic savings reach 25 to 27 per cent. By mobilising and pooling our savings, Africa can fund its own development rather than relying on external partners,” Mr Ayota said.

The summit will showcase examples of pension funds catalysing infrastructure projects. In Tanzania, the NSSF contributed significantly to the construction of the Jemoni Bridge.

In Ethiopia, local capital funded the Gadd Dam. In Uganda, NSSF is involved in the Kampala-Ginja Expressway project.

By pooling resources, African pension funds could fund multiple major projects across the continent. A regional task force has already been established by six East African pension funds to explore cross-border investment opportunities.

Regulatory barriers are minimal between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, leaving political considerations and risk diversification as primary factors for investment decisions. “Diversification protects members’ savings.

For example, political risks differ between countries. By investing across East Africa, funds can mitigate these risks while ensuring better returns for their members,” Mr Ayota explained.

Social impact investments will also be a focus. Rwanda’s RSD has extended healthcare coverage to over 94 per cent of its population.

NSSF Uganda is implementing borderless education initiatives to ensure equitable access for children across national boundaries. Pension funds can also strengthen public-private partnerships in agriculture, support start-ups and finance research and development.

Mr Zulu emphasised that Africa is not poor. With $57 billion in private savings and $100 billion in remittances, the continent has sufficient domestic resources to become its own development agent.

“The All-Africa Pension Summit will lay the foundation for a continental discussion on how Africa’s $1.3 trillion in pension assets can be strategically leveraged to drive inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure and social protection,” he said. The summit is expected to be attended by the President of Uganda, CEOs from across Africa, international organisations including the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, African Development Bank, East African Development Bank and venture capitalists.

NSSF Uganda is leading the initiative, encouraging collaboration and shared learning among African pension providers. “The goal is to transform African pension funds from mere financial institutions into powerful engines of development.

By investing domestically, we reduce reliance on foreign aid, minimise currency risks and mobilise capital that can be reinvested in local economies,” Mr Ayota said. .