Category: The Citizen

Moscow. The Kremlin on Monday rejected accusations from five European countries that the Russian state had killed late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny two years ago using toxin from poison dart frogs, saying the claims were “not based on anything”.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent domestic critic, died in February 2024 aged 47 in a far-flung Arctic prison, a month before Putin was re-elected in a landslide vote which Western nations said was neither free nor fair. In a joint statement on Saturday, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said that analyses of samples from Navalny’s body had “conclusively” confirmed the presence of epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs in South America and not found naturally in Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that Moscow took a very negative view of the European allegations, which he said were false. “Naturally, we do not accept such accusations.

We disagree with them. We consider them biased and unfounded.

And, in fact, we strongly reject them,” said Peskov. Russian authorities, who have outlawed Navalny’s movement as extremist, have previously rejected accusations from his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, that the state had killed him, saying he died of natural causes.

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Dar es Salaam. With over 15 years of experience in Tanzania’s insurance industry, Fikira Ntomola has learnt a fundamental truth: leadership must combine technical precision with fairness and empathy.

Her career has been shaped by responsibility, integrity, and service, and by a deep understanding of the impact that her decisions have on businesses, jobs, and families. Fikira’s desire is to see a generation of women who are not asking for seats at the table, but confidently occupying them as executives, regulators, and board leaders.

“Representation must move from symbolism to influence,” she says. This vision has guided her professional journey, from her early experiences to her current leadership roles.

Speaking with The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative ahead of International Women’s Day, marked on March 8 under the theme “Give and Gain,” Fikira is currently the Founder and Managing Director of FBN Insurance Brokers and President of Tanzania Women in Finance (Tawifa). Her roles place her at the forefront of efforts to improve insurance penetration and build inclusive leadership in the financial sector.

Holding her LL.M in International Commercial Law from the University of Salford and an Associate Diploma in Insurance, two experiences shaped her profoundly.

One was working in underwriting and claims early in her career, where she came face-to-face with the human side of insurance. “Insurance is often viewed as a technical field, but when you sit across from clients facing losses, you understand that your decisions affect businesses, jobs, and families.

” “That responsibility stays with you. It shaped my belief that leadership must combine technical precision with fairness and empathy,” she said.

These early experiences instilled in her the importance of ethical decision-making and grounded leadership. She recalls challenging moments where careful judgment, empathy, and technical knowledge were all required to provide solutions that safeguarded clients’ businesses and livelihoods.

Sharing her journey, Fikira said: “Governance is not paperwork. It is culture, discipline, and decisions that can withstand regulatory scrutiny.

” When she founded FBN Insurance Brokers 15 years ago, she understood that governance would determine survival. The insurance sector operates under the oversight of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (Tira), with clear compliance, reporting, and capital expectations.

From inception, she prioritised structured compliance systems, internal controls, transparent financial reporting, and ethical conflict-of-interest management. Many businesses wait until they scale before formalising governance structures.

“We built ours early. Governance is not an administrative function.

It is strategic protection. In financial services, reputational risk can undo years of growth.

” Her work in governance also highlighted the importance of embedding strong ethics and accountability into organizational culture. Fikira emphasizes that financial leadership carries public responsibility and that every decision affects economic stability and public trust.

For Fikira, the values that guide her success always stand at integrity, accountability, and service. “I hope to leave an insurance industry that is stronger, more trusted, and more inclusive,” she says, reflecting her long-term vision for the sector.

During her career, experience has taught her discipline and how to navigate high-pressure decisions. “I rely on three filters: compliance, ethics, and long-term impact.

First, does the decision align with regulatory requirements? Second, is it ethically sound? Third, will it withstand scrutiny five years from now?” Pressure often pushes leaders toward short-term fixes. Sustainable leadership requires restraint and clarity.

Speaking about why there are a small number of women in the financial sector globally, Fikira points to statistics that highlight persistent gaps. Women hold approximately 28 percent of senior management roles in financial services, according to the 2023 Deloitte Women in the Boardroom report.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023 further shows that while women make up a significant share of professional roles in finance, representation declines sharply at executive and board levels. In many markets, women occupy between 25 percent and 30 percent of board seats, but executive leadership representation often lags, particularly in emerging economies.

In Tanzania, the imbalance is formally documented. A 2024 study by the Bank of Tanzania revealed that the ratio of men to women on the boards of banking institutions stands at 75:25, while senior management representation is 70:30, with some institutions having no female board representation at all.

“The gap persists not because of capability, but because leadership pathways have historically relied on informal networks, sponsorship patterns, and structural biases that limit visibility and advancement. The issue is not competence.

It is structured access, sponsorship, and intentional pathways to leadership,” Fikira notes. What we are now seeing, globally and in Tanzania, is growing recognition that diversity is not merely a social consideration.

It is a governance and performance imperative. Institutions that build inclusive leadership structures tend to demonstrate stronger oversight, better risk management, and greater institutional resilience.

As President of Tawifa, Fikira focuses on preparation, exposure, and structural engagement. The mentorship programme is deliberately structured.

They have built a strong pool of experienced mentors drawn from across the financial sector, including banking, insurance, pensions, and capital markets. Importantly, mentors include both male and female senior leaders.

Inclusion requires partnership. “Our focus is: we are not mentoring for comfort.

We are mentoring for competence and readiness. We also engage institutions to ensure that when board seats open, there is a visible, qualified pipeline of women prepared to serve,” she said.

Looking ahead, Fikira shared her vision for how Tanzania’s insurance industry will evolve over the next three years, saying three forces will shape the sector: digital transformation, inclusive and microinsurance growth, and regulatory strengthening. Tira’s supervisory evolution and the Bank of Tanzania’s governance directives signal deeper emphasis on board competence, diversity, and risk oversight.

“I believe growth must move together with governance. Innovation without oversight creates fragility,” she said.

Fikira’s career and vision reflect a commitment not only to technical excellence but also to building trust, fostering inclusivity, and empowering the next generation of women leaders. Through governance, mentorship, and advocacy, she is shaping a stronger, more resilient insurance sector that benefits both clients and the broader economy.

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Dar es Salaam. A new chapter has officially begun for Tanzanian football after Miguel Gamondi signed a two-year contract to lead Taifa Stars as head coach on a permanent basis, turning belief into bold ambition for the nation’s football faithful.

The Argentine tactician sealed the deal on Monday, February 16, 2026, in a colorful yet brief ceremony held at the iconic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The signing was officiated by the government through the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, with Minister Paul Makonda presiding over the occasion.

Gamondi inked the contract alongside Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia, formally cementing his rise from interim coach to the man trusted with steering the national team’s long-term vision. Moments after signing, Gamondi spoke with visible excitement, describing the appointment as both an honor and a challenge he is eager to embrace.

He vowed to channel his energy into building a fearless, competitive Taifa Stars capable of standing tall against Africa’s best. “This is a huge responsibility, but I am ready for it,” Gamondi said.

“With unity and strong cooperation from all football stakeholders, I am confident we can deliver results that will make Tanzanians proud.” He applauded the government’s continued investment in sports development and praised TFF for its commitment to pushing Tanzanian football forward, insisting that collective effort will be key to sustained international success.

Minister Makonda, meanwhile, made it clear that Gamondi had earned the contract through merit. He pointed to the coach’s impressive showing at the AFCON 2025 finals, where Gamondi, despite being appointed on short notice, masterminded Taifa Stars’ historic run to the Round of 16 for the first time ever.

According to Makonda, that remarkable achievement not only electrified fans but also won the admiration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who authorized a special charter flight to bring players and officials back from Morocco in celebration of their breakthrough performance. With eyes now firmly fixed on the future, the government has entrusted Gamondi with leading preparations for AFCON 2027, which Tanzania will co-host.

The minister confirmed that Gamondi’s salary will be paid by the government, highlighting President Samia’s substantial investment in sports as a driver of national pride and development. .

Dar es Salaam. The Southern Africa region has eight years to secure its shared satellite in orbit, or permanently lose the slot, the SADC forum heard yesterday.

The stark message was delivered in Dar es Salaam as Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angellah Kairuki, rallied SADC member states to move from policy talk to operational execution under the SADC Shared Satellite initiative. She was officiating the opening of the four-day forum bringing together satellite experts, ICT and telecommunications engineers, as well as ministers from SADC member states to deliberate on the future of the region’s shared satellite utilisation strategy.

“We are convened at a critical juncture to move from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Satellite Sharing Framework to concrete operational implementation,” Ms Kairuki said, declaring that the region must become “a sovereign master of its own digital destiny.” At the heart of the urgency is a regulatory deadline under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

According to the SADC Secretariat’s Senior Programme Officer for ICT, Dr George Ah-Thew, the bloc has only eight years to bring the satellite into use. “We have eight years’ regulatory limit to bring this satellite into operation.

Otherwise we lose it, and unfortunately we will not be eligible to resubmit as Resolution 170 can only be applied once,” he warned. SADC is currently the only Regional Economic Community to have successfully applied the ITU’s special procedure under Resolution 170, securing orbital resources that must be operational by September 2033. The immediate tasks include satellite frequency coordination, capital mobilisation, and the establishment of a private commercial vehicle to procure, launch and operate the shared satellite network.

For Tanzania, the push is not symbolic, it builds on a strong domestic digital foundation. “Tanzania views space and the use of satellite technologies as the essential ‘final layer’ of a massive terrestrial foundation,” Ms Kairuki said.

That terrestrial backbone is already extensive. Through the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) and five submarine cable landings, Tanzania has strengthened links with neighbours including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

Through the Universal Communication Services Access Fund, 2,151 cellular towers, about 20 percent of all towers nationwide, have been deployed, the minister said. “As of December 2025, mobile population coverage stood at 98.6 percent for 2G, 93.4 percent for 3G, 94.2 percent for 4G and 30.1 percent for 5G,” she noted.

Yet, as Ms Kairuki stressed, fibre alone cannot bridge every gap. “We must ensure that satellite technology is not siloed within communications,” she said, highlighting applications in agriculture, mining, climate monitoring, disaster management, and regional security.

Tanzania is already implementing its National Space Programme, including the CubeSat KiboCube Project in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, alongside its National Five-Year Space Implementation Framework. The regional case is compelling.

In 2024, SADC had roughly 175 million people who were not internet users, according to Dr Ah-Thew. The shared satellite network is designed to connect the unconnected, enhance broadcasting resilience, and reduce duplication of costly national satellite projects.

A Tanzanian space policy analyst, Dr Faith Mkwizu, said the Dar es Salaam deliberations could redefine the region’s digital future. “This is about orbital sovereignty.

If SADC fails to operationalise the slot, it risks being permanently marginalised in the geostationary arc,” she said. Telecommunications economist, Prof Thabo Ndlovu, from Botswana added that shared infrastructure could significantly reduce bandwidth costs, particularly for landlocked member states.

“But the governance model must be commercially viable and shielded from political delays,” he cautioned. Across Africa, space ambitions are accelerating, with nineteen countries having launched satellites by December 2025. Early movers such as South Africa and Angola have provided valuable lessons in capacity building and regulatory coordination.

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Dar es Salaam witnessed a thrilling and highly competitive start to the Taliss-IST Invitational Swimming Championships, as day one concluded with a tightly contested medal race at the International School of Tanganyika Masaki pool. The opening session delivered fast times, intense rivalries and impressive depth across age categories, setting the tone for what promises to be a memorable meet.

Hosts TalissIST emerged narrowly on top of the combined men’s and women’s medal standings, collecting a total of 81 medals comprising 22 gold, 19 silver and 40 bronze. Hot on their heels were Dar Swim Club, who accumulated 77 medals made up of 29 gold, 26 silver and 22 bronze.

Although Dar Swim Club claimed the highest number of gold medals overall, TalissIST’s consistency across multiple events and podium finishes enabled them to edge ahead in the total medal count, highlighting the fine margins that defined the first day. Mwanza Swim Club secured third position with 25 medals, while Riptide Swim Club followed closely with 23, reinforcing the growing competitiveness beyond the two traditional powerhouses.

Lake Victoria Sports Club and North Coast Swimming Club each claimed 12 medals, reflecting solid performances and the increasing depth of talent across participating teams. Additional contributions came from Mis Piranhas, Bluefins Swim Club, Kigali Sporting Club and Wahoo Swim ClubISZ, ensuring a broad and inclusive medal distribution that underlined the event’s regional diversity.

The programme featured a packed schedule spanning all age groups, from young developmental swimmers to senior competitors. Athletes competed across the four main disciplines–freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke–with several races decided by narrow margins.

TalissIST swimmers demonstrated remarkable consistency, particularly in middle-distance and technical events, where their ability to secure podium finishes across various categories proved decisive in building their overall tally. Meanwhile, Dar Swim Club showcased sprint strength, especially in the 1314 and senior divisions, where their swimmers recorded some of the fastest times of the day.

From a broader perspective, the opening day results reflect two significant trends. Firstly, the minimal gap between the top two clubs signals a healthy and intensifying competitive landscape in Tanzanian swimming.

With just four medals separating the leaders, the championship remains wide open heading into the final day. Secondly, the strong showings from Mwanza and Riptide highlight steady progress in talent development outside Dar es Salaam, pointing to encouraging growth at regional level.

Overall, day one delivered high-quality performances, strong youth participation and a compelling medal battle. With finals and key races still ahead, anticipation is building for an even more dramatic conclusion as clubs vie for supremacy and swimmers aim to cap the championships with standout performances.

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Dar es Salaam. The President of Angola, Mr JoaPound o Lourenao, is expected to grace the 2026 Tanzania Trade Development (Tantrade) exhibitions, a statement from State House has confirmed.

Signed by the Director of Presidential Communications, Mr Bakari Machumu, the statement dated Sunday, February 15, 2026, said the development follows a meeting between President Lourenao and his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan. The two leaders held talks on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

In her efforts to strengthen strategic diplomacy through bilateral talks, President Hassan also met with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, and the President of the Comoros, Mr Azali Assoumani. According to the statement shared with The Citizen, President Hassan’s discussions with the Angolan leader focused on enhancing economic cooperation, trade, investment, and industrial development between Tanzania and Angola.

“During their talks, President Lourenao agreed to make an official state visit to Tanzania and accepted the invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the 2026 Sabasaba International Trade Fair, a move expected to open a new chapter of strategic cooperation between the two nations,” the statement said. It added that the leaders highlighted the importance of strengthening historical ties and strategic partnerships for the benefit of economic development and the well-being of citizens on both sides, particularly in energy, mining, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.

Regarding her meeting with Ethiopian Premier Dr Abiy on Saturday, February 14, 2026, ahead of the official opening of the AU Summit, the statement said President Hassan discussed enhancing diplomatic relations, promoting trade and investment, and cooperation in civil aviation and water resource management. “The leaders also exchanged experiences on their countries’ economic outlooks, with Ethiopia targeting 10.2 percent growth and Tanzania 6.

5 percent, as part of efforts to improve citizens’ welfare,” reads the statement. On Sunday, February 15, 2026, President Hassan held talks with President Assoumani, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation in trade, tourism, maritime transport, and security.

President Assoumani thanked Tanzania for its support, particularly in healthcare services, trade, and security, noting the country’s role in providing specialised medical services to the Comorian people. Through these discussions, President Assoumani also expressed interest in making a state visit to Tanzania, which President Hassan approved.

President Hassan continues to advance Tanzania’s position on the African and global stage, reinforcing economic diplomacy in pursuit of the Vision 2050. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Liberia aimed at deepening cooperation in ship registration, seafarer training and maritime governance.

The agreement, signed on February 14, 2026, brings together the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) and maritime authorities from Liberia. Officials said it is intended to strengthen Africa’s role in the global maritime sector.

Speaking at the signing, TASAC Director General Mr Mohamed Salum said the MoU provides a framework for practical cooperation in maritime governance, capacity building and regulation. “Liberia’s experience as a global leader in ship registration and compliance oversight offers Tanzania an opportunity to strengthen its international ship registry and maritime workforce,” he said.

Liberia, which recently overtook Panama in ship registration tonnage, has decades of experience in global shipping, technical oversight and participation in the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Mr Salum said the agreement will allow Tanzanian officials and seafarers to benefit from exchange programmes, technical training and professional certification.

The programmes will enable them to work on ships registered under Liberia’s flag. He said the partnership lays a foundation for professional growth and a stronger maritime sector across the continent.

Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, Mr Wilmot Kpadeh, described the agreement as a milestone for both countries. “Africa currently supplies only four percent of the world’s 1.

9 million seafarers, despite its vast coastline. Together, we can train, certify and empower a new generation of African maritime professionals,” he said.

Mr Kpadeh added that cooperation between African countries can strengthen maritime governance and unlock the continent’s blue economy potential. He said the partnership also opens doors for Tanzania to benefit from Liberia’s long-standing engagement with the IMO, including participation in agenda submissions and policy discussions.

The signing comes as Tanzania’s maritime sector expands. Dar es Salaam Port, which once handled 17 million tonnes annually, now processes about 31 million tonnes.

The country has also invested in seafarer training through institutions such as the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute, attracting students from several African countries. In addition, Tanzania has strengthened maritime safety and security, including the launch of the Mwanza Search and Rescue Centre on Lake Victoria and the deployment of rescue boats along the coast.

Officials said plans are under way to align the sector’s five-year strategic plan with the national Vision 2050 agenda to support long-term growth in trade and the blue economy. .

Dar es Salaam. The quarter-final draw for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be conducted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football in Cairo, with proceedings scheduled to commence at at 1:00 pm.

The event will not only determine the quarter-final pairings but also map out the route to the final in both competitions, heightening anticipation among clubs and supporters across the continent. Champions League picture clarifies In the Champions League, seven teams have already secured their places in the last eight, with the remaining slot to be decided in the concluding round of group-stage fixtures.

From Group A, Egyptian side Pyramids FC progressed as group winners following a consistent campaign. In Group B, record African champions Al Ahly have booked their quarter-final berth with nine points.

However, their final fixture will determine whether they advance as group leaders. Tanzania’s representatives Young Africans remain in contention for qualification, alongside Morocco’s AS FAR, in a closely fought battle for the remaining position.

Group C has already produced its qualifiers, with Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns advancing after convincing victories over MC Alger. In Group D, Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis confirmed qualification with nine points, while Mali’s Stade Malien finished as group leaders on eleven points.

Tanzania’s Simba SC and Angola’s Petro de Luanda have bowed out of the competition. The confirmed quarter-finalists to date include Pyramids FC, Al Ahly, Stade Malien, Al Hilal Omdurman, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane, and Esperance de Tunis.

The final berth will be settled by the outcome of the decisive Group B encounter involving Young Africans and AS FAR. Supporters now await Tuesday’s draw with keen interest, as it will define the knockout pathway and potentially set up high-profile continental clashes.

Confederation Cup contenders set Attention will also turn to the Confederation Cup, where the quarter-final line-up is rapidly taking shape. Among those who have qualified are Algeria’s USM Alger, Morocco’s Olympic Safi and Wydad Casablanca, as well as CR Belouizdad, Congo’s AS Otoho, Egypt’s Zamalek, and Al Masry.

As with the Champions League, Tuesday’s ceremony will determine both the quarter-final fixtures and the potential semi-final paths, promising compelling encounters in Africa’s secondary club competition. With the stakes rising and continental ambitions on the line, the stage is set for a decisive chapter in African club football.

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Tabora. Construction of a concrete poles manufacturing factory in Mapambano Ward, Tabora Municipality, has reached 95 percent, with the plant expected to produce 120 poles per day upon completion.

Speaking on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Minister for Energy, Mr Deogratius Ndejembi, after touring and inspecting the project, directed the contractor to complete the remaining works on time and in line with the required standards. He said the factory is being implemented by the Tanzania Concrete Poles Manufacturing Company Limited (TCPM), a subsidiary of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), to produce high-quality concrete poles that are more durable than wooden ones.

“This project has been deliberately undertaken to address the challenge of frequently replacing poles due to rotting in water and other related problems. My appeal to you, contractor, is to ensure the quality of these poles meets the intended standards,” he said.

He cautioned the contractor against rushing the work simply to impress the government by completing it quickly, only to deliver substandard poles, noting that such negligence would endanger public safety since the poles would carry live wires. Mr Ndejembi stressed that quality must remain the top priority.

“Since you have told me that within a week you will have completed the project, ensure you maintain the highest standards. Do not rush to hand over the work so that we can see it is finished, only for us to encounter problems later in terms of quality,” he insisted.

The national electricity utility’s managing director, Mr Lazaro Twange, said the project is progressing well and, once completed, will have the capacity to produce 120 poles per day, enabling large-scale production within a short period. “This factory will be a major boost in ensuring the availability of quality, modern, and durable poles.

The key priority now is to complete the construction to the highest standards so that the government’s objective is realised,” he said. Tabora’s concrete poles factory manager, Mr David Myumbilwa, said the remaining works will now proceed swiftly, and the project will be completed soon, as all equipment has arrived on site and only a few tasks remain outstanding.

He added that there are currently no major challenges likely to delay completion. “We are fully prepared.

Earlier, we faced delays in receiving some equipment because it was sourced from outside the country. That caused part of the delay, but everything that was missing is now available, and we are ready to proceed,” he said.

For her part, Tabora District Commissioner, Ms Upendo Wella, said the project presents a significant opportunity for residents, particularly the youth, who will secure employment, while the local economy will grow due to increased demand for related services and supplies. She pledged, in cooperation with residents, to protect and safeguard the factory’s infrastructure to ensure its longevity and maximise its contribution to the development of Tabora.

“This factory is a great opportunity for the people of Tabora, and we are very pleased. We will protect and safeguard it so that it continues to benefit current and future generations,” she said.

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Karatu. The Tanzania Tour Operators Association (Tato) has called for the establishment of a technical forum between the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the tourism sector to identify and resolve challenges on both sides and strengthen cooperation.

The association also proposed that a stable tax environment would encourage investment and sector growth, noting that the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS) would address many operational challenges. Tato chairman, Mr Wilbard Chambulo, made the remarks on Saturday, February 14, 2026, while speaking at a meeting of taxpayers, including investors and traders from the Arusha region, held in Karatu with TRA Commissioner-General Yusuph Mwenda.

He stressed the importance of continuing tax education for various groups, including the tourism sector, noting that previous training had helped resolve many issues. “In the past, we were sensitised by TRA.

We request that training resumes, because frequent sessions help solve challenges. Therefore, we propose establishing a technical forum between TRA and the tourism sector to identify challenges on both sides and strengthen cooperation,” he said.

“We also want to understand your challenges, but for now, as we meet, do not hesitate to speak frankly. We want to know your issues with us, because a stable tax environment enables investment and sector growth,” added Mr Chambulo.

On the system, Mr Chambulo said it would help resolve challenges caused by the lack of proper structures, and that they would work with TRA to ensure there are no tax evaders. “To improve and reduce conflicts, we also propose issuing written sector-specific guidelines.

A standard interpretation of tax across sectors is essential. A common framework will help; paying taxes should be easy, not a battle.

We will cooperate, and we do not want evasion in our tourism sector. Anyone who does not issue receipts should be reported.

If it is tax, we pay, and we will raise complaints afterwards,” he said. Commissioner Mwenda said TRA aims to continue providing quality services to taxpayers through digital systems, urging stakeholders to report any challenges for resolution.

“He added that the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation, enabling businesses to grow while meeting their primary tax obligations, and that other issues raised would be addressed.” On tax education, he said the initiative has begun at universities and will extend to lower levels, including primary schools, with TRA continuing to provide training to various groups on taxes and the new system.

“We will continue offering tax education. I have instructed that a schedule be provided to stakeholders for training on the IDRAS system, and we will ensure tax compliance and stability,” he said.

Arusha Region Business Association Secretary, Mr Ahmed Jamal, said TRA has surpassed its collection targets thanks to improved relations with traders. He said the main challenge for many traders is a lack of capital, and that many financial institutions charge high interest rates.

“We commend TRA for restoring good relations with traders. In previous years, we saw TRA as our adversary.

As traders, our main request concerns loans; bank and financial institution interest rates are high and risky. Many traders want to invest here, but the major hurdle is a lack of capital.

Relief on interest rates would help,” he said. He also urged TRA to continue tax and civic education from the primary school level to produce Tanzanians who understand the importance of taxes.

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