Category: The Citizen

Arusha. President Samia Suluhu Hassan Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday pledged accelerated devel-opment for Arusha Region, revealing that her administration had already channelled Sh3.097 trillion into the region over the past fourand- a-half years.

Addressing a rally in Arusha,President Hassan, who is also the CCM Union presidential candidate, said the government had invested in infrastructure, health, education, water, agriculture, trade and mining and promised to continue expanding opportu-nities if re-elected. On roads, she announced that construction of the 23-kilometre Mto wa MbuSelela road in Monduli was in the pipeline, while feasibility studies for the 27-kilometre SelelaEngaruka stretch had been completed.

Plans for the 24-kilometre EngarukaNgarenaro road were also under way, alongside a 10-kilometre access road to hotels in Karatu. She pledged the modernisation of the Namanga One Stop Border Post to ease cross-border trade.

Within Arusha City, she said 10.2 kilo-metres of tarmac roads would be built in Oljoro, Engosheraton and Olasiti under the Safe Cities pro-ject. On health, President Hassan said referral and district hospitals had been upgraded with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Mount Meru Hospital now had advanced equipment, while Kiliman-jaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) was being strengthened to handle cancer and heart conditions, reducing referrals to Dar es Salaam. On education, she said Sh1.267 billion had been invested through Parliament’s approval to support free education, classroom construction and vocational centres.

The government planned to establish colleges and training institutions in every district and universities in each region. “We want our young people to gain skills to participate in projects such as the standard gauge railway and energy development,” she said.

Turning to economic empowerment, she cited the construction of Mnadani Market in Arusha and other markets in Morogoro, Kilombero and Dodoma. In Arusha alone, 1,823 groups had benefited from Sh10.8 million in municipal loans for youth, women and people with disabilities.

She pledged a new Sh200 million fund to support small traders. On mining, the CCM candidate noted that the sector’s contribution to GDP had risen from 4.

8 to 10 percent last year, with a target of 25 percent by 2025. She said only 16 percent of Tanzania’s mineral resources had been surveyed, but this was expected to rise to 20 percent in the next five years, benefiting small-scale miners and rural youth. She also touched on the floriculture industry, naming farms such as Kiliflora, Usa River, Arusha Blooms and Ngorongoro and said experts had been tasked with safeguarding the sector’s growth.

Land had also been set aside for housing development to match the city’s expansion. “We have already invested Sh3.097 trillion in Arusha.

These projects show what we can achieve. If you give us your votes, we will be able to do even more,” she told cheering supporters.

CCM Arusha Urban parliamentary candidate Paul Makonda told the rally that residents were living testimony to President Hassan’s achievements. “From improved Nroads and hospitals to better schools and thriving business-es, Arusha has seen transformation under her leadership,” he said.

Mr Makonda, who previously served as Arusha Regional Commissioner, said he had directly implemented the President’s vision and assured voters that her current pledges would also be delivered. CCM retired Vice-Chairman and for-mer Arusha Urban MP Abdulrahman Kinana praised President Hassan’s leadership, saying she had suc-cessfully implemented three sets of commitments those of the party, of the late President John Magufuli and her own.

“She has done it with wisdom and calm leadership. Results are visible in every district and constituency.

The CCM manifesto is 98 percent implemented and her campaign promises fulfilled in full,” he said. Mr Kinana urged Tanzanians to back President Hassan and CCM in the polls.

“She has served with dedication and put the interests of Tanzanians first. That is why I ask you to vote for her and to support CCM parliamentary and councillorship candidates,” he said.

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Washington. The U.S. Senate will vote again on Friday on dueling Democratic and Republican plans to end a government shutdown now entering its third day, though there is no sign that either plan will win passage.

Lawmakers do not appear to have made any headway toward a deal that would allow them to resume government funding, and Democrats and Republicans have spent the past several days blaming each other for their failure to keep the government funded beyond October 1, the start of the fiscal year. Democrats say any funding package must also expand pandemic-era healthcare subsidies due to expire at the end of December, while Republicans say that issue should be dealt with separately.

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President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has frozen billions of dollars earmarked for Democratic-leaning states and threatened to fire more federal workers, on top of the 300,000 he will have forced out by the end of the year. His budget chief, Russ Vought, has asked federal agencies to draw up plans to lay off those whose work is not aligned with the administration’s priorities.

The shutdown, the 15th since 1981, has suspended scientific research, economic data reports, financial regulation, and a wide range of other activities. Pay has been suspended for roughly 2 million federal workers, though troops, airport security screeners, and others deemed “essential” must still report to work.

A prolonged shutdown could disrupt air travel, food aid for millions of Americans, and force federal courts to close. Federal workers would miss their first paycheck in mid-October if the standoff is not resolved by then.

The longest shutdown lasted 35 days in 2018-2019, during Trump’s first term in office. The Senate has three times already rejected a Republican plan, which would fund the government through November 21, and a Democratic alternative that would also bolster the expiring health subsidies.

The chamber will vote on both of those plans again on Friday. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but they need at least seven Democratic votes to advance spending legislation in the Senate.

A group of senators from both parties say they have been exploring a compromise. But some Democrats say they do not trust Republicans to honor any agreement that would first reopen the government and then tackle the healthcare subsidies, which were passed as part of a 2021 Democratic COVID relief package and now help 24 million Americans pay for coverage.

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Dar es Salaam. The new leadership at Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (Dart) and Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (Udart) faces one of the toughest assignments in public service: restoring confidence in the city’s long-troubled bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday dissolved the boards of both Dart and Udart, ushering in new leadership to address growing dissatisfaction with a project once hailed as a model for Africa. A statement issued by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka confirmed the appointments.

Mr David Kafulila, who also serves as Executive Director of the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Unit, has been named chairman of the Dart board, while Dr Ramadhan Dau will chair the Udart board. In parallel, the President appointed new chief executives to steer the agencies.

Mr Said Tunda is the new Dart Director General, while Mr Pius Ng’ingo has been named Director General of Udart, which operates Phase One of the system. They replace Dr Athuman Kihamia and Mr Waziri Kindamba, respectively.

No official reasons were given for their removal. The shake-up comes amid mounting public frustration.

Just a day earlier, passengers travelling from Gerezani to Kimara broke into protest songs on board a BRT bus, highlighting widespread anger over worsening services. Launched in 2016 with high expectations, the BRT was supposed to reduce congestion and transform commuting in Dar es Salaam.

Instead, the system is now plagued by long queues, overcrowding, irregular timetables and poorly maintained infrastructure. Residents have repeatedly urged the government to act, especially as Phase Two–intended to connect Mbagala to Gerezani–remains stalled.

Although the service was due to start on September 1, operations have yet to commence. This has fuelled scepticism, with commuters openly questioning whether the project can ever deliver on its promises.

To address the delays, the government enlisted private partners. Mofat Company, for instance, has imported nearly 100 buses intended for the new corridor.

Yet, the buses are not in use on the MbagalaGerezani route. Instead, some were spotted on the Morogoro Road corridor, raising fresh concerns about misallocation of resources and further confusion among commuters.

The deeper challenge lies in systemic inefficiencies. Since its inception, the BRT has struggled with leadership instability, shifting timelines and a lack of operational discipline.

Each leadership change has been billed as the solution, but the core issues–such as fleet shortages, financial sustainability and accountability for past investments–remain unresolved. Unanswered questions continue to hover over the project.

For instance, what became of the nearly 200 buses originally introduced by UDA Rapid Transit nearly a decade ago? Did they generate the projected financial returns? If so, why has it been difficult to replace them? These issues point to deeper operational and governance shortcomings that the new leaders must urgently confront. Adding to their burden is the need to balance public expectations with political and commercial interests.

Those recently dismissed had themselves been appointed only months earlier, a sign of the revolving-door leadership that has stifled continuity. The constant reshuffling has also fuelled speculation about competing agendas within the transport sector.

For Mr Tunda and Mr Ng’ingo, the immediate task will be to instil discipline in operations and rebuild commuter trust. Phase Two must be launched without further delay, while Phase One urgently requires improvements to service quality, fleet capacity and maintenance.

They must also manage complex stakeholder interests. Dart, as the regulator and Udart, as the operator, have often been accused of working at cross-purposes rather than complementing each other.

Aligning their roles will be critical if the BRT is to function effectively and sustainably. Meanwhile, commuters–who endure the long queues and overcrowded buses daily–will be watching closely.

The public mood is increasingly impatient, with many feeling that the BRT has fallen far short of its original vision. The leadership overhaul signals the government’s recognition that business as usual cannot continue.

Whether the new bosses can finally turn around Dar es Salaam’s flagship transport project remains to be seen. What is certain is that they inherit not just institutions, but also the weight of public expectation and the political urgency of delivering visible results.

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Mbeya. Tension has gripped the Katumba-based Rungwe Tea Growers’ Factory in Mbeya Region after 216 workers staged a placard protest to oppose their dismissal.

They are demanding dues worth Sh2.1 billion and have appealed for government intervention. The factory has remained closed since May 9, 2025, disrupting the livelihoods of more than 15,000 tea farmers.

Some growers have abandoned their plantations, while others have shifted to alternative crops, dealing a blow to the district’s economy. Addressing the protest on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the workers vowed to remain at their jobs until their employers, Tatepa and Maris Africa, the factory’s investors, settle claims totalling more than Sh2.17 billion.

Workers’ claims committee chairman, Mr Robert Shayo, said the dismissal letters issued by the employers came as a shock. He explained that 216 workers had been instructed to vacate their jobs by September 30, 2025, in violation of contractual terms.

“Our stand is to remain at work. We are demanding national social security funds (NSSF) contributions, leave allowances, and other statutory benefits outlined in our contracts.

The decision caught us completely off guard,” said Mr Shayo. Explaining their defiance, Mr Shayo stressed that costs would rise legally as the proper termination procedures had not been observed.

Factory manager, Mr Stanslaus Benela, said the workers’ defiance highlighted the economic burden caused by the closure. He noted that the shutdown had hit tea farmers, reduced household incomes in Rungwe District, and slashed national revenue.

“Some farmers have abandoned their tea fields, while others are uprooting the crop for alternatives. We urge the government to intervene and secure a new investor,” said Mr Benela.

He added that more than 15,000 farmers had been affected, while the wider economy had suffered as unpaid water and electricity bills mounted, leaving surrounding communities in difficulty. “Financial institutions that once processed salaries and farmers’ payments are no longer operating.

Even social security funds are missing contributions,” he said. Tanzania Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (TPAWU) secretary in Mbeya Region, Ms Jacline Novat, said the union had proposed that the employer pay workers their basic salaries, leave allowances, service certificates, and long-service awards.

She added that the employer was urged to provide Sh500,000 to each worker in recognition of their service, three months’ housing allowance, and transport costs for employees from outside Tukuyu. “We are awaiting the employer’s response by Monday to determine our fate.

In the meantime, we urge patience as their representative has assured us of feedback,” said Ms Novat. The factory’s board of directors’ representative, Mr Essau Sengo, acknowledged the protest and pledged to forward the workers’ concerns to the employer before giving a response on Monday.

He urged the workers to remain calm, stressing that the priority was to adhere to laws and procedures to ensure they receive their entitlements. “On behalf of the board, I assure all workers that your message has been received.

I will act on it and provide feedback by Monday. Rest assured, we are committed to protecting your rights through lawful means,” said Mr Sengo.

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Dar es Salaam. If there is one issue that continues to trouble city residents, it is the overwhelming daily demand for reliable public transport.

Yet what surprises many even more is the state of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, once touted as the ultimate answer to chronic congestion. Launched in 2016 as a cure for the city’s transport challenges, the BRT has instead evolved into a business with a huge customer base but fragile operations.

Rather than realising the vision of transforming public transport, it has become one of the most criticised projects, leaving citizens with more questions than answers. A shortage of buses has led to endless queues at stations, forcing passengers to crowd into overloaded buses, sometimes even clinging dangerously to windows.

Viral videos and images have shown commuters perched precariously on window frames after failing to find space inside, a stark symbol of the crisis. Frustrations have spilled into unrest.

On October 1, 2025, residents hurled stones at two buses and several stations, smashing windows. Police confirmed three suspects were arrested in connection with the incidents.

For both analysts and ordinary citizens, the situation raises tough questions: Has this multibillion-shilling project failed to meet its purpose? What is the real solution to Dar es Salaam’s transport crisis? Even the ticketing system remains unresolved. The promise at launch When it was launched in 2016, then-Director of the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (Dart), Mr Ronald Rwakatare, said services began with 104 buses, far short of the 305 initially planned.

Dart explained that the decision to start despite the shortfall was to protect the dedicated lanes, already encroached upon by motorcycle taxis (bodaboda). Although the project started on shaky ground, at least the buses filled the lanes and raised hopes of a transformed system.

But today, the situation is different. Residents wonder how many buses remain operational and why the fleet is shrinking instead of growing.

The irony is clear: passenger numbers keep rising while bus numbers dwindle, with no solution in sight. The unresolved e-ticketing saga Initially, MaxMalipo introduced electronic ticketing.

Later, the system was withdrawn, then reinstated in another form, still riddled with glitches. Sometimes it crashes, sometimes tickets fail to scan, and at other times passengers pay cash and get paper slips.

This raises further questions: Is the issue technological, managerial, or linked to vested interests? From Simon Group’s Udart to state control At first, Udart was run by businessman Robert Kisena, who imported the initial fleet. But disputes erupted, drawing in criminal justice agencies.

Mr Kisena was jailed, and the government assumed control. What exactly triggered the transition? Was it failings in private management, or did the state feel compelled to intervene? Tangible achievements, or unmet promises? Another central question is what results the project has actually delivered.

Has the fleet expanded with passenger growth, or have pledges outweighed action? If commuters must wait hours for buses out of hundreds once promised, can the project be judged a success? Frequent leadership changes Over nine years, the project has seen a revolving door of leaders, including Mr Rwakatare, Dr Edwin Mhede, Dr Athuman Kihamia, and now Mr Said Tunda. Udart, too, has cycled through bosses.

This turnover prompts a tough question: is the problem rooted in individuals, or in the system itself? Endless promises of new buses Repeated pledges of new fleets have often gone unfulfilled. For example, 72 units were left idle at the port for years, while other promised buses never materialised.

Were these failures due to weak planning or conflicting interests? Borrowing Mofart buses, solution or stopgap? On October 2, 2025, buses from the second phase, owned by Mofart Company, were diverted to Morogoro Road. The move sought to ease public anger ahead of the delayed launch of Kilwa Road services.

But is this a lasting solution, or just temporary relief? What experts say? Economist Oscar Mkude told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi that shifting buses between routes is not a genuine solution but only a short-term fix. “We must return to the core vision: securing an investor with the capacity to supply enough buses.

The crisis exists because no new buses have been added since inception,” said Mr Mkude over the phone. He questioned how long the borrowed buses would serve Kimara and what fleet would be provided for Mbagala.

Mr Mkude recalled that Udart was meant to manage the project temporarily, pending an investor, but later continued without adding buses, relying on government purchases, marking the beginning of the decline. Another analyst, Dr Paul Loisulie of the University of Dodoma (UDOM), argued that politics must be separated from technical management.

“If politicians have a hand in this project, they must step aside. We must identify whether barriers are contractual or structural and remove them to ensure accountability,” he said.

Dr Loisulie added it was absurd to mismanage a project with such high demand, stressing that accountability was key to sustainability. Former Lands Minister Prof Anna Tibaijuka also weighed in on X, questioning how a once promising project had become a burden.

“BRT, the Dar Rapid Transit project? How did it become a nuisance instead of liberation? Public transport is not profit-making but a service,” she wrote. The urban planning expert added: “In Europe, governments subsidise such projects, while in Asia, operators recoup costs through real estate near stations.

Leaving it to survive on an ‘investor’ basis is unrealistic. We must revisit its foundations.

” Prime Minister steps in Amid growing concerns, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa toured the project and issued directives. He ordered that the number of buses must never be reduced on any route at any time, regardless of passenger numbers.

“Even with only four passengers, the bus must depart. No suspending services during off-peak hours.

Buses must operate continuously,” Majaliwa said while inspecting new buses on the KivukoniKimara route. Speaking to commuters, he announced the government had added 60 new buses from October 2, 2025. “This brings the fleet to 90, which will end the challenges we have faced,” he said.

He noted that as of that morning, only 30 old buses were operational. “Initially, this corridor had 140 buses, but today only 30 (blue ones) remain,” explained Mr Majaliwa.

Earlier, outgoing Udart director Waziri Kindamba, before his dismissal, had said many buses were grounded after their service lifespan expired. The fleet required major overhauls or replacement, neither of which had happened.

He added that between 60 and 70 buses had also been damaged by floods, with poor repairs compounding the problem. Low fares compared with market rates further deepened the company’s woes.

Samia reshuffles leadership A statement issued on Thursday, October 2, 2025, by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka said President Samia Suluhu Hassan had appointed Mr Said Tunda as Chief Executive Officer of Dart, replacing Dr Athuman Kihamia. She also named Mr Pius Ng’ingo as Managing Director of Udart, replacing Mr Waziri Kindamba, whose appointment was revoked.

In addition, she appointed Mr David Kafulila as chairman of Dart’s Advisory Board and Dr Ramadhan Dau as chairman of Udart’s Board. Prime Minister Majaliwa welcomed the changes, saying he expected the new leadership to implement reforms, including full adoption of electronic fare collection to curb revenue leakages by dishonest staff.

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has appointed Mr Deogratious Aloyce Massawe as acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Friday, October 3, 2025, following the temporary suspension of Mr Raphael Maganga.

The appointment was announced by the TPSF Governing Council and formally communicated by Interim President of the federation, Ms Angelina Ngalula, in a statement signed on behalf of the Council. According to the notice, Mr Massawe assumes the role immediately while the circumstances of Mr Maganga’s suspension are addressed.

Who is Deogratious Massawe? Mr Massawe is a seasoned financial economist and policy specialist with a strong academic and professional profile. He holds an MBA in Accountancy, a Bachelor’s degree in Customs and Tax Management, and a Professional Diploma in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Educator (CFE). In his previous role at TPSF, Mr Massawe served as Director of Finance and Operations, where he oversaw financial management, budgeting, internal controls, and institutional development.

His LinkedIn profile states he has experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, and implementing reforms in both private and public-sector settings. He has also represented TPSF externally; for example, as Finance Manager, he promoted Tanzanian private sector participation at international expos.

In 2024, Mr Massawe was linked with Rwanda’s Bank of Kigali for a tech division leadership role (BK Techouse), where he held interim senior responsibilities, reflecting his broader regional experience. His appointment as acting CEO is seen as a stabilising move given his familiarity with TPSF’s internal workings and mandate.

What led to this change? The TPSF announcement cites the suspension of Mr Raphael Maganga, the outgoing CEO, as the reason for the shift. Details of the suspension have not been publicly disclosed, and the statement suggests it is temporary.

Ms Ngalula, in her capacity as Interim President, emphasised, Mr Massawe’s appointment is to ensure continuity. Mr Maganga had served as CEO since February 1, 2024, succeeding Mr John Ulanga, who left for a diplomatic and trade post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in late 2023. It remains unclear whether Mr Maganga will be reinstated, permanently replaced, or face further internal inquiry.

What does this mean for TPSF and private-sector leadership? The Federation of Private Sector in Tanzania plays a pivotal role as an interlocutor between business and government, advocating reforms, supporting SMEs, and promoting conducive policy frameworks. A smooth leadership transition is critical for its credibility and ability to execute projects and dialogues.

Key stakeholders will watch how Mr Massawe handles issues such as taxation, regulatory burdens, foreign investment promotion, and policy advocacy. His finance background and familiarity with TPSF may help ensure less disruption in ongoing programmes.

Observers note that stability and transparency in the transition will bolster confidence among businesses and international partners, especially as economic reforms face scrutiny. Meanwhile, Mr Massawe, in his acting capacity, will assume full executive responsibilities, including oversight of operations, advocacy, and government engagement.

For the private sector, leadership continuity is expected to ensure the federation remains effective and assertive at a critical juncture for Tanzania’s economic trajectory. .

London. Prince William has said protecting his family was the most important thing for him when his wife Kate and father King Charles became ill, and revealed that he will seek to modernise the monarchy when he becomes sovereign.

Speaking to Eugene Levy for the Canadian actor’s TV travel show, the normally guarded British heir said he sometimes felt “overwhelmed” by family matters and vowed to keep his children safe from any excessive intrusion by the media. “Worry or stress around the family side of things, that does overwhelm me quite a bit,” the 43-year-old told the “Schitt’s Creek” star.

“When it’s to do with family and things like that, then that’s where I start getting a bit overwhelmed – as I think most people would, because it’s more personal.” Last year both Kate and the king, now 76, began treatment for cancer.

While his wife is now in remission, William said it had been the hardest year he had ever had. “Life is sent to test us,” he said.

“And it definitely can be challenging at times, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are. I’m so proud of my wife and my father, for how they’ve handled all of last year.

My children have managed brilliantly as well.” William made his unusually candid remarks as he showed the actor around Windsor Castle, the royal home west of London where the king hosted U.S. President Donald Trump last month.

He also took Levy to a local pub. There were light-hearted moments – the prince said he was a big fan of Levy’s bawdy “American Pie” comedy films – but William also spoke about life as a royal and his vision for the future.

He spoke of the intense press coverage of the break-up of the marriage of his father and his late mother, Princess Diana, saying the media had been “in everything, literally everywhere”. “The damage it can do to your family life is something that I vowed would never happen to my family,” he said.

“And so, I take a very strong line about where I think that line is, and those who overstep it, you know I’ll fight against.” He said he did not think much about becoming king, but acknowledged that he planned to perform the role differently.

“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good,” he said.

“That’s the bit that excites me, the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think need to happen.

” The episode of “The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy” featuring William is set to air on Apple TV+ on Friday. .

Tanga. ACT Wazalendo has promised to transform Tanga Port into a regional hub for trade and services, positioning it as a key driver of economic growth and job creation in northern Tanzania.

Speaking during a campaign rally in Tanga on Friday, former ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe urged voters to elect parliamentary candidate Seif Abalhassan and party-backed councilors, saying they would fight to restore Tanga’s historic status as an industrial and commercial city. “Tanga Port is a major gateway, but local residents, especially youth and drivers, still complain of being excluded from opportunities,” Kabwe said.

“We want to push for Tanga Port to compete with Mombasa by attracting regional cargo and re-export trade. This will restore Tanga’s dignity.

” Kabwe argued that Tanga’s strategic position — as a port city and the endpoint of the Uganda-Tanzania crude oil pipeline — offered immense potential for jobs and investment if managed well. He pledged that ACT Wazalendo would advocate for the headquarters of the oil pipeline company to be located in Tanga and for incentives to attract investments in refining, fertilizer manufacturing, and other oil-related industries.

“Through these projects, Tanga can become Tanzania’s Oil City,” he said. The opposition party also vowed to revive sisal farming and related industries, describing it as part of Tanga’s economic rebirth.

In addition, Kabwe proposed the establishment of the University of Tanga, named after scholar Shaaban Robert, by upgrading existing education facilities such as Galanos School, Tanga School, and Bombo College. On social services, Kabwe promised that ACT Wazalendo would expand social security coverage to ensure every Tanga resident has health insurance.

He criticized the current health system as a heavy burden for citizens and vowed to outlaw the detention of bodies in hospitals over unpaid bills. Kabwe emphasized that youth unemployment remained the biggest challenge in Tanga, but argued that solutions lay in unlocking economic opportunities linked to the port, agriculture, trade, and industry.

“Jobs are not created by empty words; they are created through economic activities. Tanga’s port and its strategic projects must benefit the people of Tanga first,” he said.

Kabwe, who studied at Galanos School in Tanga, said his ties to the city were personal, adding that Abalhassan was a “hardworking and development-minded” candidate who would champion Tanga’s interests in Dodoma. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem has long been stifled by one recurring hurdle: access to capital.

While government strategies and donor-backed programmes continue to nurture startups, the biggest bottleneck remains financing. In this space, angel investing is beginning to emerge as a game-changer for Tanzanian startups, offering not just funding, but also mentorship and networks that can make the difference between failure and survival for budding innovators.

Angel investors are typically high-net-worth individuals who provide early-stage capital to startups in exchange for equity. Unlike banks, which require collateral, or venture capitalists who prefer already-scaled firms, angels take on risk at the infancy of businesses.

In Tanzania, this model is still nascent, but recent developments signal a shift. At the centre of this movement is the Serengeti Business Angels Network (SBAN), which has since 2021 been connecting local and diaspora investors with early-stage ventures.

SBAN yesterday announced fresh investments in Borderless and Ghala, two startups tackling structural challenges in Africa’s economy. Borderless seeks to unlock diaspora capital with over 40 million Africans abroad remitting about $100 billion annually, while Ghala uses WhatsApp-powered AI to digitise the informal economy that employs nearly 90 percent of Tanzania’s workforce and contributes over 60 percent of GDP.

“Both companies tackle deep-rooted inefficiencies- from how diaspora wealth is deployed to how small businesses access digital markets and reflect the kind of transformative innovation we aim to support,” said, SBAN’s co-founder, Mr Francis Omorojie. For startups, the benefit goes beyond cash.

One of the investors at the Harambee Night that SBAN organised, Ms Esther Maina, stressed that angel investing provides skills and exposure most founders cannot otherwise afford. “Typical startups do not have the amount of money to pay for a very experienced marketer.

With angel investing, they get access to capital and very talented people to help them grow their businesses,” she explained. The Harambee Night, attended by diplomats, corporates, and innovators, was not only about pitching.

It was about building an ecosystem. An investment manager with Launch Africa Ventures, Mr Michael Mutie, said such platforms were vital: “We need more of this for the ecosystem in Tanzania.

A space that brings together investors and founders allows us to collectively find ways to provide support.” One of the winners, co-founder of Mrembo Naturals, Ms Moureen Mollel, said angel networks are giving manufacturers and non-tech firms a long-overdue spotlight.

“For years the focus has been on tech startups. Now, manufacturers in cosmetics like us are considered.

With this kind of investments through angel investors, we can see growth because here we meet financiers and mentors,” she noted. International investors agree.

A Swedish investor with interests in Tanzania, Mr Torbjorn Jacobsson, argued that supporting small businesses should be a long-term national priority. “Small businesses are the future for Tanzania.

In Europe, they employ most people. Developing the small business environment and giving them the opportunity to grow is what will build Tanzania for the future,” he said.

The Tanzanian government has shown willingness to nurture the ecosystem. Through the National Startup Policy, unveiled in 2022, authorities pledged to provide regulatory support, incubation centres, and to ease tax and registration procedures for early-stage companies.

Institutions such as the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and the ICT Commission have supported incubation hubs like Buni and DTBi. Meanwhile, the SME Development Policy continues to recognise the need for financing solutions tailored to small businesses, though access to affordable credit remains a gap.

For Tanzania’s youth, who make up over 60 percent of the population, angel investing offers a route out of unemployment. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, at least 800,000 young people enter the job market annually, yet the formal sector generates less than 100,000 new jobs per year.

Startups, if scaled with proper support, could absorb some of this pressure. The SBAN initiative also demonstrates how private sector solutions can complement government efforts.

By mobilising diaspora capital through platforms like Borderless and digitising informal trade via Ghala, Tanzania is positioning itself to harness sectors long overlooked by traditional finance. Yet the model still faces challenges.

Few Tanzanians are aware of angel investing, and the risk appetite among local investors is relatively low compared to global peers. As Maina put it, “We want to make people not run their businesses in isolation, but instead connect them with ideas, advice, and partners to grow.

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On September 20, 2025 the world observed International Clean-Up Day, during which millions of participants removed waste from homes, streets, rivers and forests. For Africa, this occasion represents more than a single celebration; it is a deliberate public-health intervention of particular significance to mothers, children and remote villages where formal refuse-collection services are absent.

Many health ministries concentrate predominantly on clinics, vaccinations and pharmaceuticals. Yet research consistently affirms that health begins in the environments where people live, work and play.

In rural areas, environmental hygiene can determine whether a child survives diarrhoeal disease, whether a pregnant woman reaches a clinic safely and whether a household breathes air free of smoke and dust. Improper waste management, stagnant water and indiscriminate burning of rubbish attract disease-bearing organisms, thereby increasing infections that overstretched rural clinics struggle to treat.

Regular sanitation and careful environmental stewardship remain among the most cost-effective and reliable means of disease prevention. Links between child health and environmental cleanliness Contaminated water and the absence of safe sanitation facilities are principal drivers of diarrhoeal illness, which continues to claim thousands of young lives across Africa each year.

Villages that protect springs, maintain latrines and remove refuse reduce drinking-water contamination and interrupt the cycle of infection that leads to malnutrition and stunting. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue proliferate in discarded containers, clogged drains and standing water.

Clean-up campaigns that remove tyres, plastics and stagnant pools diminish mosquito breeding grounds and reduce reliance on costly insecticide spraying. The cessation of open burning limits smoke and harmful airborne particles, thereby lowering respiratory infections among children–one of the leading causes of death after malaria.

Clean air translates to improved school attendance, enhanced cognitive development and reduced medical expenditure. Likewise, the removal of broken glass, rusted metal and hazardous debris from play areas prevents injuries and the risk of tetanus.

Protecting maternal health Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to unhygienic conditions that may cause infections during pregnancy and childbirth. Unsafe water, filth and accumulated waste contribute to sepsis a major cause of maternal mortality in resource-limited settings.

Chronic diseases arising from contaminated water or soil impair nutrient absorption, exacerbate anaemia and endanger both mother and child. Sound sanitation and responsible waste management improve maternal nutrition and foster safer pregnancies.

Even the journey to a clinic can be affected: roads obstructed by refuse or floodwater may delay or prevent timely arrival during labour. Communities that clear drains and maintain water channels enhance maternal safety in transit.

Regular community sanitation reduces disease burdens, lowers the demand for medicines and strengthens mental wellbeing and social cohesion. Residents take pride in a clean environment, which in turn increases community participation and family productivity, as mothers and children avoid illness-related absences from work or school.

Prioritising rural communities Villages, situated near rivers, forests and fertile soils, are particularly susceptible to environmental degradation. In the absence of formal refuse-collection services, households are often compelled to dump or burn waste.

Yet these same villages possess strong social networks that can mobilise collective clean-up efforts. Although such communities contribute minimally to global pollution, they suffer disproportionately from its effects; supporting rural sanitation is therefore a matter of environmental justice.

International and national clean-up days as a catalyst Now formally recognised by the United Nations, national clean-up days provide an opportunity to embed lasting measures: 1. Targeting high-risk areas drains, springs, latrines and domestic dumps.

2. Institutionalising regularity establishing weekly or monthly cleaning schedules to deter pests.

3. Integrating public services coupling clean-up events with immunisation, antenatal care and hygiene education.

4. Empowering women and youth ensuring maternal and child health remains a central priority.

5. Monitoring outcomes tracking cleared breeding sites and reductions in diarrhoeal cases.

Environmental sanitation is not a luxury but a fundamental public-health service. Every village and remote community can use International Clean-Up Day as a springboard for enduring environmental protection, yielding clean water, unblocked drainage, smoke-free air and safe passage for expectant mothers.

When the world bent to sweep away waste on September 20, Africa recognised an opportunity to reduce maternal and child mortality. The most powerful remedy may not be an injection or a tablet, but a broom, a hoe and a shared commitment to maintain environmental cleanliness–every week, not solely on the designated day.

Bryan Toshi Bwana is a Founding Trustee, Umoja Conservation Trust. www.

umojaconservation.org .