Category: The Citizen

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be preparing his teenage daughter, Kim JuAe, as his successor, South Korea’s main intelligence agency has told lawmakers. According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kim JuAe, thought to be in her early teens, has been increasingly visible alongside her father at major state and military events, prompting Seoul to say she has entered the stage of being designated as a successor.

The NIS briefing highlighted her appearances at ceremonies such as the Armed Forces founding anniversary and visits to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a symbolic site for North Korea’s ruling Kim family. Lawmakers said there are even signs she may be voicing views on certain policies.

Kim JuAe first gained international attention after her initial public appearance in 2022 at a missile launch, and has since been pictured alongside her father on several occasions, including during visits to defence installations and military parades, moves analysts see as part of building her profile. Observers note that official North Korean media have yet to formally name her or confirm her age, and she has not been given a formal title.

However, her frequent public role has fuelled speculation that she may one day assume leadership of the isolated state, continuing the Kim family’s dynastic rule. .

Dar es Salaam. Have you ever driven along the eight-lane highway from Kibaha to Kimara and watched traffic flow smoothly and swiftly, giving Dar es Salaam a modern, refreshed look? Perhaps you simply enjoyed the ride without wondering who quietly sat in an office, reflecting and drawing the first line of the blueprint that gave birth to the major project now transforming the city’s entrance and exit.

Behind that modern image stood a skilled professional, Mr Humphrey Shoo, also the founder of Safi Company. Long before concrete was poured and machines roared to life, he used pen, paper, and sharp thinking to design the road project stretching from Kimara in Dar es Salaam to the Coast Region.

His pen carried a vision to ease traffic congestion, connect people and businesses, and give Dar es Salaam the face befitting its status as a commercial city. The road is not merely a transport corridor; it is a symbol of development that began as ideas on paper under his expertise.

If that were not enough, have you ever crossed the flyover toward Mloganzila that links lives and opportunities? Before it stood firmly on its pillars, Mr Shoo had already designed it with nothing more than pen and paper. Despite lingering doubts about trusting local professionals, especially for large projects, Mr Shoo never saw this as an obstacle.

He surveyed the land, calculated loads, analysed water flow and soil conditions, and ensured the safety of the thousands who use the infrastructure daily. He belonged to a new generation of local experts who translated the nation’s dreams from paper into visible, living infrastructure that serves citizens every day.

His work spoke quietly. Tragically, a road accident claimed his life while he was on a work trip in Lindi Region.

The accident occurred on Saturday, February 7, 2026, when the bus he was travelling in rammed into a truck from behind, killing two people. Among the two was Mr Shoo, while a young child and 12 others were injured.

His death is a blow to his family, friends, and the construction sector. Yet even in grief, his contribution remains firm and valuable, etched in indelible ink.

Stakeholders in the sector have described him as a pioneer who delivered results and proved that local professionals are capable. An engineer at the company he founded, Ms Dominica Chrispin, said his death shocked them as he was travelling to Lindi and Mtwara for road safety and quality inspections.

“He was going to check whether contractors had followed designs showing hazardous areas. He was not used to travelling by bus, but on that day he chose that means of transport and met the accident,” she said.

She described him as more than an ordinary engineer, a highly skilled professional trusted by authorities wherever he worked. “Shoo was more than an engineer.

He was brilliant, and authorities had full confidence in his expertise. He was involved in designing all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) roads,” she said.

He was among the first specialists in BRT road design, having gained extensive experience through studies abroad, “He was among the first to acquire these skills and designed the eight-lane highway as well.” Throughout his career, Mr Shoo worked on numerous projects inside and outside Tanzania, including Zambia, and was particularly skilled at preparing technical reports, a challenge for many in the industry, especially on international projects.

“He worked on projects as far as Zanzibar. He was excellent at writing reports and participated in projects in several countries,” she said.

“He trained many professionals and was generous with knowledge. We honour him especially because he valued others’ ideas,” she added, pledging preservation of his legacy by ensuring the company he founded remains strong.

“He was never greedy. We will honour him by ensuring the company endures, and his projects continue,” she said, sorrowfully.

An expert from Estim Company that constructed the KimaraKibaha highway, Mr Fred Nyenga, described his death as a major loss to the road construction sector, especially BRT projects. “BRT roads are complex.

If you make mistakes, you must call him to fix them. We may find a replacement, but getting someone like him is difficult,” he said.

Mr Nyenga said the deceased was a skilled designer of roads and bridges who carefully planned infrastructure according to community needs. He designed the eight-lane highway from Kimara to Kibaha and determined bus stop locations based on population density.

“He was among the first teams to design BRT routes and also worked on road safety markings through his Safi Company,” said Mr Nyenga. He also helped design roads for the Government City in Mtumba, located in Dodoma, and other projects in collaboration with fellow experts.

Despite his major contributions, he remained humble and avoided self-promotion. “For road engineers, he was a giant.

Whenever we were stuck, we turned to him, and he was always ready to help,” stressed Mr Nyenga. He added that Mr Shoo designed many bridges in Dar es Salaam and played a key role in BRT projects from the first to the fourth lot.

Regarding the Mloganzila flyover, Mr Nyenga said they initially struggled to understand his instructions, but after following his guidance, they later confirmed the accuracy of his vision. According to him, even the trip during which he lost his life was part of his commitment to inspect new works, demonstrating his dedication to the job until his final moments.

The Dar es Salaam manager of the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), Mr Godfrey Mkinga, described him as a leading professional who designed roads for the Government City in Dodoma and participated in the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP), including roads in Ubungo and Kinondoni districts. “Honestly, he was a leader.

As an industry, we have lost someone whose contribution was still greatly needed. He believed Tanzanians can deliver,” he said.

Mr Shoo, who leaves behind a wife and three sons, is expected to be buried today, Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Kondo Ununio cemetery in Dar es Salaam. Farewell service was slated to take place at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) in Msasani Parish.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland giants Young Africans SC (Yanga) have raised the stakes ahead of their decisive Caf Champions League Group clash against Algeria’s JS Kabylie, with players set to share a combined USD 450,000 (Sh1.2 billion) if they secure a quarterfinal spot.

The Jangwani Street outfit will host JS Kabylie on Sunday at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, with kickoff at 7:00 pm East Africa Time, in what promises to be one of the club’s most defining continental nights in recent years. Reliable sources within the club confirmed that Yanga has agreed to share half of the USD 900,000 prize awarded by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to each team advancing to the quarterfinals.

“We have pledged that players will take half of the money that Caf will give us if we qualify for the quarterfinals,” said a senior club official. “Our qualification will depend not only on our result but also on the outcome of the match between Al Ahly and ASFAR.

” The qualification equation is brutally clear. Yanga must win at least 3-0 against JS Kabylie and simultaneously hope Egyptian giants Al Ahly defeat Morocco’s ASFAR 1-0 in Cairo.

Any draw between Al Ahly and ASFAR will eliminate Yanga, regardless of their margin of victory. “In football, anything can happen,” added the official.

“We still have a chance, and the players understand what is required. The motivation is there.

” Beyond financial incentives, qualification would mark a historic sporting milestone for Yanga, strengthening their reputation as a serious continental contender and validating recent investments in squad depth and professionalism. Preparations for the match are already underway.

Following a demanding trip to Morocco, players were given time to rest before resuming training. “After the long journey, players rested first,” the official explained.

“Training resumed yesterday as we started final preparations for the match.” Gambian attacking midfielder Buba Jammeh has rejoined full training, boosting the team’s attacking options.

Jammeh had initially returned to Gambia after his passport expired but is now available for selection. “Buba is back in training, giving the technical bench more options as we push for goals,” the source confirmed.

With a packed stadium expected, significant financial rewards on the line, and continental pride at stake, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a true do-or-die moment–one that could define Yanga’s Caf Champions League campaign and leave a lasting mark on the club’s modern history. .

Moshi. Coffee produced in Tanzania has emerged as a top performer at the 22nd African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) 2026 exhibition, ranking first in Africa and fourth globally for producing high-quality, environmentally sustainable certified coffee.

The development was announced at the AICC Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where AFCA 2026 took place from February 4 to 6, 2026. Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) Director of Marketing and Quality, Mr Frank Nyarusi, said they were proud of the significant achievement in the country’s coffee sector. “The Intercontinental Coffee Exchange (ICE) report, presented by global marketing expert, Ms Judith Garnes, shows that coffee produced in Tanzania is ranked first in Africa and fourth worldwide in terms of quality that is not linked to environmental destruction,” said Mr Nyarusi.

He said the success reflects the substantial efforts invested in ensuring every farmer produces quality coffee from planting to harvesting. “AFCA 2026 brings together 25 African coffee-producing countries, and Tanzania is a member.

In the production of certified quality coffee globally, we are ranked fourth after Brazil, Peru, and Mexico, and in Africa, we are number one,” said Mr Nyarusi. He also said that in the barista competition, in which Tanzania participated for the first time, two Tanzanian representatives made it into the top eight among participants from 25 countries that took part in the exhibition.

“Besides the Tanzanian representatives, there were other stakeholders in the coffee sector from about 25 countries. Reaching the top eight is a major achievement for our representatives and for the nation as a whole,” he said.

Mr Nyarusi said Tanzania also ranked second in coffee production in the Experimental Coffee category, produced by Finagro Plantation of Arusha, and third in washed Arabica coffee produced by the Mara Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society (Wamacu). Furthermore, he said that this year coffee production increased from 50,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes, describing it as a significant step forward for the sector.

Mr Nyarusi said that after securing the European market, they are now exploring new opportunities to export the coffee to Arab countries, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as China. “There are new areas where we must compete to secure market opportunities because the European market has already reached near saturation,” he said.

For his part, TCB Director General Mr Primus Kimaryo said the achievement marks significant progress for the country’s coffee industry, adding that preparations are underway to perform even better in the sector. .

Harare. Zimbabwe’s Cabinet on Tuesday backed draft legislation seeking constitutional changes that would extend presidential terms from five to seven years, a move that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030. The proposed bill also includes a provision for the president to be elected by Parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told a news briefing that the draft law would be forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament and later published in the official gazette before lawmakers begin deliberations. Mnangagwa, 83, is currently expected to step down in 2028 after completing two five-year terms.

However, his pending exit has triggered a succession contest within the ruling Zanu-PF party over who would take over leadership. He assumed power in 2017 following a military coup that removed longtime leader Robert Mugabe.

Opposition politicians have since criticised efforts by the ruling party to prolong his stay in office. Jameson Timba, a senior figure in the country’s divided opposition movement, described the Cabinet’s decision as “politically destabilising”.

In a statement, he said a group known as the Defend the Constitution Platform would consult lawyers and engage regional and international partners in efforts to challenge the proposed changes. Zanu-PF has governed Zimbabwe since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980. The party holds a two-thirds majority in the lower house of Parliament and also dominates the upper house through traditional leaders and allied representatives, giving it sufficient numbers to amend the constitution.

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Dar es Salaam. Equity Bank Tanzania has launched a new fixed-term deposit product, targeting to raise Sh200 billion to strengthen its funding base and support credit growth, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The investment window opened yesterday and will close on April 30, 2026, the bank said during the launch event in Dar es Salaam, attended by financial sector stakeholders and customers. The Wezesha Account is a three-year fixed deposit product offering an annual return of 13 percent, paid monthly.

The minimum investment is Sh500,000, the bank said in a statement. According to the bank, the product is designed for individuals, entrepreneurs, groups and institutions seeking to grow and safeguard their capital through a structured, low-risk investment vehicle.

A key feature of the account allows customers to use up to 80 percent of the deposit value as collateral to secure a loan, enabling them to access financing without liquidating their investment. Equity Bank’s Head of Commercial, Ms Theresia Mayanie, said the initiative aims to promote financial empowerment while deepening investment participation among Tanzanians.

“Our goal is to transform lives and expand access to financial investment opportunities. The Wezesha Account is a tool to encourage Tanzanians to build financial independence and unlock broader economic opportunities,” she said.

The bank said the product is tailored to support entrepreneurs seeking additional income streams through interest earnings and collateral-backed credit, traders looking for stable annual returns, as well as women and youth aiming to strengthen their financial resilience. Equity Bank Tanzania, a commercial lender regulated by the Bank of Tanzania, said the initiative reflects its strong capital management and commitment to expanding affordable financial services across urban and rural areas.

The Sh200 billion mobilisation drive is expected to enhance the bank’s liquidity position and scale up lending to productive sectors of the economy. .

Dar es Salaam. Secelela Balisidya is the founder and chairperson of the private media organisation Environment Media Agenda (EMA).

She established EMA in 2008 to amplify the voices of women, especially in rural areas, in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. Her work is driven by a conviction that sustainable solutions emerge not from imposing ideas, but from listening carefully to communities and supporting them to shape their own paths forward.

With more than 25 years of experience in communication, journalism, and development work, Ms Balisidya has built a career that bridges media, advocacy, and grassroots engagement. She has worked extensively as a consultant with United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and government bodies.

Much of her professional life has been devoted to communication management, crafting strategies that translate complex environmental and development issues into messages that resonate with ordinary citizens. Her leadership journey began in journalism, where she was engaged as a consultant by several environment-focused organisations, including the Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT) and the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG).

In these roles, she managed the communication components of advocacy initiatives, helping to convey urgent environmental concerns to policymakers, communities, and the wider public. These experiences deepened her understanding of the gap between awareness and action.

While information was reaching people, meaningful change was often slow. She began to question whether simply delivering messages was sufficient.

Over time, she realised that lasting impact required empowering communities to participate directly in shaping and implementing solutions. In 2005, she co-founded Regalia Media Consult, a media consultancy firm where she served as a director and shareholder.

The company created employment for 15 staff members and secured major assignments from private companies, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, government departments, and international organisations. From 2010 to 2015, she served as managing director, overseeing administration, coordinating assignments, and guiding the strategic direction of the firm.

Through this work, she gained valuable management experience and a deeper appreciation of the transformative potential of communication. Yet she increasingly felt that her efforts needed to move beyond informing and persuading.

She wanted to support people to act, particularly those most affected by environmental degradation and climate change. “Some citizens challenged me when I communicated about the dangers of cutting down trees,” she recalls.

“They said they understood the problem, but asked what alternatives they had to sustain their families. Many depended on selling charcoal to survive.

That question stayed with me.” The turning point came in 2008, when she attended the eighth United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) in Poznan, Poland.

Exposure to global debates on climate change and the central role of community-driven solutions reinforced her determination to establish an organisation dedicated to practical, inclusive climate action. On her return to Tanzania, Environment Media Agenda was formally launched in December 2008. From the outset, EMA set out to position women not merely as recipients of development interventions, but as drivers of change.

Ms Balisidya believes that women must shift from being the subjects of stories to becoming the owners of solutions. This approach, she says, empowers women while enabling them to demonstrate how awareness and practical action can be combined to deliver tangible benefits.

Amplifying the voices of rural women has become a cornerstone of EMA’s work. EMA’s interventions have helped lift families out of poverty while building resilience to climate shocks.

“With support from development partners across the world, EMA has reached more than 1,000 women and over 220 schoolgirls and boys as direct beneficiaries of climate-focused projects. Since its establishment, the organisation has implemented 13 projects across Tanzania, each tailored to local conditions and needs,” she says.

Through these initiatives, women have been trained in beekeeping, tree planting, and the cultivation of short-term crops such as cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. They have also learned to use solar drying technologies to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing income.

“These interventions have elevated not only the economic standards of women, but also their health and social wellbeing at household and community levels,” Ms Balisidya explains. Improved nutrition, greater financial independence, and enhanced social cohesion have emerged as consistent outcomes of the projects.

Beyond climate change, EMA has undertaken awareness and advocacy initiatives on illegal fishing, solid waste management, oil and gas development, and environmental journalism. The organisation has worked to strengthen the capacity of journalists covering fisheries, forestry, wildlife, and environmental policy, recognising the media’s vital role in shaping public understanding and accountability.

Working across government institutions, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations, and local communities has provided Ms Balisidya with profound leadership lessons. Foremost among these is the importance of leading by serving and responding to people’s real needs rather than assumed priorities.

“Leaders often fall into the trap of thinking they already know what people need,” she says. “My work, especially with women from different backgrounds, has taught me that listening is essential.

Only by understanding people’s lived experiences can we design interventions that truly make a difference.” She cautions against imposing ready-made solutions, which often fail to gain community acceptance and rarely endure.

In contrast, when ideas emerge from within communities and are refined collaboratively to meet project objectives, both effectiveness and ownership increase. This participatory approach, she argues, is fundamental to sustainable development.

Another lesson that has shaped her leadership is patience. Navigating complex social, cultural, and institutional environments requires persistence and empathy.

By embracing diversity and remaining open to adjustment, she has learned to guide teams and communities towards shared goals, even amid uncertainty. Reflecting on her journey, Ms Balisidya says the most enduring reward is witnessing the transformation of women who once felt powerless.

Seeing them actively engaged in economic and environmental initiatives, rather than resigned to hardship, reinforces her commitment to push further. “The joy and confidence that emerge when women realise their own potential is deeply fulfilling,” she says.

“It gives me greater responsibility and courage to continue, because I know this work touches lives and fulfils my purpose.” EMA’s influence now extends beyond Tanzania.

Through a project funded by the Women for Africa Foundation, the organisation has facilitated knowledge and experience sharing among women in Eastern and Western Africa, particularly in Kenya and Ghana. These exchanges have fostered regional solidarity and strengthened collective capacity to confront climate change.

Her academic journey mirrors her professional commitment to continuous growth. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, a postgraduate qualification in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development from the University of Dar es Salaam, and two master’s degrees.

These include a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dar es Salaam Business School and a Master’s in Strategic Business Marketing from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Toledo, Spain. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Dar es Salaam.

For Ms Balisidya, lifelong learning is not a personal ambition alone, but a professional necessity. She believes that continuous education equips communicators to engage more deeply with evolving challenges and to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

“Learning is a lifelong process,” she says. “We grow academically and professionally by acquiring new knowledge.

As a journalist and environmental communicator, expanding into fields beyond journalism strengthens our capacity to inform and serve society.” Her commitment to impactful communication gained international recognition in 2003, when she won first place in the World Bank Award, Radio Category, at the World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan.

The award honoured a radio programme she produced on Tanzania’s water crisis, exploring its social and economic consequences and its contribution to poverty. The recognition placed her on a global platform and reinforced her sense of responsibility to shape public discourse.

It also motivated her to produce further educational and awareness programmes, using radio, print, and feature writing to promote understanding and action on water and environmental issues. Today, her advice to emerging women communicators and climate advocates is rooted in the principles that have guided her own career.

She urges them to seek out and elevate voices that remain undervalued and unheard, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. “These voices represent a significant proportion of our population,” she says.

“They require extra effort to reach and understand. Yet they are essential in informing policy and decision-making for a better Tanzania.

” As communicators, she adds, this responsibility is central to the profession. By performing it with integrity and dedication, journalists and advocates can advance the development of women, strengthen social cohesion, and contribute meaningfully to national progress.

Through Environment Media Agenda, Ms Balisidya continues to demonstrate that leadership anchored in listening, learning, and service can deliver enduring change. Her journey stands as a testament to the power of communication when it is guided by empathy, inclusion, and a steadfast commitment to social justice.

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Dar es Salaam. Smallholder farmers have urged the government to introduce free text message alerts on seasonal weather forecasts, saying the move would strengthen their ability to cope with the growing impacts of climate change.

The call was made yesterday during a forum organised by Norwegian organization Norges Vel Tanzania. The event under the theme Advancing Agriculture Resilience: Bringing Climate Information to Farmers, brought together farmers’ representatives from various regions, officials from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) and other key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

Farmers said that although TMA disseminates forecasts through radio, television and social media, many small-scale producers remain unreached due to limited internet connectivity and the low penetration of smartphones in rural areas. “In our groups, we share weather forecasts through WhatsApp, but that is not enough,” said Mr Nestory Thedeus, an extension officer from Mbarali and Neighbours Small Scale Farmers Ltd (MTC).

“We would like farmers to receive messages through ordinary feature phones, similar to the way messages were sent during elections or by the police. If seasonal forecasts are sent early, farmers can prepare accordingly,” he said.

Participants stressed that timely and reliable climate information is increasingly vital as erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells continue to disrupt planting calendars and reduce yields. Ms Denisia Samweli, an extension officer from Mlimba, noted that while TMA has made efforts to improve dissemination, wider outreach is needed.

“We understand that sending text messages costs about Sh30 per message and that TMA cannot afford nationwide coverage,” she said. “We are therefore appealing to the government to support this initiative so farmers can receive the information directly.

” She added that farmers under the Norges Vel programme are currently receiving free text alerts, but this support will end once project funding expires. TMA Weather Forecast Manager Dr Mafuru Biseke said the authority also uses extension officers to relay forecasts, in addition to television, radio and social media.

“Text messages are a better option because they can reach many farmers, but it is costly for the agency to send them countrywide,” he said, calling on stakeholders and development partners to help finance the initiative. A representative from Norges Vel Tanzania said that beyond daily updates, farmers require longer-term seasonal forecasts to plan effectively.

Participants agreed that leveraging basic mobile phone technology, widely used in rural communities, could significantly enhance farmers’ preparedness and decision-making. .

Dar es Salaam. Technology is increasingly being positioned as a catalyst in strengthening Tanzania’s competency-based education system, with stakeholders arguing that digital tools could significantly improve how knowledge and skills are delivered in classrooms.

From augmented reality to 3D simulations and artificial intelligence-driven platforms, education technology providers say the shift is designed to move schools away from rote memorisation towards practical, skills-oriented learning aligned with real-life demands. Tanzania has in recent year’s expanded digital learning initiatives through programmes such as the Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET), Smart School projects introduced in selected urban schools, and the National Digital Education Strategy for 2024/252029/30. One of the companies leading this transition is Ekima, a Tanzanian technology firm that has introduced a digital learning platform featuring interactive videos, 2D and 3D animations, AI-powered tools, and augmented and virtual reality experiences.

According to the company, its platform has so far reached 297 educational institutions nationwide, serving more than 500,000 students and teachers. However, details on how these figures were verified or independently assessed were not immediately available.

In a new partnership with the Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC), Ekima aims to support the implementation of Tanzania’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which was introduced to address long-standing concerns about graduates lacking practical and workplace-ready skills. The collaboration seeks to integrate digital content, simulations, virtual laboratories and competency-based assessments into teaching, with the goal of improving learning outcomes and strengthening students’ skills readiness.

According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, Fredrick Mosha said competency-based teaching requires more than syllabus coverage. “It is about assessing skills and values, and whether students can apply what they have learned in real-life situations,” he said.

On the other hand, Ekima’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kusiluka Aginiwe, described the current phase of Tanzania’s education system as a major shift, noting that employers, policymakers and educators have for years expressed frustration over skills gaps among graduates. “The competency-based curriculum was introduced to respond to these concerns.

This partnership is designed to help close those gaps systematically,” he said. Mr Aginiwe further added that the use of interactive multimedia content can improve learning outcomes by between 20 and 30 percent.

“Particularly in STEM subjects where visualization enhances understanding, citing research from the Education Development Center,” he shared. Beyond academic performance, proponents argue that technology-supported competency-based education enhances employability.

According to Tanzania’s 2023 ICT Survey, only 32 percent of Tanzanians aged between 15 and 35 possess basic digital skills, while just 18 percent are able to use productivity software such as word processors or spreadsheets. This comes at a time when Tanzania’s emerging sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, business process outsourcing, creative industries and technology start-ups, increasingly require exactly these capabilities.

The Tanzania ICT Commission projects that the country will need more than 200,000 ICT professionals by 2030, yet current training pipelines are producing fewer than 15,000 graduates annually, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet future skills demand without significant changes in education delivery. Students exposed to simulations, problem-based learning and real-world scenarios are said to develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and digital fluency.

“The competencies that matter today go beyond the classroom,” Aginiwe said. “Digital fluency and problem-solving skills are increasingly central to employment readiness.

” As Tanzania’s economy diversifies into services, logistics, technology, tourism and creative industries, stakeholders argue that aligning education with digital transformation is no longer optional. “Technology-enabled competency-based education is strategic,” Aginiwe said, pointing to countries such as Singapore, Estonia and South Korea, which have invested heavily in digital education and skills-based learning and now rank highly in global innovation and education indices.

Historically, Tanzania’s efforts to integrate information and communication technology into education have been fragmented. However, progress has been recorded in recent years.

In 2020, the government equipped 1,696 primary schools with science and ICT facilities and provided ICT training to trainee teachers at primary education colleges. By 2023, primary schools nationwide were reported to have 17,700 desktop computers and 10,384 laptops, with a majority connected to the national electricity grid.

While the ambition is clear, the long-term success of such initiatives will depend on infrastructure readiness, teacher training, affordability, and sustained public-private collaboration. For Tanzania, the question is not only whether technology can improve classrooms, but how inclusively and equitably that transformation can be implemented nationwide.

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Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Health to prepare a comprehensive national strategy to address the anticipated rise in cancer cases, following warnings that the global burden of the disease is expected to increase in the coming years.

Citing projections by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that cancer cases worldwide could rise by more than 60 percent by 2030, Dr Nchemba said Tanzania must act to strengthen prevention, early detection and treatment services. He made the remarks during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), saying the country cannot afford to wait until the impact is fully felt.

He urged health authorities to improve preparedness through better planning, investment in infrastructure and expansion of specialised services. “We must respond proactively.

The projected increase calls for a clear, well-coordinated strategy that prioritises prevention, early screening and timely treatment,” he said. The Prime Minister said that the strategy should also focus on public awareness campaigns, vaccination programmes, research and the training of more oncology specialists.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, noting that effective planning would help reduce preventable deaths and ease pressure on families and the healthcare system. Dr Nchemba called on stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, to strengthen public awareness campaigns and promote early screening and preventive measures.

These include vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, tobacco control and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. He stressed the importance of early detection, warning that delayed diagnosis significantly reduces survival chances.

Dr Nchemba also cautioned against misconceptions and unscientific beliefs that prevent patients from seeking professional medical care. “Directing patients towards unfounded beliefs delays diagnosis and reduces their chances of receiving timely treatment.

We must continue to educate communities at all levels,” he said. He commended health experts for progress made over the past three decades, saying the anniversary marked achievements in saving lives and advancing cancer care in Tanzania and across Africa.

Dr Nchemba said the government has put in place a system intended to guarantee access to preventive services, early screening, treatment and follow-up care for cancer, regardless of income. “Through this system, every Tanzanian will be assured of access to preventive services, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for cancer without discrimination based on financial status,” he said.

He noted that improvements in the health financing framework would help remove financial barriers, protect families from medical expenses and enable better planning and funding of cancer services. On strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Dr Nchemba said more than Sh18.5 billion has been invested in the construction and establishment of specialised cancer services, including the installation of a modern radiotherapy machine.

He added that the availability of cancer medicines has increased to 90 percent, improving access to essential drugs. The government is also expanding services geographically.

Dr Nchemba cited the construction of the Mbeya Cancer Centre, the installation of radiotherapy machines at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), and the construction of a dedicated building for radiotherapy equipment at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma. “These investments demonstrate our commitment to bringing services closer to the people and reducing the burden of travelling long distances for specialised care,” he said.

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