Category: The Citizen

The world has entered the second half of the 2020s amid convulsions reshaping an industrial order that has stood for over a century. The coming decade will not merely test imaginations and stretch capabilities; it will demand a fundamental reimagining of the principles that govern our global system.

As we stand at this inflection point in early 2026, the traditional frameworks of international cooperation and corporate strategy, though vital, are proving insufficient. A potent cocktail of interconnected systemic and seismic shifts–from geopolitical fragmentation to rapid technological disruption–threatens to cascade through the system, amplifying the strains on institutions everywhere.

Globalisation, for all its benefits, has compressed the world into an interdependent village, bound by the ceaseless flow of goods, capital, data, and people. Yet this village is in peril.

The collective ambition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 now seems a monumental, if not impossible, task. The village ledger tells a grim story: as of 2026, nearly three billion of its 8.

2 billion residents live in countries where servicing national debt now costs more than investing in the health and education of their people. This is not a sustainable equation for progress.

This village confronts an array of mega-threats, each a formidable challenge in its own right, but together a perfect storm. Climate change advances relentlessly, its effects no longer a distant forecast but a present and costly reality.

Technological disruption, particularly the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, redraws the lines of economic power and social structure. Geopolitical tensions, which have moved from simmering to boiling, are leading to trade fragmentation and a retreat from multilateralism.

These are compounded by rising inequality, economic turbulence, and a sovereign debt crisis of historic proportions, all occurring at a time when traditional foreign aid and investment are shrinking. These are not separate crises; they are deeply interconnected, and their combined force far exceeds the capacity of any single sector, player, or organisation to address alone.

Yet, as the world reconfigures, new frontiers of value are emerging from the chaos. Seizing them requires more than just new business models; it demands a radical transformation in how organisations create, deliver, and capture value.

A new domain for growth is materialising from the stark recognition that the most pressing human needs–from public health to climate resilience–can no longer be met by siloed actors. The new frontier for growth lies in collaboration across sectoral divides.

Partnerships between public, private, and philanthropic actors are no longer a matter of corporate social responsibility; they are essential to forging new markets and building the social capital that underpins them. This is the dawn of collaborative value creation.

The future belongs to those who can master the art of the Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (PPPP). This model represents a new social contract for the 21st century, one that acknowledges the limitations of each sector and leverages their unique strengths.

The public sector can provide scale, regulatory frameworks, and democratic legitimacy. The private sector brings innovation, efficiency, and capital.

The philanthropic sector offers risk tolerance, long-term perspective, and a deep understanding of social needs. Together, they can tackle challenges that are intractable for any one sector alone.

At the heart of this new social contract lies a currency that has become both priceless and precarious: trust. The chasm between perception and reality is stark.

PwC’s 2024 Trust Survey revealed that, while an overwhelming 90% of executives believe their customers trust them, only 30% of consumers agree. This trust deficit is a critical barrier to progress.

Without trust, partnerships falter, markets fail, and social cohesion erodes. The PPPP model offers a pathway to rebuilding this trust, as the involvement of public and philanthropic actors can lend credibility and a sense of shared purpose to private-sector initiatives.

This new social contract represents a fundamental shift in how we conceive of value. No longer can organisations operate in isolation, pursuing narrow self-interest while externalising costs to society and the environment.

The interconnected nature of our global challenges demands interconnected solutions. The organisations that will thrive in this new era are those that understand that their success is inextricably linked to the well-being of the communities and ecosystems in which they operate.

They are the ones building the institutional muscle and the collaborative mindset to turn shared risks into shared value, forging a new, more resilient, and more equitable form of capitalism in the process. Prudence is an author and Chief Purpose Officer at PZG PR www.

pzg.co.

tz .

I recently travelled to Dodoma using Tanzania’s standard gauge railway for the first time. I had been looking forward to it for a while.

The SGR has been sold to us as a symbol of modern Tanzania. The experience was mixed: impressive hardware weighed down by archaic thinking.

Let me start with the good. This is the SGR–new, shiny, modern.

Three hours between Dar and Dodoma. The absurdity of spending eight hours on a treacherous 500-kilometre highway–dodging buses, potholes and fate–can finally be avoided.

The SGR delivers what modern transport should: speed, safety and relief. The system works.

Booking was smooth. Multiple and convenient payment options.

At the station, a few hostesses smiled at me. A smile.

In a government service. I could get used to that.

We left on time. The cabins are still fresh enough.

I decided to use the toilet–my acid test for a good facility. I found it clean.

No strange smells. Water running.

Toilet paper present. Soap available.

Soap in a public facility is the Tanzanian equivalent of a solar eclipse: rare and beautiful. If this is the future, sign me up.

Now to the bad. I paid Sh241,000 shillings for a return ticket on the so-called Royal Express.

I didn’t think much of it until I met another passenger who casually mentioned that Ordinary Lines charge Sh35,000 and SH50,000. That is when it became clear I was being taken for a ride. Literally.

One reason: there was nothing royal about that Royal Express. Same seats.

Same layout. No sleeping couches.

No Wi-Fi. No restaurant car.

No entertainment. No attempt to justify the price whatsoever.

The only difference is that they hand you a few snacks and shave an hour off the travel time. It looks like TRC does not understand how a premium service work.

That probably explains the ghost-cabins: 74 seats, barely 10 passengers–both trips. Do we really believe Tanzanians reject comfort? Or is TRC choosing empty seats over sensible pricing? With SGR economics already shaky, running empty trains is the fastest route to becoming another Tazara.

Then there is the temperature. It is so cold you would think we were crossing Siberia.

With windows that do not open, you are effectively trapped inside a refrigerated metal tube. “This is Tanzania,” I thought, “why set the thermostat so low?” Nearing Dar on the return trip, the train stopped in one station for possibly 15 minutes.

Then there is the temperature. It is so cold you would think we were crossing Siberia.

With windows that do not open, you are effectively trapped inside a refrigerated metal tube. “This is Tanzania,” I thought, “why set the thermostat so low?” Which brings me to the ugly.

The SGR has adopted bizarre, pseudo-airport routines. Why the excessive security for a domestic train? People travel daily by bus, by other trains, by ferries–is the threat only on SGR? In many countries, you walk onto a train with a ticket, even minutes before departure.

Yet for the SGR, passengers must arrive two hours early, line up and submit to rituals that add neither safety nor value. And then there are the food and drink restrictions.

You can carry grapes but not mangoes. Grapes require an extra fee: your fruit might affect aerodynamics.

A 15wagon locomotive that can pull 1,000 tonnes is worried about your 30kilogramme luggage limit. Instead of limiting the number of bags, they limit the weight and content.

Figure that out. On my return trip, I had two bottles of Kilimanjaro water and an unfinished soda.

I had not eaten all day. Security insisted I throw them away.

Drinks not chemicals. Why? Well, because of “regulations”.

I had some time to spare, so I decided to test whether thinking was allowed. I asked to see a manager and was taken to a desk with four officials.

I asked a simple question: Is it illegal to drink water on a train? Silence. Then came the sacred phrase: “It is the regulation.

” Fine. But regulations exist to serve a purpose.

What purpose does this one serve? Eventually, one of them hinted: station and onboard vendors must be protected. And there it was.

The real reason for banning outside food and drinks is not safety–it is revenue protection. So, the problem is not the drink; it is where you bought it.

I am forced to throw away my water so that I can buy theirs. I told them I was not comfortable throwing away perfectly good water and offered to share it with them instead.

Next time I will buy a whole carton of water for the trip. The SGR is powerful infrastructure.

For now, it works. But passengers are still treated as subjects.

So long as the philosophy stays “we set the rules, you obey,” the SGR will never fulfil its promise. Infrastructure can be imported.

Excellence cannot. And that attitude–the conviction that citizens exist to serve the system, not the reverse–is the mother of everything that will eventually go wrong with the SGR.

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

Dar es Salaam. For the first time in decades, Tanzania’s university system is inching closer to gender balance.

On paper, the progress looks impressive. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) in university enrolment has steadily improved from 0.

54 in 2016/17 to 0.84 in 2024/25, signalling a significant narrowing of the gap between male and female participation in higher education.

Total enrolment in university institutions reached 259,434 students in 2024/25, up from about 181,897 in 2018/19, according to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) VitalStats 2024. Female enrolment has grown faster than that of males over the same period, reflecting years of deliberate policy interventions, scholarships and sustained advocacy aimed at expanding access for girls. However, beneath this encouraging headline lies a more complex and worrying reality: gender parity remains deeply uneven across fields of study, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

When enrolment is disaggregated by discipline, the gains quickly thin out. Engineering programmes record a GPI of 0.

28, Mining and Earth Sciences 0.38, ICT 0.

51, and Physical Sciences and Mathematics 0.49. In simple terms, for every ten male students in engineering, fewer than three are female.

By contrast, women dominate in Education (GPI 1.02), Law (1.00), Business (1.12), Social Sciences (1.54) and Library and Information Studies.

“This tells us that access alone is not enough,” former lecturer Dr Fumbuka Mtenzi told The Citizen. “Girls are entering universities, yes.

But they are not entering the programmes that drive industrialisation, innovation and high-value employment.” Why STEM still repels women Experts point to pipeline problems that begin long before university admission.

Weak performance in mathematics and sciences at secondary level, limited exposure to female role models in STEM careers, and persistent cultural stereotypes continue to shape subject choices. Dr Mtenzi notes that female applicants remain underrepresented in competitive STEM programmes.

“Even when spaces are available, the pool of qualified female applicants is smaller. This reflects systemic issues in earlier stages of education,” he said.

There is also an economic dimension. STEM programmes are often longer, more demanding and costlier.

For students from low-income households, especially girls, the opportunity cost can be prohibitive, particularly when family expectations still prioritise early marriage or income-generating activities over extended schooling. The imbalance carries serious implications for Tanzania’s ambitions in industrialisation, mining, health sciences, digital transformation and the energy transition.

STEM graduates sit at the heart of national priorities under Vision 2025, the newly launched Dira 2050. Yet the VitalStats data shows that women remain largely excluded from the very skills ecosystem the country needs most. “If we do not correct this, we risk building a future economy with half the talent missing,” warned gender and education specialist Dr Rose Mpemba.

“Gender parity in enrolment is not meaningful if women are clustered in low-growth disciplines.” Aware of this imbalance, the government has begun shifting from broad access policies to targeted gender-responsive interventions, with a strong focus on STEM.

At the centre of these efforts is the Samia Scholarship, launched under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership. The programme specifically supports high-performing girls to pursue degrees in engineering, medicine, ICT, natural sciences and related fields, both locally and internationally.

Education officials say the scholarship is designed not just to fund tuition, but to change perceptions about who belongs in STEM. “The Samia Scholarship sends a powerful signal that girls are needed in science and technology spaces,” said one senior official at the Ministry of Education.

“It is about visibility, confidence and long-term workforce planning.” Beyond scholarships, the government has expanded science excellence schools, invested in laboratory infrastructure, and strengthened teacher training in mathematics and sciences, particularly in underserved regions.

There is also growing collaboration with development partners and the private sector to support mentorship programmes, internships and early exposure to STEM careers for girls. Some universities have introduced bridging programmes, female-only STEM cohorts and academic support systems aimed at improving retention and completion rates for women in demanding courses.

While these initiatives mark a clear policy shift, experts caution that their impact will depend on scale, consistency and coordination across the education system. “The Samia Scholarship is a strong start, but it must be part of a wider ecosystem, from primary classrooms to postgraduate labs,” Dr Mpemba said.

“Otherwise, the numbers will improve slowly, but the structural imbalance will persist.” .

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Mainland Premier League continues today with two major fixtures involving title contenders Simba SC and Azam FC, as the race for points intensifies at both ends of the table.

Simba will host Mashujaa FC at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in a 4pm kickoff, while Azam FC will entertain Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) United at the Azam Complex from 7pm. The matches come at a crucial time for all four teams, with each side eager to improve its position in the standings currently dominated by defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), who sit top with 22 points from eight matches.

Simba, placed sixth with 13 points from six matches, will be desperate to return to winning ways after a difficult run that has tested both the squad and their supporters. The Msimbazi Street giants have struggled to find consistency across competitions, going through a four-match spell that has produced disappointing outcomes and increased pressure on head coach Steven Barker.

A major source of frustration for Simba fans has been the team’s recent results against Azam FC, who have beaten them twice in a short period. Simba first lost 2-0 in a league match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on December 7 last year, before suffering another setback when they were edged 1-0 in the semifinals of the Mapinduzi Cup at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

Upon returning to league action, Simba were held to a 1-1 draw by Mtibwa Sugar at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium on January 8, a result that left them with more questions than answers. Their struggles continued on the continental stage where they lost 1-0 to Tunisia’s Esperance in the Caf Champions League, a defeat that further highlighted the need for sharper finishing and stronger game management.

Today’s clash against Mashujaa therefore offers Simba a timely chance to bounce back, restore belief, and give their supporters something to celebrate. With their home crowd behind them, Barker’s side will be expected to push forward from the start and avoid the defensive lapses that have cost them in recent matches.

Mashujaa, currently eighth with 13 points from 10 matches, will also be fighting for a positive result as they attempt to regain momentum. Records show the team has failed to win in their last three matches, a run that began with a heavy 6-0 defeat to Yanga at the KMC Complex.

They then settled for two consecutive goalless draws against Coastal Union and Dodoma Jiji FC. Mashujaa head coach Salum Mayanga has made it clear that his side is targeting a strong performance against Simba, viewing the match as an opportunity to return to winning form and climb higher in the standings.

Later in the evening, attention will shift to the Azam Complex where Azam FC face TRA United in what is expected to be one of the most thrilling encounters of the day. Azam, placed seventh with 13 points from seven matches, will be aiming to bounce back after being held to a goalless draw by Fountain Gate FC.

The Chamazi-based side have shown they can compete at a high level, and they will be determined to secure maximum points at home as they push to close the gap on the teams above them. TRA United, sitting ninth with 12 points from eight matches, come into the match with confidence after producing impressive results in recent outings.

They claimed a convincing 3-0 win over KMC and followed it up with another strong performance in a 3-1 victory against Singida Black Stars. .

As Tanzania advances its socio-economic transformation under Vision 2050, debate over education quality and its role in national development continues. In an in-depth interview with the Head of the Department of Foundations of Education, Management and Sustainability at the University of Dar es Salaam’s School of Education, Prof George Kahangwa, The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi reporter Elizabeth Edward reports that he emphasised the need for skills-focused education to drive national transformation.

Q: Does the current education system equip learners to solve real social challenges, or are we still producing students who merely memorise theory? A: Largely, our system still focuses on a “pen-and-paper” approach. But real life does not always require paper.

In knowledge construction, there are three domains: skills, cognition, and emotions. At present, excessive emphasis is placed on cognition alone, mainly to pass examinations.

We need to move beyond exam performance and ask what a student has actually learned and can do in practice. Q: The government is implementing a free education policy.

How can we ensure increased enrolment does not compromise learning quality? A: We must recognise the true cost of quality education. Quality comes at a price, and the country must assess what is required to adequately prepare a child under current conditions.

Education budgets must reflect real needs. Free education should not mean “anything goes”.

This is not the government’s responsibility alone; all stakeholders must play their part in building the nation’s human capital. Q: To what extent do current curricula align with labour market needs, science, technology and the industrial economy Tanzania aims to build? A: Curriculum reforms are commendable and consider market needs, but implementation remains the biggest challenge.

For example, the new curriculum includes practical education, yet practical training cannot be delivered without equipment or skilled teachers. You cannot teach computer studies with a blackboard alone.

Without substantial investment in equipment, these curricula remain theoretical. If prioritised, such investment is achievable.

Q: There is a shortage of science and mathematics teachers. What strategic approaches can bridge this gap? A: This is primarily a strategic issue.

First, we must use existing teachers to “produce” more. Second, the government can emulate private schools by identifying science graduates early and offering incentives to join the profession.

Technology can also support learning in the absence of a direct teacher. Cooperation between private schools with surplus science teachers and public schools within the same ward can help.

This must accompany improved teachers’ welfare to attract and retain young talent. Q: There has been debate over the language of instruction: Kiswahili versus English.

What is the right direction? A: Students learn best in a familiar language. However, languages should first be taught as subjects before becoming mediums of instruction.

If Kiswahili, it must be taught proficiently. If English, exchange programmes could bring teachers from the United Kingdom to our colleges.

We cannot avoid English in international communication, so proper preparation is essential. Q: Is there conflict between practical education in secondary schools and vocational training at institutions such as VETA? A: There is no conflict, only an opportunity for complementarity.

Vocational education demand is broad. In an era of employment challenges, more institutions are needed to equip people with self-employment skills.

Even if all secondary schools offer practical education, vocational colleges remain essential for higher levels of specialised expertise. Q: Society still views vocational education as for “failures”.

How can this mindset change? A: This colonial-era perception persists. To change it, a practical strategy is needed.

The vocational track should not only accept low-performing students; high achievers should also choose it voluntarily. Status and employment opportunities for vocational graduates must match those of academic graduates to eliminate discrimination.

Q: Does our assessment and examination system promote understanding, or merely competition for marks? A: True assessment is not yet implemented; we rely on paper-based exams. Assessment should identify what a learner can actually do.

If a student has learned biological dissection, the assessment should require practical execution. Powers of assessment should be decentralised to schools and districts, rather than relying on a single national exam that cannot capture every child’s talent.

Q: In an era of moral decline, is our education system promoting patriotism and integrity? A: We teach history and ethics, but the challenge lies in society. A student may score an ‘A’ in ethics, yet encounter a society that rewards dishonesty.

Those who use shortcuts often succeed more than educated professionals, contradicting traditional classroom lessons. For education to instil patriotism, society must show that integrity pays.

Q: Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) an opportunity or a threat to education? A: AI is unavoidable and should be embraced with discipline. It offers vast opportunities for knowledge and job creation.

However, students risk over-reliance, neglecting their own thinking. Policies are needed to guide AI as a research tool, rather than a substitute for human reasoning.

People must also learn to distinguish authentic content from machine-generated material. Q: What major reforms would you like to see over the next 10 years to drive Tanzania’s economic transformation? A: First, harmonise education quality between public and private schools to prevent social stratification.

Second, increase research investment in higher education. Third, review all curricula for contemporary relevance.

Above all, we must restore teachers’ dignity. As long as teachers live in poor conditions, the education system will reflect this.

We must redefine the profile of teachers capable of preparing the nation of tomorrow. .

Dar es Salaam. Stanbic Bank Tanzania has reaffirmed the role of capital markets in advancing housing finance after participating as lead arranger in the Makazi Bond issued by First Housing Finance Tanzania (FHF), a non-banking mortgage lender.

FHF is Tanzania’s first dedicated non-banking mortgage lender and among the leading players in the housing finance market. As of March 31, 2025, the institution held a 5.

3 per cent share of the mortgage market, having advanced Sh36 billion to hundreds of borrowers across the country. The Makazi Bond is designed to mobilise domestic capital for housing finance by channelling long-term funding into a sector regarded as critical to economic productivity, employment creation and social wellbeing.

The bond’s inaugural tranche of Sh5 billion, with a greenshoe option of Sh3 billion, signals growing investor confidence in structured instruments that combine commercial returns with development impact. Speaking at the bond’s launch, Stanbic Bank Tanzania chief executive Mr Manzi Rwegasira said the transaction demonstrated how capital markets could be deliberately deployed to support national priorities.

“Housing is more than shelter. It is a foundation for stable households, stronger communities and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

“By structuring credible and investable instruments, capital markets can play a meaningful role in addressing real needs within the economy.” Proceeds from the bond will enable FHF to scale up its mortgage lending operations, expanding access to housing finance.

The initiative is also expected to stimulate employment across the construction sector and related supply chains, while strengthening financial inclusion. Stanbic’s head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Ms Ester Manase, said disciplined structuring was essential to building investor confidence and deepening local capital markets.

“For capital markets to grow, instruments must be transparent, accessible and aligned with long-term economic outcomes,” she said. “Transactions such as the Makazi Bond demonstrate how private capital can be mobilised responsibly to support development while delivering value to investors.

” The bank’s senior vice president for Debt Capital Market and Distribution, Ms Sarah Mkiramweni, said the issuance aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which prioritises inclusive growth, shared prosperity and social wellbeing. She noted that housing finance plays a central role in supporting urban development, household stability and long-term productivity.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania said it would continue to play an active role in structuring financial solutions that connect capital to development impact, as part of efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s financial markets and the wider economy. .

Mwanza. Small-scale sardine traders at the Mswahili fish landing site in Mwanza are set to benefit from safer and more efficient working conditions following the installation of modern fish drying racks, an initiative designed to cut post-harvest losses and improve product quality.

For many years, congestion and limited space at the landing site forced traders to dry sardines along roadsides, near the railway corridor and on rocks. These practices exposed traders to serious health and safety risks, compromised hygiene standards and reduced the market value of their produce.

The newly installed drying racks are fitted with rain-protection features, allowing them to be used in both sunny and wet conditions. They are expected to improve drying methods, reduce losses and raise incomes for fishers and traders.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on January 27, 2026, Blue Victoria Project Officer Mr Shabani Mwita said the organisation had donated four modern drying racks valued at more than S million to address the challenge. “The racks are made from modern materials that allow water to drain directly to the ground, enabling faster and cleaner drying of fish,” Mr Mwita said.

“This intervention aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of fish products reaching the market.” Sardine trader Asia Welu said traders often dry fish on rocks to speed up the process using heat, but largely because there are no designated drying areas.

“There are many of us trading sardines here. If the fish do not dry properly, they develop a bad smell and we lose the market,” she said.

Another trader, Rahel Zephania, said the racks would significantly reduce the risks traders previously faced while operating in hazardous areas. “One rack can dry more than three buckets of sardines.

We are requesting more racks so that traders who are drying fish along the road can move to safer areas,” she said. Trader Sad Swed noted that the design of the racks allows for quicker drying compared to traditional methods.

“The wire mesh material allows water to pass through directly, unlike cloth or sacks that absorb moisture and delay drying,” he said. Chairperson of the Mswahili Beach Management Unit (BMU), Mr Lugo Fasheni, said the landing site has more than 100 sardine traders, many of whom had been operating near the railway corridor–an increasingly dangerous situation due to the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

“We appreciate this support, but we also call on other stakeholders to invest in similar infrastructure to support women and men working at this landing site,” Mr Fasheni said. Blue Victoria Executive Director Mr Festus Massaho said the Mswahili landing site was selected because of its high sardine production, limited space and dense population.

He added that the project is funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) through its youth empowerment programme and aligns with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries’ priorities of strengthening the fisheries value chain and ensuring food safety. “The Mswahili Beach Management Unit produces large volumes of sardines, yet the landing site is very small.

This has forced traders to dry fish along roads and near the railway, which is risky and contributes to losses,” Mr Massaho said. He noted that the site supplies a significant share of the sardines consumed in Mwanza City, making it a strategic location for efforts aimed at reducing post-harvest losses in the fisheries sector.

The Mswahili landing site remains one of the main sources of sardines for Mwanza City and surrounding regions, making the initiative a decisive step towards improving safety, food quality and livelihoods within the fisheries sector. .

Tanga. Despite clear laws outlining the government’s responsibilities for constructing and managing rural roads and bridges, residents of Kwasunga, Kwamsisi and Miono villages in Handeni District continue to face danger every rainy season, relying on unsafe temporary crossings.

A three-month investigation by The Citizen (October to December 2025) found that the Mligazi River Bridge challenge does not stem from lack of laws, policies, or construction expertise, but from weak implementation, delayed funding and shifting priorities, leaving residents to pay the price with their lives, children’s education and local economic activity. Section 5(1)(b) of the Tanzania Roads Act of 2007 (Cap.

13) requires road authorities to ensure safe access to roads, bridges and communication routes, especially in rural areas. Yet, despite provisions covering maintenance planning, construction approvals and infrastructure budgeting, enforcement in some rural areas remains weak.

Section 9(2) prohibits constructing road or bridge infrastructure without approval from relevant authorities, while Section 12 requires road authorities to prepare maintenance plans and allocate permanent budgets for rural roads and bridges. Despite these laws, temporary crossings are used for extended periods without a plan for permanent, safe bridge construction.

Moreover, the 1982 Local Government Act and the 2017 Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura) regulations require council directors to ensure all infrastructure is built and maintained according to safety standards, national regulations and environmental impact assessments. For leaders of Handeni Rural, compliance with these legal requirements remains weak.

Tarura’s 2023 report shows over 1,200 rural bridges nationwide are in hazardous condition due to timber and unapproved materials, contributing to accidents and higher maintenance costs. Additionally, a 2021 JICA study on district road maintenance found over 40 percent of rural areas in Tanzania lose connectivity for 30 to 90 days each rainy season because of unreliable bridges.

In this context, the Mligazi River Bridge challenge does not appear to result from lack of laws or guidelines but from weak implementation, supervision and monitoring of responsible institutions. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 9), member states should invest in safe and resilient infrastructure to connect communities to essential services.

Rural bridges are considered critical for development and citizens’ well-being. World Bank and African Development Bank guidelines emphasise that temporary crossings should serve only as short-term emergency solutions and not substitute for permanent bridges, particularly in areas cut off during the rainy season.

Globally, delays in constructing rural bridges are considered hazardous, with countries encouraged to implement projects using multi-year, secure budgets to prevent adverse impacts on residents. The Citizen’s investigation found rural bridge construction is achievable when projects are prioritised and closely supervised.

Through the Rural Road Improvement Project with community participation and promotion of social and economic opportunities (RISE), some areas in Tanga Region have built and upgraded bridges and culverts that previously caused major disruption during the rainy season. In Handeni District, including Kilindi Ward and Tanga City, RISE projects have improved roads and bridges, easing travel, enhancing access to health and education services and stimulating agriculture and trade.

These successes resulted from strategic prioritisation, dedicated budgets and close supervision by Tarura in collaboration with councils and regional government. “There were bridges like MsambaziKwediboma and MagambaKwedikazu up to Segera that faced major challenges, but now students can attend school and social services are accessible,” said Handeni District Tarura Manager, Ms Judica Makyao.

Infrastructure expert, Mr Milton Nyerere said the biggest challenge for most projects is not lack of planning but unrealistic budgets and delayed funding. “Many approved budgets are not real.

Funds are delayed, sometimes for months, whereas technically they should be available within a month or less,” he said. He noted that Tarura and the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) prepare and implement projects, but delays in funding create problems.

“At the end of the day, ordinary citizens suffer. Projects stall, temporary crossings collapse and residents risk their lives.

I have suggested creating dedicated accounts for specific projects; this would prevent disruption. Previously, budgets were directly allocated, so Tarura or Tanroads faced fewer problems,” he said.

Road expert Fredy Nyenga added that rural infrastructure projects should not rely on external aid when resources and capacity exist locally. “We cannot wait for foreign aid when resources are available.

If you have plans, experts, machinery and equipment, nothing should fail,” he said. Mr Nyenga emphasised that roads and bridges are key priorities for community development.

“Roads are a priority; there is no obstacle. Builders are available, machines are here.

In the past, bridges were delayed because we waited for external resources, why should they fail now when everything is local? The only issue is funding,” he said. .

Kigali. Rwanda has filed an arbitration case against Britain over a cancelled asylum deal that Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped in 2024, the government said.

Under the scheme, signed before Starmer took office, Britain agreed to pay Rwanda to take in migrants who had arrived illegally in Britain. It only sent four people voluntarily to Rwanda, as the plan was stalled by legal challenges.

Rwanda has submitted a notice to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing Britain had breached the financial arrangements of the “migration partnership”, its government said in a statement on X on Tuesday. It added that Britain had asked it in 2024 to forgo two payments of 50 million pounds ($69 million) due in April 2025 and April 2026 in anticipation of the formal termination of the treaty underlying the deal.

Rwanda said it was prepared to agree, provided the treaty was terminated and new financial terms were negotiated and agreed. “Discussions between Rwanda and the United Kingdom did not, however, ultimately take place, and the amounts remain due and payable under the treaty,” the government added.

After Starmer cancelled the deal, his government said it had wasted taxpayer money and no further payments would be made. Ties between Britain and Rwanda soured last year, when London paused some aid over Rwanda’s role in the war in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda has faced global pressure over accusations that it supports the M23 rebel group there. Kigali denies backing M23 and has blamed Congolese and Burundian forces for renewed fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands in the past year.

.

Dar es Salaam. Following complaints from prepaid electricity (Luku) users about unusually rapid depletion of power units, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has carried out technical inspections and found the problem is largely due to faulty domestic electrical wiring.

After receiving the complaints, Tanesco initiated professional inspections in several households to determine the source of the problem. Preliminary findings indicate that in most cases the issue does not lie with electricity meters, but rather with defective wiring systems within homes.

Additionally, limited knowledge of proper electricity use and the ageing of electrical installations in many households have been cited as contributing factors to high electricity consumption, fire incidents, and the loss of property and lives. Speaking on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after inspecting households that had lodged complaints, Tanesco engineer Ally Mbonde said investigations found most meters were working correctly and accurately recording consumption.

However, he said the main problem identified was poor wiring installed in the affected homes. “In the houses we inspected, we found one customer consuming about 2.

5 units over 10 hours, even when they were not at home and had switched off all appliances. We discovered that wires which should not have been carrying electricity were actually live,” he said.

Mr Mbonde said the key challenge was substandard wiring in many houses, particularly inherited or rented properties, where occupants often lack information on when the wiring was last repaired or its current condition. “Many people only check whether there is power, lights are on, the fridge is running, and the TV is working.

They fail to realise that cables, sockets and switches also need regular inspection and maintenance,” he said. Mr Mbonde urged the public to cultivate a habit of monitoring their daily electricity consumption, including understanding how many units they use per day, to determine whether usage reflects their actual needs.

“It is important for customers to know how many units they consume daily. That helps them tell whether consumption is normal, has increased, or if there is a problem,” he said.

He further advised the public to engage registered electrical contractors to conduct routine inspections of wiring systems to ensure the safety of homes and property. Faulty wiring, he warned, can cause live and neutral wires to come into contact, potentially leading to serious fires that may destroy property or claim lives.

“If wiring was done 10 years ago or earlier, it is essential to call a technician to inspect all connections, from the live wire to the neutral and earth wire. These are issues we strongly emphasise,” he said.

On the impact of weather on electricity consumption, Mr Mbonde said usage rises significantly during hot seasons compared to colder periods, due to increased use of appliances such as air conditioners, fans, and refrigeration systems. “During hot seasons, especially in warmer areas such as Dar es Salaam, electricity consumption is much higher.

Air conditioners operate longer, and refrigerators work harder. This differs from colder regions such as Mbeya,” he said.

He explained that electricity consumption varies depending on geographical location, climate conditions, and the type of appliances used, and therefore, customers should not directly compare their usage with that of other regions. He also noted that the use of second-hand electrical appliances contributes to higher electricity consumption, as weather conditions vary from one country to another.

A resident of Tabata Kisiwani, Mr George Vicent, said the problem identified in his case was increased use of electrical appliances that had not been used previously. “We used to spend Sh10,000 worth of electricity in a month, but suddenly it was finished in just six to seven days.

Today, Tanesco came to inspect and showed me how I am actually consuming electricity,” said Mr Vicent. Another resident of Tabata Kimanga, Mr Halman Fred, said the explanations given by the Tanesco technician showed the need for corrective action, despite having earlier called in a technician to investigate the problem.

“I followed the process step by step and asked why this problem occurred within just two months. They told me it is possible because wiring deteriorates over time and can cause such challenges even if the wires appear new,” said Mr Fred.

.