Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam/Shinyanga. As dawn breaks over Tinde, Samuye and Ishina Bulaindi villages in Shinyanga Region, bicycles and motorcycles loaded with sacks of charcoal slip out along dusty tracks towards main roads linking rural settlements to urban markets.

Across the landscape, land lies stripped bare. Fresh stumps and blackened earth bear witness to recent tree felling for charcoal production.

Here, charcoal is more than a household fuel. It is the backbone of a sprawling informal economy that continues to expand despite forest laws, enforcement checkpoints and patrols.

Yet the scale of the trade has exposed what analysts describe as a major forest governance failure. Data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism shows that 95 percent of charcoal in Shinyanga enters the market illegally, bypassing licensing requirements, royalty payments and official transport procedures.

The findings, contained in a 2019 technical report on Tanzania’s charcoal sub-sector, suggest nearly all charcoal from the region is harvested, moved and sold outside the legal framework. Under the Forest Act, commercial harvesting requires permits issued by authorised forest officers, while transportation must be accompanied by Transit Passes under the Forest (Amendment) Regulations, 2022. The law also empowers the Tanzania Forest Services Agency to inspect, seize and halt illegal consignments.

However, evidence from villages visited shows the illegal trade operating at a scale that continues to evade state control. Residents describe a system in which charcoal is transported through informal “rat routes” using bicycles and motorcycles, bypassing official checkpoints almost entirely.

These routes connect villages such as Tinde, Samuye and Ishina Bulaindi to urban trading points. Shinyanga District Forest Officer and senior conservator Fabian Balere acknowledged ongoing violations despite enforcement efforts.

“I do not have complete data to confirm the 95 percent figure, but violations in harvesting and transport still occur,” he said. He added that authorities continue patrols and awareness campaigns with local leaders to improve compliance.

However, the volume of charcoal movement raises questions about enforcement systems. In the villages, residents say transport often takes place openly, particularly at night and early morning.

Some say local economies now depend directly or indirectly on the trade. Producer Maduhu Alphonce, known locally as Pako, said charcoal remains one of the few reliable sources of income.

“We cut trees, prepare kilns and sell charcoal to traders who take it to town,” he said, adding that “This is how many people survive because opportunities are limited.” Another producer, Mr Mponhela Jumanne, said demand keeps the business growing.

“As long as there are trees and buyers, people will continue producing charcoal,” he said. However, villagers say environmental damage is increasingly visible.

Some describe once-wooded areas now reduced to bare land, with shifting rainfall patterns and declining soil quality. “We used to have many trees, but now large areas are empty,” said 69-year-old Rebeka Hamduni.

“The heat is worse and farming is not the same.” Another resident, Mr Rajabu Njige, 76, said households remain trapped between survival and destruction.

“We know trees are disappearing, but people need money and fuel,” he said. Women also report health impacts from heavy smoke exposure during cooking.

“When cooking, the smoke affects the chest and eyes,” said Ms Hamduni, adding, “We live like this because charcoal is what we can afford.” The International Energy Agency estimates household air pollution from traditional cooking fuels causes about 815,000 premature deaths annually in Africa.

In Tanzania, more than 33,000 deaths a year are linked to biomass-related illnesses. Experts warn that communities dependent on charcoal remain highly exposed.

Environmental damage is also accelerating regionally. Government data shows the Lake Zone loses about 193,424 hectares of forest annually, while national estimates suggest 469,420 hectares are lost each year.

Poor production efficiency worsens the crisis, with traditional methods recovering only about 20 percent of wood energy. Despite this, demand continues to rise; census data shows that over 80 percent of households in Shinyanga rely on biomass fuels.

Charcoal trader Dora Katunzi said prices range between 32,000 and 70,000 shillings per sack, depending on size. “The demand is constant because many households depend on it,” she said.

Trader Dotto Leonard said most transport remains informal due to difficult licensing procedures. At the village level, leaders say communities gain little from the trade despite bearing its environmental costs.

Nyambui sub-village chairman Masesa Chaula said local leaders are often excluded from forest management decisions. Councillor Jafary Makwaya said pressure is increasing as dependence on charcoal grows.

Analysts say the situation reflects a broader crisis involving weak enforcement, illegal trade, health risks and environmental degradation. Environmental governance expert Nehemia Shimwela said institutional weaknesses are driving forest loss.

“When enforcement is weak, forests disappear faster and communities remain trapped in dependence on unsafe energy,” he said across the wider region and beyond. (To be continued) .

Dar es Salaam. A day after being expelled from the opposition Chadema, former Zanzibar Vice Chairman, Mr Said Issa Mohammed, has dismissed the decision as procedurally flawed and unconstitutional, insisting he remains a legitimate party member protected under the party constitution.

The expulsion, announced on Sunday, June 7, 2026, followed a resolution of the Chadema Pemba Zone Executive Committee during an emergency meeting held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Chake Chake, Pemba. The disciplinary action stems from Mr Mohamed’s involvement in filing Civil Case No.

8323 of 2025 against the Chadema Board of Trustees and the party secretary general. In the case, Mr Mohamed, alongside two members of the Zanzibar Board of Trustees, Mr Ahmed Rashid Khamis, and the late Ms Maulida Anna Komu, accused the party of unequal distribution of assets and resources between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

However, on May 28, 2026, the High Court of Tanzania dismissed the case, citing legal deficiencies in the filings, including failure to specify the commencement date of the alleged violations. The ruling was delivered at the Dar es Salaam Registry by Judge David Ngunyale.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Monday, June 8, 2026, Mr Mohamed said he was neither formally notified nor given a hearing before the expulsion decision was taken. “A party member is not a roadside fixture.

A member is protected by the party’s rules, ethics, and constitution. For a member to be expelled, due process must be followed.

I was not given any official notice; I only saw reports circulating on social media,” he said. He maintained that he still considers himself a legitimate Chadema member, arguing that he was not summoned to respond to any allegations or allowed to defend himself as required under party procedures.

“The party constitution clearly outlines the rights of a member. When accused, a member must be summoned to a formal meeting, informed of the allegations, and given a chance to respond.

Only then can the relevant organs make a decision. I have not seen such procedures followed, which is why I consider this misconduct,” he added.

‘We gave him 14 days’ However, Chadema Pemba Zone chairman, Mr Omar Nassor, dismissed Mr Mohamed’s claims, saying he was allowed to respond within 14 days following a written notice but failed to do so. “The executive committee met on May 23, 2026, and thereafter, he was issued a letter requiring him to explain himself within 14 days.

He did not respond within that period. After the deadline expired, we reconvened on June 6, 2026, and reached the decision,” said Mr Nassor.

He added that party procedures do not always require a physical summons, arguing that written communication and opportunity to respond are sufficient under Chadema rules. “We gave him a chance to respond, but he remained silent.

After the 14 days had elapsed, the committee met and decided in line with our constitution. He is therefore no longer our member,” he said.

Following Chadema’s response, The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, contacted Mr Mohamed again regarding the alleged letter, but he said he would respond later. Chadema statement In a public statement issued on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Pemba Zone secretary, Mr Abdulla Hassan, said the executive committee acted in accordance with the party constitution, rules, and guidelines in handling Mr Mohame’s disciplinary case.

“After receiving and deliberating the report before it, the committee was satisfied that Mr Said Issa Mohammed had violated the party constitution, rules, and guidelines. As a result, the Pemba Zone Executive Committee resolved to expel him with immediate effect from June 6, 2026,” said Mr Hassan.

He added that from that date, Said Issa Mohammed ceased to be recognised as a member, leader, or representative of Chadema at any level. Chadema Mainland vice-chairman, Mr John Heche, and secretary general John Mnyika attended the meeting.

The party further said that any statements or activities undertaken by Mr Mohamed after his expulsion would be personal and not associated with Chadema. .

Dar es Salaam. Farmers, livestock keepers, and policymakers have been urged to prepare for the opportunities and risks associated with a developing El Niao phenomenon, with experts warning that above-normal rainfall expected later this year could boost agricultural production while increasing the risk of floods and disease outbreaks.

The call comes as the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) monitors the emerging weather pattern, while climate experts caution that increasingly unpredictable conditions linked to climate change are already affecting crop production, livestock health, and rural livelihoods across the country. Agronomists, veterinarians, and meteorologists say preparedness will be critical if Tanzania is to maximise the benefits of increased rainfall while minimising potential losses.

TMA Forecasting Manager, Dr Mafuru Kantamla, said El Niao has already begun developing, although it remains weak. “At the moment, it is still classified as a weak El Niao, but it is continuing to strengthen, and we are monitoring its development closely,” he said.

According to Dr Kantamla, the phenomenon is associated with rising global temperatures and could influence weather patterns across East Africa, including Tanzania, later this year. “In East Africa, El Niao events are often associated with increased rainfall.

The warmer conditions contribute to the formation of moisture-bearing systems that can enhance rainfall when combined with other weather factors,” he said. Although the effects are not yet being felt directly in Tanzania, he said the most significant impacts could emerge during the October-to-December short-rains season if the phenomenon continues to strengthen, with some areas likely to experience heavy rainfall and flooding.

The anticipated rainfall has prompted agricultural experts to advise farmers to adjust their production strategies. Itracom Fertilizer Limited Agronomy Research Manager, Dr Tulole Bucheyeki, said farmers should prioritise cultivation in well-drained upland areas rather than flood-prone valleys.

“When rainfall is expected to be above normal, farmers should consider growing crops in areas where adequate soil moisture can be maintained without excessive waterlogging,” he said. According to him, crops such as maize, groundnuts, and wheat could perform well if farmers adopt appropriate farming practices and closely follow weather forecasts.

Dr Bucheyeki encouraged farmers to plant early to allow crops to establish strong root systems before heavy rains intensify. He also advised growers to select varieties suited to wetter conditions and avoid late-maturing crops in areas expected to receive prolonged rainfall.

He warned that excessive rainfall during harvesting periods could damage crops and increase the risk of aflatoxin contamination, particularly in maize and groundnuts. However, he noted that water-demanding crops such as rice and sugarcane could benefit significantly from increased rainfall if properly managed.

While agriculture could gain from improved water availability, livestock experts caution that wetter conditions may create new challenges. The Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Hezron Nonga, said abundant rainfall generally improves pasture growth and water availability, reducing pressure on grazing areas and helping minimise conflicts between farmers, pastoralists, and conservation authorities.

Nevertheless, he warned that excessive rainfall could create favourable breeding conditions for disease-carrying insects, particularly mosquitoes linked to Rift Valley Fever. Heavy rainfall can trigger the hatching of dormant Aedes mosquito eggs, increasing the likelihood of disease.

Rift Valley Fever can cause abortions and deaths among cattle, sheep, and goats, while infected people may develop severe illness and, in some cases, die. Dr Nonga also warned of a possible increase in tsetse fly populations, which thrive in moist environments and dense vegetation.

The insects transmit parasites responsible for sleeping sickness in humans and nagana disease in livestock. He said climate change is already altering weather patterns across Tanzania, citing unusually persistent rainfall in Morogoro and severe droughts experienced in recent years that caused major livestock losses.

For this reason, he said preparedness must become a national priority through stronger disease surveillance systems, expanded livestock vaccination programmes, improved early-warning mechanisms, and greater collaboration among health, livestock, and environmental authorities. As Tanzania faces increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, experts say investments in climate-smart agriculture, resilient livestock systems, and disaster preparedness will be crucial to protecting lives, livelihoods, and the economy.

“Climate change is here, whether it brings floods or droughts, we must be prepared,” said Dr Nonga. .

A friend read The Re-write in a single sitting, neglecting some of her Sunday responsibilities. As she read, she sent me messages about the parts that made her angry, made her laugh, or made her shake her head in disbelief.

When she finished, she insisted that I read it because she needed someone to discuss it with. So I picked it up.

At first, I was not convinced. Temi and Wale are younger than I am, and I found some of their decisions difficult to relate to.

I took longer to get through the book than I expected. But somewhere along the way, The Rewrite became a story about ambition, family expectations, timing, and the mistakes that continue to shape us.

The novel follows Temi and Wale. Temi is a talented writer determined to be published, willing to make difficult choices in pursuit of that dream.

Coming from a privileged background, she often left me questioning her decisions, especially her tendency to lie. Blackburn writes with the same laugh-out-loud voice I loved in her debut, Yinka, Where Is Your Husband? Even as the novel deals with heartbreak, family, and quiet pain, it kept making me laugh, and that balance is harder to pull off than it looks.

Wale, meanwhile, is seen by many as a bad boy, someone who keeps his feelings carefully guarded. Throughout their relationship, Temi felt that everything happened on Wale’s terms.

She told him she loved him, but he never said it back. Eventually, they break up, and Wale joins a reality dating show called The Villa.

“For a good week after our breakup, I cried and cried In bed, I tossed and turned, and in the morning, I’d wake up feeling like death.” In an attempt to make sense of the breakup, she writes a novel, The Ultimate Payback, inspired by her relationship with Wale.

However, she exaggerates parts of the story to process her anger, heartbreak, and feelings for him. As I read, I found myself thinking about past mistakes, conversations handled poorly, and relationships that ended too soon.

Years later, Wale’s attempt to repair his public image leads to an unexpected reunion when Temi is hired to ghostwrite his memoir. The arrangement forces them to revisit the story they have been telling themselves about their relationship.

As Temi works on Wale’s memoir, she gets a front-row seat to the life he had rarely spoken about during their relationship. Growing up, Wale learnt that feelings were not something to be discussed openly.

His mother struggled with alcoholism, and he and his brother took on responsibilities no child should have to carry. This made me think about how boys are taught to survive pain rather than talk about it.

“The rules are different for boys. And you know it.

Would you want to date a guy who cries all the time?” Many boys grow up hearing that vulnerability is weakness and that emotions should be hidden rather than expressed. Wale’s silence throughout much of his relationship with Temi does not excuse the hurt he causes.

But it does help explain it. Temi’s flaws are different.

She lies even when honesty would serve her better, damaging both relationships and her career. We learn that beneath those choices is a woman who never believed she was worthy of love unless she earned it.

That part of the book resonated with me because I believe how we see ourselves shapes how we move through the world. If you believe you are not enough, no amount of success, praise, or reassurance from other people is likely to convince you otherwise.

In different ways, both Temi and Wale are shaped by beliefs they formed long before they met. The relationship suffers not only because of what they do, but because of what they believe about themselves.

While romance sits at the centre of the novel, mental health is another important theme, and one that Blackburn handles with care. Through Wale’s story, she explores the lasting impact of childhood experiences and how people learn to hide their emotions to survive.

It reminded me how important it is for men to have space to be vulnerable, to talk about what they are feeling, and to seek support without shame. Some of the supporting characters were not explored deeply enough.

I found myself wanting to know more about Shona, Temi’s friend, and how she arrived at her views on relationships. There were moments when the secondary characters felt more like plot devices than fully realised people.

When I finished, I understood why my friend needed someone to talk to. Rewriting the past only works if both people are willing to do the work it requires, including being honest about their own mistakes.

Jane Shussa is a digital communication specialist with a love for books, coffee, nature, and travel. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Dar es Salaam. In the global maritime industry, the term “Class One” is not merely a label; it is a certificate of industrial sovereignty.

For Tanzania, a nation defined by its 3,500km coastline and the Great Lakes, the recent international recognition of the Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG) signals the dawn of a new era in which “Made in Tanzania” is no longer a slogan, but a benchmark of global engineering excellence. The JuneJuly 2026 edition of Forbes Africa, titled “Africa’s New Blueprint for Growth: Tanzania,” dedicated two pages to profiling DMG’s transformation into a Class One shipbuilding powerhouse.

The recognition marks a historic shift, with Tanzania entering an elite shipbuilding league previously dominated by only a few African nations. For DMG, the journey to this global stage was anchored in the reconstruction of MV Liemba.

At more than 115 years old, the world’s oldest operating passenger vessel became a flagship example of how Tanzania can restore heritage ships to modern safety and performance standards through a $1.3 million project. However, the feature went beyond a single vessel, highlighting the emergence of a homegrown, multi-sector conglomerate capable of managing national maritime strategy and delivering multi-million-dollar contracts.

Defining “Class One” excellence In naval architecture, achieving Class One status means a shipyard can independently design, fabricate, and deliver complex marine vessels to international classification standards without outsourcing core engineering. The distinction is considered critical for Tanzania’s industrial independence.

Maritime safety and ship design expert, Mr William Kennedy, noted that the achievement separates a repair yard from a true shipbuilder. “Most African yards stop at fabrication.

DMG has moved into naval architecture and systems integration, which is why they can deliver a 1,200-passenger vessel with 400 tonnes of cargo capacity without outsourcing core design,” Mr Kennedy told Forbes. This capability allows DMG to control the full design lifecycle, from hull design and stability calculations to sea trials, keeping skills and capital within the country.

Transferring skill, not just steel Perhaps the most significant impact of the recognition lies in the “human blueprint” established by DMG. Managing director, Mr Rayton Kwembe, highlighted a model that prioritises knowledge transfer over transactional output.

“We recruited about 100 local workers with limited shipbuilding experience. We now run the yard with only nine Korean personnel,” he told Forbes.

The approach includes recruiting Tanzanian graduates from institutions such as the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Ardhi University, and training them under international experts, noting that results have been rapid. A senior member of the Korean engineering team noted that Tanzanian engineers progressed from apprentices to managers within 24 months, absorbing complex structural design skills at a pace rarely seen globally.

Economic and local impact The economic ripple effects of Class One recognition are already evident. With a $58 million contract to construct a new passenger vessel in Kigoma and additional contracts for tugboats in Mwanza and Lake Nyasa, more value is retained within the domestic economy.

“When you build ships here, you also build steel supply chains, welding skills, marine engineering courses, and pride in our youth,” said Tanzania Shipping Company Limited (Tashico) managing director, Mr Eric Hamissi. He praised DMG for reversing the long-standing pattern of importing expertise while exporting capital.

“DMG has set the benchmark. Class One is no longer a dream.

It is a Tanzanian reality,” he said. On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the impact is also felt at the community level.

Kigoma boat operator, Mr Juma Bakari, said local involvement in shipbuilding has transformed perceptions. “For years, we watched ships come from outside.

Now we hear the vessel was designed and built here by our children,” he said, adding that national pride is “worth more than the ticket.” A blueprint for the future DMG’s strategy extends beyond shipbuilding into broader maritime planning.

The company is involved in developing Tanzania’s maritime policy, linking ports, rail, and shipping operations. Mr Kwembe said the vision is to ensure that “trading is linked with manufacturing” to break dependence on imports.

By investing in infrastructure in Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, and Zanzibar, DMG has promoted a localisation-driven development model that positions it not only as a contractor but also as a strategic partner in national development. .

Many first-time founders assume a good co-founder is someone who mirrors their strengths. A strategist seeks another strategist.

A creative looks for another visionary. An engineer partners with another technical mind.

This assumption feels intuitive, but it is deeply flawed. In high-uncertainty environments, which describe most African markets accurately, partnering with a professional mirror is one of the fastest ways to limit a company’s range of motion.

Research suggests founder dynamics are a failure risk. Noam Wasserman’s work (often cited by Harvard Business Review) estimates that 65 percent of high-potential startups fail due to co-founder conflict, which is why “team issues” can outweigh product or funding in the early stages.

Harvard Business Review’s CB Insights’ analysis of 101 startup post-mortems lists “Not the right team” as the third most-cited reason for failure. In practice, this is why complementary skill pairs tend to outperform mirrored teams in volatile markets: similarity hides gaps, while difference surfaces them early enough to fix.

A high-value co-founder is not someone who reinforces what you already do well; they are someone who expands what the company can do altogether. Organisational psychology points to deliberate skill asymmetry as a defining feature of durable partnerships.

Strengths are paired, not duplicated, so weaknesses are addressed before they become structural liabilities. The mistake many founders make is asking who feels familiar rather than who fills the gaps.

Shared history, trust, or interpersonal ease are mistaken for alignment. Comfort creates short-term harmony, but long-term resilience is built through cognitive diversity and productive tension.

High-value co-founder relationships follow repeatable sustainable patterns. For example, one partner often builds systems, operations, and internal coherence, while the other drives the company into the market, builds relationships, and converts capability into traction.

Vision is balanced by execution, authority by credibility, innovation by discipline, and speed by control. These combinations allow companies to move quickly without fragmenting under pressure.

Effective partnerships also distribute leadership. One founder may carry external visibility while the other anchors culture, process, and internal accountability.

This division is not about ego or hierarchy. It is about stability.

Startups fail as often from internal imbalance as from external competition. For founders applying this thinking, the process begins with a self-audit rather than a search.

Before recruiting a partner, founders must identify their own weaknesses, including technical gaps, operational blind spots, or market limitations. The goal is not to find a clone, but to design a complete leadership system.

Compatibility should be tested through shared execution, not conversation alone. Short pilot projects reveal how potential partners make decisions, handle pressure, and distribute responsibility.

Values alignment matters as much as skill complementarity, particularly around accountability, conflict resolution, and decision rights. Finally, high-value partnerships are protected by structure.

A good co-founder is someone who completes the system you are building. Founders who treat skill asymmetry as a design principle build companies that endure beyond individual personalities, shifting markets, and changing trends.

Choose wisely so that the company scales through its systems instead of being constrained by its founders’ limits. .

By Adam Magombola In a move to fully exploit its plentiful natural resources, Tanzania desires to attain a diversified and globally competitive economy. As articulated in the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 (TDV 2050), the country seeks to transform itself into an industrialised, knowledge-based, upper-middle-income economy with a $1 trillion economy and a per capita income of $7,000 by year 2050. Fundamental to this determination is the recognition of the private sector as a significant driver towards socio-economic development.

As such, TDV 2050 is determined to reshape the country’s business and investment environment by empowering, among others, a dynamic private sector capable of bringing about innovation, growth, and sustainability. Within this context, capital goods emerge as a vital catalyst for Tanzania’s transformation agenda.

Capital goods, including machinery, equipment, factory installations, and infrastructure, form the backbone of industrial development and major component contributing to the higher cost of setting up business and investment in the country. Sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and construction depend heavily on capital equipment to increase production capacity, improve product quality, and reduce unit costs.

Without adequate capital goods, efforts to industrialise and transform other sectors such as agriculture through value addition and production for export would remain a far-fetched dream blurred by low productivity and inefficiencies. The government, through the Finance Bill of 2023, proposed to abolish VAT deferment on imported capital goods by June 30, 2026. This proposal was driven by the government’s intention to support local manufacturing projects for capital goods by, among other measures, limiting the importation of such goods in order to protect local manufacturers.

The proposal was subsequently introduced by parliament through the Finance Act, and a provision to abolish VAT deferment was successfully introduced into the Value Added Tax Act, Cap 148. Despite the government’s well-intentioned efforts to boost local manufacturing of capital goods, this target remains far from being achieved, even though there has been a remarkable start with the assembly of some complex commercial vehicles in the country. When considering items such as industrial robots, assembly line equipment, excavators, cranes, bulldozers, drilling rigs, and the specialised equipment required for factories and manufacturing plants, it is obvious that importation is still necessary.

Local manufacturing capacity for these capital-intensive goods is currently limited, and most of these items are not yet produced domestically. In a nutshell, goods imported into the country are categorized into three main groups: capital goods, intermediate goods, and consumer goods.

Notably, between 2020 and 2025, capital goods topped as the second-most imported category, behind intermediate goods. Numbers do not lie.

Let us consider the trend of importation of capital goods from 2020: In 2020/21, imports of capital goods accounted for 18.05 percent, equivalent to $1.54 billion out of total imports of $8.55 billion across the major import categories. By the year 2024/25, capital goods imports stood at $3.06 billion, representing 21.16 percent of imports.

This trend as reported in Bank of Tanzania Annual report for year 2024/25 underscores the critical role played by the capital goods to our economy and sheds some light on the adverse impacts the economy may sustain on abolition of VAT deferment on imported capital goods. With the highlighted trend, it is apparent that the planned cessation of the VAT deferment regime would adversely impact cashflow and hence expansion for capital goods importing firms.

Most importantly, it will impede the continuity of businesses. While the introduction of VAT deferment on locally manufactured capital goods, alongside the removal of the same incentive on imported capital goods, was intended to promote domestic industrialization and enhance competitiveness, the limited transition period sets a significant test to investors seeking to establish and expand their operations in the country given that the intended objectives have not yet been fully attained.

To align with TDV 2050, the government should considers extending the VAT deferment period for imported capital goods for a further reasonable period until the capabilities of local manufacturing of capital goods has developed sufficiently. Adam Magombola is a Tax Manager with Deloitte Consulting Limited.

The views presented are his own and do not necessarily represent those of Deloitte. [email protected] .

Dar es Salaam. Testimony delivered by Augustino Lissu, son of Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu, before officials of the United States Senate and Congress has sparked a wide public debate in Tanzania.

While some view the move as a means of presenting citizens’ concerns on global platforms, others have raised concerns about its impact on Tanzania’s image and relations with global development partners. In his testimony, the young Lissu described how his family had been split, leaving him unable to spend time with his family again.

Augustino addressed officials on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

, not as a politician but as a son who has spent much of his life observing his father suffer due to political struggles and the pursuit of justice today and beyond. He said much of his life has been shaped by memories of injuries his father suffered after being shot multiple times in 2017, noting how family life has repeatedly been disrupted by relocations, separation, and repeated absences due to his father’s ongoing political struggles.

The development has triggered debate, with some political analysts on Sunday, June 7, 2026, saying the testimony by Mr Lissu’s son increases pressure and amplifies personal and family experiences linked to the politician’s situation. They said this could have negative consequences for the country, with some suggesting that the case be concluded or that Mr Lissu be released immediately.

A political science analyst from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Prof Mohammed Bakari, said that the testimony by Mr Lissu’s son has adverse implications for the government. “This matter has already been widely discussed, and there is a bill tabled by Democratic and Republican members.

However, a child of an opposition leader speaking not only politically but also as a family member increases momentum and intensifies pressure,” he said. He said that although Tanzania has faced democratic shortcomings, it had never received such global attention as now, except for past incidents in Zanzibar in earlier years.

“Right now, Tanzania is being discussed. What Mr Lissu’s son has done may even strengthen the case filed at the international human rights court,” he said.

He added that resolving requires the country to accept reality and seek genuine solutions, as the causes of the situation are well known. Another analyst from the University of Dodoma (Udom), Dr Paul Loisulie, said the Mr Liss issue will continue to resurface in different forms because it attracts strong emotions and has now become a global issue.

“What the government must understand is that this issue cannot be ignored. The testimony by his son has created new emotions,” he said.

“Its image is not good; it appears as if Tanzania is a country of suffering, that Mr Lissu’s children and relatives are suffering,” he added. He said there are two possible solutions: either the case should proceed and reach its conclusion, or Mr Lissu should be released, arguing it is not fair for him to remain in remand.

Dr Loisulie referred to similar historical cases, mentioning that of former Chadema chairman, Freeman Mbowe. “He spent eight months in remand; it was a case that drew widespread attention, but once he was released, everything calmed down,” he said, adding that Tanzania’s politics has not fully embraced multiparty democracy in practice, but only in theory.

He suggested that once Mr Lissu’s matter is resolved, the country should reform its political system to reflect genuine multiparty democracy and allow leaders to freely criticise each other. Another commentator, Mr Lugete Mussa, said what Mr Lissu’s son has done shows that the family had already concluded that relations with the government were not favourable, and that they are now building social diplomacy abroad.

“It has already succeeded in the European Union. What his son did recently continues to build networks beyond borders and push the argument that their father is not guilty,” he said.

He added that they likely believe Mr Lissu is not being treated fairly, noting that opposition politicians across Africa often face similar challenges. “However, we should allow the judiciary to remain an independent arm of the state and do its work,” he said.

He noted that pressure has been building since 2017 when Mr Lissu survived an assassination attempt, and warned that the current situation could strain diplomatic relations. On September 7, 2017, Mr Lissu survived an assassination attempt after being shot multiple times.

Seven years later, on April 9, 2025, he was arrested in Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region, while addressing a public rally promoting Chadema’s ‘No reforms, No election’ campaign, aimed to advocate electoral reforms. He was charged with treason and has remained in custody since then, as his case continues to be heard at the High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry in Tanzania.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s impressive run to the final of the Caf Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026 has been further recognised after four of the country’s players were named in the tournament’s Best XI.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the team following the conclusion of the competition, with finalists Tanzania and champions Senegal dominating the selection with four players each. The recognition highlights the growing strength of Tanzania’s youth football programme and the impact made by the Young Taifa Stars throughout the tournament.

Tanzania reached the final of the continental championship for the first time in the country’s history before narrowly losing to Senegal on penalties at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday. Despite falling short of the title, the East Africans won praise for their fearless displays and consistency against some of the continent’s strongest youth teams.

The country’s representation in the Best XI includes defender Hussein Mbegu, midfielder and tournament Player of the Tournament Issa Chole, playmaker Dismas Athanasi and winger Razaki Mbegelendi. All four players played pivotal roles in Tanzania’s memorable campaign.

Chole emerged as one of the standout performers at the tournament, leading the team from midfield and earning the competition’s top individual award. Athanasi also enjoyed an outstanding tournament, finishing as the Golden Boot winner with three goals while providing creativity and leadership in attack.

Mbegu was instrumental in Tanzania’s solid defensive displays, while Mbegelendi’s pace and attacking threat caused problems for opponents throughout the competition. Senegal’s champions were represented by goalkeeper Assane Sarr, who won the Golden Glove award, defenders Thierno Sow and Lamine Mbengue, and winger Mouhamed Wagne.

Their contributions helped the Young Lions of Teranga secure a second U-17 AFCON title in three editions, having also lifted the trophy in Algeria in 2023. Hosts Morocco, who finished fourth after losing to Egypt in the third-place playoff, contributed defender Adam Soudi and forward Mohamed Amine Moustache to the Best XI. Egypt’s Ahmed Abdelhalim completed the team after helping his nation secure the bronze medal.

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Africa has stories powerful enough to move the world, yet very few African media brands have managed to establish true global influence. This raises an important question for the future of the continent’s media industry: can African media build global brands, or will it remain largely dependent on international platforms to tell its stories? For decades, global media narratives about Africa have been shaped primarily by international organisations.

When major global events occur on the continent, audiences often turn first to international broadcasters for coverage and interpretation. This is not necessarily because African media lacks talent or stories.

In many cases, it reflects deeper structural challenges involving investment, scale, technology, and strategy. Yet the media landscape is changing rapidly, and for the first time in history, African media has an opportunity to compete globally without relying entirely on traditional systems of distribution.

The rise of digital platforms has removed many of the barriers that once limited African content. Today, a podcast recorded in Nairobi, a documentary produced in Lagos, or a Swahili commentary show from Dar es Salaam can reach audiences across continents instantly.

Distribution is no longer controlled exclusively by satellite networks and international broadcasters. Smartphones, streaming platforms, YouTube, TikTok, and social media have created a more open playing field.

However, access alone does not automatically create global brands. Visibility is not the same as influence.

One of the biggest challenges facing African media is consistency in long-term brand building. Many media organisations focus heavily on daily survival generating traffic, managing operational costs, and competing for advertising revenue.

While these pressures are understandable, they often leave little room for strategic investment in global positioning. Building a global media brand requires patience, quality control, innovation, and sustained identity over many years.

Another challenge is confidence. Too often, African media underestimates the value of its own stories.

In an attempt to imitate international formats, some organisations lose the authenticity that could have differentiated them globally in the first place. Yet authenticity is increasingly becoming one of the most valuable assets in modern media.

Global audiences are no longer looking only for polished international perspectives; they are seeking real voices, local insight, and culturally grounded storytelling. Monetisation remains another major obstacle.

Global media expansion requires funding, yet many African media houses operate within constrained advertising markets. International platforms capture a large share of digital advertising revenue while local publishers struggle to convert audience growth into sustainable income.

Without stronger business models, even promising media brands risk stagnation. This is why partnerships could become increasingly important.

Collaborations between African media companies, technology firms, investors, and content creators may help accelerate scale and visibility. Rather than competing in isolation, regional cooperation could strengthen the continent’s media ecosystem and create brands capable of reaching global audiences more effectively.

There is also a generational shift taking place. Younger African creators are already building international audiences through podcasts, YouTube channels, digital publications, and creator-led platforms.

In many cases, they are moving faster than traditional media organisations because they understand digital culture intuitively. They engage directly with audiences, adapt quickly to trends, and build communities rather than simply broadcasting information.

Traditional media should pay close attention to this shift. The future of global African media influence may not come from replicating old models.

It may emerge from hybrid ecosystems that combine journalism, storytelling, entertainment, technology, and creator culture. Importantly, building a global brand does not mean abandoning local audiences.

In fact, strong global brands are often deeply rooted in their local identity. The global success of African music, fashion, and entertainment demonstrates this clearly.

Audiences around the world are increasingly drawn to content that feels distinct and culturally confident. African media therefore faces both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge is overcoming structural limitations, inconsistent investment, and fragmented strategies. The opportunity is that the world is more connected and more curious about Africa than ever before.

The question is no longer whether African media can reach global audiences. Technologically, that is already possible.

The real question is whether African media organisations are ready to think beyond survival and begin building institutions, brands, and stories designed not only for local relevance, but for lasting global influence. .