Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is poised to reap significant benefits from enhanced cooperation with the world football governing body, Fifa, following high-level talks between Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Morocco.

The strategic meeting, held at Fifa offices in Rabat, focused on deepening collaboration aimed at accelerating football development in Tanzania. It underscored Fifa’s continued commitment to supporting the country as it makes substantial investments in sports infrastructure, youth development and institutional reforms, particularly in the build-up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Tanzania will co-host alongside Kenya and Uganda.

Minister Makonda expressed Tanzania’s gratitude for Fifa’s longstanding partnership and technical assistance, noting that such support has played a vital role in strengthening the foundations of football across the country. He reaffirmed the full backing of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her government, stressing that football development remains a national priority.

Makonda said that the Tanzanian government is fully committed to working closely with Fifa to unlock the immense potential of the sport, not only as a competitive discipline but also as a driver of youth empowerment, employment and national pride. He highlighted Tanzania’s vast opportunities to contribute meaningfully to global football development, pointing to the abundance of talented young players spread across the country, the availability of land for modern sports infrastructure, and strong political will to invest in the sector.

According to the minister, these factors provide a solid platform for sustainable growth of the game at all levels. Makonda further encouraged Fifa to deepen its engagement through joint investments in stadiums, training facilities, youth academies and grassroots programmes.

He noted that expanding access to quality infrastructure and professional training would help Tanzania nurture talent, improve competitiveness and strengthen its football ecosystem. In a move aimed at elevating Tanzania’s international football profile, the minister formally invited Infantino to visit the country.

He said Tanzania is ready and willing to host a wide range of FIFA activities, including international competitions, development programmes, executive meetings, technical workshops, and inspection visits by FIFA leaders and experts. Makonda stressed that hosting such events would not only enhance local technical capacity and administrative expertise, but also position Tanzania as a reliable partner and emerging hub for football development in the region.

Responding to the invitation, Infantino welcomed the engagement and thanked Minister Makonda and his delegation for visiting Fifa headquarters in Morocco. He reaffirmed Fifa’s readiness to work hand in hand with Tanzania through its various development programmes, which are designed to create opportunities for young people to benefit from football both on and off the pitch.

Infantino emphasized that Fifa remains committed to supporting initiatives such as stadium construction, training grounds, and the establishment of technical centres, all of which are essential for nurturing talent and strengthening football structures. He noted that such investments play a key role in ensuring long-term growth and competitiveness.

The Fifa president also commended the Tanzanian government for the impressive progress made in building and upgrading sports infrastructure in preparation for Afcon 2027. He praised the clear vision and determination demonstrated by the government and affirmed Fifa’s support for efforts aimed at delivering a successful tournament. The meeting underscored Tanzania’s growing stature in African and global football, driven by sustained government investment, improved governance, and strategic international partnerships.

As the country prepares to host major continental events, collaboration with Fifa is expected to play a crucial role in delivering lasting benefits for players, administrators and football fans alike. Minister Makonda was accompanied by several senior officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Morocco Ali Mwadini, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia, Acting Director of Sports Boniface Tamba, and National Sports Council Executive Secretary Neema Msitha.

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Dar es Salaam. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries worldwide, much of the global conversation has centred on billion-dollar technology firms, advanced automation and futuristic breakthroughs.

In Tanzania, however, emerging forecasts suggest a different trajectory. In 2026, analysts say the most significant impact of AI is likely to be felt not in large technology hubs, but among small businesses, creatives and lean teams operating across the economy.

Rather than producing global tech giants, AI’s most immediate contribution is expected to be improved productivity in the informal economy and among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which employ the majority of Tanzanians. For a country where most enterprises are run by individuals or small teams, this shift could prove transformative.

“Most people here are not chasing global scale. They want tools that help them work faster, reduce costs and deliver better results.

That is where AI fits,” said tech expert Dominic Dismass. He added that AI adoption in Tanzania is already happening quietly, driven by practical needs rather than hype.

“Small business owners are using tools such as ChatGPT to draft proposals, write marketing captions, respond to emails and structure reports,” he said. Designers and content creators, meanwhile, are increasingly turning to platforms such as Canva and CapCut, which now integrate AI-powered features for graphic design, video editing, background removal and subtitle generation.

Musicians and filmmakers are also experimenting with AI tools that assist with sound generation, visual concepts and storyboarding, reducing both production time and costs. According to graphic designer Katty Shabani, what matters to clients is not whether AI was used, but whether the final product meets expectations.

“Customers do not ask how the work was done. They care about quality, speed and whether the result matches what they want,” she said.

One of the strongest predictions for 2026 is that the next generation of successful enterprises will be small, profitable and highly AI-enabled. Instead of expanding payrolls, business owners are increasingly turning to AI tools to handle everyday tasks such as bookkeeping, customer communication, content creation and basic market research.

Digital entrepreneur Saraphina Rajab said that for small businesses and creative teams, AI functions as a support system rather than a replacement. “It acts like an extra set of hands.

It allows people to focus on what they actually do best, whether that is creativity, strategy or customer relationships,” she said. Experts argue that the real opportunity for Tanzanian users does not lie in building new AI systems from scratch, but in adapting existing tools to local realities.

This includes applications that work effectively in Swahili, accommodate informal business workflows and align with local regulations, pricing structures and cultural practices. By 2026, AI agents are expected to move beyond basic assistance and begin handling specific tasks end-to-end.

Functions such as simple accounting, media production, grant writing, graphic design and research are likely to become increasingly automated, particularly for small teams with limited resources. Despite growing concerns about job displacement, many entrepreneurs view automation as a tool for survival rather than replacement.

“Small businesses are under pressure from rising costs and intense competition. If AI helps them stay competitive and deliver what customers want, that is a positive outcome,” said business owner Latifa Jumanne.

She added that many enterprises would struggle to survive without adopting digital tools that improve efficiency. Beyond commerce and the creative economy, sectors such as health and legal services are also expected to benefit from targeted AI adoption.

In healthcare, AI-powered systems could assist with patient record management, diagnostics support and administrative tasks, easing pressure on overstretched professionals. In the legal sector, AI tools are already being used elsewhere to support document review, research and case preparation.

However, experts caution that the transition will require digital literacy, responsible regulation and investment in skills development to ensure that AI benefits are widely shared. They also stress that 2026 is unlikely to deliver dramatic, science-fiction-style outcomes.

Instead, AI’s influence will be quieter and more gradual, reshaping how work gets done across sectors and empowering individuals and small teams to operate more efficiently. For Tanzania’s small businesses and creatives, that steady shift may prove more significant than any headline-grabbing innovation.

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Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania pushes ahead with its long-term ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2050, digital transformation is increasingly emerging as one of the strongest pillars to drive economic growth, social inclusion and national competitiveness in the next 25 years, The Citizen has learnt.

This vision dominated discussions at the 9th Tanzania Annual ICT Conference (TAIC 2026), a five-day forum that opened on Monday, January 19, bringing together government leaders, private sector players, innovators, researchers and development partners to map out the country’s digital future. The conference, under the ICT Commission, comes at a critical moment as Tanzania begins implementing its 10-year Digital Economy Strategic Framework (20242034), which positions information and communication technology (ICT) as a catalyst for productivity across all sectors, including agriculture, health, finance, education and industry.

The framework sets out ambitious numerical targets aimed at accelerating digital adoption and increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy. Over the full 10-year period to 2034, the digital economy is expected to generate more than $1.1 billion in GDP, reinforcing its role as a key growth engine aligned with Tanzania’s development visions.

Also, at the centre of the strategy is the goal of doubling the ICT sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to three percent by 2029, up from about 1.5 percent in 2022/23. Opening the conference, the minister for Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angellah Kairuki, said digital transformation was no longer optional but a necessity if Tanzania is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

“Digital transformation is an unavoidable requirement. It must be fair, inclusive and designed to leave no one behind, while creating jobs for youth and women and strengthening national self-reliance,” she said.

That is why, she noted, collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical if, “we are to deliver on these targets on time.” Available efforts To support this shift, government efforts over recent years have focused heavily on expanding digital infrastructure nationwide.

According to the ministry, by December 2025 a total of 758 communication towers had been constructed and switched on, extending connectivity to previously unserved areas, while 304 towers were upgraded from 2G to 3G and 4G. In addition, about 660 public institutions have already been connected to high-speed internet, with a target of reaching at least 900 service points nationwide.

These investments are intended to support the strategy’s target of achieving 80 percent broadband and internet user penetration by 2029. Experts at the conference agreed that broadband expansion remains the foundation of a functional digital economy. The Director General of the ICT Commission, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, said reliable and affordable internet is what enables innovation hubs, e-government services and digital businesses to flourish.

“Without connectivity, the digital economy remains a concept. With it, we unlock efficiency, transparency and new markets,” Dr Mwasaga said.

He added that Tanzania has already put in place close to 95 percent of the required digital infrastructure, shifting the focus from building networks to driving innovation, skills and service delivery. “We are now at a stage where we are opening doors for Tanzanian innovators to establish solutions that can drive the national economy while improving the livelihoods of young people,” he said.

Beyond infrastructure, the framework places strong emphasis on skills and innovation. The government aims to achieve 90 percent digital literacy among citizens by 2029, recognising digital skills as a basic requirement for participation in modern economic life.

In the education sector alone, the strategy targets the training of 80,000 teachers in digital competencies by 2028. At the same time, the framework seeks to deepen financial inclusion through technology, with mobile money penetration targeted to exceed 70 percent nationwide. Innovation hubs are being established in all regions to nurture startups, with the goal of supporting the creation of at least 1,000 new startups over the next five years.

Through public-private partnerships, private investors are increasingly involved in data centres, fintech platforms and digital public services. Ms Kairuki said startups are clearly recognised as key drivers of growth.

“Young innovators have the potential to create jobs rather than wait for employment. Our role is to build a supportive policy, financial and institutional environment,” she said.

At the exhibition area, youth-led startups showcased digital solutions in agriculture, health, education and climate resilience. A software developer from Dodoma, Ms Jane Michael, said access to innovation hubs and government-backed programmes had reduced entry barriers, but more support was needed.

“What we need now is faster access to capital and opportunities through public procurement,” she said. While launching the digital economy strategy in 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored Tanzania’s determination to adapt and lead in the digital age.

“The time for change is upon us, and we must capitalise on our national strengths to chart a course toward new horizons,” she said. As such, the minister directed the commission to strengthen support frameworks so local digital products can compete regionally and globally, while safeguarding cybersecurity and the ethical use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

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Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, said yesterday that the city will host a festival for Toyota IST car owners on February 14. Speaking to journalists, Mr Chalamila said the event, dubbed the IST Festival, will be held at Coco Beach and is expected to attract more than 1,000 Toyota IST vehicles.

He said the festival, which will coincide with Valentine’s Day, will feature competitions for the best-decorated Toyota IST and racing events. Winners will receive prizes including Sh100 million and a brand-new Toyota IST vehicle.

In addition, the most stylish couples who attend the festival will also receive special prizes. “The IST Festival, themed ‘Vimba na Gari Yako’, will be unique.

Apart from entertainment, there will be health screening services, including heart check-ups conducted by the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI),” Mr Chalamila said. He added that the event aims to bring together Dar es Salaam residents at the start of the year, following the general election period, through a large social gathering centred on car culture.

Dar es Salaam Mayor Nurdin Billal said the festival will also feature live performances by various artists, barbecues and other entertainment activities. “Since it is Valentine’s Day, couples who attend and stand out will receive prizes.

The overall winner will walk away with Sh100 million, and details of the racing routes will be announced,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. After a short return to Mainland Tanzania Premier League action, the country’s top football clubs have once again shifted their attention to the demanding and prestigious Caf club competitions.

Young Africans Yanga Simba Azam FC and Singida Black Stars are all set for crucial fixtures starting this Friday as they seek to strengthen their positions and keep their continental ambitions alive. With the group stages entering a decisive phase, the upcoming matches carry enormous significance.

Every point is vital and any slip could severely dent hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. For Tanzanian football, the performances of these four teams will also reflect the growing competitiveness of the domestic game on the African stage.

Yanga face ultimate test against Al Ahly in Cairo Yanga will be the first Tanzanian side in action when they take on African heavyweights Al Ahly of Egypt on Friday evening in Group B of the Caf Champions League. The highly anticipated clash will be played at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm East African time.

The match pits two teams currently level on four points after two rounds, making it one of the most evenly balanced fixtures of the group. Al Ahly sit at the top due to a superior goal difference of plus four while Yanga occupy second place with a goal difference of plus one.

Morocco’s AS FAR and Algeria’s JS Kabylie trail behind with one point each, leaving the group finely poised. Yanga travel to Cairo in confident mood following their emphatic 6 nil league victory over Mashujaa.

The result underlined their attacking power and squad depth, qualities they will need against a seasoned Al Ahly side that boasts vast experience in continental competition. Head coach Pedro Gonaalves has named a strong squad that includes all key players and new signings.

Allan Okello Laurindo Depu Dilson Emmanuel Mwanengo Mohamed Damaro Hussein Masalanga and reinstated right back Kouassi Attohoula Yao are all available for selection. Speaking after the league win, Gonaalves acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insisted his team is well prepared.

“We know Al Ahly are a very strong team with great experience in this competition. But we have prepared well and the players are motivated.

We are going to Cairo with determination and belief that we can get a positive result,” said the Portuguese tactician. The two sides will meet again on January 31 when Yanga host Al Ahly at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, a fixture that could prove decisive in determining the final group standings.

Simba under pressure ahead of Esperance clash Simba SC also face a stern test as they prepare to take on Esperance of Tunisia on Saturday evening in Group D of the CAF Champions League. The match will be played at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Radas with kickoff set for 7 pm.

The Msimbazi Reds depart for Tunis today knowing that the encounter is critical to their campaign. Simba currently sit at the bottom of the group without a point after losing both of their opening matches.

Another defeat would leave their hopes of reaching the knockout stage hanging by a thread. Despite the difficult situation, the club believes the upcoming double header against Esperance offers a chance to revive their campaign.

After the away match in Tunisia, Simba will host Esperance at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on February 1, a fixture that could reignite belief if they manage a positive result this weekend. The pressure is firmly on Simba to deliver, but history has shown that the club is capable of rising to the occasion on the continental stage when least expected.

Azam FC seek breakthrough in Nairobi In the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam FC will be in action on Sunday when they travel to Kenya to face Nairobi United at the Nyayo Stadium. The match represents a crucial opportunity for Azam FC to claim their first points of the group stage.

They currently sit third in Group B without a point after two matches, while Nairobi United are also winless and occupy the bottom position. A victory in Nairobi would not only boost Azam’s confidence but also keep their qualification hopes alive ahead of the return fixture.

The two teams will meet again on February 1 at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, where Azam will hope to capitalise on home advantage. At the top of the group, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco lead with six points and a goal difference of plus four, narrowly ahead of Maniema Union of DR Congo who also have six points but a goal difference of plus three.

The dominance of the top two teams means Azam cannot afford further dropped points. Singida Black Stars aim to make home advantage count Singida Black Stars complete the Tanzanian quartet in continental action and will enjoy home advantage on Sunday when they host Otoho d’Oyo of Congo Brazzaville at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar in the CAF Confederation Cup.

For Singida Black Stars, the fixture presents a golden opportunity to strengthen their standing in the group and build momentum in their debut continental campaign. Playing at home could prove decisive, and the team will be eager to reward their supporters with a strong performance and a positive result.

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Moshi. Police in Kilimanjaro Region are holding a man suspected of killing his 26-year-old son following a dispute over alcohol allegedly bought for preparations for his daughter’s engagement ceremony.

The suspect, identified as Laurian Teti, a resident of Uru Shimbwe in Moshi District, is accused of killing his biological son, Mathias Laurian Teti, at their home. Confirming the incident, Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa said the incident occurred in the early hours of January 21, 2026, at around 4.

00am in Shimbwe Chini Village, Uru Shimbwe Ward. “Preliminary investigations indicate that a quarrel broke out between the father and his son after the latter demanded alcohol that had been purchased for preparations for his sister’s engagement meeting,” Mr Maigwa said.

He added that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Mr Maigwa said further legal steps would be taken upon completion of investigations.

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Arusha. A sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across all age groups in Tanzania has alarmed medical experts, who are urging the public to adopt regular health check-ups and healthier lifestyles to avert a future strain on the national workforce.

Managing Director of Norland Global Tanzania, Dr Moses Makalla, said NCDs were “silent killers” increasingly affecting people of all ages, particularly those in the economically active population. Speaking to journalists after a recent meeting of medical experts in Arusha, Dr Makalla said modern lifestyles had contributed to sedentary habits, worsening the NCD burden.

“Modernity cannot be avoided, but NCDs can be prevented and reduced. Tanzanian families must adopt a culture of regular health check-ups to contain the rising number of people suffering from these diseases,” he said, adding that a healthy population was essential for sustained social and economic participation.

He noted that many NCDs show no symptoms at an early stage, making regular check-ups a critical preventive measure. “Strong action is needed because these diseases often strike when it is already too late,” said Dr Makalla, a specialist in Chinese natural medicine.

Norland Global, a company involved in the research, development and treatment of NCDs, uses natural products that Dr Makalla said had undergone extensive research and received certification from national and international health institutions. The company is headquartered in China.

He said early detection not only saved lives but also reduced treatment costs and time spent seeking care. Although he did not provide detailed figures, Dr Makalla cited Ministry of Health data showing a significant rise in NCD cases.

Between July 2022 and March 2023, NCDs accounted for the highest number of health facility visits. Hypertension alone affected 1,456,881 patients, representing 49 percent, up from 34 percent during the same period in 2021/22. He said the World Health Organization (WHO) was equally concerned.

According to WHO data for 2020, NCDs accounted for more than 41 million deaths worldwide–71 percent of all global deaths–up from 57 million in 2016. In Tanzania, NCDs are responsible for about 33 percent of all deaths. During the same period, diabetes affected 713,057 patients (24 percent), while respiratory diseases affected 386,018 patients (13 percent), up from 10 percent in the previous year.

Dr Makalla said studies conducted in 1986/87 showed only one person diagnosed with diabetes and five with hypertension, underscoring the scale of the current surge. Since then, the prevalence of diabetes has risen from about one percent to nine percent, while hypertension has increased from five percent to 25 percent.

“Our main goal in 2026 is to support the Government and the Ministry of Health in fighting non-communicable diseases to protect the national workforce,” he said. He listed common NCDs affecting Tanzanians as diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, hepatitis, anaemia, acid reflux and stomach ulcers, as well as cancers including cervical and breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, and skin, blood and colorectal cancers.

Dr Makalla said Norland Global’s natural products had shown positive results in addressing some of the country’s health challenges. He added that late last year the company conducted a one-month treatment camp in Doha, Qatar, serving patients from the Arab.

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Arusha. The national chairman of Chadema currently held at Ukonga Prison over treason charges, Tundu Lissu, is set to send a special message paying tribute to the party’s founder, Edwin Mtei.

The message is expected to be collected and read during a memorial service for Mtei on 23 January 2026, ahead of his funeral on 24 January at his home in Tengeru, Arusha. Deputy Secretary-General of Chadema, Amani Golugwa, told journalists that the memorial will provide an opportunity for members and the public to remember Mtei’s life and his contributions across politics, government service, and social initiatives.

“Although he was a Chadema leader, the memorial is for everyone. It will bring people together, offering a chance to reconcile and heal,” Golugwa said.

Golugwa added that Chadema plans to use the occasion to unite members and address divisions that arose during last year’s internal party elections. “Chadema is a strong and stable party.

One of Mzee Mtei’s legacies is leaving behind a party grounded in justice and integrity,” he said. Due to his advanced age, Mtei was unable to leave any formal instructions for the party before the internal elections in January 2025. Efforts to meet him afterwards were hampered by his health, but his guidance continues to shape the party’s direction.

Mzee Mtei was born on 12 July 1932 in Marangu, Moshi, Kilimanjaro region. He passed away on the night of 19 January 2026 while en route to Selian Hospital for treatment.

During his distinguished career, Mtei held several top positions, including serving as the first Governor of the Bank of Tanzania from 1966, and later as Minister of Finance and Planning from 1978 to 1981. Preparations for his funeral are ongoing at his home in Tengeru. The memorial and funeral are expected to draw Chadema members, political leaders, and the wider community to celebrate Mtei’s life and enduring legacy.

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Dar es Salaam. Edwin Mtei, Tanzania’s first Governor of the Bank of Tanzania and a former minister for Finance, is remembered not only for his pioneering stewardship of the country’s economic institutions, but also as a pivotal architect in the formation of one of Tanzania’s most enduring opposition parties, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema).

The origins of Chadema are rooted in the early 1990s, a defining period in Tanzania’s political history. As the Tax Commission, on which Mtei served, was nearing completion of its work, the Nyalali Commission submitted its landmark recommendations on whether the country should return to a multiparty political system.

The commission, chaired by the then Chief Justice Francis Nyalali, had been established in 1991 by former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi to collect citizens’ views on the political system they preferred. Among its key proposals were the reintroduction of multiparty politics and the repeal of 40 laws it described as oppressive.

Writing in his 2009 autobiography, From Goatherd to Governor, Mtei recalled that he welcomed the call for constitutional amendments, regarding it as a decisive turning point in his political engagement. As Parliament debated the proposed amendments, Mtei and a group of like-minded individuals began informal discussions about forming a new political party.

He chaired the preparatory committee. Mtei wrote that he “guided the drafting of the party’s constitution, its objectives and its policy positions, seeking to ensure that the emerging organisation was firmly anchored in democratic principles while remaining attentive to Tanzania’s development needs.

” By April 1992, constitutional amendments and new laws governing political parties had been enacted, allowing for provisional registration from July 1 that year. Mtei, and Edward Barongo, a former CCM official, submitted Chadema’s application for provisional registration.

The party articulated a pragmatic economic outlook, supporting market mechanisms while insisting that indigenous Tanzanians should meaningfully benefit from national resources, a policy orientation Mtei termed ‘Indigenisation’. The choice of the party’s name was itself a statement of intent.

After prolonged debate, the founders settled on Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo–literally, the Party for Democracy and Development, signalling their belief that inclusive governance was inseparable from sustainable national progress. Following provisional registration, Chadema embarked on an intensive membership drive across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The party quickly met the legal threshold of 200 members in at least ten regions. By January 1993, it was fully registered, alongside NCCR and the Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD), while CCM retained automatic recognition.

Mtei’s leadership style was notably hands-on and self-sacrificing. He travelled extensively to establish party branches, mobilise resources and coordinate volunteer staff, often under difficult conditions and using a Land Cruiser he had procured personally.

Financial constraints were persistent, but the party relied heavily on public goodwill, donations and voluntary service, with supporters running regional and district offices. For six years, Mtei devoted both time and personal resources to laying the party’s foundations.

The first major test of the multiparty experiment came with the 1993 by-elections in Ileje and Kigoma Urban constituencies. Chadema sought to forge coalitions with other opposition parties, but faced fierce competition from CCM, which deployed extensive state resources in support of its candidates.

Despite legal disputes and electoral irregularities, Chadema persevered. In Kigoma Urban, Dr Amani Walid Kabourou, backed by Chadema, eventually secured a decisive victory after the High Court nullified the initial results over irregularities related to voting procedures and candidate eligibility.

As the party strengthened its grassroots presence, it also cultivated international links with sympathetic parties and institutions in Germany, the United States and the wider European Union. These relationships facilitated civic education and training programmes for young activists, enhancing Chadema’s organisational capacity.

The 1995 General Election marked Chadema’s first nationwide contest. Mtei had hoped to persuade Augustine Lyatonga Mrema, a former CCM minister, to stand as the party’s presidential candidate.

However, constitutional and logistical constraints prevented Chadema from offering him the party chairmanship. Mrema instead joined NCCR, though Chadema initially pledged support within a proposed opposition coalition.

Competition among opposition parties ultimately split the vote. While CCM’s Benjamin Mkapa won the presidency, Chadema emerged as the third-largest party in Parliament, establishing a platform for future expansion.

In the aftermath of the election, Mtei turned his attention to generational renewal. The party constitution was amended to grant Members of Parliament automatic seats on the Central Committee, a move designed to strengthen institutional continuity and empower younger leaders.

In 1998, Mtei stepped down as chairman and was succeeded by Bob Makani, while retaining life membership of the Central Committee. Chadema continued to consolidate its presence into the 2000s.

During the 2000 General Election, the party attempted cooperation with the Civic United Front (CUF) behind presidential candidate Ibrahim Lipumba. However, competition for parliamentary and local government seats again fragmented the opposition vote.

Chadema won four parliamentary seats and gained control of three district councils on the mainland. By 2005, the party had developed more robust internal systems and clearer democratic procedures for candidate selection.

Six presidential aspirants toured the country, presenting their platforms at zonal conventions before members cast their votes. Freeman Mbowe emerged as the party’s flag-bearer, with Jumbe Rajabu Jumbe named as his running mate.

Shortly before polling day, Jumbe fell ill and passed away, leading Anna Valerian Komu to step in as Mbowe’s running mate. Her role during the final campaign phase underscored Chadema’s commitment to inclusive leadership and gender representation.

The 2005 campaign reflected Chadema’s evolution from a fledgling opposition movement into a disciplined national force. Its slogan, Mabadiliko ya Kweli, Uhuru wa Kweli (Real Change, Real Freedom), resonated with voters weary of prolonged one-party dominance.

The party focused its efforts on constituencies with strong grassroots networks, relying on volunteer polling agents and innovative outreach methods, including helicopter-assisted tours to remote areas. Despite confronting an entrenched ruling party backed by state resources and legally sanctioned incentives such as takrima, Chadema sustained a consistent message centred on national renewal, transparency and economic opportunity.

Through decades of struggle, grassroots mobilisation, coalition-building and principled leadership, Mtei and Chadema played a significant role in laying the foundations of multiparty democracy in Tanzania. While electoral gains were gradual, the party’s growth mirrored a broader transformation in political culture, one in which alternative voices increasingly challenged entrenched power and expanded citizens’ choices.

Yesterday Chadema’s Director of Communications and Publicity, Ms Brenda Rupia, announced that the party would observe seven days of mourning, during which its flags would fly at half-mast. Mtei’s fourth child, Melyi, said the former Bank of Tanzania governor would be laid to rest on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the family home in Tengeru, on the outskirts of Arusha.

“Father passed away last night. He was elderly, and we expect to lay him to rest here on the farm in Tengeru on Saturday,” she said.

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Dodoma. CCM secretary general, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, has called on senior party leaders, including Members of Parliament and ministers, to regularly attend meetings convened by grassroots branch ambassadors to better understand and address challenges facing citizens, communities and the nation.

Dr Migiro made the call on yesterday, while addressing CCM branch ambassadors from Dodoma Region in Dodoma City. She said that the grassroots are where people live and are best placed to identify their concerns, stressing that senior leaders must engage directly with grassroots structures in order to find practical solutions.

“The branch is where citizens live and where their challenges are clearly understood. It is important for leaders to attend meetings organised by ten cell leaders so they can listen and help resolve these issues,” she said.

Dr Migiro said such engagement would help leaders better understand challenges facing young people, including those in formal employment and those who are unemployed, and explore ways to address joblessness. “Even in my own area, I attend meetings at my branch.

We have seen national leaders visiting communities to listen to citizens’ concerns, and we too must actively participate at branch level because it is closest to the people,” she said. She also urged ten cell leaders to hold constitutionally mandated meetings aimed at resolving citizens’ challenges, saying such forums could generate positive ideas for local development.

In addition, Dr Migiro called on ten cell leaders to identify economic activities undertaken by young people in their areas to enable targeted support and solutions. She congratulated the ten cell leaders for CCM’s landslide victory in the General Election held on October 29, 2025, describing them as the backbone of the party’s success.

Meanwhile, CCM Dodoma Regional Chairman Adam Kimbisa urged leaders of institutions and religious organisations to focus on their respective mandates and avoid interfering in party affairs. He said there had been an increase in advice, opinions and abusive language directed at CCM, which he described as unacceptable.

“Some people seek popularity by insulting and ridiculing CCM. We welcome opinions and advice, but they must be offered in good faith to build, not through insults and mockery,” Kimbisa said.

For their part, ten cell leaders appealed for health insurance cover to enable access to medical services and for council loans to support their economic activities. They also thanked the party for providing bicycles to ease transportation between locations, saying the move had significantly improved their daily work.

Presenting the aten cell leaders’ views, Paulina John from Chamwino District said access to health insurance was a priority to ensure treatment when they fall ill. .