Category: The Citizen

Tanzania women’s national football team, Twiga Stars, will step up their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with a high profile international friendly against Nigeria in Morocco.

The match is scheduled for July 19 in Casablanca, just a week before the continental tournament kicks off on July 26, and is expected to provide the Tanzanian side with a valuable test against one of Africa’s most successful women’s football nations.

According to Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) National Teams Director Almasy Kasongo, the fixture forms part of the team’s final preparations before they begin their Wafcon campaign.

Kasongo said the squad is currently holding a residential training camp in Karatu, Arusha Region, where the technical bench has been working on improving fitness, tactical discipline and team cohesion ahead of the tournament.

The team is scheduled to leave Tanzania on Thursday for Casablanca, where it will complete the final phase of its preparations.

Besides the Nigeria encounter, Twiga Stars could also face either Ghana or Mali in another international friendly before the tournament, depending on final confirmation from the respective football associations.

“We are satisfied with the progress the team has made in Karatu. The players have responded well to the training programme, and they will leave the country on Thursday for Morocco to continue with the final phase of preparations before the tournament begins,” he said.

He said the coaching staff remains optimistic that the team will be ready to compete against some of the continent’s strongest sides.

“We believe the technical bench has prepared the team well, and we expect the players to give their best and compete strongly against some of Africa’s top teams.

The friendly matches will give us an opportunity to assess the team’s readiness and make final adjustments before the competition starts,” he said.

Twiga Stars face a difficult task after being drawn in Group B alongside defending champions South Africa, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

Tanzania will launch their campaign against South Africa on July 27 at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca before taking on Burkina Faso on July 31 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Rabat.

Their final group stage match will be against Ivory Coast on August 4 at the same venue.

The tournament, which runs until August 16, will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams and also serves as an important platform for countries to measure their progress in the rapidly growing women’s game.

For Twiga Stars, the build up matches against Nigeria and potentially Ghana or Mali are expected to provide the competitive edge needed before they embark on their quest to make a strong impression at the continental showpiece.

Tanzania is one of Africa’s major fishing nations, with the fisheries sector supporting around 6 million Tanzanians along the value chain, including 205,559 active fishers.

The government just committed Sh280.59 billion – nearly 65 percent of the entire fisheries development budget to the Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port, which reached 90 percent completion by now, positioning it as the anchor of Tanzania’s entire Blue Economy strategy

Here’s the problem: a world-class fishing port with no cold chain is just an expensive fish market. And that cold chain runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The specific gap

Inadequate cold-chain coverage adds cost and risk to seafood supply chains, and is a key constraint flagged for perishable fisheries export investments. Right now, fish landed at coastal and lake ports is either sold within hours or it rots.

Tanzania’s fishery sector directly provides jobs for about 200,000 people while 4.5 million people approximately 35 percent of rural employment indirectly depend on fishery activities. The post-harvest loss rate is estimated at 25-40 percent.

That’s hundreds of millions of dollars in protein and export revenue lost every year, not for lack of fish, but for lack of cold.

LPG-powered ice plants and blast freezers at landing sites are the single highest-impact infrastructure intervention in this value chain. Unlike grid-dependent refrigeration, LPG ice plants work anywhere – island communities, lake shores, remote coastal villages – with no dependency on Tanzania’s often unreliable electricity supply.

The business model

Fish Cold Chain Infrastructure Operator operates modular LPG-powered Containerized ice plants at strategic fish landing sites. Revenue comes from three sources:

Ice sales to fishers – fishers buy ice by the block or kg before heading out, keeping catch viable during transit. This is a well-proven model across India, Bangladesh, and West Africa.

Cold storage rental – processors and exporters rent chilled/frozen storage capacity by the day or week, bridging the gap between landing and onward transport to Dar es Salaam or export markets.

LPG bulk supply margin – as the operator, you control the LPG supply to each site. You’re not just selling ice; you’re the anchor LPG off-taker at every location, building a distributed bulk LPG consumption base entirely outside the crowded urban cooking fuel market.

Genuine unexplored LPG market

Everyone in Tanzania LPG is chasing the same household cooking customer in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza. Nobody is thinking about LPG as industrial process fuel for food preservation.

Yet the economics are compelling: a mid-sized LPG ice plant producing 5 tonnes of ice per day consumes roughly 300-400 kg of LPG daily – more than a 50-household residential cluster – and pays commercial (not subsidised) rates.

The Kilwa Masoko port investment creates a government-guaranteed demand anchor. The fishery value chain in Tanzania covers marine fisheries across the RUMAKI seascape and inland lakes – a geography that is structurally impossible to serve with grid electricity but perfectly matched to modular LPG cold chain units.

Entry advice

Start with one pilot site at Kilwa Masoko, timed to coincide with the port’s operational launch. Partner with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, which has development budget actively flowing.

Bring in an export-oriented fish processor as an anchor cold-storage tenant, who pre-commits capacity. The pilot de-risks the model and creates a replicable blueprint for 8-10 coastal and lake sites.

Tanzania Petroleum and its local and expatriate experts on LPG-run cold chain eco-system take the responsibility from the beginning of the project until it’s in the phase of revenue generation.

Hussein Boffu is a consultant specialising in feasibility studies, strategic advisory and project execution for the energy sector.

Former Chief Secretary and veteran diplomat Ambassador Ombeni Sefue has called for a civilised approach to public rallies and political expression, warning Tanzanians against blindly copying foreign protest cultures that often result in destruction of property and loss of lives.

In a recent wide-ranging interview with a Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) panel, the former head of the civil service also reflected on modern parenting challenges and the characteristics of Generation Z (Gen Z).

Tanzania will be represented by a 12-member team at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with athletics providing the largest contingent as the country seeks a strong showing at one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.

The Citizen has established that the squad comprises six athletes, three amateur boxers, two judokas and one swimmer, Collins Saliboko, who is currently training in South Africa under renowned swimming coach Kanisi Mabena.

The athletics team includes three women and three men. Cecilia Panga will compete in the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m races, while Hamida Nassoro has been entered for the 1,500m and 5,000m events. Sprinter Winfrida Makenji will represent Tanzania in the 100m and 200m.

The men’s athletics squad features Daniel Sinda in the mile race, Benjamin Fernandi Ratsim in the 10,000m, and Josephat Gisemo, who will contest both the 5,000m and 10,000m races. The runners are currently in residential training camp in Arusha under coach Marceline Gwandu as they fine-tune preparations ahead of departure.

Despite missing some of the country’s biggest names, Tanzania Athletics believes the selected runners will benefit significantly from competing against elite athletes from across the Commonwealth, providing valuable international exposure and experience.

In boxing, Tanzania will be represented by Yusuf Changarawe in the 80kg division, Fai Issa Faki in the 55kg category and Zawadi Amos Kutaka, who will compete in the women’s 57kg featherweight division.

The boxers are training in Dar es Salaam under head coach Samwel ‘Batman’ Kapungu, assisted by Kassim Hussein Kassim. The judo team consists of Andrew Thomas Mlugu, who will compete in the men’s 81kg category, and Ibrahim Mohamed Hamis in the men’s 60kg division.

The judokas are currently in camp at Ukonga, Dar es Salaam, under coach Omari Mgoye. The national contingent is scheduled to leave Tanzania on July 20, giving the athletes three days to settle in Scotland before the opening ceremony.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2, bringing together an expected 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth teams. A total of 215 medal events will be contested across 10 sports, reflecting a streamlined programme compared with previous editions.

The opening ceremony will be held at The Hydro, one of Glasgow’s landmark indoor arenas, while athletics competitions will take place at Scotstoun Stadium. Road events, including the marathon, have been removed from the Games programme.

For Tanzania, the Glasgow Games present another opportunity to measure its emerging talent against some of the Commonwealth’s finest athletes. Officials are hopeful the experience gained in Scotland will strengthen the country’s competitiveness in athletics, boxing, judo and swimming while laying a solid foundation for future international competitions.

The European Union will table legislation after the summer aimed at limiting children’s access to social media, as the bloc steps up efforts to protect young users from the harmful effects of online platforms.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan on Monday, saying children should have the opportunity to develop away from the influence of algorithms that increasingly shape online behaviour.

She said the proposal would introduce stronger safeguards for minors, with age verification expected to form a key part of the new rules.

“Our children need time in the real world. Time to play, time to build friendships, time to make mistakes and shape their own identity before an algorithm shapes them instead,” Ms von der Leyen said.

The proposal comes amid growing concern across Europe over the impact of social media on children’s mental health.

Several EU member states, including France, Greece and Denmark, have called for stricter age limits, while regulators are increasing pressure on technology companies to redesign features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, which they say encourage excessive use among young people.

Although the Commission has yet to publish the draft legislation, the proposal is expected to complement the EU’s Digital Services Act, which already requires major online platforms to assess and reduce risks to children.

If approved, the measures would mark one of the bloc’s most significant interventions yet to strengthen online safety for minors.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged public institutions to exercise restraint in naming government programmes and projects after her, saying excessive use of her name risks becoming repetitive and diminishing its significance.

The President noted the growing trend of attaching the name “Mama Samia” to various initiatives across different sectors.

She noted that the legal sector already has the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, while the education sector runs the Mama Samia Scholarship programme. Samia said proposals to establish a legal Centre of Excellence and a training programme bearing her name would create unnecessary duplication. She advised the institution to identify a distinguished legal scholar or jurist and name it after that person.

Samia recalled attending a comedy show in Dar es Salaam, where one of the organisers and performers joked about adding her name to an event to guarantee its success.

“He said once you attach ‘Mama Samia’ to anything, it will succeed…If the intention is simply to ensure things move forward, I can assure you that government programmes will continue to progress. However, when ‘Mama Samia’ appears everywhere, it becomes excessive and loses its appeal,” Samia said.

Tanzania’s plan to host a Canadian-backed plant that would convert natural gas into diesel and jet fuel is now waiting for assurance of gas supply before moving ahead to construction, after the investors completed some key stages.

Canadian company Rocky Mountain GTL, in collaboration with its African partner, Memnon Africa, and local associate, Rithi Tanzania Group Limited, completed a feasibility study with the Tanzanian government for constructing a gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant.

Tanzanian photographer Filbert Minja has won international recognition after receiving a prestigious award at the Earth Photo 2026 competition in London for a photo documentary on the country’s indigenous herbal medicine traditions.

Mr Minja won the David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Award – Photography for his project, Roots of Healing, which documents the lives of traditional herbalists in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions and the knowledge they have passed down through generations.

Minerals worth Sh3.3 billion were seized while being smuggled in 55 incidents recorded in various parts of the country between July 2025 and March 2026, while minerals valued at Sh1.6 billion were confiscated in Kagera Region between June and July 2026.

The figures were revealed on Monday, July 13, 2026, by Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, during his visit to Kagera Region to issue the government’s position on recent incidents involving the smuggling of gold and gemstones seized in the area.

Giving details on mineral smuggling cases, Dr Kiruswa said minerals worth Sh3.3 billion were intercepted during smuggling attempts in 55 incidents across the country between July 2025 and March 2026.

Speaking about minerals seized in Kagera, he said that on June 29, 2026, an operation was conducted in Benako, Ngara District, where police discovered and seized 20 sacks containing gemstones weighing 627.2 kilogrammes, valued at Sh10.9 million, with government taxes amounting to Sh1 million.

“There were four suspects. One of them, Petro Michael Kihiga, had a broker’s licence number DL0266LMD, which he obtained on May 25, 2026, in Lindi Region, and had been granted a permit to transport 273 grammes of minerals, while the actual weight seized was 627.2 kilogrammes. Under the Mining (Settlement of Offences) Regulations of 2022, the suspect admitted the offence and paid a fine,” said Dr Kiruswa.

He added that on July 1, 2026, officers arrested another suspect who was travelling in an international transit (IT) vehicle with gold weighing 4,434.66 grammes, valued at Sh1.3 billion, with government taxes amounting to Sh125.8 million, in Benako near the border crossing into Rwanda.

“At the same time, on July 4, 2026, an associate of a gold smuggling suspect was arrested with 453 grammes of gold valued at Sh144.2 million, with government taxes amounting to Sh12.6 million,” added Dr Kiruswa.

The gold smuggling suspects have been taken to court, and their case is at the mention stage.

Due to ongoing investigations, their names and the courts where they appeared have not been disclosed.

A resident, Mr Christofa Laurian, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, that the arrest of mineral smugglers was a positive step, showing that the government was serious about protecting the country’s resources.

Another resident, Ms Alisia Rwezaura, said mineral smuggling contributes to the loss of government revenue, and suspects should face strict legal action once evidence is established to serve as a deterrent to others.

Mixx has rewarded three more customers with Sh1 million each as part of its ongoing Mixx Super World Cup Campaign, reaffirming its commitment to rewarding loyal users while promoting digital financial services across the country.

The prizes were presented at the Yas pavilion during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, currently underway at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Grounds.

The three winners earned the cash prizes after using the Mixx Super app to pay for various financial and utility services, making them eligible for the nationwide promotion.

Speaking during the award presentation ceremony, Mixx Dar es Salaam Regional Business Manager, Estony Venant, said the campaign has continued to attract widespread public participation, with dozens of Tanzanians already benefiting since its launch.

According to Venant, a total of 48 winners have so far been rewarded through the campaign. He said more than 20 participants have won a variety of home appliances supplied by Mixx’s partner, Hisense, while more than 40 customers have each walked away with Sh1 million in cash prizes.

He noted that the campaign is still ongoing, giving more customers the opportunity to become winners by simply using the Mixx Super app for their daily financial transactions.

“The campaign has received a positive response from customers across the country. We encourage more Tanzanians to use the Mixx Super app whenever they make payments because every transaction increases their chances of winning exciting prizes,” said Venant.

He added that the biggest prize of the campaign, worth Sh50 million, is yet to be won, urging customers to continue using the platform regularly.

“Mixx Super is more than just a payment application. It is a comprehensive digital platform that makes financial transactions easier, faster and more convenient while rewarding users for choosing digital payments. We encourage the public to download the app and use it consistently,” he said.

The Mixx Super World Cup Campaign forms part of the company’s broader strategy to promote cashless transactions while rewarding customers for embracing digital financial solutions.