Category: The Citizen

Lagos. Prateek Suri, Chairman and CEO of Maser Group, has unveiled an ambitious philanthropic roadmap that will see millions of dollars channelled into community-driven initiatives across Africa, beginning with newly launched volunteer programs in Nigeria.

The initiative, anchored through the Maser Foundation, marks a strategic shift toward large-scale, continent-wide social impact positioning philanthropy as a core pillar of Maser’s long-term engagement with Africa. “Africa has been central to our journey,” Suri said during a recent media interaction.

“Our responsibility now is to ensure that growth translates into opportunity, dignity, and access.” Nigeria: The First Step of a Continental Promise Maser’s philanthropic push formally began in Nigeria, where volunteer teams have already started on-ground engagement focused on healthcare access, education support, community welfare, and essential needs.

Rather than a one-off charitable exercise, the Nigeria program is designed as a listening-first model, with volunteers working alongside local communities to identify priorities and co-create solutions. “This is not about visibility,” Suri said.

“It is about presence.” According to people familiar with the plans, Nigeria serves as the launchpad for a broader African rollout, with expansion into multiple regions — West, East, Central, and Southern Africa — scheduled in phases.

From Enterprise to Empathy Maser Group’s business footprint spans infrastructure, logistics, artificial intelligence, manufacturing-linked ventures, and construction supply chains across Africa and beyond. Suri believes that enterprises operating at scale carry a responsibility to invest in the societies they grow within.

“Businesses do not operate in isolation,” he said. “They are part of ecosystems.

Strengthening those ecosystems is essential.” The Maser Foundation will focus on long-term initiatives in education, healthcare access, women’s empowerment, and youth development — areas seen as foundational to sustainable progress.

Volunteering at the Core A defining feature of the initiative is its emphasis on volunteer-led action. Maser’s teams, along with local partners, will participate directly in program execution, reinforcing a hands-on approach to philanthropy.

“Philanthropy should not be distant or ceremonial,” Suri said. “It must be human.

” Observers note that this model aligns with a growing global shift toward impact-driven engagement, where social investment is measured not just by funding, but by involvement and continuity. A Vision Rooted in Africa While Maser’s philanthropic ambitions are global in outlook, Africa remains at the heart of its vision.

The Foundation’s long-term goal is to create a pan-African network of impact, addressing regional needs while maintaining shared values of inclusion and sustainability. “This is a long journey,” Suri said.

“We are committed to walking it, country by country.” Looking Ahead With volunteer programs now active in Nigeria and expansion plans underway, Maser’s philanthropic vision signals a new chapter — one where business success and social responsibility move in tandem.

For Prateek Suri, the message is clear: impact is not an afterthought — it is a legacy in the making. .

It’s holiday time and our papers are awash with stories about the challenge of getting a bus ticket to the regions. For you to travel from Dar to, say, Moshi, to reunite with your extended family, don’t be shocked if you’re asked to part with Sh80,000 for a ticket that cost you S2,000 last July.

Take it or leave it! Note that we’re writing S2,000 and Sh80,000 and not Ts2,000 and Tsh80,000. Why, it’s nonsensical to qualify our shilling as “Tanzanian” in a local newspaper because in this country we don’t entertain the use of any shilling other than that which Tanzanian! A Thursday, December 11 story that appears in the tabloid associated with columnist, has a story entitled, ‘New dispensary brings healthcare closer.’ Therein, a senior Barrick North Mara mine official is quoted as purportedly saying: “Since 2020, the mine has invested Tsh54 billion in” We reiterate our critique on the irrelevance qualifying Bongo’s revered shilling as Tanzanian since no one in his right senses would think the amount the philanthropic BNM official stated was in Kenyan or Ugandan shillings! In regard to travel stories, we also need to caution our scribbling colleagues on the erroneous use of the expression “passenger bus”.

All dictionaries available to us define “bus” as a large road vehicle that carries passengers. It means, saying a “passenger bus” is entertaining nonsensical redundancy! You’re, however, free to talk of a passenger train–a train the carries people, setting it apart from trains that carry goods–freight trains.

I a past article, this writer recalls, a reader questioned our assertion that a bus is just that–a bus! The reader pointed out that there’re SCHOOL buses and STAFF buses. Our response was simple, in which case we argued that there’s nothing contradictory in regard to our assertion because the former refers to a bus whose passengers are PUPILS and the latter is a bus whose passengers are EMPLOYEES of an entity.

Take note too, that short for Christmas is Xmas, not X-mas or Xmass! Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Wednesday, December 10, has a Page 1 story whose headline reads, ‘Government steps up digital leap as connectivity increases.’ The scribbler writes in Para 4: “This expansion of connectivity has fuelled a surge in usage with the REGULATOR playing a pivotal REGULATORY role.

” Do we have to say it? Well, let’s do it. The use of the word “regulatory” after the adjective “pivotal” is a sheer waste of space.

Why, telling your esteemed reader that a regulatory outfit played a regulatory role is saying the obvious, something that must avoided if we’re to subscribe what we call in journalese “word economy”. We note two more cases of insensitivity to word economy on Page 3 where a scribbler, one GG, says in her intro: “Pharmacist JM has been arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam facing SERIOUS criminal charges linked to theft of medical supplies and hospital equipment valued at Sh9 billion” The scribbler has no business telling us what the charges which the accused is facing are a “serious” even if the allegedly stolen stuff is worth Sh9 billion.

Let such adjectives come from the mouth of the DPP who’s keen to impress and influence the magistrate. And now, a look at Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet of Saturday, December 13, whose Page 2 is carrying five stories, three of whose headlines read: YOUTH urged to use online platforms to earn income; Bagamoyo YOUTH equipped with life, vocational skills and Vuo YOUTH lead change in marine conservation.

We’d rather the revise editor who handled the whole page before it was dispatched to the printer’s got rid of two “youth” to reduce monotony. So we’d have something like: ‘Graduands equipped with life, vocational skills’ AND ‘The YOUNG in Vuo lead in marine conservation’ Ah, this treacherous language called English! Postscript Merry Christmas, dear reader–Abdi .

Movies have always been the great escape. They offer what reality often withholds, things like optimistic endings, passionate romances, moral clarity, and the comforting illusion that chaos can be resolved within two hours.

And when life feels heavier and more destabilising than fiction, the cinema is a good escape and carries an unmistakable pulse of reality. The screen did not merely distract; it reflected, provoked, and, at times, unsettled.

As 2025 draws to a close, one truth stands clear, great storytelling knows no borders. This year’s cinema was shaped by global box office juggernauts, intimate festival favourites, and locally produced gems that travelled far beyond their points of origin.

Together, they painted a picture of an industry that is increasingly multipolar–less dominated by a single cultural centre and more responsive to diverse voices, experiences, and aesthetics. On the blockbuster front, international hits reminded the world that Hollywood is no longer the sole engine of spectacle.

Ne Zha 2 emerged as a global animation phenomenon, blending Chinese mythology with emotional depth and dazzling visuals. Its extraordinary success underscored the growing influence of non-Hollywood cinema and the appetite for stories rooted in specific cultures yet universal in feeling.

Similarly, Zootopia 2 returned audiences to its vibrant metropolis with a timely exploration of inclusion, fear, and community, balancing humour with social commentary that resonated across generations and borders. Disney continued its strategy of revisiting beloved classics with the live-action Lilo and Stitch, which managed to update a cherished story without losing its emotional core.

By leaning into themes of family, loss, and belonging, the film struck a chord with both nostalgic adults and new viewers. In a different register, A Minecraft Movie demonstrated the cinematic potential of gaming culture, translating an interactive world into a colourful, imaginative experience that captivated younger audiences worldwide.

Its success reaffirmed that the language of modern blockbuster cinema is expanding, shaped as much by digital play as by traditional storytelling. Franchise power remained strong in 2025, but not without evolution.

Jurassic World: Rebirth fused nostalgia with cutting-edge visual effects, reminding audiences why dinosaurs still inspire awe decades after their first roar on screen. Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning brought one of cinema’s most durable action franchises to a close, delivering globe-spanning stunts and high-octane set pieces while also offering a sense of finality rarely afforded to long-running series.

Meanwhile, a refreshed Superman sought to balance spectacle with introspection, presenting a hero defined not just by strength but by moral choice, appealing to both devoted fans and a new generation. Animation, once again, proved to be one of the most globally fluid forms of cinema.

Japanese anime continued its ascent with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, whose breathtaking animation and emotionally charged storytelling transcended language and geography. The film’s worldwide reception highlighted anime’s ability to command the same cultural attention as live-action blockbusters.

Similarly, How to Train Your Dragon offered emotional closure for long-time fans, reaffirming that animated adventures can mature alongside their audiences without losing their sense of wonder. Even niche genres found room to thrive.

F1: The Movie transformed the high-speed world of Formula One into a cinematic spectacle, pairing adrenaline-fuelled racing sequences with character-driven drama. Its global appeal demonstrated that specialised subjects, when handled with ambition and craft, can reach far beyond their core fan bases.

Yet while Hollywood and global studios dominated box office headlines, some of the most meaningful progress in 2025 occurred elsewhere. Across Africa, film industries continued to expand their reach, telling culturally rich stories that increasingly found international audiences through festivals and streaming platforms.

Nollywood sustained its prolific output, while Swahili-language cinema and regional industries gained greater visibility and confidence. South Africa stood out with a diverse slate of productions that bridged local relevance and global appeal.

The crime drama The Heart Is a Muscle, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, showcased the country’s capacity for gritty, socially grounded storytelling. On the lighter end of the spectrum, romantic comedies such as Meet the Khumalos and Semi-Soeter found enthusiastic audiences on Netflix, demonstrating that local humour and cultural specificity can translate effectively on global platforms.

The true-crime docuseries Beauty and the Bester, released on Netflix in September, became a worldwide talking point. Its exploration of the notorious Thabo Bester prison escape highlighted not only a shocking real-life story but also the continent’s growing strength in factual, investigative storytelling.

East Africa also made notable strides. The Kenyan documentary Truck Mama premiered at the Red Sea International Film Festival, while the short film Owadwa competed in the festival’s Shorts Competition, signalling increased recognition for emerging filmmakers.

The feature film Sarah, directed by Nick Reding and executive produced by Wanuri Kahiu, tackled urgent social issues such as female genital cutting and early marriage, positioning cinema as a tool for both storytelling and advocacy ahead of its 2025 release. Uganda’s Mad Bounty and the Midnight Gun gained visibility through the Red Sea Souk Project Market, while Kenyan productions Widow Champion and The Shadow Scholars represented the region at Tribeca, further embedding East African voices within the global festival circuit.

On the streaming front, Netflix crime comedy Inside Job, written by Tanzanian-born Angela Ruhinda, premiered in June, marking another milestone for East African writers breaking into international platforms. Taken together, the films of 2025 tell a story of convergence.

Spectacle and substance, escapism and confrontation, and local specificity and global reach all coexisted on screens large and small. Cinema did not retreat from reality, it wrestled with it, reimagined it, and, at times, offered solace amid uncertainty.

In a year when the world often felt overwhelming, movies reminded audiences why they matter not just as entertainment, but as mirrors, provocations, and shared dreams. .

Tarangire. Efforts to attract more domestic and international tourists have received a boost with the introduction of night tourism at Tarangire National Park, which authorities say is drawing increased visitor interest.

Another emerging attraction is ongoing research aimed at identifying elephants that give birth to twins, an initiative expected to further enhance the park’s appeal and contribute to national revenue growth. The developments were disclosed on Friday, December 19, 2025, by a Second Class Conservation Officer responsible for tourism at the park.

She said the introduction of night tourism is part of the Government’s broader strategy to promote and diversify tourism products in the country. She said that research on twin-bearing elephants is still at an early stage but shows promising potential.

“The tourism situation is good, with visitor numbers continuing to rise. From October 1 to December 15 this year, the park received 73,372 visitors, generating more than Sh11 billion in revenue,” she said.

A tour guide from Serengeti African Company, Mr Luka Pallangyo, said the end-of-year festive season attracts many tourists to national parks, with some travelling with their families. “Many visitors are drawn by the environment, and with the onset of the rains the landscape turns green, making it even more attractive,” he said.

An American tourist, Ms Kelly Anderson, said Tanzania is the tenth African country she has visited, noting that she was impressed by the scenery in Serengeti and Tarangire national parks, as well as the hospitality of Tanzanians. She said she toured several parks this year to celebrate her birthday and plans to return next year to explore more attractions.

She said she toured several parks this year to celebrate her birthday and plans to return next year to explore more attractions. “What I have seen in these parks is far more beautiful than what appears in pictures.

The wildlife and landscapes are exceptional, and I truly felt at home in Tanzania,” she said. Ms Anderson added that although she hopes to visit all 54 African countries, Tanzania remains a destination she must revisit.

Meanwhile, a German tourist, Ms Janine Hellwig, said visits to Lake Manyara and Tarangire national parks offered an opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife. “We were very happy to see many animals, including leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos and buffaloes.

We believe that as we continue to other parks, we will experience even more of Tanzania’s attractions,” she said. .

The lyric video for the gospel song ‘Olodumare’ by Tanzanian worship artist Joel Lwaga has made history, becoming the biggest YouTube release of his career to date. Officially released on October 11, 2024, the video has surpassed 40 million views within just one year, marking a major milestone for gospel music in Tanzania.

Sharing the achievement on his Instagram page, Joel Lwaga gave glory to God and expressed gratitude to his fans for their overwhelming support. Celebrating the milestone, he wrote, ’40 MILLION+ views within 1 year.

Glory to God! Thank you all so much for this blessing of 2025 26, we are coming!’ ‘Olodumare’, a song deeply rooted in praise and thanksgiving, carries a powerful message of faith, gratitude, and personal testimony. Its spiritually uplifting lyrics and simple yet impactful presentation have resonated strongly with audiences both locally and internationally, contributing to its remarkable digital success.

The record-breaking performance of the lyric video highlights the growing influence of gospel music on digital platforms and challenges the long-held belief that worship songs struggle to compete online. Instead, ‘Olodumare’ has proven that faith-based music can achieve massive reach when it connects authentically with listeners.

This achievement further cements Joel Lwaga’s position as one of Africa’s leading gospel artistes, reinforcing his role in shaping contemporary worship music while demonstrating the continued power of praise and worship in the digital era. .

Tanzania has steadily woven its way onto the global stage as a leading destination for balloon safaris. As Africa’s premier safari destination, home to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and other iconic wildlife landscapes, it is hardly surprising that the world’s top balloon safari honours have landed in the country.

So how did Tanzania achieve this milestone? This year, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the World Travel Awards, a prestigious platform where leading global travel destinations and operators compete for international recognition. Amid the ceremony, Serengeti Balloon Safaris emerged as the Best Balloon Ride Operator Worldwide 2025. The accolade represented more than a triumph for a single company.

It underscored Tanzania’s growing stature as a world-class tourism destination and reinforced the country’s reputation for delivering exceptional safari experiences. The Arusha-based operator, whose flights drift above the vast Serengeti plains is one of the world’s most celebrated national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It secured the title for the second consecutive year. Introduced in 2020, the Best Balloon Operator category had been dominated by a Dubai-based company until 2024, when the Tanzanian firm, established more than three decades ago, broke the streak and claimed the global crown.

It has now successfully defended that position. From the pre-dawn hours, long before the sun lights up the Serengeti skies, pilots, ground crew and a highly specialised safety and maintenance team are already at work.

Every inch of each hot air balloon is meticulously inspected before passengers are cleared for flight. Adhering to safety standards is a non-negotiable routine, particularly when lifting people hundreds of feet into the air.

Over the years, members of royal families, presidents, celebrities and heads of state have all viewed the Serengeti’s vastness and beauty from above, aboard the distinctive green and gold Serengeti balloon. In a growing global market, Tanzania is steadily claiming its place.

Serengeti Balloon Safaris has carried more than 300,000 passengers, placing it among the world’s leading balloon companies. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are widely recognised across the global travel and hospitality industry.

Often described as the ‘Oscars’ of tourism, they are regarded as the ultimate industry accolade, created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors. Serengeti Balloon Safaris was shortlisted alongside six of the world’s finest balloon companies, including Balloon Adventures Dubai, Napa Valley Aloft, Tuscany Ballooning, Virgin Balloons, Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia and Miracle Balloon Safaris Tanzania.

“We are over the moon to have won this award again, which we consider to be the very highest accolade in our industry. It is especially meaningful that we have won this on behalf of African nations, as it reflects the hard work, dedication and passion our team brings to creating magical experiences for our guests,” said John Corse, Managing Director of Serengeti Balloon Safaris.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, founder Colin MacKinnon noted that from its early days, the company has pioneered the evolution of the balloon safari experience. MacKinnon, a Londoner, moved to the English countryside with his wife, Sally, and in 1982 founded Cirrus, introducing balloon flying over the Suffolk plains.

In 1987, a chance encounter in Zimbabwe led him to explore Tanzania, where he later met Jimmy Mkwawa and Tony Pascoe. Together, they founded Serengeti Balloon Safaris.

“The sensation of floating, the wildlife you can see from the air, and the areas inaccessible by road are extraordinary,” said Tony Pascoe. Nature in the Serengeti is unmatched.

The area’s biodiversity is among the most iconic in the world. The Great Migration, one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles, sees more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other herbivores move annually across Tanzania and Kenya.

Their perilous crossings of the Mara River, between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, create scenes of survival as herds evade predators such as lions on land and crocodiles in the water. This phenomenon is widely regarded as one of the greatest on earth and is vital to sustaining the Serengeti ecosystem.

For years, Serengeti Balloon Safaris has flown guests during the migration, offering a rare aerial perspective of the immense herds, sweeping plains and the animals’ annual journey. Ballooning has since become one of the major revenue earners for Tanzania National Parks.

Within Tanzania, the company has established itself as a leading conservation partner in the parks where it operates. Tanzania National Parks has recognised Serengeti Balloon Safaris as the Best Balloon Operator every year that awards have been issued.

The company has also taken an active role in ensuring ballooning standards are rigorously maintained, working closely with the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on a process of continual improvement. Aviation safety remains a cornerstone of the business, supported by a comprehensive safety management system.

To further strengthen its operations, the company invited one of the UK’s most experienced civil aviation balloon operation examiners to audit its systems. In 2025, the examiner observed that few, if any, balloon operators worldwide possess a safety management system as sophisticated or as actively implemented as that of Serengeti Balloon Safaris.

As the company continues to grow, it has made a deliberate decision to participate actively in conservation while avoiding practices that contribute to over-tourism. Client numbers are carefully managed to ensure that operations do not place undue pressure on the environment.

“Our legacy carries a duty to protect the Serengeti for future generations,” said sustainability manager Roy Mshoboki. “In fifty years’ time, the Serengeti should still be as it is today,” he added.

Balloon flying demands precise judgement of speed, time and distance, skills that require extensive training and experience. To meet these demands, Serengeti Balloon Safaris has sourced pilots from around the world, building a diverse team from Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe and Tanzania.

In 2001, Tanzania’s Mohammed Masood became the country’s first commercial balloon pilot. He rose from working as a temporary balloon crew member, trained overseas to earn his commercial licence, and has now flown with the company for more than two decades.

Since then, additional Tanzanian pilots trained in Europe and the United States have joined the team. The company’s Director of Operations, Captain Abeid Soka, is also entrusted by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority as a flight testing examiner.

Covering more than 14,750 square kilometres, Serengeti National Park presents both opportunity and complexity. Identifying the most reliable flight routes has been essential to delivering unforgettable experiences, combining game viewing, sunrise and sunset vistas, and exposure to the park’s renowned biodiversity.

The landscape varies from the open plains of the south to the gallery forests of the west and the hilly woodlands of the north, creating a park rich in both birdlife and wildlife. A single day in the Serengeti can be as varied as its terrain, with constant surprises.

Many crew members have worked in the park for decades and have encountered every imaginable weather condition and flight scenario. Their experience enables them to adapt to each situation and ensure that every journey remains as magical as possible for guests.

“We all understand the responsibility of delivering a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said John Corse. “We have to get it right every time.

” .

Dar es Salaam. The government has launched targeted research aimed at identifying persistent gaps in local governance and improving service delivery, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen local economic development (LED) across the country.

Speaking at a Local Government Stakeholders’ Meeting in Dodoma, the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Mr Adolf Ndunguru, said the study seeks to explain why Local Government Authorities (LGAs) continue to underperform despite the existence of well-intended policies and institutional frameworks. “One year ago, we met in this forum to interrogate why LGAs were falling short.

Today, we are taking the discussion forward through rigorous research that will inform practical, evidence-based interventions,” Mr Ndunguru said. He said the ongoing research is mapping existing opportunities within local economies, assessing how LED initiatives are currently implemented and identifying constraints that undermine their effectiveness.

The findings, he added, will provide a foundation for policy adjustments and improved governance at council level. Mr Ndunguru noted that LED is increasingly recognised as a practical instrument for promoting inclusive growth, expanding employment and improving the quality of public services.

He said the research will help align local development strategies with national priorities and ensure that resources are deployed where they can generate the greatest impact. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the government has prioritised strengthening public sector performance at the grassroots.

Mr Ndunguru said the current research builds on a long history of reforms aimed at empowering LGAs as drivers of development, anchored in the 1977 Constitution and supported by legislation such as the Local Government Acts of 1982, the Local Government Reform Agenda of 1996 and the Local Government Improvement Policy of 1998. He said the study is also examining how LED supports Tanzania Development Vision 2050, particularly through local production, entrepreneurship and value addition in sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, trade, ICT and energy. Evidence from the research will inform decisions on investments in transport, energy, market facilities and digital infrastructure to better connect producers to markets and reduce transaction costs.

“Equally important is understanding how skills development, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion can be strengthened at the local level. Research shows that meaningful participation by citizens, including women, youth and special groups, is essential for inclusive and equitable growth,” he said.

Mr Ndunguru stressed that sustainable development depends on participatory governance, accountability and the strategic use of local resources. “LED is not a slogan.

It is a practical tool, and our research is intended to ensure it delivers measurable improvements in people’s lives,” he said. Presenting complementary findings, an official from Uongozi Institute, Mr Kadari Singo, said studies show that nearly five percent of Tanzanians migrate from rural to urban areas each year, largely because they fail to recognise economic opportunities available in their localities.

“Many opportunities exist in rural areas but are neither identified nor properly utilised. As a result, some migrants end up in urban poverty instead of improving their livelihoods at home,” Mr Singo said.

He added that Uongozi Institute, in collaboration with Tamisemi, has conducted research examining how local economic systems can be leveraged to increase household incomes. The findings, he said, underline the need for leaders to better understand and utilise existing government systems to address citizens’ challenges and unlock local economic potential.

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Dar es Salaam. From early morning to late evening, Kariakoo is alive with the sound of bustling traders, honking of horns, and the constant shuffle of shoppers trying to secure holiday essentials.

The city’s commercial heart, famed for its narrow streets and crowded alleys, is in full swing as end-of-year festivities draw near. Every step requires care.

Parents clutch children’s hands or carry them on their backs, manoeuvring through tightly packed crowds. Vehicles, from lorries offloading goods to motorcycles weaving through pedestrians, add to the chaotic rhythm.

Porters haul heavy loads overhead, forging paths through the throng, while traders shout to advertise their wares. “It’s a risky environment.

Children get lost, knocked over or jostled,” said shoe trader Jabir Shaka. “I’ve seen kids crying after being separated from their parents.

Sometimes, frustrated guardians even scold or spank them.” Bajaj driver Hamisi Ally described the congestion as a daily challenge.

“Traders spill onto the streets, pedestrians have very little space. Accidents can happen anytime,” he said.

Shoppers bring children along for practical reasons. Parents want to ensure sizes are right or that school supplies meet children’s needs.

“I want each of my children to choose and carry their own items,” said Sebastian Katembo, shopping for school essentials. Neema Yohana added: “I arrive early with my children to avoid congestion and make sure the sizes fit.

” The crowds are also driven by groups accompanying shoppers, often without buying. Clothing trader Salum Msemo said: “Ten people may enter a small shop, but only two are buying.

The rest chat or make calls, slowing service.” Group shoppers spend time comparing colours, quality, and prices, particularly for uniforms, fabrics, shoes, curtains, and household items.

“Women come in groups to consult each other before buying. It’s good for business, but the shops fill up fast,” said curtains seller Asha Msuya.

Despite the chaos, shoppers rarely linger. The heat and noise ensure that few shoppers linger longer than necessary.

On major streets like Msimbazi, Congo, Uhuru, and Nyamwezi, the motion was constant and breathless. Parents warn that the festive rush poses dangers.

“People must stay alert with children, especially during peak periods,” Shaka said. Yet, the congestion also reflects the area’s role as a key commercial hub in Dar es Salaam, where families, traders, and transporters come together in a high-stakes dance of commerce.

For many, group shopping is essential. “If you shop alone, you might make mistakes.

With friends or family, you compare, discuss and choose wisely,” said shopper Rehema Kalinga. In Kariakoo, the festive spirit is tangible: the push of the crowd, the shout of traders, and the hum of traffic all combine to create an energetic, chaotic, yet vital centre of trade.

Here, commerce and community intertwine, showing both the excitement and hazards of holiday shopping in Tanzania’s commercial heart. .

As major powers such as the US and China compete for access to critical minerals to feed their expanding technology, defence and clean energy industries, Tanzania occupies a strategic position. Firstly, Tanzania is endowed with both large quantities of critical minerals which include nickel and graphite and important energy resources such as natural gas and potentially oil.

Secondly, as a non-aligned state which strives for balance in its diplomatic ties, Tanzania is likely to benefit from its calculated engagement with both sides. After all, no major or middle power would benefit from isolating a largely stable African state with lucrative extractive resources and a history of progressive policies.

Thirdly, Tanzania has learned bitter lessons from its failure, particularly in the 1990’s and 2000s, to secure equitable benefits from its large-scale metals and gemstones industry. Although well-positioned, questions remain as to whether Tanzania will be able to optimise its benefits from the global demand for critical minerals.

The scramble for critical minerals is a window of opportunity that is likely to reward early movers but may close as competitors secure their supply chains. Despite its strategic advantages, Tanzania’s critical minerals sector is still in its infancy and inching forward at a relatively slow pace.

In 2024, the government announced plans to develop a dedicated critical minerals strategy. A year later, authorities reiterated that completing the strategy is a priority, but gave no firm timeline.

This means important decisions continue to be made without a centralised and overarching vision. There is also a policy coherence issue.

Some of the key pillars of the draft national strategy are in-country beneficiation, stronger local content, mandatory government participation and investment in robust geological surveys. These building blocks are already embedded in various legal and policy frameworks.

However, there are instances where the government has not exercised its mandated participation or consistently enforced compliance. This could be due to lack of shared understanding and inter-agency coordination challenges.

A national strategy and its implementation frameworks would easily address these shortcomings. The Geological Survey of Tanzania has documented various critical minerals reserves in the country.

Based on the current knowledge of reserves and existing investments, Tanzania is poised to become a major producer of graphite, nickel and rare earths and could acquire significant financial benefits and geopolitical leverage. In Africa, South Africa and Mozambique are the leading producers of nickel and graphite, respectively.

However, most of South Africa’s nickel is extracted as by-product while Tanzania’s nickel, particularly in reserves near Lake Victoria, occurs as primary ore and is regarded as higher grade. Most rare earths concessions in Africa are still in the early to mid-stages of development, a reality which gives Tanzania a chance to become a notable and potentially a major player in the continent.

To acquire a leading player status, Tanzania needs to refine its sector governance framework and bring important projects over the line earlier than other countries. Majority of concessions for significant graphite and rare earths reserves in Tanzania are held by Australian companies while those for nickel are held by Western-based firms.

As stated earlier, the high demand for critical minerals presents Tanzania with a strategic opportunity. However, the country’s ability to harness this opportunity depends on its determination to avoid past mistakes while moving swiftly.

The recent decision to update mining local content regulations to close loopholes is a welcome example of attempts to learn from past errors. Nonetheless, local content tends to benefit elites due to entry barriers for ordinary entrepreneurs.

As Tanzania develops a strategy for its critical minerals, it is important to set a higher bar for sub-national benefits. Apart from environmental and social effects, most critical minerals concessions are located in relatively impoverished areas.

A robust sub-national benefits framework would reduce local disputes and enhance investor’s social licence. Observations made in this article are not confined to the management of critical minerals.

In its attempt to avoid past mistakes, the government has prioritised caution while seeking inter-agency consensus as it negotiates with the prospective investors of the liquefied natural gas project. Unfortunately, inter-agency coordination challenges and diversity of viewpoints has contributed to delays.

There is a strong case for policy makers in government to streamline processes and maximise efficiency. .

Dar es Salaam. Auric Air Services has launched four weekly flights linking Dar es Salaam, Kahama and Mwanza to meet the rising demand for air transport in the Lake Zone.

The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using a Bombardier Dash 8-300 aircraft with a capacity of 50 passengers. The aircraft will fly from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza via Kahama.

Travel time between Dar es Salaam and Kahama will be about two hours, Kahama to Mwanza 30 minutes, while the return flight from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam will take approximately two hours and 10 minutes. Speaking on the launch of the new services, Auric Air’s sales director, Mr Deepesh Gupta, said the airline’s key distinction from other operators on the route is its schedule, noting that the flights operate during the day and in the evening when there had previously been no services.

Mr Gupta said the new routes provide an opportunity for the airline to increase its contribution to the aviation sector, adding that Auric Air operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, including four large planes and two luxury aircraft. On competition in the sector, he said the size of the national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), does not hinder Auric Air’s operations but instead helps expand the overall market.

“It is not that ATCL’s dominance is a burden to smaller operators like us. On the contrary, as it expands its international network, it brings in passengers whom we then transport to destinations it does not serve, particularly for tourism,” Mr Gupta said.

Auric Air’s planning officer, Ms Asha Mzuri, said the growing demand for air transport has largely been driven by government-led improvements in airport infrastructure. “The air travel market is expanding, infrastructure is improving and the efficiency of airlines is also increasing.

We commend the government for supporting the growth of this sector,” she said. .