Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The fate of the case challenging the legality of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into incidents of breaches of peace during the General Election of October 29, 2025 will be known today, as the High Court (Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry) delivers its ruling on the application for leave to challenge the commission.

In the ruling to be delivered today, Thursday, December 18, 2025, by Justice Hussein Mtembwa, the Court will focus on two key issues that were contested during the hearing of the application. The first issue is whether the applicants have met the requirement of establishing the existence of a dispute or a contested issue that requires determination.

The second issue is whether, if the Court grants leave, allowing the filing of a substantive case to challenge the commission, such leave can operate as a stay, suspending the commission’s activities until the main case is determined. The case arises from violence and destruction of infrastructure and property belonging to the public and private individuals, as well as deaths and injuries, following demonstrations held on October 29, 2025, in several cities and towns across the country.

Following these incidents, on November 18, 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed a commission to investigate the events before, during and after the election. The commission is chaired by retired Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mohamed Chande, and was officially launched on November 20, 2025. However, on November 27, 2025, activists and human rights defenders Rosemary Mwakitwange, together with two advocates, Edward Heche and Deogratius Mahinyila, filed an application against the Attorney General (AG) and others.

The other respondents are the retired Chief Justice Chande (the commission’s chairperson) and its members: retired Chief Justice of Tanzania Prof. Ibrahim Juma; retired Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue; Radhia Msuya; Ambassador Paul Meela; and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Said Mwema.

Others include Ambassador David Kapya, a former Secretary-General of the Southern African Development Community (SADC); former Minister for Defence and National Service Stergomena Tax; and the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS). According to the applicants, TLS, which was established in 1954 by an Act of Parliament, has core responsibilities that include promoting the rule of law, integrity and transparency, and protecting and assisting the public to access justice and legal services in all matters relating to the law.

The application, Miscellaneous Application No. 30210 of 2025, was heard on December 12, 2025. Counsel for the applicants, Mpale Mpoki, assisted by Advocate Hekima Mwasipu, told the Court that the applicants had satisfied all three legal requirements for the grant of leave.

The requirements include the existence of a contested issue requiring determination; filing the application within six months from the date of the decision intended to be challenged; and the applicants demonstrating that they have sufficient interest in the matter in dispute. On the first requirement, Advocate Mpoki submitted that, upon examining the affidavit and the replying affidavit, it was evident that there was a contested issue, since the applicants had raised allegations which the respondents had denied while demanding proof.

He further referred the Court to Rule 7(6) of the Judicial Review Procedure Rules, which provides that once leave to file a judicial review application is granted, it operates as an order staying the implementation of the decision being challenged. He argued that allowing the contested matter to proceed would render the case nugatory, and he cited various local and foreign court decisions in support of that argument.

The team of State Attorneys, led by Senior State Attorney Narindwa Sekimanga, assisted by Senior State Attorney Daniel Nyakia and State Attorney Erigh Rumisha, opposed the application on behalf of the AG, the chairperson and members of the commission. They did not dispute the other two requirements, except the first one–whether there existed a disputed issue.

State Attorney Rumisha argued that the applicants had failed to prove that crucial requirement, claiming that the applicants’ joint affidavit was full of thoughts, opinions and viewpoints, as well as conclusions of their allegations, but lacked substantive issues. Regarding the request to suspend the activities of the commission, Rumisha argued that the application was not supported by the applicants’ affidavit.

He further contended that where there is an issue of public interest, public interest should prevail over the interest of an individual. TLS counsel, Ferdinand Makore, told the Court that they supported the application.

On the issue of staying the commission’s activities, Advocate Makore submitted that Rule 7(5) of the Judicial Review Procedure Rules empowers the Court, at the leave stage, to issue such an order depending on the circumstances. In the application filed under a certificate of urgency, the applicants are seeking leave to file a judicial review application for orders of certiorari and prohibition to quash and restrain the President’s decision appointing members of the commission.

They are also seeking that the leave granted operate as an order staying the commission’s investigations until the substantive case challenging the commission is determined. In the case, the applicants are challenging the legality of the commission, arguing that its establishment and the appointment of its members were done with improper motive, contrary to the principle of natural justice that no one should be a judge in his or her own cause.

“The appointing authority is the Chairperson of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi, the party that participated in and won the election that resulted in violence during and after the election, and therefore has an interest in the election and in the commission,” the applicants claimed. They also alleged that member Stergomena Tax is a suspect, as she was the Minister for Defence and National Service at the time the election-related violence occurred and was involved in one way or another through her ministry.

They further claimed that retired Chief Justices cannot fairly investigate the violence because some of the destroyed property belongs to the judiciary they once headed, and that a retired IGP cannot impartially investigate because the serving IGP may be among the suspects. They also alleged that the Commander-in-Chief, who is the appointing authority of the commission (the President), on different dates issued instructions to the Police and the Defence Forces to prepare for violence during and after the election.

As such, they argued that the commission members cannot investigate the authority that appointed them. They further claimed that the establishment of the commission violated the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Cap.

32 Revised Edition 2023, particularly section 16. They argued that there was no clear statement of its objectives as required by that provision, but rather that they were based on perceptions, contrary to constitutional principles, good governance and due process. They claimed that the phrase used–“investigation into incidents of breaches of peace”–downplays and trivializes deaths, missing persons, missing bodies, injuries and the overall serious impact on the public.

Another ground raised was that the commission is not independent. They explained that it did not include members from independent professional bodies such as TLS, the Medical Association, civil society organizations, religious bodies or other independent stakeholders without conflicts of interest, in order to avoid bias in favor of the appointing authority.

They alleged that all members are retired public servants who previously held positions appointed by the President, and who took an oath of secrecy to the President, which had not been revoked upon retirement or by the date of their appointment as members of the challenged commission. .

Dar es Salaam. All players of Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, have now assembled in Cairo, Egypt, where the team has been holding its final training camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled to kick off in Morocco on Sunday.

The camp reached full capacity following the arrival of team captain Mbwana Samatta and assistant captain Simon Msuva, whose presence has significantly lifted the mood within the squad. According to Taifa Stars head of delegation, Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir, the two senior players joined the camp earlier this week, completing the list of selected players and allowing the technical bench to focus fully on tactical and physical preparations.

Jabir said the arrival of Samatta and Msuva has had a positive impact on the team’s morale as they gear up for their opening Group C match against Nigeria. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place at the Fez Stadium in Fez on Sunday night, with kick-off set for 8.

30pm East Africa Time. “The camp is now complete and all players are in good condition,” said Jabir.

“The presence of Samatta and Msuva have increased morale in the team. The players are motivated, focused and fully aware of the task ahead.

” He added that the training sessions in Cairo have been intense and productive, with the coaching staff emphasizing fitness, tactical discipline and team cohesion. With all players available, the technical team has been able to fine-tune strategies and assess combinations ahead of the tournament opener.

Jabir expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, noting that the players believe in their ability to compete strongly at the continental show-piece despite being drawn in a challenging group. “All players are now in camp and ready for the competition.

We will leave for Morocco today at 6pm to attend the opening ceremony,” he said. “Basically, we are in top shape ahead of the competition and ready to give our best results.

” Taifa Stars have been placed in Group C alongside African heavyweights Nigeria, as well as Uganda and Tunisia. The group is widely regarded as one of the most competitive at the tournament, but the Tanzanian camp remains optimistic about their chances.

Team officials believe that the blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents in the squad provides a strong foundation to challenge their opponents. The leadership of Samatta and Msuva is also expected to play a crucial role, both on and off the pitch, as Taifa Stars seek a positive start to their Afcon campaign.

With preparations in Cairo complete and the entire squad fit and motivated, Taifa Stars now turn their attention to Morocco, where they hope to make a strong statement in their opening match and carry momentum through the group stages. .

Dar es Salaam. Economic transformation in Kagera is no longer a distant policy ambition; it is unfolding in real time, driven by anticipation around the under-construction University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Campus.

Investors, residents and returnees are repositioning themselves for what they believe will become a new growth corridor anchored in higher education. The Citizen has learnt that even before the campus opens its doors in the 2026/27 academic year, market signals are unmistakable.

Land prices around the site have doubled, residential construction has accelerated and local entrepreneurs are racing to secure space for businesses catering to a future population of students, academics and professionals. “Before this project, an acre here could go for Sh20 million.

Today, it is S0 million or more and buyers are still coming,” said a land dealer in Bukoba Municipality, who requested anonymity due to ongoing negotiations. A local broker near the campus, Mr Juma Omar, added: “Two years ago, land here was affordable and buyers were few, or no land was being sold at all.

Today, prices have doubled and plots sell within days. People want to be close to the university because they know demand will not disappear.

” This is not speculation alone; it is calculated preparation. Investors said the campus represents predictable, long-term demand, a rare commodity in regional economies.

Rental housing, retail shops, food outlets, transport services and ICT-related businesses are already being planned, even as construction continues. At the heart of this shift is the economic logic of universities as anchors of local development.

The UDSM Kagera Campus is being built in Karabagaine Ward, within Ihtawa and Kangabusharo villages in Bukoba Rural District. The development, under the World Bank-supported Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project, has a starting cost of Sh14.9 billion and is designed to specialise in business and ICT-related disciplines, linking skills development directly to market needs.

The campus is set to be ready by March 2026. “The construction in Kagera is part of UDSM’s mission to generate knowledge that is economically, socially and technologically relevant,” said UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof William Anangisye. “This campus is not only about teaching; it is about transformation and relevance to the national economy,” he added.

The campus infrastructure, lecture halls, computer laboratories, staff offices, student hostels and service facilities will inject sustained spending into the local economy. More importantly, it is expected to attract a stable population with purchasing power, which investors say reduces risk.

Retired President Jakaya Kikwete, who also serves as UDSM Chancellor, appealed to local investors during the foundation stone-laying ceremony, urging them to act early rather than observe from afar. “Opportunities like this do not come often.

Those who invest early in education infrastructure are the ones who benefit most,” he said, calling on Kagera residents to take ownership of the project’s economic potential. That call appears to be resonating, not only with those already in Kagera, but also with people who had previously left the region in search of opportunities.

Several residents said the campus is reversing long-standing migration trends. “I left Kagera ten years ago because there was nothing to keep professionals here.

With a UDSM campus focusing on business and ICT, I am planning to return home and invest. This is the kind of anchor that changes everything,” said a businessman now based in Mwanza.

Local leaders argue that this return migration could be one of the project’s most significant economic outcomes. “Skilled returnees bring capital, networks and experience, accelerating local enterprise development beyond what organic growth alone could achieve,” said Kagera Regional Commissioner, Ms Fatma Mwassa.

Education and economic policy analysts including, Dr Geofrey Kabyemelwa, agree saying universities create what he termed “durable economies.” “Unlike short-term projects, universities generate continuous demand.

Every academic year brings new consumers, ideas and enterprises. Over time, this reshapes the economic identity of a region,” he said.

The ICT orientation of the Kagera campus is also shaping expectations among young entrepreneurs. Youth groups are exploring plans for digital services, co-working spaces, computer maintenance businesses and online learning support services.

“This campus tells us that knowledge-based businesses can survive here. We do not have to migrate to Dar es Salaam to be part of the digital economy,” said one youth entrepreneur, Mr Juma Omar.

From a broader policy perspective, the project aligns with Tanzania’s development vision, which positions higher education as a driver of industrialisation, service-sector growth and youth employment. Prof Anangisye noted that the HEET project is closely linked to national development frameworks and UDSM’s long-term vision of aligning education with economic needs.

For Kagera, a region with deep historical significance but limited large-scale investment, the campus is fast becoming a symbol of renewal. The bulldozers and cranes may dominate the skyline today, but the more profound construction is economic confidence, visible in rising land values, returning residents and investors preparing for a future built around knowledge.

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Nairobi. West Africa is bracing for a jump in air travel demand as its heads of state prepare to cut taxes and fees that make up nearly half of a flight ticket, starting January 2026. The heads of state and government in the region approved the measures at their December 2024 summit in Abuja, aiming to dismantle the cost barriers that have made West Africa one of the world’s most expensive regions for air travel.

Under the new Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees, all the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries will eliminate air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25%. ECOWAS hopes the reforms will strengthen domestic and regional airlines, expand mobility and accelerate economic integration.

“The citizens of West Africa can travel freely, enjoy affordable air tickets, and the regional integration agenda that we seek will happen,” ECOWAS’s Director of transport,Chris Appiah, told journalists in Nigeria. The bloc projects that if fares fall by between 30 to 40%, intra-regional passenger numbers could climb to between 12 and 15 million annually within three years, based on modelling from the ECOWAS Commission and AFRAA’s 2024 market outlook.

“A lot of people will start traveling, a lot of traders will start moving, and this is revenue for government because they’ll pay more taxes,” said Appiah. A return ticket from Accra to Dakar averages US$650 to US$900, while an Accra to Lagos flight, which is barely an hour long, frequently sells for about US $350 to US$450, according to fare data compiled from IATA and major West African carriers.

Pan African Sky, a portal developed by Nelson Amenya, a strategy consultant, who exposed the controversial US$2 billion Adani-JKIA airport deal in Kenya, leading to its cancellation, is also advocating for lower air transport costs across Africa. According to the portal, the return ticket from Accra to Dakar would cost atleast US$ 215 to a high of US$537 while Accra to Lagos flight would cost between US$41 to US$101, leading to upto 80% savings on ticket costs.

Amenya argues that Africa’s skies will only open when the continent matches global Southwest’s operational discipline with political choices “that stop punishing people for the simple act of crossing their own continent.” “If we want a continent where a young Kenyan can affordably attend a conference in Lagos, where a Tanzanian entrepreneur can regularly fly to Kinshasa, and where regional tourism flourishes beyond a tiny elite, then we must stop pretending,” said Amenya on the portal.

He pointed to Europe’s air transport liberalisation between 1992 and 2000 as a powerful case study, noting that fares fell by more than 15% while flight frequencies surged 88%. Over the same period, the number of routes expanded by 75% and available seats more than doubled.

In Africa, he cited Morocco’s full airline market liberalisation, institutionalised in 2006, which opened domestic and international routes, including to European carriers. The reforms intensified competition, pushed fares down by about 7%, and expanded route networks, delivering significant gains for national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet.

The increased connectivity helped lift tourist arrivals in the country by an average of 6% annually. Similarly, he argued that the adoption of low-cost carrier models in South Africa transformed the market, with FlySafair expanding its capacity by nearly 800% between 2018 and 2024, underscoring the growth potential unlocked by liberalised skies.

The immediate effect on anticipated reduction in flight ticket costs across West Africa is expected to first take cause in active ECOWAS members include Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. It is not yet clear if countries suspended due to a coup including Guinea-Bissau and Guinea and those that no longer participating due to military takeovers like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso will immediately enjoy the lower air fares.

Despite a population of more than 420 million, West Africa reaches only half of North Africa’s (about 280 million ) approximately 40% of the continent’s air traffic, according to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). “It’s been established that our region is the most expensive when it comes to air transport services,” said Appiah, noting that government-imposed taxes and charges by aviation authorities and airport operators as key drivers.

Similar sentiments are shared by Amenya in his PanAfrica Sky portal that shows West Africa charges an average of US$110 per passenger in taxes for international departures, compared to just US$10 in the European Union. Fuel taxes in Africa, according to the portal, make jet fuel 17% more expensive than the global average and accounting for 40% of operating costs compared to 25% globally.

(bird story agency ) “The taxes levied by governments and the charges collected by civil aviation authorities and airport companies are a big part of the ticket cost,” Appiah said. A new Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism, Appiah said will track implementation, monitor fare changes and publish regional comparisons to ensure the measures are adhered by member countries.

Lagos and Abuja airports rank at the bottom of Africa’s top 10 airports by passenger traffic, each handling fewer than two million passengers in 2024, according to AFRAA. Only one regional corridor, Accra to Lagos, made it into the top 10 busiest intra-African routes last year.

(bird story agency) .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is moving closer to the launch of its long-awaited Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme.

The ministry of Health reports that preparations for implementation are 80 percent complete, and details of the benefit packages are expected to be unveiled soon. These packages have been designed based on the country’s disease burden and the income levels of Tanzanians and are currently in their final stages.

Once approved by the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), the minister for Health will formally announce the packages ahead of the pilot phase. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has consistently emphasised the urgency of delivering UHI, describing the initiative as essential for ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.

The Assistant Director for Policy, Research, and Innovation at the Ministry, who also oversees UHI, Mr Tumainiel Macha, stated that the ICT infrastructure linking health centres, referral hospitals, and the national UHI system is 90 percent complete. “In the coming days, before the 100-day period ends, the packages will be announced, and services under this insurance will begin,” he told The Citizen.

“We assure Tanzanians that the packages take into account people’s income levels and will cover all major diseases, even at lower-level facilities.” Under the UHI Act, the Minister of Health is mandated to announce the packages, making the official statement imminent.

In preparation, the ministry has upgraded health facilities and deployed additional health workers to ensure services align with citizens’ contributions. Tira is fully ready for the implementation as well.

The regulator confirmed that internal arrangements are complete, including payment guidelines, integration of key digital systems, and the ongoing registration of public and private health facilities to offer UHI services. Commissioner for Insurance, Dr Baghayo Saqware, said that the process is now in the hands of the Ministry of Health.

“We are almost 100 percent ready. All procedures have been completed; we are just waiting for the minister to announce the packages so insurers can start operating their UHI products,” he said.

Dr Saqware also mentioned that insurers wishing to participate must establish standalone health insurance entities or restructure their businesses. Several firms have already begun this process.

Industry data from last year indicated 8.4 million insurance policyholders and 17.5 million beneficiaries, figures expected to rise significantly once UHI is implemented.

He noted that increased private-sector participation would alleviate pressure on government healthcare financing, freeing up public resources for other priority development projects. To ensure smooth implementation, Tira studied international best practices in countries such as South Korea and Thailand and also benchmarked Ghana’s model.

“Tanzania will be the first country on the continent to fully implement this law,” Dr Saqware remarked, adding that countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe have expressed interest in learning from Tanzania’s approach. Moreover, experts have highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving insurance service delivery.

During the launch of the Insurance Market Report 2024 in October, industry leaders emphasised the use of AI in claims processing to reduce fraud and enhance efficiency. Dr Adamson Harold, chairman of the Medical Insurance Council and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee Insurance, stated that AI-powered systems have diminished disputes between insurers and health facilities as well as reduced duplicate payments.

“The use of AI in implementing UHI is inevitable. It reduces human error, builds trust in the system, and minimises unnecessary claims,” he said.

In support of UHI, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has expanded its operations to 42 districts and strengthened partnerships with industry stakeholders, including the Association of Tanzania Insurers. NHIF Director for Membership Services, Dr Alfonse Chandika, mentioned that 23 insurance agents are already collaborating with the fund to increase enrollment.

Additionally, NHIF has partnered with mobile phone companies, social workers, and community groups to raise public awareness and ensure smooth uptake once the scheme becomes operational. .

Nairobi. Tanzanian-owned Amsons Group has signed a $250 million contract for the construction of a clinker production plant in Matuga, Kwale County, marking one of the largest cross-border industrial investments by a Tanzanian company in Kenya.

The project follows Amsons Group’s acquisition of Bamburi Cement and form part of the group’s regional expansion strategy anchored in East Africa’s growing construction and infrastructure markets. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Nairobi, witnessed by President William Ruto, Amsons Group chairman Edha Nahdi said the investment reflects the group’s long-term commitment to regional industrialisation.

“The $250 million investment directly addresses the need to reduce reliance on clinker imports while strengthening local manufacturing capacity, in line with the priorities of the Kenyan government,” Mr Nahdi said. The plant will be developed through Amsons’ subsidiary, Bamburi Cement Plc, and is expected to significantly expand local clinker supply, a key input in cement production.

Bamburi Cement chief executive officer Mohit Kapoor said the facility will align with the company’s low-carbon manufacturing agenda. “The Matuga clinker plant will incorporate advanced technologies designed to reduce emissions and improve production efficiency,” he said.

Once operational, the plant is expected to cut Kenya’s dependence on imported clinker and strengthen the resilience of the regional cement value chain. The project is projected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and stimulate economic activity in the Coast region.

Amsons Group, which is headquartered in Tanzania, has expanded its footprint in the regional cement sector following its acquisition of Bamburi Cement in late 2024 and majority control of East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC). Together with other planned investments, the Matuga plant is expected to push Kenya’s clinker production capacity beyond current national demand.

President Ruto said the cement industry remains central to infrastructure delivery across the region, including housing, transport, energy and industrial development. “Investments such as the Bamburi clinker plant strengthen the cement value chain and support long-term competitiveness, not only for Kenya but for the wider East African region,” he said.

The construction contract was signed with SINOMACBMI Construction Co Ltd, a cement engineering and construction firm. Amsons Group said the investment underscores the growing role of Tanzanian capital in regional industrial development and cross-border value chains in East Africa.

(NMG) .

Arusha. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has launched a special tourism promotion offering discounted holiday packages for the year-end festive season, aiming to increase visitor numbers and achieve a revenue target of Sh350 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Branded “Merry and Wild: Ngorongoro Awaits” under the tagline “If you love them, bring them to Ngorongoro,” the campaign seeks to attract both domestic and international tourists to one of the world’s most celebrated heritage destinations, renowned for its spectacular landscapes and rare wildlife. The campaign was unveiled on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Empakai Crater within the conservation area.

NCAA Assistant Senior Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing, Ms Mariam Kobelo, said during the launch that the initiative marks the second phase of a broader drive, following an assessment that revealed domestic tourist numbers remain relatively low compared to international arrivals. “In partnership with Tanzania Smile Safari, we have developed packages with discounts of up to 50 percent to enable more Tanzanians to experience the outstanding world heritage found within Ngorongoro,” said Ms Kobelo.

NCAA has set a Sh350 billion revenue target from its various income streams, including tourism and service provision. The target builds on a strong performance in the 2024/2025 financial year, during which the authority exceeded expectations by collecting Sh269.9 billion.

For his part, Tanzania Smile Safari Marketing Officer, Mr Emmanuel Pantaleo, said the campaign has been structured around three tailored packages, rhinoceros, elephant, and leopard, designed to meet the needs of travellers from different locations. He explained that the Rhinoceros Package, priced at S75,000 per person for travellers departing from Dar es Salaam, offers a two-day trip (December 2425, 2025), which includes transport from Mlimani City to the conservation area, park entry fees, accommodation, meals, a professional tour guide, and photography services.

The Elephant Package, costing S50,000 per person, is designed for travellers departing from Arusha and also covers a two-day experience (December 2425, 2025), including transport, entry fees, meals, a tour guide, and photography services. The Leopard Package, priced at Sh225,000 per person, offers a one-day trip on December 25, 2025, for travellers from Arusha and includes transport, entry fees, meals, a tour guide, and photography services.

Mr Pantaleo added that the Leopard Package will also be available on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, for visitors seeking a one-day New Year tourism experience. He noted that high-standard tourist vehicles and experienced guides have been arranged to ensure visitors reach key attractions and enjoy a fulfilling and memorable tourism experience.

Meanwhile, NCAA Director of Planning, Investment and Monitoring, Mr Gasper Lyimo, said visitors will have the opportunity to explore major attractions, including the Ngorongoro Crater, Empakai Crater, Olmoti, and the northern highland forests, which are home to a wide range of wildlife such as lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards. He added that the authority continues to upgrade road infrastructure and coordinate essential services, including security, to ensure smooth access to all attractions and guarantee safe, enjoyable, and memorable holidays.

“Our priority is to ensure visitors receive a high-quality tourism experience in a safe environment with world-class services, while enhancing the contribution of tourism to the national economy,” he said. .

Lilongwe. Tanzania and Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade in maize, pledging to sustain a long-standing relationship that has underpinned food security cooperation between the two neighbours for decades.

The renewed commitment follows talks held on December 17, 2025, in Lilongwe involving officials from both governments and representatives of the private sector. The Tanzanian delegation was led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security, Dr Stephen Nindi, who said Tanzania has sufficient maize production to support continued trade with Malawi.

In a statement issued through the ministry, Dr Nindi said Tanzania’s National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) currently holds maize reserves exceeding 500,000 tonnes, positioning the country to respond to regional demand. He described Malawi as a “brotherly nation,” stressing that positive developments in one country should benefit both, particularly in matters of food security.

“Malawi is a brother to Tanzania. We will continue to maintain close relations, including in trade,” Dr Nindi said.

Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Ms Erica Maganga, said the two countries enjoy deep-rooted ties that have endured for decades. She said the discussions were aimed at expanding maize trade opportunities and strengthening cooperation to address food security challenges, many of which are being intensified by climate change.

Ms Maganga also commended Tanzania’s grain storage systems, noting that they meet internationally recognised quality standards. During the visit, the Tanzanian delegation met with the leadership of NFRA Malawi and the Grain Traders and Processors Association of Malawi (GTPA), holding discussions on maize trade opportunities, aflatoxin control and market-related challenges.

The delegation included NFRA Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Komba, NFRA Advisory Board member Robinson Meitinyiku, and Tanzania’s Ambassador to Malawi, Ms Agnes Kayola. .

Dar es Salaam. Even as parts of Dar es Salaam continue to grapple with intermittent supply of clean and safe water, a new concern has emerged, with residents complaining of unusually high water bills that they say do not reflect their actual consumption — a burden felt most acutely by low-income households.

Asked by this newspaper on December 18, 2025, to respond to the complaints, the Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa), Mr Mkama Bwire, said the issue differs from one customer to another and urged affected consumers to engage directly with the authority for resolution. Mr Bwire said being supplied with water on a rationing basis does not mean a customer is not receiving the service, noting that billing is based on actual consumption as recorded by water meters.

“All Dawasa customers use meters that measure the real amount of water consumed, although in some cases the meters may experience technical challenges,” he said. He advised customers who find their bills unclear to contact Dawasa through its toll-free number 181 or visit the authority’s offices for assistance.

“Even if water is supplied under a rationing system, that does not mean there is no service. Customers should report any concerns so they can be addressed,” Mr Bwire said.

However, some residents say the bills they receive are inconsistent with their water usage, adding to the financial strain amid challenging economic conditions. Speaking to Mwananchi separately, several residents said they continue to receive high and unexplained bills despite consuming relatively small amounts of water, raising questions about the accuracy of billing.

A Tabata Sanene resident, Mr Baltazar Amos, said the problem has persisted for years and that his attempts to reach the authority have been unsuccessful. “This is not a new problem.

Every time I call, no one answers. Often the phone just rings, and even when I try to raise the issue through their social media platforms, there is no response,” he said.

Similarly, Ms Mariam Sambrina of Mabibo said her bills have remained unchanged despite a reduction in water usage. “Three months ago I was paying Sh16,000 per month when my children were at home.

Even after they went back to school, the bill remained the same, yet I spend most of my time at work,” she said. She said the situation is particularly distressing given the prevailing economic hardships.

“If the meters are faulty, they should be replaced instead of burdening residents with high bills. I fear that some meter readings may be estimated rather than properly verified,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Richard Richard of Tabata Kisiwani, said high water bills have become a recurring problem in the house where he lives, which accommodates several tenants. “Most of us are casual workers and are mainly at home over the weekends.

We don’t use much water because we have few household items, yet the bills remain high,” he said, adding that follow-ups with the authority had yielded no satisfactory explanation. In response, Mr Bwire said Dawasa continues to receive similar complaints even during periods when water supply is stable.

He explained that before bills are issued, customers receive a message prompting them to confirm meter readings to ensure accuracy. “Only after that verification is the bill sent.

It is also important to understand that a customer may go without water for three or four days, but on the days when water is available, they may store water and use it over subsequent days,” he said. Dawasa has urged customers with billing concerns to engage the authority directly to allow for verification and corrective action where necessary.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is positioning online trade as a central pillar of its strategy to tackle youth unemployment while accelerating economic growth, as the government finalises a National E-commerce Strategy aimed at unlocking opportunities in the digital economy.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Judith Kapinga, said the government was taking “critical steps to establish a strong and well-coordinated system to guide online trade, acknowledging the sector’s growing role in business transformation and job creation.” “Online trade is a major opportunity for young people, and in recognising this reality, the national strategy under preparation will deliberately and uniquely integrate youth participation,” added Ms Kapinga.

Her remarks come as Tanzania experiences a steady rise in digital entrepreneurship, driven by expanding internet access, mobile money penetration, and growing acceptance of online marketplaces. From social media shops to fully fledged e-commerce platforms, technology is lowering entry barriers for young entrepreneurs who previously lacked capital to establish physical businesses.

According to data shared by the minister, by 2024, Tanzania had registered 1,820 companies whose core activity is online trade, an indication of how rapidly the sector is gaining traction. Many of these enterprises are youth-led, operating in retail, logistics, creative industries, and digital services.

“Advances in technology have led to the emergence and rapid growth of online businesses. In Tanzania, we already have companies and traders whose operations are entirely based on e-commerce,” she said.

The government views youth as a strategic economic asset rather than a social challenge. Ms Kapinga emphasised that public investment would focus on infrastructure, skills, and access to resources to ensure young people participate meaningfully in digital trade.

“We recognise the strength of young people as a vital part of national development. We will continue to invest in infrastructure, training, and resources so that online business becomes accessible to the youth,” she said.

“We will guarantee secure payments, wider markets and professional support, while ensuring tools and technology are available closer to the people,” added Ms Kapinga. Beyond regulation, the strategy also aims to make online business attractive and sustainable.

The government plans to promote innovation through incentives, competitions, and reward-based challenges, particularly targeting young innovators. “We will encourage creativity and innovation through challenges that offer rewards, making online business both enjoyable and profitable,” said Ms Kapinga.

“Together, young people and the government will build a Tanzania of strong entrepreneurs with products that can compete globally,” she added. The e-commerce drive is also linked to Tanzania’s broader industrialisation agenda.

The government has rolled out a special industrial development programme aimed at establishing, reviving, and expanding 9,048 industries, and creating six million jobs within six years. The plan includes the construction of industrial parks across all regions of mainland Tanzania, aligned with regional economic strengths.

“This programme presents a significant opportunity for young people to participate across the entire value chain,” the minister said, noting that digital platforms can connect small producers to national, regional, and international markets. .