Category: The Citizen

The Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) has stepped up efforts to verify journalists’ qualifications nationwide, with inspections already conducted in Dodoma, Iringa and Morogoro as part of a drive to weed out unqualified practitioners from the profession.

The board has also introduced life membership accreditation for veteran journalists who were aged 50 years and above in 2016, following legal guidance allowing those with long service in the media industry to receive lifetime accreditation.

JAB director Patrick Kipangula said on Saturday, July 11, 2026, that the board was conducting region-by-region assessments to ensure all journalists practising in Tanzania meet academic and professional requirements stipulated by law.

“We want to satisfy ourselves that people working in the media have the qualifications and requirements stipulated by the law. Every person currently practising journalism must meet the required criteria,” remarked Mr Kipangula during the ongoing Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair popularly known as Sabasaba.

He said journalists whose accreditation had been revoked would only be reinstated after proving they met the required standards.

“Some issues are circulating on social media, but accreditation decisions are based on verification. If someone does not have the required qualifications, they cannot return to broadcasting or journalism until they meet the requirements,” he said.

Mr Kipangula said the board was verifying academic credentials to establish whether applicants attended recognised institutions, completed their studies, and obtained valid qualifications.

“For those who studied abroad, we verify whether their qualifications are equivalent to Tanzania’s education requirements, starting from diploma level,” he said.

He warned that journalists who failed to meet the required standards would not be allowed to continue practising.

“We are very strict on this matter. Those who do not qualify will not return, while those who meet the criteria will be allowed to continue serving the public,” he said.

The move comes amid concerns among media leaders over declining professional standards, limited resources and challenges affecting the quality of journalism.

Mwananchi Editor, Ms Lilian Timbuka, said the industry needed urgent reforms to restore professionalism.

“We want to see improvement. Every corner should have competent journalists who meet the required standards. The shortcuts and unprofessional practices happening now must stop,” she said.

Ms Timbuka said some media organisations continued to employ journalists without the necessary skills, a situation she warned could erode public confidence in the media.

She also called for economic support for media organisations, saying a financially stable media sector was essential for effective public accountability.

Nipashe Managing Editor, Ms Salome Kitomari, said financial constraints had weakened investigative journalism as many media houses could no longer afford field reporting.

“Today, many media houses cannot afford investigative journalism. If you send a journalist to another region to investigate a story, there must be resources to make that possible,” she said.

Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) Chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile, said improving journalism required mentorship and stronger self-regulation, including the establishment of an independent media council to handle complaints.

He said experience should also be recognised alongside academic qualifications, particularly for veteran journalists.

“There are journalists who have worked in newsrooms since 1989. You cannot tell them today to go back and start a diploma course. They have knowledge and can mentor young journalists,” said Mr Balile.

Media Brains Editor, Mr Jesse Kwayu, said journalists needed more support to undertake challenging assignments, especially investigations, adding that technology should be used to strengthen accountability.

JAB Chairperson, Mr Tido Mhando, said 141 applications for accreditation had been rejected after applicants failed to meet the required criteria.

Tanzanian conglomerate MeTL Group expects to surpass $3 billion (about Sh7.8 trillion) in annual revenue this year, with Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Dewji, attributing the growth to decades of investment in manufacturing, value addition and the revival of struggling industries.

Speaking at Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking Conference, Africa Unlocked, in Cape Town, Mr Dewji said MeTL’s transformation from a trading company into a major African manufacturing conglomerate demonstrates the long-term benefits of investing in production despite challenging business conditions.

The government has announced a crackdown on restaurants and food vendors operating in breach of public health regulations, warning that businesses failing to comply with food safety standards will face legal action.

Authorities said some restaurant operators continue to disregard public health requirements, exposing consumers to food-borne illnesses despite the sector’s growing contribution to employment, income generation and essential services.

The rapid expansion of informal restaurants, roadside eateries and grilled meat stalls has heightened concerns over compliance with food safety regulations, prompting authorities to intensify inspections and enforcement.

Under Tanzanian law, anyone operating a restaurant or food business, including food handlers and other employees, must undergo a medical examination at an approved health facility and obtain a valid health certificate before preparing or selling food.

Health experts warn that failure to comply with these requirements increases the risk of diseases associated with poor hygiene, unsafe food handling and unsanitary food preparation environments.

Residents have also raised concerns over hygiene standards at some eateries, calling on authorities to strengthen inspections and take firm action against operators who flout the law.

A survey by The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi in different parts of Mbeya Region found many informal food vendors, commonly known as mama lishe and baba lishe, were unaware of the legal requirements governing the business.

It also found numerous roadside grilled meat and chips vendors, particularly near bus terminals, operating below acceptable public health standards.

Mixed awareness among food vendors

Speaking separately, some vendors said they had undergone the required medical screening and obtained health certificates, while others admitted they had never been informed that the procedure was mandatory.

A mama lishe operator in Uyole, Ms Victoria Michael, said she had sold food for six years without knowing medical screening was a legal requirement.

“This is the first time I have heard about these health checks. Where are we supposed to go? Who determines that we are fit to prepare food, and what illnesses are they testing for?” she asked.

“As far as I know, my responsibility has been to pay taxes, keep my premises clean and prepare food in a hygienic environment,” added Ms Michael.

A baba lishe operator in Soweto, Mbeya City, Mr Paschal John, said no health official had ever informed him about compulsory medical examinations.

“Should we go to a hospital, health centre or dispensary? We need professionals to guide us so we know exactly what is required. Personally, I always make sure the food I prepare is safe,” he said.

However, another vendor, Ms Jesca Mwashilindi, said she had complied with all legal requirements before opening her business.

“Health officers trained us before I started the business. I underwent the medical examination and received my certificate. The main challenge is ensuring my assistants are also tested because many work only for a short period,” she said.

Public raises food safety concerns

A resident of Chimala in Mbeya Region, Mr Agustino Novat, said poor hygiene at some restaurants continued to endanger consumers.

“Sometimes you eat at a restaurant and later develop stomach problems. Some of these illnesses are caused by food sold by roadside vendors,” he said.

“You find grilled meat being sold at unusually low prices and begin wondering where it came from. In the end, it is consumers who suffer,” added Mr Novat.

Experts urge tougher enforcement

Public health and environmental expert, Mr Titus Shaban, said food safety begins with good personal hygiene and clean food preparation environments.

“People should not compromise hygiene in pursuit of income. Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness, wear appropriate protective clothing and prepare food in sanitary conditions. Otherwise, the consequences can be serious for both vendors and consumers,” he said.

He urged authorities to enforce existing laws consistently while encouraging the public to play a greater role in promoting environmental cleanliness and protecting public health.

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Southern Highlands Zone manager, Mr Rodney Alananga, said the agency, working with health authorities, continues to train vendors and register food business premises to improve compliance with food safety regulations.

He said operators found preparing food in unhygienic conditions, failing to wear protective clothing or violating food safety regulations face enforcement action in collaboration with local government authorities.

Mbeya Regional Health Officer, Mr Nimrod Kiporoza, said authorities were preparing comprehensive inspections to identify businesses operating outside the law.

He said inspections would begin with education and registration before authorities took legal action, including prosecution, against operators who continued violating public health regulations.

The growing number of elite South African coaches and players choosing Tanzania is no coincidence. It is one of the clearest signs that the Tanzania Premier League has become one of Africa’s fastest-growing football competitions.

A decade ago, it was uncommon for established South African footballers to leave the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for Tanzania. That trend has now changed significantly.

When investors evaluate opportunities around the world, market size is often one of the first metrics they consider. Conventional wisdom suggests that larger economies naturally attract larger investments. Yet across Africa, some of the continent’s smaller and lesser-known markets continue to secure significant attention from international investors.

According to Prateek Suri, Chairman of Maser Group and CEO of MDR Investments, the reason is simple: successful investors often look beyond today’s numbers and focus on future opportunity.

“Investors are not always searching for the largest market,” Suri says. “Many are looking for the right market at the right stage of development, where long-term growth potential remains significantly undervalued.”

Having spent years building businesses across Africa and the Middle East, Suri believes many international investors continue to underestimate the opportunities available in markets that receive relatively little global attention.

One factor is competition.

Large economies often attract numerous international companies, creating crowded sectors and higher costs of entry. Smaller markets, by contrast, can provide opportunities to establish leadership positions, build strategic partnerships, and capture market share more efficiently.

Countries such as Rwanda, Mauritius, Botswana, Benin, and Seychelles have demonstrated how policy reforms, regulatory stability, and business-friendly environments can attract investment despite modest domestic populations.

However, Suri notes that the story is not limited to smaller economies alone.

Tanzania, for example, has emerged as one of East Africa’s most attractive long-term investment destinations. While larger than many of its regional peers, Tanzania is increasingly drawing investor attention because of its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, growing population, and role as a gateway to regional trade.

“Tanzania possesses many of the characteristics investors seek in emerging markets,” Suri explains. “Its access to the Indian Ocean, improving transport corridors, natural resource base, tourism potential, and growing consumer economy make it one of the most strategically important markets in East Africa.”

The country continues to attract interest across sectors including logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, energy, mining, housing, and digital infrastructure. Major investments in ports, transportation networks, and connectivity are strengthening Tanzania’s position as a commercial hub serving multiple neighbouring countries.

For many investors, geography can be as important as population size.

A strategically positioned country with strong regional connections can often deliver opportunities that exceed what traditional economic indicators might suggest. The growth of regional blocs such as the East African Community has further strengthened this trend by making cross-border trade and investment increasingly efficient.

Technology is also changing how investors think about scale.

“Digital infrastructure has reduced many of the historical limitations associated with smaller markets,” Suri says. “Today, a company can establish itself in one country while serving customers across an entire region.”

The rise of fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and digital payments has enabled businesses to scale more rapidly than ever before. Investors are increasingly prioritizing connectivity, talent, regulatory frameworks, and long-term growth prospects over simple population statistics.

According to Suri, some of the world’s most successful investments have historically emerged from markets that were initially overlooked.

“The biggest opportunities are often found where others are not looking,” he says. “Investors who focus exclusively on current size may miss markets that are positioned for substantial long-term growth.”

As global capital continues searching for new opportunities, Africa’s investment story is becoming increasingly diverse. Whether in smaller reform-driven economies or regional growth hubs such as Tanzania, investors are discovering that potential is not always measured by size alone.

Sometimes, the most significant opportunities emerge where vision extends beyond the headlines and toward the future.

Mbwambo Erick is a financial analyst and investment expert based in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.

Tanzania has begun implementing the Fourth Five-Year National Development Plan (FYDP IV) for 2026/27-2030/31, the first medium-term plan under the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the country into a $1 trillion upper-middle-income economy by 2050.

The Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Planning and the National Planning Commission executive secretary, Dr Tausi Kida, announced the move during a side event at the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN headquarters in New York.

Speaking at the forum, themed Driving Industrial and Inclusive Economic Transformation: Financing, Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Agricultural and Blue Economy Value Chains, Dr Kida said Tanzania was entering a new phase of development focused on translating sustained economic growth and infrastructure investment into higher productivity, quality jobs, increased exports, value addition and shared prosperity.

She said the economy is currently growing at 5.9 percent and is projected to expand to 6.3 percent by the end of 2026, driven by stronger performance across productive and service sectors, alongside continued investment in strategic infrastructure.

“Our goal is not simply to expand the size of the economy, but to deliver inclusive growth that raises incomes, creates jobs, reduces poverty and enables women, young people, smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to participate fully in economic development,” said Dr Kida.

She noted that agriculture, forestry and fisheries contributed 24.3 percent of Tanzania’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, while the fisheries sector’s contribution rose from 1.9 percent in 2020 to 2.2 percent in 2025, reflecting growing opportunities in the blue economy.

Dr Kida said the government was committed to shifting the economy from exporting raw materials to producing higher-value manufactured goods through processing, technology adoption and stronger linkages between local producers and domestic, regional and international markets.

She also announced that Tanzania will present its Third Voluntary National Review on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on July 14, 2026, highlighting progress in clean water, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, transport, digital technology and domestic resource mobilisation.

Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Togolani Mavura, said Africa’s industrial transformation must be inclusive, benefiting smallholder farmers, women, young people, fishers, pastoralists, small businesses and participants in the informal economy.

He called for stronger regional and international partnerships in technology, investment, trade, skills development, development finance and value chain integration.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) chief financial officer, Mr Karen Vardanyan, cited Tanzania as an example of how innovative financing can accelerate national and local development.

He said access to clean cooking energy had increased from 6.9 percent in 2021 to 28.6 percent in 2025, supported by the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, private sector investment and government initiatives.

Mr Vardanyan also highlighted the Tanga UWASA Green Revenue Bond, which raised $20.8 million for climate-resilient water infrastructure.

The bond was the first sub-national green bond issued in East Africa, with domestic investors contributing 65 percent of the total investment.

Other initiatives showcased included the PesaTech Accelerator, which supports youth-led financial innovation and enterprises, and the LoCAL facility, which helps local government authorities mobilise climate-resilient investment.

The forum concluded that delivering Vision 2050 and FYDP IV will require close collaboration among the government, the private sector, financial institutions, the United Nations, development partners, civil society and local communities.

Under Vision 2050, Tanzania aims to become an upper-middle-income economy with a gross domestic product of $1 trillion, per capita income exceeding $7,000 and the eradication of poverty by 2050.

Formalising businesses in the forestry and beekeeping sectors is key to attracting investment, improving market access and promoting sustainable growth, the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has said, urging traders to register their enterprises and comply with relevant laws.

The Assistant Commissioner for Forests and Manager for Beekeeping Resources at TFS, Mr Hussein Msuya, made the remarks during TFS Day at the ongoing 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), where the agency showcased research findings, projects and innovations from departments under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Mr Msuya said formalisation would enable businesses dealing in forest and bee products to access more opportunities, improve their operations and contribute to conservation efforts.

“We encourage our stakeholders to strengthen businesses involving forest and bee products. At the same time, we urge them to operate within the law so they can grow sustainably,” he said.

He said the trade fair had provided TFS and its stakeholders with an opportunity to educate the public, showcase products and promote investment opportunities in the forestry and beekeeping sectors.

“The 50th anniversary of Sabasaba has given us an opportunity to educate the public, highlight investment opportunities and promote sustainable business practices,” he said.

Mr Msuya added that the exhibition had enabled entrepreneurs and stakeholders to showcase their products, share innovations and demonstrate the contribution of forestry and beekeeping to the national economy.

He said TFS had brought together stakeholders from across the country to provide education and display products derived from forest and bee resources.

Mr Msuya described forests as vital to environmental conservation, noting that they provide products and ecosystem services that support livelihoods and human well-being.

“Forests and trees play a vital role in environmental conservation. They provide a wide range of products and ecosystem services that are essential to human life,” he said.

He stressed that protecting forests requires collaboration between government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources.

Mr Msuya also highlighted the role of beekeeping in supporting food security, conserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems through the preservation of bee habitats.

He said TFS continues to promote community-based enterprises and raise awareness of the sustainable use of forest resources through various programmes across the country.

He warned against the indiscriminate use of fire, describing it as one of the greatest threats to forests and natural vegetation.

“We urge people not to use fire to clear forests or destroy vegetation. Misuse of fire causes extensive damage to natural ecosystems and violates environmental laws,” he said.

Mr Msuya said that TFS officers stationed across the country would continue educating communities on responsible environmental practices and the importance of conserving forests for future generations.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Vincent Mpwaji of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam as Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese, the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) announced on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 11, 2026, TEC said Bishop-elect Mpwaji will assist the Archbishop in the pastoral ministry of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

Born on June 5, 1978, in Morogoro Region, Bishop-elect Mpwaji was ordained a priest on July 7, 2008, in Dar es Salaam after completing his priestly formation.

Since then, he has served in various pastoral and administrative roles within the archdiocese, gaining extensive experience in parish ministry and Church administration.

He holds a doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Before his appointment, Bishop-elect Mpwaji served as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam and Assistant Parish Priest at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dar es Salaam.

The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Fr Charles Kitima.

Despite claiming he was kidnapped while on his way to sell chickens at a market, held in a guesthouse and later framed in a drug trafficking case, James Luko has failed to overturn his life sentence.

The High Court’s Morogoro Sub-Registry has dismissed his appeal against the conviction after finding that prosecution evidence proved he was found inside a shelter lying on top of six sacks containing 108 kilogrammes of cannabis.

In a ruling delivered on July 10, 2026, Judge Stephen Magoiga said there were no grounds to interfere with the decision of the Morogoro Resident Magistrate’s Court, which convicted Luko and sentenced him to life imprisonment for trafficking narcotic drugs.

The court also dismissed Luko’s claims that he was kidnapped while going to Nyandira Market to sell chickens, taken to a guesthouse and later forced to place his thumbprint on documents he did not understand.

The judge said the allegations were not supported by any evidence.

Background

The prosecution told the court that on July 8, 2025, officers from the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) conducted an operation in Lugenge, Morogoro Region, following information from an informant.

The officers reportedly arrived at the area and found three shelters allegedly used by people involved in drug trafficking. They began searching them one after another.

The court heard that Luko was found in the third shelter lying on six sacks containing dried leaves, which were later confirmed by the Chief Government Chemist to be cannabis weighing 108 kilogrammes.

Defence

In his defence, Luko told the court that on July 7, 2025, while travelling to Nyandira Market to sell chickens, he reached Kibaoni where he met two men in a vehicle.

He said the men asked him about the price of the five chickens he was carrying before requesting him to accompany them to the market. While inside the vehicle, he claimed they asked him whether he knew someone called “Masta”, but he denied knowing him.

He told the court that as they approached the market, one of the men pointed a pistol at him while the other moved away before taking him to Jehova Guesthouse, where he was held until July 9, 2025.

Luko claimed he was later given documents, beaten and forced to place his thumbprint on papers whose contents he did not know. He said he remained in custody until August 4, 2025, when he was taken to court.

After hearing evidence from both sides, the Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Appeal

Dissatisfied with the decision, Luko filed an appeal based on seven grounds, including claims that the Resident Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case because there was no consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He also argued that he was held for 27 days before being taken to court in violation of the law, the search was conducted without a warrant, the evidence of an independent witness was unreliable, the chain of custody of exhibits had gaps and that he was framed.

Court decision

Delivering the ruling, Judge Magoiga dismissed the argument concerning the 27-day delay before Luko was taken to court, saying the delay did not demonstrate that he suffered prejudice in preparing his defence.

The judge said investigations, including scientific examination, were still ongoing and the laboratory report had not been completed. Therefore, the circumstances did not show that Luko’s rights had been violated to an extent that would invalidate the case.

The court also rejected the argument that the search was conducted without a warrant, saying the law allows emergency searches when officers receive information suggesting evidence may be lost if they wait to obtain a warrant.

On the issue of an independent witness, Judge Magoiga said the law does not require such a person to be a local government leader, but rather someone independent who witnessed the search process and whose evidence was credible.

The judge also dismissed the claim that the seizure certificate did not show that the cannabis came from the third shelter, saying witness testimonies and Luko’s thumbprint on the seizure documents established the link between him and the exhibits.

Judge Magoiga said prosecution evidence on the arrest, handling of exhibits and laboratory findings created an unbroken chain proving beyond reasonable doubt that the cannabis was in Luko’s possession.

“The appellant’s defence was merely a denial and did not raise any reasonable doubt against the strong evidence presented by the prosecution,” Judge Magoiga said.

The court concluded that the Resident Magistrate’s decision was correct and dismissed Luko’s appeal, upholding the life sentence.

The Government has warned traders selling substandard agricultural inputs and those smuggling subsidised fertiliser to neighbouring countries that they will face tough legal action, describing such practices as economic sabotage that threatens food production, food security and the country’s economy.

Speaking to agricultural and livestock input dealers in Songwe Region, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the Government would not tolerate the sale of fake inputs, the smuggling or hoarding of subsidised fertiliser, or arbitrary price increases.

He said traders found violating the law would have their licences revoked and face legal action, stressing that public funds allocated to the fertiliser subsidy programme must benefit the intended farmers and improve agricultural productivity.

Mr Chongolo urged traders to conduct business with integrity by selling fertiliser at the recommended prices, maintaining proper records and complying with laws and regulations governing the agricultural inputs business. He also assured law-abiding traders of the Government’s support.

He said the Government continues to invest in agriculture through the National Development Vision 2050 and Agenda 10/30, with the fertiliser subsidy programme aimed at increasing crop production, strengthening food security, expanding raw materials for industries and raising farmers’ incomes.

“I want to assure farmers that there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country,” he said, noting that Tanzania currently has 248,617 tonnes of various fertilisers in stock, while another 313,800 tonnes are expected to arrive between July and September this year.

Mr Chongolo added that the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) targets to ensure the availability of 1.5 million tonnes of fertiliser during the 2026/27 financial year to meet farmers’ demand.

Earlier, Mbozi MP Onesmo Mkondya raised concerns over the limited availability of subsidised fertiliser in Songwe, saying only one company was currently supplying the product in the region.

“Although the Government has announced the availability of subsidised fertiliser, access remains a major challenge. We urge the Government to license more companies so that farmers in Songwe can obtain adequate supplies,” he said.

Vwawa MP Japhet Hasunga said the sale of fake agricultural inputs and seeds remained widespread and called on the Government to intensify enforcement against offenders.

The chairman of the Agricultural Input Dealers Association, Boniface Masika, urged the minister to stop fertiliser manufacturers from selling directly to farmers, saying products should instead be distributed through authorised agents.

Songwe Regional Commissioner Jabiri Omari Makame assured the minister that the regional administration was fully committed to combating the sale of fake agricultural inputs and the smuggling of subsidised fertiliser to protect farmers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.