Category: The Citizen

As global investors continue searching for high-growth markets, East Africa is increasingly attracting attention as one of the continent’s most promising investment destinations.

The region is home to Africa’s leading economic bloc, and poised to cement its status beyond the continent. As economic integration continues to hold, East Africa is uniquely positioned to take a leading step in global trade and geopolitical affairs.

Prateek Suri, Chairman of Maser Group and CEO of MDR Investments, the East African Community (EAC) has observed on numerous occasions that the EAC is rapidly establishing itself as a key driver of Africa’s economic transformation.

As he invests in Tanzania and beyond, he sees many untapped opportunities and room for partnership with the Mainland and Zanzibar governments on a Publi-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The EAC, which includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia, not only represents the fastest-growing regional bloc on the continent, but also the most stable.

While each country presents unique opportunities and challenges, the region’s expansion and continued deepened integration is creating a compelling case for long-term investors.

Global investors such as Suri, who have spent years building businesses across Africa and the Middle East, believe that many international investors continue to underestimate the pace of change taking place within East Africa.

“Investors often focus on short-term economic data and overlook the larger structural trends that are reshaping the region,” Suri says. “What is happening in East Africa today is not simply growth within individual countries, but the emergence of an increasingly connected regional economy.”

One of the strongest advantages of the EAC is its commitment to regional cooperation. Improved trade agreements, expanding transport corridors, and cross-border infrastructure projects are making it easier for businesses to operate across multiple markets.

This growing integration is creating larger addressable markets and improving the economics of long-term investment.

Demographics also play a significant role in the region’s attractiveness.

East Africa is home to one of the world’s youngest populations, with urban centres such as Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, and Kampala continuing to expand rapidly. Growing populations and rising incomes are driving demand for housing, healthcare, education, consumer goods, logistics services, and digital infrastructure.

The bloc has one of the largest workforce in the world. This number of employable youth is set to increase and by the year 2050, this workforce will be replicated across the continent and not just East Africa.

It is believed that infrastructure development will remain one of the most important investment themes across the region over the coming decade.

“Roads, ports, industrial parks, logistics hubs, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity are all areas where demand continues to exceed supply,” Suri notes. “These are sectors that create long-term value while supporting broader economic development.”

Currently, Tanzania is on the verge of completing the construction of its Msalato International Airport in the capital city, Dodoma – adding to the growing number of international airports in the country.

Kenya has secured financing for the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which remains the region’s busiest airport and an important travel hub in Africa. Uganda will also soon start the construction of a new Airport in Mbarara, at the same time, Rwanda is also building an ultra-modern Airport in Kigali. All these mega projects point to one thing: East Africa is ready to become the world’s trade and logistical hub.

Technology is another area where East Africa has demonstrated remarkable progress. Kenya’s success in digital payments and financial technology has become a model for innovation across the continent, while neighbouring countries are increasingly embracing digital transformation initiatives.

Beyond technology, sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, logistics, renewable energy, mining, and data infrastructure continue to attract investor interest.

For global investors, East Africa represents a strategic long-term opportunity rather than a short-term trade. With such conducive environments that are being prepared, return on investment is almost assured as the private sector continues to work closely with government stakeholders on addressing policy gaps.

According to Suri, the combination of demographic expansion, infrastructure investment, entrepreneurial talent, and regional integration positions the EAC as one of the most attractive growth regions in Africa.

While challenges remain, he argues that successful investors are often those who focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term volatility.

“The East African Community is becoming far more than a regional trading bloc,” Suri says. “It is increasingly emerging as one of Africa’s most important economic growth engines.”

As international capital continues seeking new frontiers, East Africa’s combination of scale, ambition, and economic momentum may prove difficult for investors to ignore.

Bagamoyo. Three children who were reported missing in Lamboni Village, Lugoba Ward, Chalinze District, Coast Region, have been found dead inside an abandoned car parked outside a residential property.

Coast Regional Police Commander, Salim Morcase, said the children disappeared on July 9, 2026, prompting their parents to report the matter to Lugoba Police Station.

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The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has warned members of the public against allowing their bank accounts or other financial service accounts to be used for receiving or transferring funds from unknown sources, saying they risk facing money laundering charges and other legal consequences.

The warning was issued by BoT Legal Officer in the Legal Affairs and Anti-Money Laundering Department, Sheikh Naniya, during a public awareness session at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.

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Tanzania’s insurance industry has been urged to prioritise building public trust, improving customer education and developing products that address real risks as low insurance uptake continues to leave households and businesses financially exposed.

Speaking at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), Alliance Insurance Corporation Limited Chief Executive Officer Rajiv Kumar said that although the insurance market has grown steadily, penetration remains low relative to the size of the economy.

Industry data shows that gross written premiums reached about Sh1.52 trillion in 2024, while insurance penetration stood at 2.08 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Mr Kumar said the figures suggest that many Tanzanians still lack insurance cover despite increasing exposure to risks such as fire, theft, road accidents, machinery breakdowns and medical emergencies.

‘The opportunity is not simply to increase premium volumes. It is to bring more Tanzanians into the formal protection system and strengthen the country’s economic resilience,’ he said.

He identified public awareness as one of the industry’s biggest challenges, noting that many people still view insurance as a legal requirement rather than a financial safety net.

According to Mr Kumar, insurers should explain products in simple Kiswahili using practical examples that customers can easily understand, particularly small businesses that are vulnerable to unexpected losses.

He also called for products tailored to the needs of different customer groups instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, saying demand is growing among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), transport operators, contractors, manufacturers, schools and healthcare providers seeking protection against operational risks.

Mr Kumar said technology is helping improve access to insurance by reducing paperwork, simplifying policy administration and speeding up claims processing, but stressed that digital services should complement rather than replace personal customer support.

‘We are digital first, not customer distant. Technology should simplify insurance while maintaining the human support customers need, especially when making claims,’ he said.

He noted that digital claims platforms enable customers to report incidents, upload supporting documents and track claims without repeated visits to insurers’ offices, while data analytics helps companies assess risks more accurately and detect fraud.

Mr Kumar said discussions with visitors at this year’s DITF showed that customers are increasingly choosing insurers based on service quality, transparency and claims settlement rather than price alone.

‘Insurance penetration will not increase through product availability alone. It will grow through trust, education and the customer experience,’ he added.

Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) has confirmed that this year’s Taifa Cup regional basketball championship will be held in Dodoma from July 21 to August 1, bringing together top regional teams from both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

The annual tournament, one of the country’s most prestigious domestic basketball competitions, was initially scheduled to take place from June 1 to June 11.

However, it was postponed to avoid clashing with the ongoing international basketball calendar, allowing participating regions more time to prepare.

TBF Secretary General Mwenze Kabinda told The Citizen that preparations for the tournament are progressing well and urged all regions to confirm their participation before the registration deadline.

‘We are calling on all regions to confirm their participation by July 15 so that the necessary logistical arrangements can be completed before the tournament begins,’ said Kabinda.

He noted that only two weeks remain before the championship tips off and expressed confidence that the competition will attract the country’s strongest regional teams.

The men’s title will be defended by Dar es Salaam, who emerged champions in last year’s edition, while Arusha enter the tournament as defending champions in the women’s category after an impressive campaign.

Kabinda said the Taifa Cup remains a key platform for identifying and nurturing basketball talent across the country, with standout players expected to earn places in the national teams ahead of upcoming regional and continental assignments.

‘The tournament will also help us select players for the national teams in preparation for international competitions. We therefore expect all regions to field their best squads,’ he said.

He added that the level of competition is expected to be higher than in previous editions due to the continued growth of basketball across Tanzania and the increasing investment made by regional associations in player development.

Kabinda also challenged the traditional basketball powerhouses to prepare thoroughly, warning that emerging regions have significantly improved and are capable of producing surprises during the championship.

In addition, he appealed to corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support the tournament through sponsorship, saying their contribution would play a vital role in ensuring its success and in promoting basketball development nationwide.

The Taifa Cup is regarded as Tanzania’s premier inter-regional basketball championship, providing an opportunity for players to showcase their talent while strengthening competition among the country’s regional associations.

Over the years, the tournament has produced numerous players who have gone on to represent Tanzania in regional and international competitions, making it an important part of the country’s basketball development pathway.

For many entrepreneurs in Tanzania, the search for growth often begins with one question: Where can I get capital?

But money alone may not be enough.

A business that cannot keep reliable records, price its products properly, find customers consistently or meet basic regulatory requirements can struggle even after receiving financing.

For many small enterprises, the challenge is therefore not simply access to money, but the ability to manage it and turn it into sustainable growth.

It is this gap that a new business training initiative, targeting entrepreneurs across six regions, is seeking to address.

The Small Business Seminar Series, organised by Coprosperity Fund, an East African investment and mentorship firm based in Zanzibar, will begin in Dar es Salaam on July 25 before moving to Zanzibar, Morogoro, Dodoma, Arusha and Mwanza through December. Interested candidates can register at coprosperityfund.com

The programme will focus on four areas that often determine whether a small business survives or scales: sales, access to finance, legal compliance and digital marketing.

Coprosperity Fund Managing Partner, Antony Adolf, says the thinking behind the initiative is that entrepreneurs need more than financing to build businesses capable of lasting and creating jobs.

‘Many entrepreneurs start businesses with strong ideas and a determination to succeed, but they often have to learn critical business skills through trial and error. That can be costly,’ Mr Adolf said.

‘Practical training can help an entrepreneur understand how to find customers, manage cash flow, keep proper records and build a business that is ready for financing.

Capital is important, but without the right systems and knowledge, capital alone may not produce sustainable growth.’

The potential impact of such training lies in whether it can help entrepreneurs move from running businesses largely on instinct to making decisions based on records, planning and a clearer understanding of their markets.

Access to finance illustrates the challenge. Small business owners frequently identify lack of funding as their biggest obstacle.

Yet many enterprises seeking loans or investment struggle to demonstrate how much they earn, where their money goes or whether they can comfortably repay financing.

The seminar series plans to address this through training in cash-flow management, record-keeping and preparation for loans, grants and potential investors.

Participants are expected to develop basic funding checklists and outlines for lender-ready business dossiers.

Better records could have an impact beyond loan applications. They can help entrepreneurs identify profitable products, control costs and make informed decisions about expansion.

Sales will be another area of focus. Many small enterprises are built around a product, service or technical skill but lack a deliberate system for finding and retaining customers.

The training will cover prospecting, pricing, building sales pipelines and closing deals.

These are skills that could help businesses reduce their dependence on irregular customers and build more predictable revenue.

Legal structure and compliance are another potential barrier to growth. Many small businesses operate informally or have limited understanding of registration, contracts, taxation and intellectual property.

While formalisation can create opportunities to access larger clients, finance and investment, entrepreneurs can also be discouraged by the perceived cost and complexity of compliance.

The seminars are expected to help participants assess the legal structures that best fit their businesses and develop practical compliance roadmaps.

Digital marketing completes the four areas of focus.

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp Business have reduced the cost of reaching customers. But an online presence does not automatically translate into revenue.

The programme will train entrepreneurs in content planning, low-budget advertising and the use of analytics to measure what works. Participants are expected to develop 30-day content plans and frameworks for testing digital advertising.

The initiative is targeting early-stage founders, established small businesses seeking to scale, informal traders considering formalisation and enterprises led by young people and women.

It will also cover sectors including retail, services, agribusiness, creative industries and light manufacturing.

The organisers say the emphasis will be on giving participants practical tools they can continue using after the sessions, rather than limiting the programme to general business theory.

Entrepreneurs are expected to leave with a more structured approach to selling, including a sales playbook, tailored customer offers and follow-up scripts designed to help them turn potential leads into actual business.

On the financial side, participants will be introduced to a basic toolkit that includes a cash-flow sheet, a funding checklist and an outline of the information needed to prepare a lender-ready business dossier.

The aim is to help small firms better understand their financial position and improve their ability to approach banks, investors and other sources of financing.

The programme will also help business owners assess the legal structures that best suit their enterprises and develop a roadmap for meeting registration, contractual, tax and other compliance requirements.

In digital marketing, participants are expected to develop a 30-day social media content plan and a framework for testing online advertising rather than spending money on digital campaigns without a clear way of measuring results.

The practical approach will begin before participants enter the training room. Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to bring a brief summary of their businesses, their latest sales or expense records – even where these consist only of basic notes – as well as links to their social media pages and specific questions about the challenges they are facing.

This could allow trainers to work with actual business information rather than hypothetical case studies, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to examine weaknesses in their sales, finances and digital presence.

Registration will open two weeks before each regional event, with participation limited to maintain more interactive sessions.

The Dar es Salaam launch will also include one-on-one clinics, where selected entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to receive more individualised feedback on their businesses.

For the programme, the important question will be whether these tools remain in use once participants return to their businesses.

A cash-flow sheet has little value if it is not regularly updated, just as a social media plan will have limited impact if businesses do not measure whether online activity is generating customers and sales.

The potential impact of the training will therefore depend not only on what entrepreneurs learn during the sessions, but on whether the practical tools they take away become part of how they run and grow their businesses.

For Tanzania, improving the capabilities of small businesses could have implications beyond the individual entrepreneurs who attend the sessions.

Stronger enterprises are more likely to survive, expand their customer base, enter formal markets and create jobs.

But the real measure of the initiative will come after the training rooms have emptied.

One-off seminars can generate enthusiasm without necessarily changing business performance.

The longer-term value of the programme will therefore depend on whether participants apply what they learn, and whether improvements can eventually be seen in stronger sales, better financial records, increased formalisation and greater access to finance.

For Mr Adolf, this is ultimately the gap the programme hopes to address.

‘The objective is not simply to bring entrepreneurs into a room for a day,’ he said.

‘The value will be in whether they leave with practical tools they can use immediately to improve how they run their businesses.

When small enterprises become stronger, they are better positioned to grow, employ more people and contribute more meaningfully to the economy.’

The programme will run every last Saturday of the month from July to December.

One Tanzanite Football Academy (OTFA) will once again represent Tanzania at two of the world’s most prestigious youth football tournaments after confirming its participation in the 2026 Gothia Cup in Sweden and the Dana Cup in Denmark.

The academy will compete from July 13 to 26 with Under-17 and Under-19 teams, travelling with a delegation of 45 players, coaches and technical officials.

It marks OTFA’s second consecutive appearance at the international tournaments following a breakthrough campaign last year that earned the academy global recognition. The academy heads to Europe with confidence after making history in 2025 by becoming the first team from East and Southern Africa to win the Dana Cup Boys Under-16 title since the tournament was established in 1982.

OTFA also reached the quarter-finals of both the Gothia Cup Under-16 competition and the Dana Cup Under-18 tournament, demonstrating the growing standard of youth football development in Tanzania.

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, OTFA Academy Manager Johar Khamis said the tour represents more than a football competition, describing it as an opportunity to showcase Tanzania’s emerging talent on the global stage.

“Our participation is about much more than football. It is about showcasing Tanzanian talent, inspiring young people, creating life-changing international opportunities and demonstrating that our country has the potential to compete at the highest level. We are honoured to represent Tanzania once again and inspire the next generation of footballers,” she said. Beyond its performances on the field, the academy says its mission is centred on youth empowerment and social transformation.

OTFA currently nurtures more than 112 young footballers, with over 95 percent coming from underprivileged families.

The academy provides professional coaching, mentorship, transport assistance, safe training environments and drinking water during training sessions, ensuring financial challenges do not prevent talented youngsters from pursuing their football dreams.

It also seeks to instill discipline, leadership, teamwork and resilience while creating pathways to higher education, professional football and international opportunities.

Ahead of the team’s departure, Denmark’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Jesper Kammersgaard, hosted OTFA players and officials at his residence on July 8 in recognition of the academy’s achievements and its contribution to strengthening sporting ties between Tanzania and Denmark.

The ambassador has supported the academy since its historic Dana Cup triumph, having visited the team’s training base at Kijitonyama ground famous known as Bora ground , in 2025 to congratulate the players after their title-winning campaign.

During the farewell reception, Kammersgaard encouraged the young footballers to serve as ambassadors for Tanzania by displaying discipline, excellence and sportsmanship while helping showcase the country’s football potential as it prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Uganda.

OTFA has rapidly emerged as one of Tanzania’s leading youth football development institutions. Besides its success at international tournaments, the academy reached the semi-finals of the Under-15 category and the quarter-finals of the Under-17 division at the 2024 Chipkizi Cup.

Its player development program has also produced tangible results. Five academy graduates have secured football opportunities with clubs in Spain and Nigeria, while three players have joined Simba SC, another three have signed for Azam FC and one has moved to Fountain Gate FC.

The academy has further strengthened its technical program by hosting coaching clinics led by trainers with experience from FC Barcelona’s youth system and Nàstic Academy, exposing young Tanzanian players and local coaches to international coaching standards.

OTFA also expressed its appreciation to the government under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for its continued commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.

The academy further thanked the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), the National Sports Council (NSC), Azania Bank Plc, Mega Beverages Ltd, ASAS Group, and other partners for their unwavering support in promoting youth football development and making the academy’s international campaign possible..

The academy has invited additional corporate organisations and development partners to join its mission of nurturing young talent and strengthening Tanzania’s future in football.

As Tanzania moves towards establishing a framework to govern artificial intelligence (AI), experts have warned that regulation alone will not determine the country’s success in the digital revolution unless it builds local innovation capacity, protects its data and empowers startups to create home-grown solutions.

The warning emerged during a workshop on Regional Integration, AI and Pan-African Architecture held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) on July 8, 2026, where experts discussed how law, policy and regional cooperation can shape East Africa’s role in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The workshop was organised by the Tanzania-German Centre for Eastern African Legal Studies, with participants examining whether East Africa will become an active contributor to AI development or remain a consumer of technologies created elsewhere.

Opening the discussion, a law lecturer at UDSM and representative of the centre, Dr Petro Protus, said the event was aimed at addressing the legal and policy challenges facing emerging AI entrepreneurs.

He said the region must ask whether it is simply observing technological change or actively participating in shaping it.

“Are we people of East Africa merely spectators of these technologies, or are we participants in developing and advancing them?” Dr Protus asked.

He noted that many young entrepreneurs are already using AI to establish businesses, create employment opportunities and address social challenges, but they require supportive legal and policy environments to grow.

“We need to understand the challenges they face, the causes of those challenges and how we can solve them together as citizens of Tanzania and members of the East African Community,” he said.

The question of Africa’s role in AI development was central to the arguments presented by computer scientist Dr Leonard Binamungu and AI governance expert Dr Joseph Nyansiro.

Dr Binamungu, a don at the UDSM College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT) challenged policymakers and innovators to look beyond regulation and consider whether Africa is building its own technological future.

“Are we building our own digital house, or are we merely tenants in an architecture designed by others?” he asked.

He argued that while AI governance is important, it must be designed to support local innovators rather than create barriers that favour large international technology companies.

“If our legal evolution does not explicitly prioritise the survival and scale of these African startups, we risk remaining spectators in our own market,” he warned.

According to him, startups are often the first to identify local problems, develop prototypes and test solutions before they reach wider markets. Their experiences, he argued, should therefore inform the development of practical AI regulations.

Manager for Information System Quality Assurance at Tanzania Revenue Authority, Dr Nyansiro, who delivered the keynote address, said AI governance should not be viewed as an obstacle to innovation but as a foundation for building public confidence.

“Governance creates trust. Trust creates adoption. Adoption creates markets, and markets create opportunities for economic and social development,” he said.

The government rescued 160 Tanzanians between July 2025 and February 2026 after they were trafficked to various destinations within and outside the country for illegal, exploitative, and inhumane work, including sexual exploitation.

The victims included 96 women, four men, and 60 children, with 34 rescued outside Tanzania after being taken abroad and forced into different forms of labour.

An investigations officer from the Secretariat for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons, Mr Daniel Zawadi, made the revelation on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while opening a two-day training aimed at strengthening law enforcement officers’ capacity to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, prosecute offenders, and work with communities to end the practice.

Mr Zawadi said human trafficking was a global challenge, adding that Tanzania had implemented various measures, including strengthening the capacity of institutions responsible for enforcing anti-trafficking laws.

He said the government had arrested 57 suspects linked to human trafficking, with investigations and prosecution processes ongoing.

“To ensure victims of this trade are protected, the government has established safe houses where they are kept while their cases are being handled in court,’ he said.

‘It has also established a centre for receiving all reports related to human trafficking. Through various stakeholders, communities have also been educated to understand that the practice is a crime like other offences,” stressed Mr Zawadi.

Hanns Seidel Foundation monitoring and evaluation specialist Raphael Ami said the organisation had supported efforts to combat human trafficking through various projects funded under Tanzania Relief Initiatives.

However, he said public awareness of human trafficking remained low, with some communities unaware that certain actions amounted to criminal offences.

Mr Ami said the government and other stakeholders needed to intensify public education campaigns targeting different groups.

Tanzania Relief Initiatives board member, Mr Jones John, said the training brought together magistrates, lawyers, police officers, immigration officials, social welfare officers, and civil society organisations because they work closely with communities and are responsible for enforcing laws.

He said the training aimed to equip participants with knowledge and skills on systems, policies, and regulations established nationally and internationally to combat human trafficking.

Some participants from the police gender and children’s desk and the judiciary said communities were still not fully aware of human trafficking offences, calling for more education to help people identify, prevent, and report cases promptly while cooperating with authorities to ensure offenders face justice.

Two people have died, and 50 others have been rescued after a passenger and cargo boat caught fire on Lake Victoria while travelling from Gozba Island in Kagera Region to Mwanza.

The victims are a boy estimated to be 10 years old and a 60-year-old man, Mwanza Regional Fire and Rescue Force commander Elisa Mugisha said.

Speaking by telephone, Mr Mugisha said the incident occurred between Lyamwenge and Bwiro islands in Ukerewe District, Mwanza Region, in the early hours of Thursday, July 9, 2026.

He said the survivors escaped without physical injuries but suffered shock and were taken to health facilities in Bwiro and Lyamwenge for treatment.

“The boat caught fire mid-lake, and by this time (1 pm), we have rescued 50 people… Unfortunately, two people have died, both of them male,’ said Mr Mugisha.

“The child is estimated to be 10 years old, and the adult is 60. The others who were in a serious condition have been taken for medical treatment,” he added.

Furthermore, the regional Fire and Rescue Force chief said: “At the moment, we are still verifying whether there were indeed 52 people on board as we were informed.’

‘Once we obtain official records, two people will remain unaccounted for, although there is a possibility that there were more passengers. What is happening now is verifying the number that was on board and searching for the two people who are still missing,’ added Mr Mugisha.

He said the boat was destroyed by the fire, noting that strong winds delayed rescue teams from reaching the scene.

“Once we complete the rescue operation, we will begin investigations to establish the cause of the fire,” he said.