Category: The Citizen

A few months ago my cousin and I were having one of our long chats. He had just come from a leadership workshop where they discussed how to create psychologically safe workplaces. The conversation then veered towards women, marginalised groups, and emotional safety. My cousin then revealed, ‘I get why this matters, but honestly, I’ve been told to ‘man up’, ‘Jikaze, we ni mwanaume’ my whole life, so I don’t really know what I’m allowed to feel, let alone say.’ He later added, ‘I support this stuff, but I just don’t want to say the wrong thing.’

I remember not exactly having the right words to say. I paused and remember thinking that this was very honest, and I’m sure he is not alone. In writing this article, I am discovering that perhaps workplace inclusion in its entirety isn’t just about making space for others but also about freeing people from outdated expectations. For many men, the unspoken script of masculinity at work says, ‘be tough, don’t show vulnerability, stay in control.’

That script is not only exhausting, it’s isolating. I can only imagine that when men feel like the only options are to dominate or disappear, they either overcompensate or check out, and neither response serves inclusion. So if we want to build workplaces that are truly equitable, we also need to make space for men to redefine what strength looks like. As organisations push for diversity and inclusion, many men are quietly asking: What’s my role in all of this? What if I say the wrong thing and get it wrong? The mistake is thinking inclusion is just a women’s and marginalised individuals’ issue.

The cost of exclusion is measurable; McKinsey reports that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25 per cent more likely to outperform on profitability.

Yet, only 27 per cent of men in leadership see themselves as ‘strong advocates’ for inclusion, according to LeanIn.org. In East Africa, a 2024 study by the African Leadership Centre found that male-led organisations that embraced shared leadership styles saw a 40 per cent increase in team cohesion and a measurable reduction in attrition rates among women. In short? Inclusion can be strategised and modelled. Inclusive cultures are modelled by those who hold social capital, and in many workplaces, that’s still men.

Masculinity at work has long been defined by dominance, stoicism, and control, traits that reward performance over partnership, but today’s workplace problems – remote disconnection, generational divides, and psychological safety – require vulnerability, collaboration, and emotional fluency – the very traits men have been taught to suppress. Perhaps it’s time to redefine leadership? Not by abandoning masculinity, but by reclaiming it. And what if inclusion wasn’t about making space for others but with them?

Here are 4 ways men can build more inclusive workplaces

1. Shift from defender to listener. You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to be present. Instead of jumping to ‘not all men’ or ‘I didn’t mean it like that,’ try ‘Help me better understand how that impacted you.’

2. Practise active amplification. In meetings, use your voice to elevate others. ‘That’s a great idea; let’s go back to what Aisha said,’ or ‘I want to make sure we don’t skip over what John just shared.’

3. Redefine strength as emotional range. Empathy, tenderness, and self-awareness are strengths, not soft skills. Emotional literacy increases trust and reduces fear-based culture.

4. Measure inclusion. Notice who speaks the most in our meetings? Who gets promoted? Who gets interrupted? Ask yourself: What’s our retention rate by gender or ability? Data drives accountability.

In hindsight, here is what I wish I had said to my cousin that day: Inclusion isn’t a guilt trip, and it’s not about silencing yourself to make space for others. Nobody is perfect, and you don’t have to be either to make a meaningful impact. I know of men in the workplace who have definitely impacted me deeply; they didn’t always have the right answers, but they made space for me to belong. They taught me that some of the most respected leaders aren’t the ones who took up the most space, but the ones who made everyone feel they belonged in that space.

Dar es Salaam. Integrating clean energy into agriculture and small-scale production could significantly cut costs, increase output, and improve livelihoods across rural Tanzania, according to new research under the Sustainable Use of Renewable Energy for Production (PURE) project.

The findings were presented at the weekend by project coordinator Jensen Shuma during a stakeholders’ workshop in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania must urgently fast-track the long-delayed Liganga and Mchuchuma projects or risk missing a narrowing window of opportunity driven by Africa’s rising steel demand and tightening global environmental rules, economists and policy analysts have warned.

Although the projects in the mineral-rich southwestern corridor have been under discussion for more than a decade, analysts say current global trends make rapid implementation essential. Africa’s industrialisation is accelerating, while the global shift toward clean energy is reshaping markets for coal, iron ore and other mineral products.

In Tanzania’s fast-moving digital landscape, the rise of AI-generated content is no longer just a technical concern; it’s becoming a psychological one. As the country navigates political conversations, online activism, and a growing appetite for instant information, the boundary between truth and fabrication has never been thinner.

And with the Personal Data Protection Act now setting stricter rules for how data can be collected, stored, and used, the conversation is turning sharply toward protection not just of privacy, but of the mind. In moments of political tension, the digital atmosphere thickens. Posts spread faster, emotions flare quicker, and the stakes feel higher than ever. Psychologist Dr Sifa Hyera explains that during such periods, ‘the atmosphere is usually tense, and emotions are all over the place.’ AI-doctored content plays directly into this volatility. People often experience heightened anxiety, anger, or distrust because the content feels personally relevant yet deeply deceptive. Political urgency mixes with technological believability, leaving individuals vulnerable to reacting before thinking.

But the deeper danger sits in repeated exposure. Dr Hyera warns that constantly seeing deepfakes or manipulated images ‘can make the line between what’s real and what’s fabricated very blurry.’ Over time, this leads to a phenomenon she calls ‘reality scepticism’, where people begin doubting not just the media, but their own senses. When the masses lose certainty in what is real, authentic information becomes harder to trust, and misinformation.

This erosion of trust is precisely what Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act attempts to protect against, ensuring that digital content – especially content involving personal data – is handled responsibly. But laws can only do so much when the psychological impact is already underway.

Nowhere is this emotional volatility more evident than in the rise of digital mob mentality. Social media has created the perfect storm: speed, anonymity, and emotional contagion. Dr Hyera explains that ‘digital mobs often form through rapid, emotionally charged sharing,’ and with anonymity, individuals ‘can feel almost invincible.’

This false sense of protection leads people to share things they normally wouldn’t, act in ways they typically avoid, and throw caution aside. The result is a collective disinhibition that can turn a single fake video into a national crisis.

And once misinformation takes root, the chain reaction is frighteningly predictable. As Dr Hyera describes it, misinformation follows a dangerous psychological progression:

exposure ? perceived danger ? heightened arousal ? herd behaviour ? aggression.

A fake threat can spark real panic. A manipulated image can trigger actual violence. A fabricated narrative can fracture communities.

Living in a digital world where reality can be rewritten at any moment carries long-term consequences. The psychological weight is heavy: chronic stress, cognitive dissonance, paranoia, helplessness, and eroded trust – both in institutions and in each other. Dr Hyera notes that this can even begin to damage people’s ability to form meaningful relationships, a human necessity that becomes harder to fulfil when trust is constantly under attack.

So, what can be done?

On an individual level, Dr Hyera suggests something simple yet transformative: pause.

Pause before sharing.

Pause before reacting.

Pause long enough to verify, seek diverse perspectives, and assess emotional triggers.

But on a national scale, the response must be more structured. Policymakers, mental-health advocates, and digital platforms all carry responsibility. Dr Hyera proposes media-literacy programmes, early-detection tools for misinformation, clearer guidelines for platforms, research funding around psychological resilience, and accessible mental-health support during crises – especially in periods when political tensions ignite digital fires.

The intersection of AI, politics, and psychology is now one of Tanzania’s most urgent conversations. In an era where a single piece of doctored content can distort perception, fuel conflict, or shake a nation’s emotional stability, the question becomes:

How do we safeguard not just our data but our minds?

As Tanzania steps deeper into the age of AI, one truth remains clear – technology may evolve faster than regulation, but understanding its psychological impact might be the most powerful tool we have to protect the public.

Mwanza. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has begun withdrawing treason charges against suspects linked to election-related violence.

The move follows President Hassan’s amnesty, issued during the official opening of Parliament on November 14, 2025, in which she directed the DPP and security agencies to carefully review the cases of youths arrested after the 29 October protests, particularly those who took part without fully grasping the implications of their actions.

Dodoma. The government has cancelled 73 mining and exploration licences as part of a sweeping crackdown on non-performing investors, with the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, warning that Tanzania will no longer tolerate dormant licence holders who deny the nation revenue and economic opportunities.

The revoked licences-44 for exploration and 29 for medium-scale mining-were among 205 licences whose holders were earlier issued with breach notices and directed to rectify violations.

According to the minister, several licence holders never responded, an indication that they were unable or unwilling to meet operational obligations.

‘No mining licence in Tanzania is issued for decoration,’ Minister Mavunde said, addressing journalists and the Tanzania Mining Commission in Dodoma.

‘Some people secure vast areas and leave them idle for years. They do not invest, they do not pay taxes, and they do not create jobs. In short, they are not miners. Those are the licences we are revoking.’

3,000 square kilometres reclaimed for local opportunities

The cancelled licences cover 3,002 square kilometres-equivalent to 742,000 acres-land that the minister says will now be prioritised for allocation to young Tanzanians seeking to participate meaningfully in the mining sector.

Mavunde has instructed the Mining Commission and its regional offices to intensify inspections to identify other dormant licence holders for possible repossession and redistribution.

‘We want these areas to go to serious Tanzanians who will work, pay taxes, and contribute to the country’s development,’ he said.

Minister Mavunde noted that many districts have suffered revenue losses because some licence holders failed to fulfil development contributions and contractual obligations stipulated in their agreements.

The ongoing cancellation drive, he said, is therefore essential to ensure land is returned to productive use and to restore discipline in the sector.

However, the minister was quick to emphasise that the process is not intended to victimise genuine operators.

He said investors who believe their licences were cancelled unfairly-or whose progress reports might not have reached the Ministry-should contact the Ministry of Minerals for review. If it is confirmed that real development activities were underway, a licence may be reinstated.

Mavunde also criticised applicants who provide incomplete or inaccurate contact information, such as generic local government office addresses, which makes it difficult for authorities to engage them during compliance processes.

Small-scale miners have welcomed the move but want the government to extend the crackdown to all levels.

Saul Mwita, a small-scale miner from Mpwapwa District, said some individuals holding ‘small-scale’ licences are, in reality, large operators who block others from accessing land they cannot develop.

‘Licences should come with strict timelines,’ Mwita said.

‘If someone fails to start operations within a given period, the licence should simply expire. This will open opportunities for many of us who are ready to work.’

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Yahya Samamba, assured that the ministry is fully prepared to execute all directives issued by the minister, with the aim of transforming the ministry into one of the best-performing government departments

Dar es Salaam. Exim Bank has stepped up efforts to promote early detection of diabetes in attempt to address the disease across Tanzania, particularly among working-age adults.

The lender partnered with the Tanzania Diabetes Association (TDA) in marking this year’s World Diabetes Day, held under the theme Diabetes and Wellbeing in the Workplace. To reinforce the importance of early screening, Exim Bank conducted free diabetes tests for its employees and customers.

The exercise, supported by specialists from the TDA, assessed lifestyle habits, measured BMI, monitored blood pressure and tested blood sugar levels using glucometers. The bank’s head of marketing and communications, Mr Stanley Kafu, said the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of its staff and clients.

“Our employees and customers are at the centre of everything we do. Health is a crucial foundation of wellbeing and productivity,” he said.

“By providing these tests, we aim to equip them with the knowledge they need to prevent or manage diabetes and its associated risks.” He added that all tests were conducted by qualified professionals and in strict confidence.

The screenings formed part of the bank’s broader Exim Cares programme. This year the programme has also supported mental health services for children at Muhimbili National Hospital, organised blood donation drives, donated medical equipment, and partnered with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to offer health education.

Mr Kafu said the bank views its corporate social responsibility as extending beyond financial empowerment to include supporting national health priorities. Health stakeholders say workplace-focused interventions such as these could help curb the increasing burden of diabetes, which continues to strain families and the healthcare system.

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Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has downplayed fears of crowding out credit to the private sector as appetite for government securities has surged to record high.

The latest Monthly Economic Review shows the country’s domestic debt stock increased by 0.9 percent to Sh37.46 trillion by the end of September 2025, driven largely by strong uptake of long-term Treasury bonds.

Government securities now account for 86.8 percent of total domestic debt, comprising Sh2.05 trillion in Treasury bills, Sh135.7 billion in government stocks and a dominant Sh30.3 trillion in Treasury bonds. BoT data indicates that the market remains highly concentrated among institutional investors.

Commercial banks hold the largest share at 28.7 percent, equivalent to Sh10.75 trillion, followed by the central bank at 27.4 percent (Sh10.28 trillion). Pension funds account for a further 18 percent, or Sh6.75 trillion, underscoring the continued dominance of institutional players in the securities market.

Despite the rapid expansion, the central bank insists the system remains stable and well-balanced. A financial analyst from the BoT’s Directorate of Financial Markets, Mr Francis Samuel, said the rising demand for government securities is neither accidental nor destabilising.

He noted that Treasury instruments sit at the core of the banking system. “Commercial banks must comply with liquidity requirements to ensure they maintain enough liquid assets to meet short-term obligations,” he said.

“Treasury bills and bonds are the only acceptable collateral for accessing central bank liquidity facilities, so banks accumulate them to strengthen their borrowing capacity.” He added that in the interbank lending market–where banks lend to each other–Treasury securities provide high-quality collateral.

“Unsecured interbank lending is rare and costlier, making government bonds the preferred instrument for securing cheaper short-term credit,” he said. This collateral value, he explained, means that even as banks increase their holdings of government paper, liquidity remains sufficient.

“Banks are earning substantial income from their external investments, and their domestic operations are performing strongly,” Mr Samuel said. “Because of these diversified revenue streams, liquidity stays stable even when banks allocate large sums to government paper.

The banking sector continues extending loans to private-sector players, and the numbers show they are doing well.” Data from the Monthly Economic Review supports this view, showing private-sector credit expanding by 16.1 percent year-on-year in September–one of the strongest growth phases in recent years.

Agriculture, mining, trade and construction all recorded strong lending activity, with personal loans–frequently used by MSMEs–continuing to command the largest share. Regarding the rising demand for government securities, Mr Samuel said Tanzania is witnessing a structural shift in how both ordinary citizens and institutional investors manage their money.

“Financial literacy has improved sharply, with more Tanzanians now aware of fixed-income investment options,” he said. He pointed to the rapid growth of collective investment schemes, particularly those operated by UTT AMIS, which pool resources from thousands of small investors and channel them directly into government securities.

With Treasury bond yields remaining high–often in double digits–many retail savers who previously relied on bank deposits or informal savings groups have shifted towards the bond market. However, he cautioned that increased preference for low-risk government instruments over investing in or expanding businesses may prompt policymakers to reflect on what this shift means for the broader business environment .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has made notable strides in improving the quality of laboratory services over the years, but some patients continue to face challenges linked to incorrect diagnoses, which can delay treatment and increase health risks.

Some patients and families reported having to spend large sums seeking a proper diagnosis after their loved ones’ conditions failed to improve. The government has acknowledged that the country faced significant problems with laboratory service quality around 2008 and earlier.

Weak testing systems, poor quality management, and the lack of reliable mechanisms to detect and correct errors led to widespread complaints about inaccurate results. A pathology expert has highlighted the need for private hospitals to invest more in specialised doctors capable of accurately diagnosing patients, rather than relying solely on general practitioners.

To address the problem, the Ministry of Health joined the World Health Organization (WHO) programme known as Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) in 2009. As of October this year, the situation has improved, with several laboratories achieving international accreditation after being strengthened to meet global quality standards. According to the Director of Diagnostic Services from the Ministry of Health, Dr Alex Magesa, the government continues to strengthen the supervision and management of diagnostic services.

New guidelines have been developed to enhance laboratory testing, radiology services, and blood safety in both public and private hospitals. “Tanzania faced significant problems with the quality of laboratory services in the years around 2008 and earlier.

Weak testing systems, poor quality management, and the absence of reliable mechanisms to detect and correct errors led to widespread complaints about inaccurate results,” he said. Since then, the Ministry and the Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG) have been enrolling laboratories across the country in the SLMTA programme each year.

“Additionally, laboratories in all 184 district hospitals have been enrolled in the programme, while improvements are now being extended to health centres and dispensary laboratories,” Dr Magesa said. A pathologist at Kampala International University in Tanzania, Dr Praxeda Ogweyo, told The Citizen that some hospitals rely solely on general doctors, who may prescribe broad laboratory tests after listening to a patient’s symptoms.

The results of such tests may fail to detect the patient’s actual condition. “For example, at Muhimbili, when a patient explains their symptoms, a general doctor will know exactly where to refer them so they can see a specialist.

I am a specialist in examining tissue samples and diagnosing conditions in patients with tumours. Investment in specialised doctors is vital,” she said.

Dr Ogweyo explained that limited investment in specialist doctors contributes to patients receiving general or inconclusive results. Consequently, conditions often progress silently, and by the time patients reach referral hospitals, diseases such as cancer may have reached an advanced stage.

Sharing his experience, a resident of Mabibo, Mr Oswald Mzava said he recently encountered such challenges. He was admitted to a private hospital where initial tests suggested a blood infection.

However, his condition did not improve despite treatment. After days of deteriorating health, his family transferred him to Dar es Salaam for further tests.

“The diagnosis revealed that I actually had severe malaria. The supposed blood infection had not been detected.

As a result, the treatment had to start all over again, and I spent another three days admitted,” he said. Mr Mzava believes he survived because he could afford additional treatment in a bigger city.

“I managed to do so because I had money; otherwise, I could have died receiving the wrong treatment. The private sector and government should invest more in proper diagnostic services so results are accurate and consistent,” he added.

Another patient, who asked not to be named, shared a similar ordeal, saying his wife nearly lost her life due to inaccurate test results. “We were treated for a disease she did not have and spent a lot of money on unnecessary medication.

When we sought help at a referral hospital, the results were completely different,” he said. He said that the conflicting diagnoses caused anxiety and mistrust.

“We had already treated a condition that didn’t exist, and we were not sure whether the new diagnosis was accurate. Fortunately, after a few days of proper treatment, she recovered,” he noted.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has assured the public that all ongoing development projects will continue as planned, despite concerns raised by some development partners following the election-related unrest of October 29. Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Chief Government Spokesman Gerson Msigwa said the country was financing most of its flagship projects using domestic resources and would continue to do so even if some partners temporarily withhold funds.

“We use our own funds to build these projects. If we secure financing from outside, we borrow and repay later,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that some people misunderstand the difference between loans and grants. “We get loans and we repay them, which is why a significant portion of our domestic revenue goes to debt servicing.

We do this because we borrowed to build the Standard Gauge Railway, roads, expand water and electricity supply, and improve health services,” Mr Msigwa said. While acknowledging that there may be challenges in accessing funds from some development partners, he expressed confidence that dialogue would resolve any concerns.

“This is not the first time development partners have made such remarks. But we sit down, talk and things move forward,” he said.

Mr Msigwa said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s remarks during the swearing-in of new ministers in Dodoma on Tuesday, last week were aimed at reassuring Tanzanians that the government has a “Plan B” should development partners withdraw support. President Hassan noted that Tanzania previously enjoyed strong donor trust, which made financing readily available.

She warned, however, that the October 29 unrest could erode that confidence and slow progress on current and planned projects. “What happened has tainted our image, and this is likely to reduce our resource base.

We must therefore use the resources we have to attract more funding so that the projects we promised are delivered with speed,” she said. She directed the newly appointed ministers to intensify efforts to secure financing, stressing she would not tolerate poor performance.

“Minister who fall short of expectations will be relieved of their duties,” she said. EU financing challenged Amid this backdrop, reports indicate that the European Union’s planned 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP) financing for Tanzania has been formally challenged after key committees of the European Parliament adopted a motion objecting to the funds.

The resolution cites “serious concerns over democratic backsliding, human-rights deficiencies, and the conduct of the October 2025 elections.” The motion was jointly tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee on Development (DEVE), and passed with 53 votes in favour, two against, and one abstention.

Domestic revenue Tanzania’s 2025/26 budget, approved in June, stands at Sh56.49 trillion. Of this, S0.47 trillion is expected from domestic revenue, foreign grants will contribute Sh1.07 trillion, while a further Sh14.95 trillion will come from domestic and external loans.

Mr Msigwa said ongoing projects will soon begin to deliver major economic benefits. “Tanzania is now one of the few countries making rapid economic progress.

Many are surprised to see a country once struggling now connected to Dodoma via the SGR,” he said. He said urban commuter trains will operate on elevated tracks in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, running from Kawe, Mbezi, Mlimani City and Kariakoo, with a branch from Bibi Titi Road to Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road.

Dar es Salaam alone is expected to host a 160-kilometre commuter rail network, while the SGR station plan includes 105 kilometres of urban rail lines. Ports, aviation and transport expansion He said the goal is to ensure cargo arriving at Tanzanian ports is efficiently transported to neighbouring countries.

Revenue collections at Dar es Salaam Port, he added, have risen from Sh900 billion to Sh1.8 trillion annually. On Bagamoyo Port, he said construction equipment is already on the way.

The project aims to build 28 berths, starting with 14. “Construction will begin even if investors do not come. Tanzania will implement the project on its own,” he said.

The government will also add eight more aircraft to the national airline, bringing the fleet to 24. Three new strategic international routes will be launched this year, including Cape Town and Accra. The target is to reach 50 domestic and international destinations by 2030 and serve three million passengers, up from 1.

5 million currently. Mr Msigwa said ongoing campaigns against Tanzania aim to “undermine the government’s achievements”, but insisted the economy remains resilient.

He projected economic growth of 6 percent by the end of the year. Tanzania ‘still safe’ for tourists Responding to concerns over tourism safety, he said Tanzania remains a safe destination.

“It is safe for anyone wishing to visit Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, or Serengeti. Our sites are safe, services improve daily, accessibility is good, and we guarantee your happiness,” he said.

He assured visitors that their safety and that of their children is guaranteed during their stay in Tanzania. .