Category: The Citizen

Arusha. The government has launched a nationwide exercise to identify and profile all industries across Tanzania as part of efforts to build the National Integrated Industrial Management System (NIIMS), a central database designed to improve planning, oversight and investment in the industrial sector.

The system is expected to streamline data collection, strengthen policy formulation, support development planning, and enhance monitoring of the sector, which plays a pivotal role in driving national economic growth. The initiative is being implemented by the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation (Tirdo) in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government RALG).

Officials say the exercise will also help identify new investment opportunities within the sector. Speaking in Arusha on November 17, 2025, during the opening of a training programme for technical officers who will undertake the exercise in the Arusha and Manyara regions, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Dr Hashil Abdallah, said the profiling exercise will enable Tanzania to build a realistic and reliable industrial database to ease planning and improve project execution.

“I sincerely commend Tirdo for the excellent work they are undertaking through the Industrial Information and Investment Opportunity Mapping Project. This exercise is a crucial tool for managing the industrial sector in our country,” he said.

Dr Abdallah said that collecting industrial information and identifying investment opportunities will help address challenges facing investors while creating new platforms for engagement. He urged regional administrative secretaries and trade officers to fully collaborate with TIRDO and called on private-sector players to provide accurate information on existing industries.

Trido Director General, Prof Madundo Mtambo, said the programme will provide regions with detailed information on active and closed industries, including reasons behind closures. He noted that the exercise will also help identify investment opportunities capable of stimulating economic growth.

“These data will contribute to evidence-based industrial policymaking, support youth employment, and accelerate the development of the industrial sector,” Prof Mtambo said. He said the profiling will cover all 26 regions of mainland Tanzania, collecting information on operational industries, their products, raw materials, markets, employment levels and the challenges they face.

The findings will then be used to provide technical advice aimed at strengthening industrial development. Arusha Regional Administrative Secretary, Mussa Massaile, said the region currently has 4,006 industries, but demand for more remains high.

“It is important to know where these industries are located and what they produce so that we can strengthen their productivity and expand employment opportunities for national benefit. We are fully committed to supporting this exercise,” he said.

Manyara Regional Administrative Secretary Mariam Ahmed Haji welcomed the initiative, describing it as a key step toward improving the accuracy of government and private-sector information and boosting employment and industrial growth. .

Zambia will host a Chinese premier for the first time in 28 years as the sub-Saharan state emerges from a financial crisis, with Beijing eager to access the country’s commodities and develop a bigger market for its exporters. China is Zambia’s largest official creditor with $5.7 billion owed and is eager to highlight countries that are model members of President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

China has said it would also like to show how African nations can recover from financial crises with its assistance. Premier Li Qiang’s arrival in Lusaka on Wednesday is part of a push to deepen China’s presence in the copper-rich country as Europe and the U.

S. vie to become alternative benefactors now that Zambia’s $13.4 billion in debt is on a more sustainable repayment plan.

Industrialising Zambia needs fresh investment for its mining sector, infrastructure network and production capacity, while China wants to boost exports of tractors, electrical equipment and construction vehicles. The World Bank expects Zambia’s economy to grow 6.

5% next year, compared with an average of 5% over the past two decades. “Li is going to bolster China’s presence in a strategically vital country where both the President (Hichilema) and Chinese mining companies need support,” said Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, referencing a February acid spill at a Chinese-run copper plant that dumped 50,000 cubic metres of contaminated water into the Kafue River, a key supply for millions of people, which is now a major election issue.

“China this year also approved a massive refurbishment of the Tazara Railway that is widely seen as a counter to the U.S. EU-backed Lobito Corridor.” China financed the line in the 1970s to reach Zambia’s vast copper deposits through Tanzania on Africa’s east coast and is continuing to invest as the West builds up its route to the country via Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The debt issue is largely seen as settled,” he said. Han Jing, China’s ambassador to Zambia, said Li’s visit was expected to produce dozens of cooperation agreements, according to a statement on the embassy’s Facebook page.

“The impact of Chinese aid and Chinese investments can be felt across the country as an important force for economic transformation and the social progress of Zambia,” Han said, encouraging Lusaka to “draw on China’s technological and economic momentum to build capacity and develop greater resilience.” After the COVID-19 pandemic forced many African countries to borrow heavily to pay for health responses, weakening their ability to repay creditors and pushing several into debt distress, governments across the continent shifted to seeking investment.

One reason Zambia’s debt restructuring dragged on for three-and-a-half years was that it had a large number of Chinese creditors, which made it difficult for the government to assert control over the process, analysts said. Chinese companies have invested around $6 billion in Zambia over the past 20 years, according to data from the American Enterprise Institute, almost all of which went into the metals sector.

These companies now face increasing pressure from European and American firms. The European Union’s top official for international cooperation and development visited earlier this month to unveil fresh investments in transport, energy, agriculture and critical raw materials along the Lobito Corridor.

Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.

S. President Donald Trump, met Hichilema on Sunday, according to a post on the Zambian president’s X account.

Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed veteran broadcaster Tido Mhando as her new Presidential Adviser for Information and Communications, returning one of Tanzania’s most respected media figures to a strategic national role.

A statement issued by Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka on November 19, 2025 confirmed the appointment, placing Mr Mhando at the heart of State House communication strategy. His mandate will involve guiding the President on media affairs, public messaging and information flow at a time when the administration seeks clearer, more coordinated engagement with citizens and institutions.

Mr Mhando, known for his decades of leadership in broadcasting and media development across Tanzania and beyond, is expected to bring seasoned judgement and industry expertise to the role. His return to public service marks a significant move in strengthening the government’s communication framework as it tackles political, social and economic priorities.

The appointment was announced alongside other senior changes, including the naming of Bakari Machumu as Director of Presidential Communications and Lazaro Nyalandu as Ambassador. .

Moshi. TPC Limited is set to transform Tanzania’s sugar industry with a strategic investment of $52 million (Sh130 billion) to enhance the sugarcane value chain and produce ethanol and technical alcohol.

The announcement was made yesterday by TPC Chief Executive Officer Jaffari Ally, ahead of the foundation stone ceremony scheduled for today in Arusha Chini, Moshi District. Ally said the project will move the company away from selling raw molasses.

Instead, molasses will be processed into a range of products that will create jobs, boost government revenue, and stimulate the economy through industrial production, alternative energy, and locally produced raw materials. Construction is already 30 per cent complete, with 70 per cent of materials delivered.

The project is expected to be finished by December 2026, increasing farmer productivity, company revenue, and national earnings. Once operational, TPC will produce 16.3 million litres of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ethanol) annually, making it one of the largest distilleries in the country.

It will also produce 400,000 litres of technical alcohol per year for use in energy-efficient cooking stoves, reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal. Ally said that the plant will generate 8,000 tonnes of potassium fertiliser from molasses by-products, suitable for chemical-free farming, and 400,000 litres of carbon dioxide for industrial use, especially in beverage factories.

The project includes a new power plant that will produce six megawatts of electricity, raising TPC’s supply to TANESCO from 23 MW to 7 MW. Ally said the initiative will improve employment, tax collection, and support the government’s clean energy and industrialisation goals.

The foundation stone will be laid by the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, marking 25 years of partnership between the Tanzanian government and Sukari Investment Limited under a public-private partnership. Registrar of the Treasury, Nehemia Mchechu, will highlight the partnership’s achievements.

TPC workers’ representative, Bilali Mchomvu, said the new plant will increase production, competitiveness, and create about 1,800 jobs, benefiting youth and local communities. He noted that as company profits grow, salaries and employment opportunities will also rise.

Former Moshi Urban MP Priscus Tarimo praised the investment as innovative and a model for Tanzania’s industrial sector. He said producing fertiliser and alcohol domestically will reduce import dependency, save foreign currency, increase tax revenue, and provide affordable inputs for farmers.

Since 2000, when the government sold 75 per cent of its shares in TPC to Sukari Investment, sugar production has grown from 36,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes annually, while government revenue from the company rose from Sh2 billion to Sh97 billion. TPC’s sugarcane yield has also improved from 66 tonnes per hectare to 150 tonnes, making it one of Africa’s most productive plantations and among the top three globally.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania football giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC are preparing for the CAF Champions League group stage, with their coaches looking to make history in the continental competition.

Yanga are now under Portuguese tactician Pedro Gonaalves, while Simba are led by Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev. Yanga will host Moroccan giants AS FAR on Saturday at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, and Simba will face Angolan side Atletico Petroleos de Luanda on Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm East African time.

Both Gonaalves and Pantev have yet to feature in the CAF Champions’ League group stage as head coaches, which makes this tournament an important milestone in their careers. Both coaches bring a wealth of experience in African football and are expected to apply their knowledge and tactical expertise to lead their respective clubs.

Dimitar Pantev Pantev began his managerial career in 2006 and has coached clubs in Bulgaria and across Africa. In Africa, he has led teams such as Cameroon’s Victoria United, Sierra Leone’s FC Johansen, and two Botswana clubs, Orapa United in 2024 and Gaborone United in 2025, before joining Simba SC.

Despite Orapa United competing three times in CAF competitions, Pantev was not part of their technical bench. Orapa United featured in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2017 and 2019 and qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage in 2025. He also coached FC Johansen, which participated in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2013, and Victoria United, which has yet to appear in CAF competitions.

Pantev made his CAF competition debut with Gaborone United of Bostwana when they faced Simba. The team lost 10 at home in the first leg but managed a 11 draw in the return match, which resulted in their elimination.

With Simba, Pantev will now coach in the CAF Champions’ League group stage for the first time, aiming to secure a historic breakthrough for himself and the club. Pedro Gonaalves For Pedro Gonaalves, this CAF Champions League campaign also represents a continental debut.

Gonaalves began his managerial career in 1996 and has extensive experience in Portugal, including a long stint at Sporting CP as a scout and academy coach from 2000 to 2015. He later joined the youth setup of Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto from 2015 to 2018, before being appointed head coach of the U-17 and U-20 national teams in 2018 and 2019. Gonaalves subsequently served as the head coach of the Angola senior national team for seven years before joining Yanga in October 2025. During his career, Gonaalves has won several honours, including the COSAFA Cup for the U-17 team in 2018 and the senior national team in 2024 and 2025. He managed the Angola senior team in 63 matches, recording 22 wins, 27 draws, and 14 losses. The recent coaching appointments have set the stage for both tacticians to make their mark in the CAF Champions’ League group stage.

Their debut in the group stage presents a unique opportunity to build their continental legacy and make a significant impact in Tanzania’s top clubs. As the matches approach, all eyes will be on Pantev and Gonaalves, who are eager to achieve success at the highest level of African club football.

Their leadership will be crucial in navigating tough opponents and securing historic results, while also demonstrating the growing stature of Tanzanian football on the continental stage. .

Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, in the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks that will focus on developing ties between Moscow and the tiny phosphate-producing country on the West African coast.

Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled Togo since 1967, was invited to visit Russia by Putin, Togo said in a statement. “Their Excellencies will hold a one-on-one meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of diplomacy, economy, trade, agriculture, energy, training, and food security,” it said.

Russia’s growing clout in Africa, including in countries such as Angola, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali and Mozambique, is viewed with concern by Western European states and the United States. Russia sells grain to Togo.

Russia is the world’s second-largest fertiliser producer behind China and the largest global exporter of fertiliser. .

Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has ruled out selling its gold reserves despite global prices reaching historic highs, saying its purchases are intended to diversify the country’s foreign exchange stock rather than generate trading profits.

BoT Governor Mr Emmanuel Tutuba said the central bank would only consider selling gold if the country needed additional foreign currency, noting that the current position remains strong. “Tanzania holds about $6.4 billion in foreign exchange reserves (excluding gold), enough to cover five months of imports,” he said.

“We also continue to receive steady inflows of foreign currency from agricultural and mineral exports, as well as tourism.” His remarks came as gold continued to show exceptional strength through October and mid-November.

In mid-October, global prices hit a record high of around $4,180 per ounce. Although early November saw a brief dip as the US dollar strengthened and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts softened, prices rebounded above $4,200 per ounce by November 1314 amid renewed optimism that the Fed will cut rates in December.

From October to mid-November 2025, gold prices remained elevated, supported by expectations of lower interest rates, strong safe-haven demand, central bank buying and rising investment flows–despite occasional volatility triggered by shifting macroeconomic conditions. On the mining front, small-scale miners are already feeling the impact of the price rally.

Ms Nurath Athumani, Secretary of the Imalabuhabi Miners’ Group in Butundwe Division, Geita Region, said the surge had brought much-needed relief. “Currently, gold prices have increased from about Sh80,000 to between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000 per gram,” she said.

“For us miners, this is a significant blessing. It allows us to earn better returns on the long and difficult hours we spend in the mines.

” She said most of their gold is sold at the Geita Gold Market, which offers regulated and transparent pricing, as well as safer trading conditions than informal buyers. “These prices give us hope for greater financial stability and better living conditions for our families,” she added.

Independent financial analyst Mr Christopher Makombe said the rising price of gold reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions that continue to push investors toward safe-haven assets. He noted that central banks worldwide remain active buyers.

“Higher prices mean Tanzania earns more dollars from exports, strengthening foreign reserves and helping stabilise the shilling,” he said. “This can ease inflationary pressures driven by imported goods, especially fuel and machinery.

” Mr Makombe added that higher prices boost profits for mining companies, resulting in increased government tax revenues. Rising prices also tend to attract new investments in exploration, extraction and processing.

“Tanzania could see expansion of existing mines, issuance of new mining licences and growing interest from foreign investors,” he said. He noted that mining expansion stimulates demand for labour and local suppliers–such as transport, catering, engineering and other support services–and that small-scale miners stand to benefit from higher incomes, which could strengthen rural household earnings and reduce poverty.

Supporting sectors, including gold refining, banking, insurance and logistics, also benefit from a buoyant mining industry. However, Mr Makombe warned that overreliance on gold revenues could expose the economy to global price fluctuations.

“Diversification remains essential for sustainable economic development,” he said. “Overall, higher gold prices are generally positive for Tanzania.

They enhance government revenue, attract investment, create jobs and strengthen the shilling through increased foreign exchange earnings,” he stressed. .

Dar es Salaam. A new investment product has been launched to offer local and foreign investors direct access to shares of major companies across the East African Community (EAC).

The iTrust East African Community Large Cap Exchange Traded Fund (IEACLC-ETF) was introduced yesterday, marking a significant development for the regional investment landscape. The ETF is regulated by the CMSA, with NBC Bank serving as custodian of investor assets.

iTrust Finance CEO, Faiz Arab, said the introduction of the IEACLC-ETF marks a significant step forward for Tanzania’s investment landscape. “This ETF opens a new chapter for investors in Tanzania.

For the first time, individuals can access a professionally managed regional fund through a simple and affordable product,” he said. Arab noted that East Africa remains one of the continent’s fastest-growing regions, and the fund provides a convenient entry point for investors seeking exposure to that growth.

The ETF is designed to lower investment barriers and enable both new and experienced investors to participate in the region’s economic expansion through a diversified basket of large, stable companies. He added that the fund’s structure emphasises transparency and investor protection whilst reducing concentration risk and enhancing long-term return potential as share values appreciate.

Through the ETF, investors will hold units linked to shares listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), and Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE). The fund tracks a blended benchmark index that incorporates all four markets, offering broad regional exposure.

The Initial Public Offering (IPO) opened on November 17, and runs until 12th December 2025, with a minimum investment of Sh100,000–making the product accessible to a wide range of investors. Once listed on the DSE, the ETF units will trade freely at market prices.

The Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), which regulates the ETF, used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to fostering an enabling environment that encourages both public and private institutions to utilise capital markets as a sustainable source of financing for national development. NBC Bank will serve as the custodian of investor assets.

Speaking at the launch event, CMSA Director of Policy, Research and Planning, Alfred Mkombo, said capital markets are a reliable avenue for long-term financing, particularly as the government and businesses seek alternatives to traditional borrowing. “Capital markets stimulate economic development by enabling access to funds and strengthening good governance in the management of companies and institutions so they can operate efficiently,” Mkombo said.

“When organisations raise capital through the markets, they reduce dependence on expensive debt, improve accountability, and support sustainable investment.” He emphasised that Tanzania’s development ambitions, including infrastructure expansion, industrialisation, and technological growth, require diversified financing sources.

Capital markets, he noted, offer predictable, transparent, and cost-effective funding that can ease fiscal pressures whilst empowering private-sector growth. .

Dnipro, Ukraine. Russian drones damaged a building housing the Dnipro newsroom of public broadcaster Suspilne and Ukrainian Radio Dnipro in a major overnight attack on the city, Suspilne said early on Tuesday.

Vladyslav Haivanenko, the acting governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, of which Dnipro is the administrative centre, said on the Telegram messaging app that Russian drones pounded the region late on Monday, injuring two people, sparking several fires and damaging apartment blocks and city infrastructure. Suspilne said on the Telegram messaging app that a fire broke out, windows and doors were blown out, and the building’s floors and roof were damaged, but no staff were inside at the time.

The broadcaster posted a photo showing a gaping hole torn through a building’s concrete floors, leaving exposed metal reinforcing bars, dangling wires and collapsed ceiling panels below. Suspilne is Ukraine’s nationwide public broadcaster, operating television, radio and online news services through a network of regional outlets across the country.

Dnipro, an industrial city in east-central Ukraine, and the wider Dnipropetrovsk region have faced repeated Russian missile and drone attacks during the nearly four-year-old war, killing civilians and damaging housing, industry and infrastructure. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the attack.

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Dar es Salaam. For many years, Tanzania’s education landscape has battled a persistent and complex question: what becomes of students once they enter the system? From pre-primary levels to secondary school, thousands of learners disappear from official records, creating a long trail of inconsistencies that has repeatedly frustrated policymakers and education stakeholders.

The issue came sharply back into the spotlight as the country began its 2025 Form Four examinations, on November 17, when data exposed a striking drop between students selected for secondary education and those who reached the final year. Government records show that of the 907,803 students selected to join Form One in 2022, only 595,816 are currently sitting for Form Four exams.

While authorities have since clarified that those missing from the list include students who never reported to school, those who failed Form Two exams, dropouts due to various reasons, and those who migrated abroad. The fact remains that more than a third of the original cohort has not reached the expected milestone.

Such gaps, which re-occur year after year, point to a deeper challenge in the country’s ability to monitor its learners effectively. To address this long-standing problem, the government is now preparing to introduce what it describes as a comprehensive and robust student-tracking system.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Carolyne Nombo, said the goal is to establish a seamless mechanism that follows students from early childhood through higher education. “The system will allow us to verify students’ numbers accurately and track movement across schools and regions.

We aim to identify students who repeat, drop out, or transfer, ensuring that no child is left unaccounted for,” she said. Prof Nombo added that the system will be linked from the earliest point possible, with the government exploring the possibility of registering children at birth to support long-term monitoring.

She emphasised that this approach would enable the ministry to create a clear and unbroken education journey for every child in the country. “By registering children from birth, we can streamline monitoring and provide support throughout their education journey.

Our goal is to ensure that all children can complete their schooling,” she noted. She further highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure that students who dropped out are given opportunities to re-enter the system, either through formal, non-formal or higher education pathways.

Lesson from other countries While the idea may seem ambitious, Tanzania is not venturing into unknown territory. Several countries have implemented similar systems with measurable success, offering useful lessons for local policymakers.

In Kenya, the introduction of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) revolutionised the way learners are tracked. Each student receives a Unique Personal Identifier that follows them throughout their education.

The system exposed thousands of ghost learners, enhanced accountability, and made the distribution of capitation grants far more accurate. India provides another powerful example through its UDISE+ platform, linked to the national identification system known as Aadhaar.

The country manages millions of student profiles, tracking enrolment, attendance, performance and movement between schools. Rwanda, too, has experienced significant gains with its Education Management Information System, which played a role in reducing national dropout rates from 14 percent in 2012 to below 8 percent by 2020, according to UNESCO.

These models share a common feature: a centralised learning identity that enables real-time visibility of a student’s progress. Experts believe Tanzania stands to benefit immensely from adopting a digital tracking system tailored to its environment.

A centralised portal enabling schools to update attendance, academic performance, transfers and re-entry cases in real time would significantly strengthen transparency and planning. Integrating the education system with social services could further help identify children at risk of dropping out due to pregnancy, illness, poverty or disability.

Education researcher Dr Thomas Mallya argues that such a system could reshape the country’s education landscape. “Tanzania loses children at every stage because we lack real-time tracking,” he says.

“A digital system would finally give us visibility, enabling early interventions before a student disappears completely.” While he acknowledges the challenge of limited internet connectivity in some regions, he notes that recent government investments in the National ICT Broadband Backbone position Tanzania well for this transition.

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