Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Airtel Africa has reported a solid half-year performance for the period ending September 30, 2025, marked by higher revenue, rising customer numbers and continued expansion of its data and mobile money services.

Operating across 14 African markets, the group posted a 24.5% increase in constant-currency revenue to $2.98 billion. Data revenue grew by 37%, overtaking voice as the company’s largest income stream, while Airtel Money revenue rose by 30%.

The customer base expanded by 11% to nearly 174 million. Data users increased by 20% to 69.5 million, and Airtel Money customers climbed to 49.8 million.

The company links the growth to rising smartphone penetration–now at 46.8%–and an ongoing strategy of device financing and handset partnerships aimed at easing access to mobile internet services. Airtel Africa continued to widen its network footprint, deploying more than 2,350 new sites during the reporting period and laying over 4,000 kilometres of additional fibre.

The group’s population coverage stands at 81.5%, with 98.5% of sites providing 4G services. The company is also evaluating 5G deployment in markets showing strong demand.

Operational results show improved efficiency. EBITDA rose 33.2% to $1.45 billion, with margins reaching 48.5%.

Profit after tax increased sharply to $376 million, compared with $79 million a year earlier. Analysts attribute the rise to tighter cost control, improved operating leverage and the effects of a major debt restructuring completed earlier in 2025. Airtel Money remained a key contributor, processing $193 billion in transactions–an increase of almost 36% year on year.

The platform continues to be used for payments, remittances, savings and micro-lending across the group’s markets. Commenting on the performance, Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said the company intends to maintain its focus on broadening digital access.

“The growth we are seeing in data, smartphone adoption, and mobile money shows the scale of opportunity across Africa,” he said. “We remain focused on innovation, network investment and delivering value for our customers and communities.

” The results reflect wider changes within the African telecoms industry, where reliance on traditional voice services is declining as data usage and digital platforms gain prominence. The shift is reshaping communication, commerce and access to services across the continent.

Airtel Africa plans to step up investment across its markets and has increased its full-year capital expenditure guidance to up to $900 million. The company has also maintained interim dividends and continued its share buyback programme.

The group’s half-year performance points to sustained demand for data and mobile money services as digital connectivity becomes increasingly central to economic and social life in its markets. .

Dar es Salaam. In a major governance shift, President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday announced the relocation of the Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG) docket from the President’s Office back to the Prime Minister’s Office, marking the latest chapter in the ministry’s long history of structural adjustments.

She said the change is meant to boost efficiency, improve coordination and strengthen the flow of government operations across all administrative levels, adding that the decision repositions the ministry within the constitutional mandate of the Prime Minister, who is the chief executor of government activities. “By mandate, the Prime Minister is the chief implementer of government functions, so it is both logical and necessary for RALG to operate under his office,” President Hassan said when announcing her new Cabinet at Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

RALG is one of the most influential portfolios in government, overseeing the country’s 31 regions and more than 7,700 local government authorities. It supervises decentralisation policies, local revenue systems, grassroots infrastructure development and the delivery of essential services such as education, health, water and community development.

A ministry with a long history of restructuring This is not the first time RALG has changed institutional homes. For over two decades, the ministry has alternated between the President’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office, reflecting shifts in governance priorities under successive administrations.

Under the Fourth Phase Government of President Jakaya Kikwete, RALG operated under the Prime Minister’s Office, initially under Edward Lowassa and later under Mizengo Pinda. During that period, the ministry was central to decentralisation reforms, including what became known as Decentralisation by Devolution (D-by-D).

A major restructuring followed the rise of President John Pombe Magufuli in the Fifth Phase Government. Seeking tighter control over regional development and closer supervision of public service delivery, Magufuli placed RALG under the President’s Office.

It remained there throughout his tenure. With the Sixth Phase Government now charting a different course, the ministry has once again been reassigned, this time back to the Prime Minister’s Office, led by Dr Mwigulu Nchemba.

Analysts say the shift signals an effort to streamline government operations, reinforce accountability and revitalise decentralisation as a tool for accelerating service delivery. “This move restores a governance arrangement that historically allowed closer coordination between Parliament, the Prime Minister and regional authorities,” said one governance expert, noting that regional and district leaders often rely on the Prime Minister’s Office for policy direction.

The restructuring also comes at a time when government has prioritised efficiency, digital transformation and coordinated planning across sectors, areas where analysts believe the Prime Minister’s Office can provide stronger oversight. Youth ministry President Hassan’s appointment of first-time MP Joel Nanauka as the head of the newly established Ministry of Youth has surprised many but also signals a decisive shift in the government’s approach to youth affairs.

The move comes at a time when Tanzania is grappling with rising youth unemployment, growing frustration among young people and the recent election unrest, which saw thousands of youths protest over economic hardships and political marginalisation. A bold institutional reform The creation of a stand-alone youth ministry is one of the most significant administrative reforms introduced by President Hassan.

Previously, youth matters were housed under broader ministries, often as departments whose mandates were stretched across multiple sectors. Addressing Parliament last week, the President said youth issues required a dedicated institutional home.

“We in the government have reflected on the need to have a complete ministry that will deal with youth affairs. We resolved to create a full ministry instead of retaining a department burdened with many responsibilities,” she said.

The decision reflects growing recognition within government that the youth population–now the country’s largest demographic group, needs targeted interventions to address unemployment, skills development, innovation and civic engagement. A preacher-turned-politician takes charge Mr Nanauka, a charismatic preacher-turned-politician with a strong urban youth following, takes on what many consider one of the most sensitive and highly scrutinised portfolios.

He assumes office at a time when many young Tanzanians feel excluded from national economic opportunities, while joblessness and cost-of-living pressures continue to dominate public discourse. Analysts argue that restoring trust between the government and young people will be one of his most immediate challenges.

“The youth are not demanding miracles. They want opportunities, skills and a clear pathway to economic independence.

If Nanauka can align training programmes with market needs, he will make quick gains,” said Ms Esther Mushi, a youth development specialist at the University of Dar es Salaam. Tackling unemployment and economic anxieties Unemployment remains the most pressing issue.

With more than 800,000 young people entering the labour market each year, experts say the new ministry must prioritise expanding vocational training, fostering innovation and strengthening partnerships between the private sector and government. Mr Nanauka will also have to confront entrenched challenges such as mismatches between training and labour market needs, limited access to credit for youth-led enterprises, inadequate social support systems and barriers to political participation among young adults Addressing these issues, analysts say, will help the ministry move from coordination to genuine empowerment.

Rebuilding trust after election unrest The recent election unrest exposed the depth of dissatisfaction among young people–particularly around unemployment and governance issues. Social commentator Abdallah Machemba said Mr Nanauka’s communication skills could help rebuild bridges.

“He understands the youth psyche. What Samia expects from him is connection–someone who can listen, speak their language and bring them back into national dialogue,” he noted.

Government insiders say the President expects the ministry to serve as both a policy engine and a listening post–tracking youth concerns while driving initiatives to support innovation, sports, digital skills and entrepreneurship. High expectations, limited room for error As he begins his mandate, Mr Nanauka steps into a role that will likely define his political career.

The expectations are high and analysts warn that young people will be looking for immediate signals of change. “He must demonstrate early wins, initiatives that show the ministry is not merely symbolic.

If the youth see tangible results, trust will begin to rebuild,” said Ms Mushi. Political experts argue that the success of the new ministry will depend on its ability to coordinate with other key portfolios, particularly Labour, Finance, Education and Trade, while pushing for structural reforms that can unlock long-term opportunities.

For now, the spotlight is firmly on Mr Nanauka. His ability to convert youthful frustration into productive engagement will not only shape the success of the new ministry but could also influence national stability and economic progress in the years ahead.

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Dar es Salaam. Tensions during the recent election unrest, where many of those involved were young people, have reignited debate over Tanzania’s youth challenges.

Most of those who took to the streets were unemployed, economically strained and demanding urgent reforms in how the government addresses their concerns. The unrest highlighted the pressing need for targeted government action to engage and support the country’s youth.

Against this backdrop, President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced plans to establish a fully-fledged ministry dedicated to youth affairs, one of the most significant administrative shifts in recent years. Addressing Parliament in Dodoma last Friday she said youth issues require focused attention that cannot be effectively handled under a department with multiple competing mandates.

“We in the government have reflected on the need to have a complete Ministry that will deal with Youth Affairs. We have resolved to create a full Ministry instead of retaining a department burdened with many responsibilities,” President Hassan told the House.

Her decision aligns with Tanzania’s demographic realities. The 2022 Population and Housing Census indicated that Tanzanians aged 1524 numbered 11.8 million, representing 19.2 percent of the population.

Expanding the definition of youth to ages 1535, the figure rises to 21.3 million, or 34.5 percent of all Tanzanians, with mainland Tanzania accounting for 20.6 million and Zanzibar 699,845. In short, a total of 26.4 million Tanzanians were aged between zero and 14 years, suggesting that in total, the youth population could be more than 75 percent of the country’s 62 million people as of 2022. Experts say these numbers clarify why young voices dominated the recent unrest and why a dedicated ministry is timely and necessary. According to Prof Semboja Haji, recognising who the youth are is the first step in addressing their challenges.

Tanzania’s national youth policy already outlines key areas for priority intervention. “Youth are active and the dominant group.

They care deeply about the country because today’s conditions will determine their future,” he said. Prof Haji added that national laws should be used to expand youth participation in major sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

He also observed that youth wings of political parties are no longer as active as during earlier nation-building decades. “Today, youth organisations have become instruments for endorsing decisions.

Once senior leaders agree on something, the youth merely memorise and repeat it.” Prof Haji stressed that a youth ministry must be led by young people themselves.

“If government creates this ministry, it must not become another portfolio filled with older leaders. Appointing a youth minister who is not genuinely youthful would be a mockery,” he warned.

Prof Haji also highlighted the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence and technology skills. “We must avoid a mindset where young people expect things to be handed to them without effort and then blame others if outcomes are not as desired.

” Youth development analyst Mariam Abdullah said the unrest reflected broader economic frustrations. “What we saw was not just political expression, it was a reminder that millions of young people are struggling.

These youth do not necessarily need long academic pathways; they need practical skills in trades such as construction, automotive repair, energy installation, tailoring, and basic digital skills,” she said. The 2022 census shows Tanzania’s working-age population (1561) now stands at 33 million, placing the country on course to be one of the world’s largest labour forces by 2050. Development economist Emmanuel Samwel said the ministry must address the diversity among unemployed youth.

“Some lack capital, others networks, and still others face social challenges such as addiction or unstable homes,” he said. Digital transformation expert Ibrahim Khatibu said many youth are neither in school nor employed, not because of a lack of ambition, but because the system failed them early.

“The new Ministry can build early-intervention programmes, adult literacy classes, vocational training for drop-outs, and youth centres offering life skills,” he said. Computer Science and digital skills specialist Said Said added that youth frustration stems from structural issues and lack of meaningful representation.

“A ministry that listens and gives young people platforms to participate meaningfully will stabilise the country and strengthen democracy,” he said. With older Tanzanians forming only 5.

7 per cent of the population (aged 60 and above), and just 2.7 per cent aged 70 plus, experts note that national development depends heavily on the youthful majority.

While the unrest exposed frustrations, demographic data offers an opportunity if the government acts decisively to empower youth, enhance skills, and provide meaningful employment pathways. President Hassan’s plan for a dedicated Youth Ministry is thus both timely and essential for the country’s stability and future growth.

Youth and national healing President Hassan also told the Parliament that during her first 100 days in the office, she will put special emphasis on young people while also steering the nation toward stability, reconciliation and improved public services. “For more than 60 percent of this nation’s population who are young people, we will place priority on policies and programmes that expand economic opportunities, create jobs and build a better future,” she told Parliament.

The Head of State added that the government intends to “ensure young people get the opportunity to participate in building the good future of our nation”. According to her, previous approaches had a limited impact.

“I recognise there have been many ways of reaching the youth, but their activities have been weakened by political issues and the platforms lost direction.” President Hassan also revealed that her office will appoint youth advisers who will help guide national policy from the State House itself.

These steps are expected to set the tone for a youth-driven agenda in the first 100 days. Employment remains a pillar of the early days of her administration.

She reminded MPs that hiring had already begun within the first 12 days of her new term. “Today, being the 12th day since this second term of the sixth phase began, we have already announced 7,000 teachers’ jobs and 5,000 health sector positions.

” She explained that these appointments are “the beginning of responding to citizens’ demands for better health and education services”. Her long-term ambition is equally bold.

“By 2030, my government will have employed 8 million Tanzanians in various sectors.” The first 100 days will therefore continue to focus on expanding recruitment and setting a solid foundation for wider job creation.

Universal Health Insurance to transform access President Hassan reaffirmed that universal health insurance will be one of the transformative reforms launched within the first 100 days. She said the government is “preparing to start the pilot implementation of health insurance for all” and will submit proposals to Parliament soon.

She highlighted her determination to improve health facilities, noting that the government intends “to connect health services digitally and ensure they have the required equipment at every level”. On constitutional reforms, the President maintained her commitment but placed emphasis on national healing following the unrest that occurred during the election period.

She said the government must first “conduct an in-depth assessment to understand the cause of the disturbances” before forming the promised reconciliation commission. The Head of State reminded the nation of the R4 philosophy–Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding–that guided her first term.

She assured Parliament that she would continue to extend the “hand of reconciliation”, saying, “Since the people of Tanzania have given me the mandate to continue leading this country, I will not tire of extending that hand again.” She expressed hope that political actors would “receive it sincerely so that we build a proper environment for our nation’s development”.

Economic empowerment through capital and investment The President highlighted economic empowerment for young people and women as another core target for the first 100 days. She said her administration will take steps to increase capital for economic activities by allocating Sh200 billion.

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Ukraine is working to resume the exchange of prisoners with Russia, hoping for the release of 1,200 Ukrainians, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his Security Council chief said. “We are counting on the resumption of exchanges,” Zelenskiy said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday.

“Many meetings, negotiations and calls are now devoted to this.” His security chief, Rustem Umerov, said on Saturday that he had held consultations in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, with the support of Kyiv’s partners, on resuming the process of exchanges.

“As a result of these negotiations, the parties agreed to return to the Istanbul agreements,” he said. “This concerns the release of 1,200 Ukrainians,” Umerov said in a statement on Telegram.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow to Ukraine’s statements. The Istanbul agreements are prisoner-exchange understandings brokered with Turkish mediation in 2022, setting out rules for large, coordinated swaps between Russia and Ukraine.

Since then, the two have traded thousands of prisoners, though exchanges have been sporadic and often disrupted by frontline escalation in the war Russia launched against Ukraine in February 2022. Umerov said that consultations would take place in the near future to decide the procedural and organisational details of the process. “We are working without pause so that Ukrainians who are to return from captivity can celebrate New Year and Christmas at home at the family table and with their loved ones,” Umerov said.

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Dar es Salaam. The Council of Imams of Tanzania has issued its position on the future of national reconciliation following the General Election held on October 29, 2025 emphasising that efforts to build national unity must be grounded in truth, integrity, and accountability from all authorities involved in the electoral process.

Speaking to journalists on November 15, 2025 in Dar es Salaam, the Council’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Issa Ponda, said the institution’s meeting had conducted an in-depth review of the election’s conduct and presented recommendations aimed at achieving reconciliation that would restore stability and cohesion in the country. In his introductory remarks, Sheikh Ponda recalled the Council of Imams’ role in society, noting that for many years the institution has been at the forefront of promoting social and political ethics, monitoring elections, and offering guidance in the broader national interest.

He stated that issuing their position forms part of their social and religious responsibility to safeguard rights, peace, and human dignity. Sheikh Ponda further said their assessment revealed that the electoral process–from voter registration, voting, to the announcement of results–was marred by clear and significant irregularities.

According to him, these challenges underscore the urgent need for reforms within the electoral system and greater accountability among state institutions. .

Stroke remains one of the world’s most debilitating health threats, imposing a profound toll on families, health services and entire societies. Once largely associated with older age, it is increasingly striking people at their most economically and socially active stages of life, disrupting careers, family responsibilities and long-term wellbeing.

In the United States, women experience roughly 55,000 more strokes each year than men–a pattern partly explained by women’s longer life expectancy, yet this does not tell the whole story. Women tend to have poorer recovery outcomes and a reduced quality of life following a stroke, and internationally, stroke is more common in females than males below the age of 25. A woman’s stroke risk is shaped throughout her reproductive life by biology and hormonal changes.

High blood pressure disorders of pregnancy–such as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia–are among the most significant contributors. Pre-eclampsia, usually developing after 20 weeks, involves elevated blood pressure and signs of organ damage, typically affecting the kidneys or liver.

These conditions increase the likelihood of stroke during pregnancy and later in life because persistently raised blood pressure can damage vessels supplying the brain. Hormonal contraception can also play a role.

The concern centres mainly on combined oral contraceptives containing both oestrogen and progesterone, which can raise blood pressure and increase the tendency for blood to clot. The risk becomes more pronounced in women who smoke, are over 35 or experience migraines with aura.

Progesterone-only methods do not show the same level of association. Globally, around 248 million women rely on hormonal contraception, according to the World Health Organization.

Menopause introduces another shift. Falling oestrogen levels reduce the hormone’s natural protective effects on blood vessel integrity and cholesterol balance, making vessels stiffer and more vulnerable to damage.

Some forms of hormone replacement therapy, particularly those containing oestrogen, are linked to a modest increase in stroke risk–especially when started many years after menopause or used by older women. Women are also more prone to migraines, notably those accompanied by aura, which involve temporary disturbances in blood flow within the brain and are associated with higher stroke risk.

Autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis–which disproportionately affect women–create chronic inflammation that weakens and narrows blood vessels, adding yet another layer of vulnerability. A growing body of research highlights reproductive factors, hormonal exposure and immune system differences as key drivers of women’s elevated stroke risk.

Stroke during pregnancy and after childbirth Pregnancy places extraordinary demands on the cardiovascular system: blood volume increases, hormones shift and the blood becomes more inclined to clot. As a result, pregnant women and those who have recently given birth face roughly triple the stroke risk of their non-pregnant peers, a finding well-established in research from the American Heart and Stroke Association.

Stroke is also a major cause of severe maternal illness and death, and stark inequalities persist. In England, Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, while Asian and mixed-ethnicity women also face disproportionately higher risks, according to the long-running MBRRACE-UK audit of maternity care.

In the US, Black women die from pregnancy-related complications at nearly twice the rate of white women, with stroke among the critical contributors. These disparities stem from delayed diagnosis, unequal access to care and higher rates of conditions such as hypertension, obesity and pre-eclampsia.

Women from minority ethnic communities are also more likely to live with underlying risk factors–including diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure–and to face barriers to high-quality antenatal services. Why women’s strokes are often missed Stroke symptoms in women are more likely to be misinterpreted.

While classic signs–facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties–appear in both sexes, women more often report additional symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue or confusion. These are frequently dismissed as stress, migraine or anxiety.

Paramedics and clinicians are statistically more likely to categorise a woman’s presentation as a “stroke mimic”, delaying lifesaving treatment and increasing the risk of long-term disability or death. Subarachnoid haemorrhage–bleeding around the brain, usually caused by a ruptured aneurysm–is also more common in women.

It typically presents as a sudden, agonising headache that does not improve with pain relief. Lower oestrogen levels after menopause are thought to weaken artery walls in the brain, making ruptures more likely.

Women who enter menopause early, before the age of 42, face an even higher risk. Closing the gap Women carry a disproportionate share of the global stroke burden.

Biological, hormonal and social factors intersect throughout their lives, while women from minority ethnic backgrounds often confront additional barriers linked to unequal care, delayed diagnosis and higher rates of underlying health conditions. Despite this, major gaps remain: many female-specific risk factors are still poorly understood, and women remain underrepresented in clinical research, leaving treatment guidelines shaped largely by male-centred data.

Reducing this burden will require prevention strategies that take account of women’s lived realities–across adolescence, reproductive years, menopause and later life. Improving awareness, ensuring timely recognition of symptoms and guaranteeing equitable access to healthcare are essential to narrowing the gender divide and mitigating the global impact of stroke.

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has condemned the violence that erupted on October 29, 2025, urging the establishment of an independent investigation involving a broad range of stakeholders, including democratic actors.

In its statement, TEC also called for the release of all individuals arrested before, during, and after the elections. Additionally, the bishops reiterated the need for the country to resume the process towards a New Constitution.

However, while inaugurating Parliament on Friday, November 14, 2025, and outlining the Government’s five-year roadmap, President Samia Suluhu Hassan also condemned the incidents. She said the Government had already formed a commission to investigate the events and uncover their root causes.

“The findings will guide us as we engage in dialogue aimed at restoring harmony and peace,” President Samia told Parliament in Dodoma. Reading the collective reflection of the Catholic bishops on November 15, 2025–following four days of contemplation and prayer held from November 11 to 14–the President of TEC, Bishop Wolfgang Pisa, said the Church strongly condemns the events.

According to Bishop Pisa, the demonstrations led to violence that resulted in loss of life, injuries, and the destruction and loss of both public and private property, a situation that has deeply pained and saddened the Tanzanian community. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) interim head coach Miguel Gamondi has attributed his side’s 43 defeat to Kuwait to a lapse in concentration, particularly in the early stages of the second half, which allowed the opponents to mount a dramatic comeback.

The international friendly match, played in Cairo on Saturday, marked Gamondi’s first game in charge since taking over from Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman. Despite a promising first half in which the Taifa Stars controlled play and took a comfortable 20 lead, the team crumbled after the restart and conceded four goals in just 23 minutes.

The defeat extended Tanzania’s winless run to four consecutive matches dating back to September. The Stars drew 11 with Congo Brazzaville in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier on September 5, before suffering back-to-back home losses to Niger and Zambia.

They later fell 20 to Iran in a friendly played in Dubai on October 14. Saturday’s loss adds to growing concerns as the team edges closer to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. Gamondi, speaking after the match, said the team executed the game plan well in the first half but failed to cope with Kuwait’s high pressure immediately after the interval.

“We played very well in the first half,” he said. “But we lost concentration in the opening minutes of the second half.

Kuwait used their set pieces well, and we conceded two quick goals.” Tanzania took the lead in the 6th minute through Charles M’Mombwa, who finished off a well-worked move.

Tarryn Allarakhia doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, capping an impressive attacking display that saw Taifa Stars dominate possession and create several clear-cut chances. Carrying a deserved 20 lead into halftime, Gamondi looked set for a dream start.

But the momentum shifted almost instantly after the break. Kuwait pulled one back in the 46th minute through Mohammad Daham, who struck again in the 53rd to level the match at 22. The defensive collapse continued, with Youssef Naser completing the comeback in the 64th minute to put Kuwait ahead 32. Five minutes later, Kuwait extended their lead to 42 when Hasan Al Anezi capitalised on another breakdown in Tanzania’s defensive organisation.

M’Mombwa scored his second goal in the 87th minute to close the gap to 43, but it was too late for Tanzania to rescue a result. Gamondi admitted that his instructions at halftime were not properly executed.

“We told the players to be very alert in the first 15 minutes of the second half and to avoid unnecessary mistakes. Unfortunately, we failed to manage that period, and we allowed three goals.

You cannot concede goals the way we did,” he said. Despite the disappointment, Gamondi insists the team must take positives from their first-half performance and focus on correcting the errors before heading to the AFCON finals.

“We need to analyse this game carefully, fix the mistakes, and build on what we did well,” he added. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian basketball champions, Dar City, departed the country yesterday bound for Nairobi, Kenya, ahead of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Top 16, which is set to kick off tomorrow at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

The Tanzanian representatives are drawn in Group B alongside Malawi’s Bravehearts BC, Zambia’s Matero Magic, and Mozambique’s Ferroviario Da Beira. Meanwhile, Group A features Nairobi City Thunder, Johannesburg Giants, and Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers.

The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to conclude on November 23. Dar City head coach Mohamed Mbwana confirmed that the team’s traveling contingent comprises 15 players, four coaches, a team manager, and the team physician. However, only 12 players will be eligible to feature in the tournament, in line with BAL regulations.

“We have trained hard ahead of the competition. We were in residential training in Zanzibar, and my players are in high spirits and ready to deliver their best performance,” said Mbwana.

The Tanzanian champions earned their spot in the Top 16 after a dominant display in the Road to BAL tournament held at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Dar es Salaam. Dar City topped their group with two convincing victories, demonstrating that they are a force to be reckoned with at the continental level.

In their opening game of the qualifiers, Dar City produced a commanding performance, defeating Djabal Basket Iconi from Comoros 10250. The team’s combination of fluid teamwork, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing thrilled local fans, who packed the stands to cheer them on. In the second match, Dar City maintained their momentum, overcoming Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers 8370 to seal their qualification for the BAL Top 16. The results highlighted the team’s consistency and readiness to challenge the best clubs across Africa.

With a solid foundation of preparation and confidence from their Road to BAL triumph, Dar City will aim to make a strong impression in Nairobi. Fans will be keenly watching to see if the Tanzanian champions can translate their domestic success into a competitive continental performance.

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Dodoma. Tanzania is preparing for far-reaching reforms across its production sectors as President Samia Suluhu Hassan outlines an ambitious five-year agenda to modernise agriculture, expand livestock production, and scale up fisheries output.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 13th Parliament on November 14, 2025 the President affirmed that the country’s next phase of development will rest on enhanced productivity, value addition, and strengthened export capacity. “In the next five years, we are going to make major investments in the production sectors, starting with agriculture,” she told lawmakers.

She highlighted a new guiding philosophy that places farming at the forefront of national economic transformation. “We will be guided by the principle that ‘Agriculture is Business, and the Farmer is an Investor’.

” President Hassan set an ambitious target to accelerate agricultural growth from the current 4 percent to 10 percent by 2030. According to her, this shift will not only safeguard food security but also uplift millions of Tanzanians who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. “By doing so, we aim not only to ensure food self-sufficiency but also to invest in value chains to benefit the many citizens employed in this sector,” she said.

Tanzania aims to position itself among Africa’s leading producers of maize, rice, and horticultural crops. To achieve this, the government will intensify efforts to promote modern farming by expanding access to subsidised inputs such as improved seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.

Water availability will also be boosted, with irrigated land set to rise from 3.4 million acres to 5 million acres through the completion of ongoing dams and irrigation schemes, alongside new projects including those in the Rufiji Basin.

The President further announced the establishment of farm machinery hiring centres to accelerate the adoption of technology. Investment in the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) and the Cooperative Bank will also be enhanced “to stimulate the agricultural revolution we envision.

” The government will continue strengthening post-harvest management through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) in order to curb losses that diminish farmers’ earnings. The warehouse receipt system, which already supports several crop value chains, will be expanded.

To guarantee stable international markets, the government plans to leverage economic diplomacy. “We will ensure that these market opportunities come with implementable agreements,” she said, citing pigeon peas, green grams, and sesame as priority crops for assured export demand.

Although Tanzania currently enjoys 128 percent food self-sufficiency, the President emphasised the need to increase domestic production of sugar and edible oil. Greater focus will be placed on processing sunflower, palm, and sesame to reduce reliance on imports.

Reviving traditional cash crops Several cash crops that once underpinned the national economy–tea, coffee, avocado, and cotton–have struggled due to global price volatility and inefficiencies in processing. The President pledged more stringent supervision to revive these sub-sectors, with the goal of “expanding markets, increasing price competitiveness, and ensuring better returns for our farmers.

” The livestock sector, long constrained by land disputes and limited commercial investment, is also poised for transformation by 2030. The President announced plans to expand designated livestock areas from 3.46 million acres to six million acres.

“This measure will prevent conflicts between pastoralists and other land users, and increase the production of animal feeds as we move towards modern livestock keeping,” she said. To unlock international markets, the government will intensify livestock identification and vaccination programmes to meet global quality standards.

“We want to improve the quality of livestock products so that Tanzania is recognised in global records and markets.” President Hassan’s blueprint signals a new era for Tanzania’s production landscape–one that places farmers, pastoralists, and fishers at the heart of national prosperity.

With strategic investment, wider market access, and modern technologies, the government aims to position the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors as engines of economic growth for the decade ahead. .