Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian TikTok creators are once again making waves across the African digital landscape.

Fanuel Masamaki, popularly known as Zerobrainer0, and culinary influencer George Tumaini, alias George’s Kitchen, will represent Tanzania at the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, slated for December 6 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two have received nominations in different categories, underscoring the diversity of their content and the influence they command on social media.

Zerobrainer0 is vying for Sport Creator of the Year, a title he won in 2024, while George is in the running for Food Creator of the Year. Their strong online presence has had a notable impact, attracting thousands of followers who interact with their creative content daily.

George’s Kitchen has evolved into a favourite platform for food lovers, fusing culinary artistry with the celebration of Swahili culture and traditions. George has grown his popularity through his distinctive cooking style.

He often dons a traditional kanga while preparing meals and has a signature habit of adding spices such as cardamom and cinnamon to water before tasting, an act that has fascinated many of his followers. Speaking to The Citizen, George expressed his delight over the nomination.

“I become the second Tanzanian, and the first to create cooking content, to be nominated,” he said, visibly thrilled, adding initially felt unreal. “After receiving the ticket, I realised this nomination was serious.

My friends kept calling, asking, ‘Bro, are you okay?’ But it still didn’t sink in. Yet, that’s the reality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zerobrainer0 has carved a niche in football entertainment, creating humorous, relatable, and often viral content that keeps fans coming back for more. The TikTok Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa seek to recognise creators, artists, and trendsetters who have shaped social media feeds throughout the year.

With creators from across the region, the event promises a night filled with creativity, entertainment, and inspiration. TikTok describes 2025 as a year when niche content became mainstream, communities grew in influence, and creators emerged as tastemakers shaping trends across the continent.

For Tanzanian creators, these nominations mark recognition of the country’s expanding footprint in digital content creation. The achievements of Zerobrainer0 and George’s Kitchen exemplify how Tanzania is fast becoming a hub for innovative, trend-setting content that resonates across the region and beyond.

.

Dar es Salaam. Political analysts say President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nomination of six Members of Parliament (MPs) reflects a deliberate strategy to strengthen continuity in government programmes while reinforcing unity within the ruling party, CCM.

Experts argue that the composition of the list is neither political patronage nor routine administrative formality, but a carefully balanced signal of where the President wants the country and her party to head as Parliament begins a new legislative term. Published in the government gazette on Monday, November 10, 2025, and signed by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka, the appointments take effect immediately under Article 66(1)(e) of the Constitution, which allows the Head of State to nominate up to ten MPs.

Those appointed are former Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, former Health Minister Dr Dorothy Gwajima, former CCM Secretary-General Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally, seasoned diplomat Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, corporate governance leader Mr Abdullah Ali Mwinyi, and technocrat Dr Rhimo Nyansaho. The nominees span diplomacy, public administration, party strategy, corporate leadership, and governance reform.

Analysts note that three of the nominees: Ambassador Kombo, Dr Gwajima, and Dr Nyansaho represent continuity, reflecting the President’s desire to maintain momentum in policy execution. Meanwhile, Dr Bashiru Ally’s return represents unity within CCM, particularly ahead of a politically charged period that demands cohesion and disciplined messaging.

Ambassador Kombo is widely seen as the face of continuity in the President’s foreign policy agenda. During his tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, he championed economic diplomacy and expanded Tanzania’s international footprint, particularly within the East African Community and through bilateral investment partnerships.

He has remained steadfast in trying to defend Tanzania’s image internationally by speaking to some international media outlets even during the time that the country went through trying times when chaos erupted during the just-concluded election period. “Ambassador Kombo’s institutional memory and diplomatic networks make him a natural fit for a Parliament that will increasingly oversee foreign investment agreements and regional economic integration,” said Prof Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar.

Dr Dorothy Gwajima represents continuity on the domestic front. She has led the Health Ministry and the Ministry for Community Development, Women and Special Groups, implementing reforms in primary healthcare, community-driven welfare programmes, and institutional efficiency.

“Dr Gwajima’s structured, technocratic approach aligns with the President’s preference for hands-on administrators who can accelerate project execution without long familiarisation periods,” said Dr Paul Loisulie of the University of Dodoma. Dr Rhimo Nyansaho complements continuity through governance and institutional reforms.

Having served in key oversight roles, including as chairman of Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco), he is expected to bring technical scrutiny over government projects, particularly those undergoing structural reforms. While continuity defines much of the selection, Dr Bashiru Ally represents unity within CCM.

His tenure as Secretary-General gives him political weight and the credibility to foster cohesion, balance internal forces, and build consensus within the party, say analysts. Corporate governance expert Mr Abdullah Ali Mwinyi and diplomat Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar bring additional layers to the strategy.

Mr Mwinyi, a younger leader with corporate governance experience and political heritage, signals a blend of generational transition and continuity, while Ambassador Omar reinforces Tanzania’s foreign service capabilities amid increasing parliamentary oversight of international affairs. Constitutionally, nominated MPs do not represent geographical constituencies but play key roles in enhancing expertise, building cabinet benches, and neutralising political divisions.

Observers suggest the nominations prepare a technically competent, politically cohesive Parliament capable of supporting economic reform, large infrastructure projects, and effective budget monitoring. Dr Richard Mbunda of the University of Dar es Salaam says the appointments reflect a President who values political maturity, institutional memory, and shared responsibility.

Dr Loisulie adds that the nominations prepare Parliament to exercise stronger oversight of investment projects and public expenditure, signalling a leadership style that emphasises both stability and effectiveness. .

Dar es Salaam. Less than five percent of female sex workers get screened for cervical cancer, despite being among the groups most vulnerable to the disease, new research reveals.

The study, titled “Female Sex Workers and Cervical Cancer Screening in Kilimanjaro Region: Uptake and Behavioural Determinants in Health Belief Model Perspectives,” found that only 4.8 percent of the women surveyed had ever been screened.

The stark figure emerges from a paper quietly published last month in BMJ Public Health–the first to examine cervical cancer screening habits among female sex workers in Tanzania. Researchers from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre spent three months tracking down 351 women aged 25 to 49, following chains of trust from bar to brothel, from urban alley to rural roadside.

Their findings paint a troubling picture of how stigma, poor access, and weak health communication keep one of Tanzania’s most at-risk groups from lifesaving preventive care. One of the study’s authors, Mr.

Gumbo Silas, said the result was surprisingly low, especially considering that 89 percent of the sex workers were aware of the availability of screening services. “This means that despite high awareness, very few take the step to get screened, showing a critical gap between knowledge and action,” he said.

Cervical cancer is a consequence of long-term infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Tanzania is reported to be among the five countries with the highest rates of cervical cancer in Africa, with more than 7,000 women diagnosed each year–58 percent of whom die from the disease.

The Kilimanjaro study found that most respondents had heard of cervical cancer but lacked accurate knowledge about its causes and prevention. “Awareness alone doesn’t guarantee behavior change.

It creates knowledge, but behavior change requires motivation and support. Behavioral factors are what drive an individual to accept or adhere to a recommended health action,” said Mr.

Silas. Most screening in Tanzania is conducted through public maternal and child health clinics, where services are geared toward married women and mothers.

Female sex workers, who often operate informally and lack health insurance, rarely visit these facilities. Many work at night, move frequently between towns, or fear being identified by health workers.

Medical doctor and research scientist at the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Dr. Innocent Peter Uggh, highlighted that the main reason female sex workers are not getting screened is not due to practical obstacles, but rather a fundamental lack of belief that they are personally at risk.

“Almost all–99 percent–of participants reported no major barriers preventing them from going for screening,” Dr. Uggh said.

“Instead, they believed they were healthy and didn’t need screening, reflecting a low perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer.” Using the Health Belief Model, the researchers suggest that meaningful change occurs only when health programs move beyond simple information-sharing and address an individual’s personal conviction about the disease.

Their findings identified four specific behavioral factors–far more influential than awareness–that determine whether a woman’s intention turns into an actual clinic visit. When women in high-risk environments are left behind, it raises questions about whether the country’s target to screen 60 percent of the female population can realistically be achieved.

“To close this gap, there is an urgent need for tailored, inclusive strategies that address both behavioral and structural barriers,” Dr. Uggh said.

Participants who had a strong belief in the protective power of screening were more than three times as likely to get screened. Similarly, female sex workers with high self-efficacy–the confidence to take action–were about 3.

6 times more likely to undergo screening. The researchers also emphasized the importance of “cues to action,” or external prompts that trigger behavior change.

This could include a reminder from a peer educator or encouragement from a trusted health worker. “Policymakers should design community-based, behaviorally informed interventions that strengthen women’s perception of cervical cancer severity and the benefits of screening,” Dr.

Uggh said. “This confidence should be reinforced through triggers like recommendations and encouragement from health workers and the media.

” The study showed that women who received regular cues to action were also 3.6 times more likely to move from passive intention to active participation in screening .

If thoughts are worth a penny, who can tell what thoughts shared might be worth? Here I am, sharing my thoughts on the recent elections related events in Tanzania, thoughts born out of agonising worry, empathy and the stubborn belief – yes belief – that we can still do better. During voting and in the days following the elections, something happened that left deep scars on the national psyche.

This wasn’t just about politics. It was about who we are as a people and what we are becoming.

For a country long known for calm and civility, witnessing an unprecedented curfew felt like watching a poorly scripted movie where a part of our national identity is eaten away. Some viewed it as an attempt to disrupt the voting process, others as a quest to demand justice and fair treatment.

What we all saw was chaos. Property was destroyed, public offices vandalised and private businesses were looted or burned.

In the melee that ensued, lives were lost and many were injured. Some were protesters, others were, well, collateral damage.

Families that had gone to bed with hope for change woke up to grief and fear. Beyond the destruction was the defeat of purpose.

Nothing good came out of it but vandalism and bloodshed. But how did it come to this? How did a people long admired for their patience, tolerance and peace find themselves in such a predicament? Those who took to the streets were our own kith and kin, mostly young, restless and unemployed.

Some were probably graduates who see hopelessness left and right after years of waiting for opportunities. Others were hustlers just trying to make ends meet.

But they had one thing in common: a quiet rage at being left behind. These were not protests of prosperity.

No one with a stable job or a small business to protect willingly abandons it to face tear gas or truncheons. This was frustration spilling over.

And so, they poured into the streets. But at the core of it all was a simple truth; too many young people have too much time and too little hope.

When a society reaches that point, the ground beneath creaks. The real danger is not just the protests; it’s the vulnerability that breeds them.

An idle youth population can easily be manipulated by opportunists. With no faith in the system, they become susceptible to anyone who offers a sense of purpose, even if that purpose is ruinous.

But in all this, the state’s response, though intended to restore order, also left painful questions in its wake. The very organs meant to protect citizens sometimes became part of the problem.

The result was that not all victims of the unrest were people who took part in the protests. Two wrongs never make a right.

Peace built on fear or silence cannot endure. Real peace can never be policed into existence.

This begs the question: what kind of society have we built? One where able-bodied youth are ignored? One where public office is seen as a shortcut to privilege and a bragging right among peers? For years, we’ve comforted ourselves with the illusion that Tanzania is different, that our peace is unshakable. But peace is not a permanent possession; it’s a relationship we must constantly nurture.

Today’s citizens are not as easily swayed as before. They see things for themselves, in real time.

Gone are the days when uncomfortable truths could quietly be swept under the rug. This new generation demands accountability, transparency and a say in shaping their own future.

So, what now? Where do we go from here? We begin by acknowledging that something has gone terribly wrong and that fixing it will take more than rhetoric. The essence of public service is values not interests.

Leaders have to be guided by humility, not hubris. The true measure of leadership is reflected in how many believe in you.

But the task of rebuilding rests on the people as well. We must invest in our youth with opportunities, real, tangible ones that restore dignity and hope.

Similarly, we must instil in them the importance of tolerance, discipline and restraint. Peace and prosperity will always walk hand in hand.

You cannot have one while starving the other. After all, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Until we embrace true change, our peace will always be fragile. The violence revealed our inequality, our impatience and our indifference but it also showed us the inevitability of change.

Instead of losing control, it is best to accept controlled change. We owe it to those who lost their lives, to the families who are mourning and to the generations yet to come.

We owe it to ourselves. Because peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice.

And justice begins when we start listening, not to respond, not to defend, but to understand and engage. Et voila, just thoughts shared! Kilasa Mtambalike is a veteran journalist and Public Relations and Communications Consultant based in Dar es Salaam.

He is also Chief Editor of Wealth Magazine .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s CAF Confederation Cup representatives, Azam FC, have been dealt an early blow ahead of their opening group-stage fixture after attacking midfielder Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum suffered a groin injury.

The influential playmaker, who has been instrumental for the Chamazi-based side this season, picked up the injury during the Mainland Tanzania Premier League match against Namungo FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Fei Toto was forced off in the 88th minute and was replaced by James Akaminko.

His substitution raised concerns within the Azam camp about his availability for continental duty. Also on the injury list is winger Yahya Zayd, who is nursing a separate knock and remains doubtful for the trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Azam FC are scheduled to begin their CAF Confederation Cup Group B campaign against Maniema Union of DR Congo on November 21 at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, with the match set to kick off at 4pm East Africa Time. The group also features Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club and Nairobi Stars from Kenya, making it one of the most competitive groups in this year’s competition.

Fei Toto’s injury has also ruled him out of the Taifa Stars squad, which is currently preparing for an international friendly against Kuwait in Cairo, Egypt, this Friday. The midfielder was expected to be a key figure in coach Miguel Gamondi’s plans but was withdrawn from the national team list after medical evaluation confirmed he needed rest and further assessment.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Azam FC Media Officer Thabit “Zaka Zakazi” Zacharia confirmed that both Fei Toto and Yahya Zayd are undergoing medical examinations to determine the extent of their injuries. “So far, both players are uncertain to feature in our first CAF Confederation Cup match,” said Zacharia.

“Our medical team is conducting a detailed assessment to establish the severity of the injuries. We will communicate once we receive a full report.

Currently, the two are not participating in training sessions with the rest of the squad.” The absence of Fei Toto and Zayd would be a major setback for Azam FC, who have been enjoying a solid start to their domestic season.

The duo has been vital in creating scoring opportunities and adding attacking depth to the team. Azam FC’s qualification for the group stage marks an important achievement for the club, which continues to establish itself among Tanzania’s top continental contenders.

The team will be aiming to secure at least a point away from home before hosting their second match in Dar es Salaam later this month. .

Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from jail and returned home after his lawyers appealed against his conviction for being part of a criminal conspiracy to seek election funding from Libya. The 70-year-old former president was freed from La Sante prison in Paris shortly before 3pm and departed in a car with tinted windows, escorted by police motorcyclists.

Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, had been found guilty of seeking funding for his successful election campaign from Muammar Gaddafi, the late dictator of Libya, and sentenced to five years. He entered La Sante prison in Paris on Oct 21 as the first former head of an EU state to be incarcerated.

During his 21 days in jail, he ate only yoghurt because he refused to eat the meals provided or cook for himself as he “does not know how to cook an egg”, one of his associates told Le Point. A Paris court ruled on Monday that he could be freed immediately, pending an appeal.

The decision means Sarkozy is once again presumed innocent. He will not be allowed to leave France during the process and is forbidden from communicating with anyone in the justice department, including minister Gerald Darmanin.

The justice minister had visited Sarkozy in prison, raising eyebrows across France. In a statement on X on Monday, the former president said: “As I regain my freedom and my family, I want to say how grateful I am to all those who have written to me, supported me and defended me.

Your thousands of messages of support have deeply moved me and given me the strength to endure this ordeal. “The law has been applied.

I will now prepare for the appeal trial. My energy is focused solely on the single goal of proving my innocence.

The truth will prevail. This is a lesson that life teaches us.

“The end of the story remains to be written.” Under French law, he can only be kept behind bars if no other way can be found to safeguard evidence, prevent witness tampering, stop him from escaping or reoffending, or to protect him.

Unlike previous criminal charges for corruption, Sarkozy will not be ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag under the terms of his release. The appeals trial is due to take place in March.

The former leader appeared via video call from prison, wearing a dark blue jacket and flanked by lawyers, saying: “I will never confess to something I didn’t do.” He said he would fight “for the truth to prevail”.

“It’s hard, very hard, certainly for any prisoner. I would even say it’s gruelling,” he said, adding that prison staff had made “this nightmare bearable”.

The former president has spent more than two weeks in La Sante, separated from the general prison population, with two bodyguards occupying a neighbouring cell to ensure his safety. Prison wardens said the guards were an insult to their profession, but Laurent Nunez, the interior minister, insisted they were necessary in view of Sarkozy’s “status” and “the threats against him”.

Sarkozy late last month also received a visit from Gerald Darmanin, the justice minister, despite warnings from Remy Heitz, France’s top prosecutor, that this risked “undermining the independence of magistrates” before the appeals trial. Sarkozy is the first French leader to be incarcerated since Philippe Petain, the Nazi collaborationist head of state jailed after the Second World War.

Sarkozy’s social media account last week posted a video of piles of letters, postcards and packages it said had been sent to him, including a collage, a chocolate bar and a book. On the day he entered jail, a crowd sang the national anthem outside his home and urged him to “come back quick”.

Damien Brunet, a state prosecutor, asked that Sarkozy’s request for release be granted. “The risks of collusion and pressure on witnesses justify the request for release under judicial supervision,” he said.

In the courtroom showing their support were Sarkozy’s wife, the singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of the former president’s sons. Sarkozy has faced a flurry of legal woes since losing his re-election bid in 2012, and was twice convicted of corruption before the most recent charge.

In the so-called “Libyan case”, prosecutors said aides, acting in Sarkozy’s name, had struck a deal with Gaddafi in 2005 to illegally fund his victorious presidential election bid. Investigators believe that in return, Gaddafi was promised help to restore his international image after Tripoli was blamed for the 1988 bombing of a plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, and another over Niger in 1989, killing hundreds of passengers.

The court convicted Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy over the plan. But it did not conclude that he received or used the funds for his campaign .

Toronto. Barrick Mining Corporation has reported record operating and financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2025, supported by higher gold output, strong commodity prices, and lower production costs.

The company produced 829,000 ounces of gold and 55,000 tonnes of copper during the quarter, generating $4.1 billion in revenue, a record $2.4 billion in operating cash flow, and $1.5 billion in free cash flow. Net earnings rose to $1.3 billion, or $0.76 per share, up 62 percent from the previous quarter, while adjusted net earnings increased to $982 million, or $0.58 per share.

Group Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hill said the strong performance allowed Barrick to increase shareholder returns and continue funding key growth projects. “Higher gold production combined with lower costs and strong commodity prices drove record cash flow for Barrick in Q3,” he said.

“Given our confidence in ongoing cash flow generation, the Board has approved a 25 percent increase in the base quarterly dividend.” The Board declared a $0.175 per share dividend, including a $0.05 performance dividend, and authorised an additional $500 million share buyback, bringing the total repurchase programme to $1.5 billion through February 2026. Gold production rose 4 percent from the second quarter to 829,000 ounces, while all-in sustaining costs dropped 9 percent to $1,538 per ounce.

Copper production, at 55,000 tonnes, was 7 percent lower quarter-on-quarter, in line with expectations. Cortez and Turquoise Ridge mines recorded production increases of 15 and 13 percent, respectively, while the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic achieved its highest quarterly output since 2022. Barrick also reported three fatalities during the quarter, including one at Tanzania’s Bulyanhulu mine, saying investigations were underway and reaffirming its commitment to “every person going home safe and healthy every day.

” The company advanced several strategic projects, including the Fourmile gold discovery in Nevada, described as one of the most significant finds of this century. Updated studies confirmed its “rare combination of grade, scale, and exploration potential.

” Barrick’s Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan and the Lumwana expansion in Zambia both remain on schedule, with construction accelerating. Meanwhile, Barrick continued to streamline its portfolio, agreeing to sell the Hemlo mine in Canada and its interests in Tongon, Ca’te d’Ivoire, for a combined $1.4 billion, expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Barrick reaffirmed its 2025 production guidance, expecting gold output between 3.15 and 3.

50 million ounces and copper production between 200,000 and 230,000 tonnes. Hill, who assumed the interim CEO role following the departure of Mark Bristow in September, said he had begun an operational review to strengthen safety, efficiency, and shareholder value.

“The quality of our portfolio is undeniable and the opportunity in front of the Barrick team is significant,” he said. “We are focused on driving improved performance, particularly at our Tier One assets in Nevada and the Dominican Republic.

” The Board, chaired by Brett Harvey, has launched a global search for a new CEO, promising a “thorough and deliberate” process to identify a leader capable of sustaining Barrick’s growth momentum. .

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has begun implementing a regional instant payment system, starting with a pilot project between Rwanda and Tanzania that is expected to transform the way citizens and businesses transfer money across borders.

The initiative, which entered its technical implementation phase at a high-level meeting in Kigali this week, aims to link Tanzania’s Instant Payment System (TIPS) with Rwanda’s National Payment Switch (RSwitch). Once operational, the system will allow individuals and businesses in both countries to send and receive money directly between bank accounts and mobile wallets in real time, the EAC said in a statement.

EAC Principal Information Technology Officer, Mr Daniel Murenzi, said the development marks a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to build an integrated digital payments ecosystem. “This preparatory work marks a pivotal milestone in our regional payment system integration agenda, moving us closer to a single regional instant payment ecosystem that will facilitate secure, affordable, and real-time transactions across borders,” said Mr Murenzi.

The chairperson of the meeting, Mr Fabian Ladislaus Kasole, who is Assistant Manager for Oversight and Policy at the Bank of Tanzania’s National Payments Directorate, reaffirmed the region’s collective commitment to the integration effort. “As a region, we remain committed to establishing a robust technical and operational framework that will ensure the successful interlinking of our national retail payment systems, ultimately enhancing cross-border payment efficiency and financial inclusion,” he said.

The linkage of Tanzania’s TIPS and Rwanda’s RSwitch forms the core of a Proof of Concept (PoC) pilot designed to demonstrate the technical and operational feasibility of direct, cross-border payment connectivity within the EAC. Officials say the bilateral pilot will serve as a scalable model for future expansion to other EAC partner states, laying the groundwork for a fully integrated and centralised regional digital payments market.

For ordinary citizens, the integration promises to make cross-border transactions faster, simpler, and cheaper. People will be able to send money to family, friends, or businesses across the border in real time from their existing bank accounts or mobile money wallets–cutting out intermediaries and reducing costs.

Businesses are also expected to benefit from instant, secure settlement of payments with suppliers and partners, which will help reduce transaction delays and operational costs while stimulating trade within the region. Boosting financial inclusion By leveraging platforms already used daily by millions, the initiative represents a major leap in advancing financial inclusion.

It will make cross-border payments as seamless as domestic ones, thereby empowering small-scale traders, entrepreneurs, and consumers to participate more fully in the regional economy. The interlinking of national payment systems is part of the implementation of the EAC Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan, which aligns with the strategic goal of the EAC Heads of State to deepen regional financial integration.

The project is being supported by the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), funded by the World Bank and coordinated by the EAC Secretariat. EARDIP aims to build a modern, interconnected regional payment ecosystem by strengthening linkages between partner states and promoting interoperability in financial systems.

The programme also focuses on developing both cross-border and local digital networks to ensure rural and remote communities can access faster, safer, and more affordable payment services. It further supports harmonisation of digital financial service policies and standards, including cybersecurity, data protection, and governance frameworks.

Through technical assistance and capacity building, EARDIP seeks to help national institutions strengthen and manage their payment systems, making it easier for citizens and businesses to transact across borders and drive inclusive regional growth. The ongoing technical meeting, taking place from 1014 November 2025 in Kigali, has brought together representatives from central banks, national payment systems, the EAC Secretariat, AfrikaNenda, and the Mojaloop Foundation.

Participants are expected to address key issues including interoperability frameworks, legal and regulatory alignment, governance structures, and regional strategic coordination for the system’s rollout. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian smallholder farmers, cooperatives and medium-scale agribusinesses have benefited from Sh2.3 trillion in agricultural lending over the past 25 years, thanks to interventions that have bridged the gap between farmers and financial institutions.

The financing was made possible through partnerships between the Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Trust and commercial banks across the country. Established in 2000 through a collaboration between the governments of Tanzania and Denmark, PASS was founded with a vision to make agriculture bankable.

At a time when most financial institutions viewed the sector as too risky and unpredictable, the Trust saw potential in millions of smallholder farmers, women and youth waiting to be integrated into the formal economy. Through its credit guarantee scheme, the organisation has disbursed over Sh866 billion in guarantees, helping to de-risk agricultural lending and shift perceptions of farming from an uncertain livelihood to a credible, investable enterprise that drives real economic growth.

PASS Trust managing director Yohane Kaduma said the milestones reflect a national shift in how agriculture is valued. “Banking agriculture was once seen as impossible,” he said.

“But with the right support systems, farmers can access commercial credit, adopt modern technologies and participate meaningfully in value chains. The true measure of success isn’t just in the figures but in the livelihoods transformed and the resilience built within our communities.

” He noted that over 4.7 million Tanzanians have benefited directly from PASS-supported programmes, with women accounting for almost half of them.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, contributing about 26 percent to GDP and employing more than two-thirds of the working population. Beneficiaries have recorded growth in key value chains such as rice in Mbeya, sunflower in Singida, coffee in Kilimanjaro and horticulture in Arusha.

Farmers are not only producing more, but also producing better–adopting technology, engaging in contract farming and supplying processing industries that feed into Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda. Mainstreaming green growth has also become a key focus as Tanzania faces the realities of climate change.

The Trust has enabled more than Sh206 billion in green loans and provided Sh54 billion in guarantees for projects in renewable energy, water conservation, regenerative agriculture and eco-friendly mechanisation. These investments have reached over 650,000 beneficiaries and created more than 28,000 green jobs.

Looking ahead, the trust plans to expand its impact investment fund, strengthen its leasing arm and integrate digital lending platforms to reach smallholders faster and more efficiently. .

Dar es Salaam. The 13th Parliament officially begins today, marking the start of a new legislative cycle following the October 29 General Election.

A total of 272 constituency MPs and 115 Special Seats women MPs will take their oaths at the National Assembly, forming a legislature in which the ruling CCM holds an overwhelming majority. The commencement of parliamentary business comes at a time when public expectations are high.

Tanzanians across the country are watching to see whether their representatives will embrace a style of leadership centred on national interest or whether partisan politics will continue to dominate policy debates and lawmaking. But President Samia Suluhu Hassan, during her victory acceptance on November 1, said she would hold a meeting with opposition parties to meet and share their manifestos following last month’s elections.

“I have received requests from all the parties I contested against. They have asked to meet me and present their manifestos.

I have agreed. I will meet them and pick good ideas from each to include in our CCM implementation agenda for 20252030,” she said.

Sixteen candidates contested in the presidential race. President Hassan’s statement came during a speech that also focused on stability, and inclusive governance.

She added that the move is intended to ensure that valuable proposals from across the political spectrum are considered during the government’s planning and delivery process. “We must ensure that good ideas, regardless of where they come from, are not left behind.

” As such, while Members of Parliament enter the House through political parties that shaped their campaigns and provided platforms for their election, analysts stress that Parliament itself is not an extension of party ideology. Rather, it is a national institution whose overriding purpose is to safeguard and advance the interests of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

Speaking to The Citizen, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Onesmo Kyauke, said a key challenge of the previous parliaments was the perception that MPs often gave priority to party loyalty during debates. According to him, this weakened public engagement with parliamentary proceedings.

“People felt that Parliament was defending party ideology more than discussing their problems. Many voters stopped following the sessions because they believed their MPs were speaking for their political parties and not for them,” he said.

Dr Kyauke emphasised that the public has sent MPs to Parliament not as party messengers but as representatives of their communities. “You are elected to be a voice of your constituency.

That cannot happen when your first instinct is to protect party positions instead of addressing people’s day-to-day struggles.” Dr Kyauke believes the new Parliament will regain significance only if MPs consciously give priority to issues that affect their constituents, access to social services, unemployment, stalled development projects and concerns about the cost of living.

“Parliament becomes meaningful when citizens can point to tangible results. If debates reflect real community needs, public trust will return.

” Prof Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar (Suza) underlined that political parties are merely vehicles used to access Parliament, but once sworn in, MPs carry a different mandate. “A party is a channel.

But Parliament is a national platform. The moment an MP walks into the Chamber, they are no longer serving party headquarters, they are serving the people,” he told The Citizen.

Prof Ussi cautioned MPs against entering the Chamber with the mindset of “defending the party at all costs”, noting that such an approach undermines the very essence of representation. “Party politics should stop once you step inside Parliament.

Parliament is for national dialogue, not partisan competition.” Prof Ussi also urged MPs to demonstrate independence of thought, saying voters expect to see leaders who are confident enough to speak in the interest of their people rather than in anticipation of approval from party structures.

“Citizens elected them, not party secretariats.” Prof Ussi’s position was echoed by another political scientist, Dr Paul Loisulie from the University of Dodoma (Udom), who believes that the credibility of Parliament depends on how MPs argue, not how passionately they defend their political sides.

“What matters in Parliament is not the volume or excitement of debate. What matters is logic,” he said.

Dr Loisulie emphasised that Tanzania’s parliamentary tradition should evolve into one where MPs evaluate arguments based on merit, not political origin. “Ideas should be assessed by their value, not by who presented them.

Listening is a sign of maturity. A good idea remains a good idea even if it comes from the other side.

” Dr Loisulie expressed concern that emotional loyalty to political parties sometimes clouds judgment, turning Parliament into a space for entertainment rather than constructive engagement. “Parliament is not a place for showmanship.

It is a place for critical thinking and problem-solving.” Dr Loisulie noted that the country expects the new Parliament to focus on policies and proposals that genuinely improve the lives of citizens, especially in sectors such as education, health, social welfare and economic growth.

Another analyst, Dr Richard Mbunda of the University of Dar es Salaam, said Tanzanians will be looking for leaders who respect the trust placed in them during the election period. He reminded MPs that their victory was not a privilege but a responsibility earned from the electorate.

“MPs spent months asking citizens to trust them. Now that they have been elected, the trust must be honoured through action,” Dr Mbunda noted.

He warned against the temptation of prioritising personal or party interests at the expense of the electorate. “Any MP who places party or personal ambition above the people risks betraying the very foundation of representative democracy.

” Dr Mbunda added that voters expect MPs to act as a bridge between community needs and national policies and laws. “Every contribution made in Parliament must be grounded in the reality of the constituency.

MPs carry people’s challenges, and with those challenges come people’s hopes.” Dr Mbunda said that the credibility of the new Parliament will be defined not by how many speeches are delivered, but by how many real issues are resolved.

Today’s opening will also feature key early businesses, the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the appointment of the new Prime Minister. After those procedural matters are completed, the President will officially open the Parliament through a formal address that is expected to outline the national direction for the next five years .