Category: The Citizen

Barrick Mining Corporation, through its joint venture with the Government of Tanzania under Twiga Minerals Corporation, has emerged as the top dividend contributor at Dividend Day 2026 after paying Sh221.9 billion to the State.

The dividend cheque of Sh221.907 billion was presented to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam by Barrick Tanzania Country Manager, Dr Melkiory Ngido.

The payout placed Barrick-Twiga first among state-linked entities and reflects a continued rise in returns from the partnership. The company paid Sh93.6 billion in the previous financial year, Sh84 billion in 2022/23 and Sh53.5 billion in the year before.

Dr Ngido said the performance was supported by improved operations at North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines, while Buzwagi is being transitioned into the Buzwagi Economic Special Zone.

He said since the establishment of the joint venture in 2019, Barrick-Twiga has contributed to government revenue through dividends, taxes, royalties, levies, wages and payments to local suppliers.

Beyond fiscal contributions, he said the mines support surrounding communities through corporate social responsibility programmes in education, health, water and infrastructure.

The operations also generate direct and indirect employment and expand opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.

The company said the results reflect efforts to align mining operations with economic, social and environmental responsibilities.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, commended the executive director of the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), Mr David Kafulila, for spearheading reforms and institutional changes since assuming leadership of the centre.

Speaking during the launch of the Tanzania Chamber Portal and the Annual Trade and Investment Dialogue 2026 in Dar es Salaam, the Prime Minister praised Mr Kafulila’s contribution to advancing Tanzania’s public-private partnership agenda.

During the event, organised by the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce (TNCC), the premier recognised progress in the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects under the Sixth Phase Government, legal reforms, and efforts to strengthen the PPP framework nationwide.

Gracing the event, Dr Nchemba said President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed many young people to drive the development agenda forward, giving an example of the PPPC head, Mr Kafulila.

“He’s a well-educated young man. And not just academically educated, he’s well-versed in current affairs. He understands the world,’ he said, describing him as a brilliant and highly capable young man.

Dr Nchemba said the cornerstone of transformation is the strategic appointment of youthful, and well-informed leadership.

‘Such individuals are credited with understanding the successful developmental trajectories of nations like Malaysia and Singapore,’ he said.

According to the premier, the international perspective is vital for ensuring that officials are not narrow-minded, but are instead equipped to implement practical solutions on the ground.

Furthermore, he said the government has signalled a robust commitment to removing bureaucratic and legal impediments.

‘The President has explicitly granted the authority to identify and amend any restrictive legislation through the appropriate channels,’ he said.

“I do not want to hear you complaining about it; Parliament exists. Take it there to be changed so we can make progress,’ added Dr Nchemba.

By providing this consent for reform, he said the presidency has removed excuses for stagnation, ensuring that the legal framework evolves to support national growth.

He insisted that this integrated approach positions the private sector as the primary engine for the nation’s future prosperity.

The private sector in Tanzania has undergone a fundamental strategic shift, transitioning from being viewed as an independent interest group to becoming the very heart of the country’s development strategy.

Dr Nchemba said the national vision is now heavily reliant on this synergy, as it derives a substantial 70 percent of its contribution from the private sector.

Consequently, he said it is imperative that every Tanzanian, regardless of whether they serve in the public or private sphere, understands that “the private sector agenda is now the national agenda.’

Since his appointment as Commissioner for Public-Private Partnerships in January 2023 and subsequent elevation to lead the PPPC the following year, Mr Kafulila has been credited with transforming the PPP framework from a largely policy-driven concept into a practical vehicle for delivering strategic economic infrastructure.

One of his key achievements has been overhauling the legal framework by spearheading amendments to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act and its regulations to strengthen private sector participation and improve project implementation.

These reforms were complemented by aligning the Budget Act, the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Act No. 6 of 2025, and the Loans, Guarantees and Grants Act to strengthen institutional coordination.

Consequently, Tanzania’s PPP pipeline has expanded to 113 projects, nine of which are under implementation, two are under negotiation, and three are in procurement, reflecting a robust portfolio.

Furthermore, 21 projects are undergoing feasibility studies, 36 are at the pre-feasibility stage and 42 remain at the concept stage.

The Centre has identified 410 additional potential projects across all 184 local government authorities, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridors, urban commuter rail systems, expressways, and large-scale energy projects.

Capacity building has also been prioritised, with 5,127 participants from government institutions and private organisations receiving specialised training.

The initiative extended to senior leaders, including Cabinet ministers and Tanzanian ambassadors, to mainstream PPP knowledge. Collaboration with international partners, including the World Bank, has produced 70 internationally recognised CP3P-qualified professionals.

Beyond government, Mr Kafulila promoted engagement through university forums, reaching 3,725 participants.

These engagements seek to foster research and evidence-based understanding of partnerships among students, academics, and future policymakers.

Contacted yesterday, stakeholders credited his leadership with transforming PPPs into a practical development tool.

Dr Moshi James of Mzumbe University said his work has strengthened the intellectual foundations for national transformation. ‘This approach aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 aspirations,’ said Dr James.

University of Dodoma lecturer, Dr Abiud Bongole, observed that PPPs have moved from policy discussions to practical implementation across key sectors.

‘Engagement with universities has strengthened collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector,’ he noted.

Mzumbe University lecturer, Dr Jasinta Msamula, described Mr Kafulila as a central figure: ‘It is now difficult to discuss PPPs in Tanzania without referencing his role.’

Former Controller and Auditor General and Wajibu Public Accountability executive director, Mr Ludovick Utouh, praised the emphasis on research.

‘This strengthens public sector confidence in partnering with private investors,’ he said, adding that it helps bridge the gap between the public and private sectors,’ he said.

Dr David Rweikiza of the University of Dar es Salaam highlighted the technical leadership.

‘It has contributed positively to national development efforts. However, sustained commitment will be required to ensure PPPs effectively support implementation of the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan,’ he said.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) director of research and policy, Ms Mwanahamisi Hussein, said PPPs are vital, noting that the Songas project saved the economy Sh11 trillion.

‘We have successfully transformed a public asset into a modern commercial centre through the DDC Kariakoo Business Complex, the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (Dart), and the modernisation of Dar es Salaam Port through global concessions, which is essential for regional trade,’ she said.

She added that such projects unlock private sector investment and accelerate the delivery of strategic national projects across Tanzania sustainably and efficiently.

The High Court, Kigoma Sub-Registry, has convicted, Mr Oscar Daudi, of manslaughter over the death of his son, Davies Oscar, who had cerebral palsy, after finding that he abandoned the helpless child in a sugarcane plantation in circumstances that directly led to his death.

The court ruled that while the prosecution failed to prove murder beyond reasonable doubt, Mr Daudi’s conduct in leaving the child in a remote field amounted to gross negligence that caused the fatal outcome.

The Zanzibar government has urged the People’s Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ) to avoid complacency, saying the lender still has significant room for growth despite its contribution to economic development.

The remarks were made on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, during the climax of celebrations to mark 60 years of the bank at Golden Tulip Airport.

He said that although PBZ has made notable progress, it has not yet reached its desired position, stressing that more work remains.

‘I am among those who want to see PBZ move from its current sixth position to first or second place. The capacity is there,’ stressed Dr Mwinyi, adding that the government stands ready to support the bank in achieving that ambition.

Dr Mwinyi outlined priority areas, including strengthening capital, expanding digital services, boosting innovation, empowering youth and women, investing in human resources, improving governance, and supporting national development goals.

He said PBZ’s progress shows that public investment can deliver strong results when backed by accountability, innovation, and sound management.

Furthermore, Dr Mwinyi noted that the government is pursuing a development vision aimed at building a modern, inclusive, and competitive economy, adding that the financial sector remains central to that goal.

He stressed that a strong economy cannot be achieved without strong financial institutions.

Presenting a brief overview of performance, PBZ managing director Fahad Soud Hamid said the bank had grown significantly since its establishment.

He said PBZ has evolved from a small financial institution into one of the country’s major banks, guided by successive presidential visions to empower citizens economically.

He added that the bank now ranks sixth nationally by assets, holding about Sh3 trillion and posting profits of Sh110 billion.

‘Today, PBZ is proud to be the sixth-largest bank in Tanzania, with assets worth Sh3 trillion and profits of Sh110 billion,’ he said.

He noted that the bank has expanded to more than 50 branches nationwide, driven by economic growth.

Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning in Zanzibar, Dr Hamad Omar Bakar, said PBZ remains a key government partner in promoting business growth, job creation, and citizen empowerment.

He said expectations were high for the bank to lead in innovation, expand digital services, widen its reach, and improve efficiency as it marks the milestone.

PBZ board chairman, Dr Juma Hassan Reli, said Tanzanians regard the bank as their own, reflected in its name, and it has made a significant contribution to the public.

South African police have arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-immigrant protests that were largely peaceful but turned violent in some areas, authorities said.

Police said 108 of the 120 protests held across the country passed without incident, while 12 required intervention as isolated cases of violence and looting were reported.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said the arrests were linked to a range of offences, including immigration violations, public violence, harbouring undocumented migrants and robbery.

In Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one person was shot dead during looting at informal shops known as spaza shops, which are often owned by foreign nationals.

Police also confirmed that reinforcements were deployed in five of South Africa’s nine provinces, while soldiers were sent to parts of Johannesburg, including Hillbrow, where two people were injured in a shooting.

In Durban, police opened an inquest after a foreign national reportedly died after falling from the eighth floor of a building on the eve of the protests. Authorities said he is believed to have jumped in fear during the unrest.

The demonstrations were organised to coincide with a deadline issued by an anti-immigrant movement calling for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

The protests come amid months of rising tensions, during which foreign nationals have faced attacks, including looting of businesses and destruction of property in several areas.

Tanzanians planning to import used vehicles will have to dig deeper into their pockets from today, July 1, as a raft of tax measures under the Finance Act 2026 takes effect, ushering in changes that will affect motorists, small businesses, smokers, mining investors and consumers of beauty products.

The implementation of the new law marks the beginning of the 2026/27 financial year, under a Sh62.3 trillion national budget. The reforms are aimed at broadening government revenue while maintaining incentives for selected sectors of the economy.

More than 3,000 pupils at Charambe Primary School will benefit from improved school meals and a healthier learning environment following the handover of a gas-powered kitchen by the Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Sunset in partnership with PwC under the Jiko Safi Clean Energy Project.

The facility replaces the school’s traditional firewood cooking system, reducing exposure to smoke for pupils and kitchen staff while cutting reliance on firewood.

Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Sunset President, Mr Tahir Othman, said the project reflects the club’s focus on practical community interventions.

‘This project is about investing in children’s health, improving their learning environment and working with partners to deliver lasting impact,’ he said.

The project also included the donation of cooking equipment, including gas cylinders and modern pots, renovation of student toilets, provision of 100 new desks, repair of 78 others, sports jerseys for pupils, and tree-planting activities around the school.

Charambe Primary School has grown from 2,030 pupils in 2004 to 3,233 pupils, with 48 teachers. The number of desks has increased from 458 to 636.

School representative Elizabeth Mganga said the improvements have eased meal provision, reduced smoke exposure and improved hygiene and classroom conditions.

Temeke Municipal Director Jomari Satura commended the initiative, saying such partnerships help improve learning environments and support sustainable development, and urged more stakeholders to invest in education infrastructure.

England’s World Cup campaign had begun promisingly with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, but two below-par performances soon raised doubts. A goalless draw against Ghana and a tense 2-0 win over Panama suggested Thomas Tuchel’s side were not quite as convincing as many had expected, particularly defensively.

In their 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in the round of 32 on Wednesday, those doubts began to assume significant proportions.

When Brian Cipenga fired the underdogs ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, every concern that had hovered over England’s campaign suddenly felt real.

The stadium fell into an uneasy hush. England had not trailed at any point in the tournament until then. Nor had they ever won a World Cup match after trailing at half-time.

And there they were, chasing the game against a determined Congolese side prepared to defend every blade of grass.

Every DR Congo attack carried a sense of dread. England’s defensive frailties, exposed during the group stage and compounded by injuries, were laid bare once again.

The underdogs needed just one shot on target to take the lead, while at the other end they built what appeared to be an impenetrable wall in front of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Tension grew

The tension inside Atlanta Stadium grew with every missed chance. One television camera zoomed in on an England supporter, the red and white St George’s flag painted across his face, sombrely nursing a beer as if bracing for the worst.

Around him, a sea of England fans shuffled restlessly from foot to foot, unable to sit still as the clock ticked down and their team’s World Cup hopes hung by a thread.

It could easily have become worse. Yoane Wissa struck the post shortly before half-time after another dangerous surge forward and, moments later, Harry Kane’s furious appeals for a penalty were waved away. England trudged off at the break to a chorus of nervous murmurs.

Yet there were signs of life.

Following the first-half hydration break, England finally began to impose themselves. Jude Bellingham forced a superb save from Mpasi with a fine header, while Declan Rice whipped dangerous deliveries into the box. Marcus Rashford was denied by desperate goal-line defending, and another magnificent stop from Mpasi frustrated Bellingham again in stoppage time.

Still, there was no way through.

Tuchel prowled his technical area in visible frustration. At one point, he was heard bellowing at defender Djed Spence after a throw-in was played backwards. The German shuffled his pack, moving Rice to right-back and introducing fresh legs in midfielder Eberechi Eze as England searched for a breakthrough.

Eventually, Kane delivered.

His 75th-minute equaliser, a glancing header that brushed the fingertips of Mpasi on its way in, released enough tension to power a small city. It was his 83rd international goal and, for a moment, the noise inside the stadium felt almost cathartic.

Then came the winner.

Uncomfortable 90 minutes

Kane struck again in the 86th minute to drag England into the last 16 after the most uncomfortable 90 minutes of Tuchel’s tenure.

“We kept believing,” Tuchel said. “Well deserved, but we had to work a lot. We have to have that mindset: if it is getting hard, it is getting hard, but don’t lose patience and don’t lose belief.

“The energy and the team spirit is on the highest level, and the commitment from everyone. I think everyone fully understands which stage of the tournament we are at and what it really takes.”

The comeback victory was England’s first in a World Cup since they beat Cameroon in the quarter-finals in 1990, exactly 36 years to the day.

The reward is another challenge altogether.

Against DR Congo, England were asked whether they could break down a defence. Against Mexico, they may discover whether they can withstand an attack.

“Obviously, when you get to knockout football, the pressure is higher and the risk is higher. But we spoke all week about being ourselves,” Kane said. “This game and the next one are two difficult matches for different reasons. But we’re at the stage of the tournament where you have to grind out wins.”

Compounding matters is the fact that Mexico City’s famed Azteca Stadium sits more than 2,200 metres above sea level.

After battling through a suffocating afternoon of tension in Atlanta, England must now prepare for thinner air, reduced oxygen levels and a ball that travels faster than most of their players are accustomed to.

If Atlanta tested their nerves, Mexico City will test their lungs.

If you’d like, I can also tighten this further into a sharper newspaper-style match analysis while retaining all the details.

Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his side can put their World Cup group-stage troubles behind them when they take on Belgium in the round of ?32 on Wednesday, telling reporters that the knockout phase represents an entirely new .

Senegal lost their first two games, conceding six goals against France and Norway before a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq helped them squeak through as the eighth-best third-placed team, just above Iran on goal difference.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, ?though, was clear about the threat Senegal posed, describing them earlier on Tuesday ?as the best third-placed squad to qualify.

Thiaw accepted Senegal had not started ?the tournament well against strong opposition, but said his players would not be fazed ?going into the clash with Belgium.

“We needed to win the game against Iraq and now we ?are qualified,” he said. “It’s a new competition that’s going to start and we are determined to win this game.

“It’s a different competition starting tomorrow and it’s not because you finish top of your group ?that you are not going to be knocked out,” Thiaw added, citing the Netherlands’ defeat ?by Morocco on penalties on Monday.

Senegal had chances to take the lead against France before they were ?blown away in a 3-1 defeat and it was ultimately mistakes that cost them in their 3-2 loss to Norway.

Thiaw, though, chalked up the results to isolated problems rather than anything deeper and said his side had worked on them before the Belgium game.

“The goals that we ?did concede, it was ?linked to a ?lot of individual errors … when you come up against France and Norway, you cannot afford to be making those mistakes,” he said.

Senegal ?will be without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was injured in the ?loss to ?Norway and had temporarily returned to his Saudi club Al-Ahli. He was replaced by Mory Diaw for the Iraq game.

“Edouard Mendy (went) back to his club … he’s going to get back with ?us ?tonight,” Thiaw said. “He will be with us tomorrow, even ?if he won’t be fit to play.

“We are happy to see him and we hope that he can be ?with us for the rest of the competition.”

Kylian Mbappe has been on Lionel Messi’s heels as both players break new ground in World Cup scoring, but the Frenchman is more obsessed by lifting the trophy in New York on July 19 than becoming marksman supreme.

The 27-year-old netted a double as Les ?Bleus crushed Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 on Tuesday to move one ?shy of Messi’s record 19 goals at World Cups and join him ?on top of the scoring charts in this edition with six.

“I think the goal, ?as I said, is to go as far as possible – o make it to (the final on) ?July 19th and come back here,” Mbappe, who scored his 18 goals in 18 games, told reporters.

“We’re trying to win; we’re taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, ?the higher you climb in the rankings – I’m not telling anyone anything new there.

“But ?I’m also convinced that Leo is going to score more goals, so I don’t focus too much on . ?I’m more focused on the opponents we might face and how close we’re getting to our goal: the final.”

Messi’s Argentina face minnows Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday. France next take on Paraguay for a place in the quarter-finals, where they would face either ?co-hosts Canada or Morocco.

Paraguay ?took an ultra ?defensive approach against Germany to knock the four-times world champions out on penalties in the last 32 on Monday and there is little ?chance that they will go out swashbuckling against France in Philadelphia ?on Saturday.

Les ?Bleus will not take anything for granted and will do their homework, Mbappe warned.

“I think we’ll keep working between now and the Paraguay match to see what we can improve, because there ?are ?still some sequences that aren’t quite clear enough, there’s ?room for improvement,” he said.

“Still, I think it’s positive overall, and our ability to score goals means we always ?have the chance to take the lead in matches.”