Category: The Citizen

Lawyers have urged Tanzanians to give the newly established commission investigating criminal offences linked to violence surrounding the 2025 General Election time to complete its work, saying its composition and mandate provide a credible basis for establishing responsibility.

The six-member commission, chaired by Court of Appeal Judge Shabani Ally Lila, was launched on August 7, 2026, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and has five months to complete its work.

The commission includes Petrus Tileinge Damaseb, Namibia’s Deputy Chief Justice, and Cheborion Barishaki, a Judge of Uganda’s Court of Appeal. Other commissioners are retired judges Gad John Mjemmas, Awadh Mohamed Bawazir and Aishieli Nelson Sumari. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam today, advocate Sweetbert Nkuba said the commission was legally and constitutionally established under the Constitution and the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 32. ‘The Lila Commission is legally and constitutionally established, and there should be no doubt about its legitimacy,’ he said.

He said its composition also gave it credibility, particularly because most members are serving or retired judges with experience at the highest levels of the judiciary.

Mr Nkuba cited the legal principle nemo judex in causa sua, which means that no person should be a judge in their own case, saying the inclusion of commissioners from outside Tanzania could help address concerns over impartiality.

An advocate based in Mwanza, Mr Steven Kaswahili, said: ‘The appointment of judges from Uganda and Namibia can strengthen public confidence in the inquiry because they bring perspectives from outside Tanzania.

Their involvement is particularly important given the nature of the allegations and the need to establish the facts without being influenced by local interests.’

On top of that, another advocate from Arusha, Ms Martha Serengi, said: ‘The new inquiry should be viewed alongside the earlier commission led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman because the two commissions have different mandates. The Chande Commission examined the causes and consequences of the violence and made recommendations, while the Lila Commission has a more specific task of investigating alleged criminal acts and establishing responsibility.’

Mr Nkuba said the difference was significant because the earlier inquiry focused on what happened, while the new commission was tasked with examining who may have been involved.

‘The Chande Commission was looking at what happened, but the Lila Commission is going to look at who was involved so that they can be held accountable,’ he said.

The lawyers’ views come after President Hassan launched the commission at State House in Dar es Salaam and explained the decision to include foreign judges.

‘We decided to involve our colleagues from Namibia and Uganda to get a broader perspective, because this commission will go deeper to find out exactly who incited, participated in and provided funds for those events to happen in our country,’ she said.

She also urged Tanzanians to co-operate with the commissioners.

‘I appeal to all Tanzanians to provide the co-operation required by the commission to carry out its duties. Let us help this commission do its work and not disturb it,’ she said.

The commission implements one of the recommendations of the Chande Commission, whose inquiry into the 2025 election-related violence established that 518 people died, while thousands were injured.

Under its mandate, the Lila Commission will investigate people suspected of committing criminal offences or breaching the law before, during and after the election and make recommendations on possible action.

President Hassan said its five-month mandate could be extended if there were valid reasons for doing so.

. Spotify is set to introduce a special ‘AI Persona’ badge for artiste profiles whose identities are generated by artificial intelligence (AI), giving listeners a clearer way to distinguish virtual artistes from real people as AI-generated music becomes increasingly common.

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the music streaming platform said the badge will begin appearing on relevant artiste profiles from mid-September.

Spotify added that AI Persona profiles will not receive algorithmic or editorial recommendations simply because their music is available on the platform. The move comes as AI-generated songs and virtual artiste identities become more visible on streaming platforms, raising questions about authenticity and whether listeners can easily tell who is behind the music they hear.

According to Spotify, the decision follows feedback from listeners who were frustrated after discovering that profiles appearing to represent real people were actually AI-generated personas.

‘Listeners have been clear in telling us that they don’t like seeing an artiste profile that seems human, only to find out that the persona is AI-generated,’ said the company in a statement.

Under the new system, artistes will be able to disclose that their profiles represent AI Personas, while Spotify’s review team will also be able to apply the badge to relevant profiles.

Artistes whose profiles are labelled by Spotify’s review team will be notified and allowed to either disclose their AI status themselves or appeal the decision.

The platform will also give listeners a role in identifying such profiles.

Spotify said users will be able to report artiste profiles they believe represent AI Personas to its review team in the coming months.

The introduction of the badge, however, does not mean AI-generated music will be removed from Spotify.

Instead, the company said such profiles will not receive personalised or editorial recommendations because of their AI status.

Listeners will still be able to find and follow the profiles and listen to their music.

The announcement is part of Spotify’s broader effort to provide listeners with more information about the artistes and music they encounter on the platform.

‘In 2026, we’ve introduced several other features designed to give listeners more transparency about what they’re hearing and who’s behind it,’ said Spotify.

Among the tools is ‘AI Credits’, which allows artistes to disclose how AI was used in creating their music. Spotify said tens of thousands of AI credits are submitted daily.

The platform has also introduced SongDNA, which gives listeners additional information about the artistes and contributors behind a track, while ‘Artist Details’ provides information such as career milestones, release history and touring activity.

Another feature, ‘Verified by Spotify’, identifies artiste profiles that meet the platform’s criteria for authenticity and trust.

Spotify said hundreds of thousands of profiles have already been verified, with independent artistes accounting for the majority.

The company has also introduced ‘Artist Profile Protection’, allowing artistes to review and approve releases delivered to their profiles in an effort to reduce confusion caused by music being wrongly attributed to them.

The latest move comes as AI becomes increasingly embedded in music creation, from assisting artistes with production to generating voices, songs and entire fictional performers.

Young Tanzanians are increasingly turning to agriculture as a route to employment and entrepreneurship, with training, access to markets and business support helping some move from small-scale farming into enterprises that also create jobs.

The shift is being demonstrated by young people such as Jessica Lyatuu, 30, a horticulture farmer in Babati, Manyara Region, whose farming enterprise has expanded from a quarter-acre plot into a two-acre business.

Jessica studied agriculture and livestock and initially gained experience as an unpaid intern at an agrovet shop. She later secured employment in Mbeya, earning Sh200,000 a month, but eventually returned home after struggling to establish a sustainable livelihood. She had rented a quarter-acre plot where she grew tomatoes and cucumbers, but low prices offered by middlemen left her with little income despite promising harvests.

‘Watching other youth succeed while I struggled affected my confidence but I still saw farming as something I wanted to pursue,’ she says.

Her fortunes changed in 2023 after she joined the Vijana Kilimo Biashara (VKB) programme, implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) with support from the Mastercard Foundation.

The programme provides young people with agricultural and business skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship support and links to markets and financial services.

In Tanzania, it operates in eight regions – Arusha, Dodoma, Manyara, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida and Tabora – supporting young people in the sorghum, sunflower and horticulture value chains. Through training, mentoring and support from community facilitators, Jessica learnt improved crop management, appropriate application of agricultural inputs, pest control and post-harvest handling.

She also joined collective marketing groups that enabled farmers to pool their produce, negotiate better prices and access larger markets.

Her farm now produces up to 700 crates of tomatoes per acre, compared with about 100 crates from her original quarter-acre plot. The increased income has enabled her to reinvest in the business, support her children’s education and contribute to building her family home. She now employs one permanent worker and up to six young people during peak farming seasons.

‘The training has given me technical skills and confidence to dream big and farm with a business mindset,’ she says.

But the opportunities are not limited to crop production.

In Ilkiding’a village, Arusha Region, 26-year-old Wema Paulo has built an agribusiness by addressing a problem affecting onion farmers – inadequate storage. After joining VKB in 2024, Wema underwent entrepreneurship and business development training that encouraged participants to identify opportunities across agricultural value chains.

She noticed that many onion farmers were forced to sell their produce immediately after harvesting because they lacked storage facilities, often when market prices were low. She developed a proposal for an onion storage facility and entered it in a VKB youth entrepreneurship competition. Her proposal won first place, allowing her to use the prize money to construct a facility with a capacity of 2,000 kilogrammes.

The facility enables farmers to store onions for up to six months, reducing post-harvest losses and allowing them to wait for more favourable prices.

The experiences of Jessica and Wema come as programmes supporting youth entrepreneurship seek to address persistent barriers to employment, particularly among young women in rural areas.

By July 2026, VKB had supported more than 65,600 young people, with women accounting for nearly half of participants, according to programme data.

The programme reports that 98.5 percent of participants had transitioned into work, while 92.5 per cent had progressed towards or accessed what it describes as dignified and fulfilling employment.

The initiative, which has operated across eight African countries since 2022, combines technical agricultural training with entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion, business coaching and market linkages.

In Tanzania, it is also working with the Bank of Tanzania to strengthen financial inclusion, while partnerships with private-sector companies are intended to improve young people’s access to technology, mechanisation services and markets.

The Government has begun reviewing the productivity and management of its farms as part of efforts to ensure that the properties generate greater economic and social benefits for Tanzanians.

Minister of State in the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, said this on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 after visiting four government-owned farms in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, to assess their productivity and determine how effectively they are being utilised.

The farms visited were Harlington, Journey’s End, Fosters and Kanamodo, all located in West Kilimanjaro. Prof Mkumbo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office, Investment, Dr Fred Msemwa; Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Msechu; Siha District Commissioner Dr Christopher Timbuka; and Siha Member of Parliament Dr Godwin Mollel.

Speaking to residents of Ngarenairobi Ward in Endumeki Village, Prof Mkumbo said investment should not be viewed solely as something that comes from outside the country, noting that the Government itself owns resources that can be developed for the benefit of citizens.

‘Investment does not necessarily have to come from outside the country,’ Prof Mkumbo said, stressing that the Government, as an institution owned by the people, had a responsibility to ensure its assets contributed to national development.

He assured Siha residents that although the Government would continue attracting investors to develop productive assets, it would not make decisions that compromised the interests of local communities.

Prof Mkumbo said the Government’s priority was to ensure that its land and other productive assets were used efficiently to create economic opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

The visit comes as the Government seeks to strengthen the utilisation of state-owned assets, particularly in agriculture, which remains critical to employment, food production, industrial raw materials and exports.

The Treasury Registrar owns and manages government farms on behalf of the State, with the properties regarded as strategic resources for expanding commercial agriculture and strengthening the national economy.

Some of the farms were previously owned by the National Agricultural and Food Corporation (NAFCO) and remained under government ownership following the privatisation exercise.

The decision to retain the farms followed directives from the President to halt their sale and instead allow the Government to develop and utilise them productively.

The retained farms include Harlington, Journey’s End, Fosters and Kanamodo in West Kilimanjaro, alongside other former NAFCO properties.

The Government has also acquired other farms through various arrangements in the broader national interest, including KPL Mng’eta in Morogoro, Malalua Flower Farm in Arusha, Kiliflora Usa River and Kiliflora Chekereni in Arusha.

The review is expected to provide a clearer assessment of the farms’ current performance and help determine appropriate investment and management models to maximise their contribution to the economy.

All 25 students escaped unhurt as fire of unknown origin destroyed a pupils’ dormitory at Kilimanjaro Mahadil Islamiyya Seminary Girls School in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Region, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

The structure, powered solely by solar energy without any connection to the national grid, burned down while the students were attending their daily prayers.

Kilimanjaro Regional Fire and Rescue Commander Jeremiah Mkomagi confirmed the disaster, stating that all items inside the building, including exercise books, textbooks, mattresses, clothing, and other personal belongings, were completely lost. Commander Mkomagi noted that the exact cause remains unclear, adding that investigations are currently underway to establish what triggered the blaze.

“It is true that a fire broke out today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, destroying the girls’ dormitory while pupils were praying,” confirmed the regional Fire and Rescue chief.

Headteacher Mohamed Lukua expressed shock over the incident, pointing out that the building lacked mains electricity and was securely locked at the time.

‘At around 1:20 pm today, August 11, 2026, while in my office, I heard children shouting. Seeing thick smoke, I rushed to the scene where neighbours had already gathered. We managed to douse the flames using water,’ recalled Mr Lukua.

He added that the affected building housed 25 Form Three students, who lost all their essential school items and personal property.

Mr Lukua reiterated that the blaze remains mysterious, as no one was inside the locked dormitory during the prayer session.

‘The cause remains unknown because the pupils were at prayer when the fire started. The building runs on solar power, has no internal mains electricity, and was locked,’ he stated.

Kilimanjaro Regional Sheikh Shaban Mlewa also confirmed that security agencies have taken over the investigation to determine the source of the fire.

‘The incident occurred while the children were at prayer, but we do not know the cause yet. We have handed over the investigation to security organs,’ said Sheikh Mlewa.

He expressed surprise that a building operating solely on solar energy could catch fire under such circumstances.

Sheikh Mlewa urged parents and members of the public to remain calm, reassuring them that learning activities would proceed uninterrupted.

‘We assure parents and the public that studies will continue as normal. We thank God for protecting our students and ask for patience as we await the investigation findings,’ concluded Sheikh Mlewa.

Since 1970, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided nationwide support to Tanzania through both soft and hard assistance schemes under two major programs. These initiatives have focused on improving productivity, commercialization, and industrialization in the agriculture sector, including fisheries and livestock, in alignment with the country’s development priorities, thereby contributing to economic growth and the social development of Tanzania.

Happy Nane Nane to all the hardworking farmers of Tanzania!

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recognizes and appreciates the dedication of farmers and the vital role they play in feeding the nation and building a more sustainable future. We are proud to work alongside farmers and the Government of Tanzania to support agricultural development and promote co-created innovative solutions that empower farming communities.

Since 1970, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided nationwide support to Tanzania through both soft and hard assistance schemes under two major programs. These initiatives have focused on improving productivity, commercialization, and industrialization in the agriculture sector, including fisheries and livestock, in alignment with the country’s development priorities, thereby contributing to economic growth and the social development of Tanzania.

Happy Nane Nane to all the hardworking farmers of Tanzania!

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recognizes and appreciates the dedication of farmers and the vital role they play in feeding the nation and building a more sustainable future. We are proud to work alongside farmers and the Government of Tanzania to support agricultural development and promote co-created innovative solutions that empower farming communities.

Drawing on JICA’s long history of cooperation in Tanzania, we will continue to foster co-creation and collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, the private sector, development partners, farmers, and other stakeholders to advance sustainable agricultural development.

‘Together, let us build strong partnerships that will shape the future of agriculture and ensure prosperity for generations to come.

Happy Nane Nane Day!’

Program 1: Promoting Commercialization / Industrialization of Agriculture

Project for Empowerment and Promotion of Agriculture Through Use of SHEP Approach (TANSHEP2) : April 2025-October 2029

JICA’s SHEP Approach promotes the farmers to conduct market survey before starting cultivation to decide which crops to produce, so that the farmers can effectively increase their income. With the concept of ‘Anzia Sokoni, Malizia Shambani, Kwa Kipato Zaidi’, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) in collaboration with JICA has started the 2nd phase of the project, aiming to disseminate the SHEP approach nationwide.

Drawing on JICA’s long history of cooperation in Tanzania, we will continue to foster co-creation and collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, the private sector, development partners, farmers, and other stakeholders to advance sustainable agricultural development.

‘Together, let us build strong partnerships that will shape the future of agriculture and ensure prosperity for generations to come.

Happy Nane Nane Day!’

Program 1: Promoting Commercialization / Industrialization of Agriculture

Project for Empowerment and Promotion of Agriculture Through Use of SHEP Approach (TANSHEP2) : April 2025-October 2029

JICA’s SHEP Approach promotes the farmers to conduct market survey before starting cultivation to decide which crops to produce, so that the farmers can effectively increase their income. With the concept of ‘Anzia Sokoni, Malizia Shambani, Kwa Kipato Zaidi’, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) in collaboration with JICA has started the 2nd phase of the project, aiming to disseminate the SHEP approach nationwide.

Agricultural and Rural Development Two Step Loan Project (TSL): January 2025- January 2030

JICA is collaborating with Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) for the provision of medium and long-term sub-loans to a group of farmers and other beneficiaries. The project is expected to contribute to the improvement of agricultural productivity through access to affordable capital. (Target crops: rice, maize, wheat, sunflower/ horticulture crops for women and youth).

Program 2: Strengthening Rice Productions

The Project for Strengthening Capacities of Stakeholders of Rice Industry Development (TANRICE3): June 2023-June 2028

In the 1970s, JICA has established the Kilimanjaro Agricultural Training Center (KATC) to strengthen the function system of training methods suitable for farmers’ fields. Then, through technical cooperation projects, TANRICE1 and TANRICE2, JICA has provided technical training on rice cultivation nationwide mainly in the irrigated areas, which increased the productivity of farmers from 3.2 t/ha to 4.5 t/ha. In the ongoing TANRICE3, JICA is working to improve productivity in rainfed rice production areas, in addition to training in irrigated rice cultivation technology. It is expected that the number of farmers adopting the rice production techniques recommended by this project will increase, which would lead to more rice production in Tanzania.

Agricultural Mechanization Advisor: May 2024-May 2027

JICA has dispatched experts to support the promotion of agriculture mechanization while strengthening the functions and sustainability of AFICAT*. The project is expected to contribute to the improvement of agricultural productivity in Tanzania.

*AFICAT (Africa Field Innovation Center for Agricultural Technology) is an Initiative for promoting advanced technology and agricultural mechanization in Sub Saharan Africa through public-private partnership.

EAC Regional Rice Development Strategy Promotion: April 2026 – April 2029

The East African Community (EAC) has adopted the East African Rice Development Strategy (ERDS), which aims to double rice production in the region by 2030. To support this goal, a JICA expert is working to strengthen EAC’s capacity to implement the strategy and promote rice trade within the region.

3. Others

The Project for Co-designing Neglected Zoonosis Intervention through One-Health, Education, and Public-Private Partnership: July 2024-June 2029

A project which aims to address the challenges posed by neglected zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis and zoonotic tuberculosis which are prevalent in Tanzania’s livestock sector. The project is implemented through collaboration of the Japanese universities and Tanzanian universities, aiming to establish a brucellosis and zoonotic tuberculosis control approach in the Morogoro Region.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) likely began with a new transmission of the virus from animals to humans, rather than from strains linked to previous outbreaks, according to a new study.

Researchers found that the outbreak involves a previously unrecorded variant of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. The finding suggests the virus may have crossed from an animal host into humans before spreading between people.

The study involved researchers from the DRC, Uganda, Belgium and other countries, who analysed virus samples from the outbreak.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) likely began with a new transmission of the virus from animals to humans, rather than from strains linked to previous outbreaks, according to a new study.

Researchers found that the outbreak involves a previously unrecorded variant of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. The finding suggests the virus may have crossed from an animal host into humans before spreading between people.

The study involved researchers from the DRC, Uganda, Belgium and other countries, who analysed virus samples from the outbreak.

A total of 387 Tanzanian students have received travel documents to enable them to pursue higher education in China and India.

The students, who are preparing to travel for their studies, received the documents in Dar es Salaam in the presence of their parents and guardians.

The documents were handed over by Global Education Link (GEL), with 198 students set to travel to China and 189 to India to begin their studies at various higher education institutions. The travel documents included passports, visas, flight tickets, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), Yellow Fever vaccination certificates and other documents required by the relevant authorities, depending on the destination country, institution and individual travel requirements.

The meetings also provided students, parents and guardians with final briefings on travel arrangements, immigration procedures, accommodation, health insurance, safety, financial management, personal conduct and adapting to life in their respective destination countries.

Speaking at the event, GEL Executive Director Abdulmalik Mollel, who was joined by representatives from colleges in China and India, urged the students to make the most of their time abroad by acquiring knowledge and skills beyond their academic qualifications.

‘I urge you to use your time abroad to gain knowledge and skills beyond your academic qualifications,’ he said.

Mr Mollel encouraged the students not to travel to China and India simply to obtain certificates or degrees, but to take advantage of the technology, laboratories, workshops, innovation centres and international networks available to them.

He challenged them to go beyond classroom learning by visiting laboratories, workshops and innovation centres to understand how technologies and products are developed and applied to address societal challenges.

Using a Business Administration student as an example, Mr Mollel said learning management theories alone was insufficient, urging students to also develop an understanding of products, technology, production processes and industrial systems.

He said such knowledge would help students identify opportunities to establish businesses or contribute to transforming existing enterprises after graduation.

GEL has more than 19 years of experience assisting Tanzanian students, parents and guardians to pursue education opportunities overseas.

Alikiba, Bien, Diamond Platnumz, Marioo and other East African artistes are driving a growing wave of cross-border collaborations, as musicians from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda increasingly join forces to reach new audiences.

Spotify’s Global Impact List for H1 2026 has placed ‘Finale,’ ‘AYAYAAH,’ ‘Lete Sound,’ ‘Pom Pom’ and ‘Nasinzia II’ among East Africa’s leading collaboration tracks, highlighting the growing influence of cross-border partnerships on the region’s music industry.

According to Spotify, the collaborations are helping artistes move beyond their individual national audiences by combining different sounds, cultures and fan bases.

Leading the list is ‘Finale’ by Tanzania’s Alikiba and Kenya’s Bien, bringing together two established names from neighbouring music markets.

At number two is ‘AYAYAAH,’ featuring Bien alongside Uganda’s Joshua Baraka and Rwanda’s ELEMENT EleéeH.

The third-ranked song, ‘Lete Sound,’ brings together Tanzanian singer Ben Pol, Kenyan artiste Juliani and Dutch DJ and producer Don Diablo, adding an international dimension to the regional collaboration trend.

At number four is ‘Pom Pom,’ a collaboration between Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie, Nigeria’s Brown Joel and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, showing how East African collaborations are also extending beyond the region.

Completing the top five is ‘Nasinzia II,’ by Kenya’s Nameless and Tanzania’s Marioo.

Spotify said the growing number of such collaborations points to a music scene that is becoming increasingly interconnected.

‘Collaboration is driving East Africa’s biggest global songs,’ the platform said, noting that artistes are increasingly blending sounds and audiences across national borders.

For artistes seeking to grow beyond their home markets, collaborations offer a direct way to tap into established audiences in other countries. A listener who discovers Alikiba through ‘Finale,’ for example, may go on to explore Bien’s catalogue, while Bien’s audience gets an introduction to Alikiba’s music.

The same dynamic can be seen in ‘AYAYAAH,’ which brings together artistes from three East African countries on one track, giving each performer access to audiences beyond their usual markets.

The list also reflects the diversity of East Africa’s music landscape. Bongo Flava from Tanzania, Kenya’s Afropop and urban sounds, Uganda’s contemporary R and B and Rwanda’s growing urban music scene are increasingly finding space on the same records.

Rather than erasing national identities, Spotify said such collaborations allow artistes to showcase their distinct sounds while reaching wider audiences.

Streaming platforms have accelerated that process by making it easier for listeners to discover music beyond their home countries. A song released in Dar es Salaam can quickly find listeners in Nairobi, Kampala or Kigali, while a cross-border collaboration can give artistes a foothold in markets that may previously have been difficult to access.

The five songs on Spotify’s list offer a snapshot of an East African music industry in which geographical borders are becoming less important in determining how far a song can travel.

As more artistes join forces across countries, collaboration is increasingly emerging as one of the region’s strongest tools for turning local sounds into a wider African and global conversation.

Digital financial services provider Mixx has scooped three awards at the TEHAMA Awards 2026, including first place in the Mobile Financial Services Innovation category, in recognition of its use of technology to expand access to financial services.

Mixx Chief Executive Officer Angelica Pesha also won the Female ICT Leadership Award, while the company secured second place in the Digital Business Innovation category.

The awards were presented on August 9, 2026, at Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam during a ceremony that brought together stakeholders from Tanzania’s ICT and digital services sectors.

The Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, was the guest of honour.

Mixx’s first-place finish in the Mobile Financial Services Innovation category recognised the company’s use of technology to simplify financial services and make them accessible to more Tanzanians.

Beyond sending and receiving money, the platform enables customers to save, access credit and explore investment opportunities through their mobile phones.

The services are used by different groups, including small to large business owners, institutions and farmers, giving them more convenient ways to manage their money and carry out day-to-day financial transactions.

Mixx also secured second place in the Digital Business Innovation category, which recognises the use of digital technology and innovation to improve business operations and customer services.

Ms Pesha’s Female ICT Leadership Award recognised her contribution to leadership, innovation and the development of Tanzania’s ICT and digital financial services sector.

Speaking after receiving the awards, Ms Pesha said the recognition would encourage Mixx to continue investing in technology-driven services that widen access to financial opportunities.

‘This recognition is a great honour for us and reflects our commitment to developing services that respond to the needs of our customers,’ she said.

‘We want technology to continue making everyday life and business easier for Tanzanians, whether through payments, savings, access to credit or investment opportunities.’

Ms Pesha said Mixx would continue using technology to bring financial services closer to Tanzanians and develop solutions that enable customers to manage their finances more conveniently and participate more fully in the digital economy.

The TEHAMA Awards 2026 were organised by the ICT Commission (ICTC) in collaboration with industry stakeholders to recognise companies, institutions and individuals contributing to innovation, technology adoption and the development of Tanzania’s ICT sector.