Category: The Citizen

A man likes it in the bar because it’s the place he can play the boss, even when he’s generally mtu wa vivi hivi like Wa Muyanza. For many among us, wives have stopped being wives, they’ve become mere partners, equal partners.

Or even superior partners in the ndoa union. Our forefathers were considered demigods by our mothers, the kind of wives who’d say sorry even when it’s her baba watoto who has made a fool of himself.

When the husband breaks a cup because his hand is shaking since he hasn’t recovered from the effects of last night’s overindulgence in beer, the wife rushes to pick up the pieces, saying, ‘Samahani, mume wangu!’ But that’s the wife from yesteryear, Mwaka wa 47. The type whose sweet behaviour would motivate the husband to rush home to enjoy their solace and comfort after a day of slaving for an overdemanding, thankless boss. Or colleagues who dismiss your commitment to hard work as nothing but uchawa! Kitojo, or Kito, to his close associates, is a frequent drinking buddy of mine.

Kito says he prefers to spend his free hours in bars because wahudumu are friendly and courteous. “The wahudumu are a far cry from the overbearing wives of ours”, he says.

He admits that he loves the treatment he receives from his favourite mhudumu at Family Lightness, who refers to him as “baby”, “husband” and other endearing names that make him feel like “a real man”. “Why don’t you ask your legally married wife to call you such sweet names?” You ask Kito.

He says he has appealed to her to do that, but she has rubbished him, arguing that they are too grown-up to call each other silly things like ‘darling’, ‘honey’ or ‘baby’. “When I call my wife ‘honey’, she retorts, ‘Acha ujinga!'” Kito hails Lightness, who is a short distance from us, so she can bring us a round in reciprocation to the beer I ordered him after he joined me.

When I advise him to give his order to Mercy, who has been attending to me ahead of his arrival, he says no. “Only lightness serves me properly here,” Kito insists.

“Hello, my darling husband. What can I do for you?” ‘Lightness’, says coyly, parting Kito softly on the shoulder.

Responds Kito while looking at Lightness straight in the eye, “Get us one-one, and of course, you may have one also.” The girl is soon back with our drinks, including a Fanta for herself.

“Hey, baby, aren’t you having a beer?” “No, honey; but I would like to eat somethingis it okay, honey?” “Anything you want, Lightnessanything,” says Kito. Kito says he feels good when a woman treats him like a king.

“That’s not possible from the kind of wives we have today,” he asserts. “But”, I say to my friend, “today’s woman is liberatedshe’s as educated as any man around, and there are even those who’ve more money than their husbandswhat do you say about that?” According to Kito, it doesn’t matter how much a woman is educated or how much money she has.

“A husband must remain the boss; he must be respected in total by his wife, no matter what!” Ha! Ha! Ha! .

Dar es Salaam. Football fans across the country will today turn their attention to Singida where giants Simba face Singida Black Stars in a highly anticipated Mainland Tanzania Premier League clash at the Airtel Stadium.

The match, scheduled to kick off at 4pm, is expected to attract significant interest as it carries major implications in the race for the league title. Simba, who are determined to remain within touching distance of leaders Young Africans (Yanga), will be aiming for maximum points to reduce the gap at the top of the table.

Today’s fixture is one of three league matches on the schedule. Earlier in the day, TRA United will host Namungo at the Black Rhino Stadium in Arusha starting from 2pm, while the final game will see Dodoma Jiji take on Azam FC at the Jamhuri Stadium from 7:15pm.

However, the spotlight will be firmly on the Singida clash as Simba look to strengthen their title credentials. Currently, Simba sit fourth in the standings with 24 points from 11 matches, while their traditional rivals Yanga lead the table with 32 points after 12 games.

A victory for Simba would reduce the gap to five points, keeping their hopes of catching the defending champions alive. For Singida Black Stars, the match also presents an important opportunity.

The team is currently ninth in the table with 19 points from 12 matches, but a victory could see them climb as high as fifth place depending on results elsewhere. Record shows that in eight previous Premier League meetings between the two teams, Simba have won seven matches while one ended in a draw.

Singida Black Stars are yet to record a victory over Simba in the competition, a statistic that underlines Simba’s dominance in this fixture. Simba head coach Steve Barker may once again rely on Congolese midfielder Inno Jospin Loemba in a more advanced role after the player impressed when deployed further forward during the recent Kariakoo derby.

The South African tactician will, however, be without striker Seleman Mwalimu who is currently serving a three-match suspension following disciplinary issues. His absence could force the technical bench to continue exploring alternative attacking combinations.

“There are times when a player must be ready to take responsibility for the team, even if it means playing in a different position. During a season many things happen, including injuries, so it is important to have players who can adapt,” Barker said.

Simba’s attacking hopes are also expected to rely on the pace of wingers Libasse Guaye and Anicet Alain Oura, while experienced playmaker Clatous Chama will likely play a key role in creating scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Singida Black Stars have received a major boost ahead of the match with the return of two important players, midfielder Khalid Aucho and goalkeeper Amas Obasogie who missed the team’s previous league match against Yanga.

The two players were suspended by the club due to various reasons. Singida Black Stars general manager Othmen Najjar said the final decision on whether the two players will feature in the match will depend on their condition after the team’s last training session.

“They are important players in our squad, but we will assess them in the final training session before making a decision. This is another big and difficult match, and we have worked on several areas to improve after the Yanga game,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Tanzania in advancing industrial development, highlighting growing collaboration in manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development.

China’s ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Chen Mingjian, made the remarks during a recent visit to Saturn Corporation Limited’s HOWO truck assembly plant in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. The visit followed an invitation from the company management, whose facility hosts what it describes as the largest Sinotruk assembly plant in Tanzania and is among the leading promoters of China’s HOWO brand of heavy-duty vehicles, including tippers, tractor trucks and genuine spare parts.

The tour underscored the expanding relationship between Saturn Corporation and Sinotruk International, China’s state-owned truck manufacturer, as well as broader economic ties between China and Tanzania. Speaking during the visit, ambassador Chen said the progress made by the company reflects the deepening partnership between the two countries.

“I have witnessed for myself how Saturn Corporation is striving to elevate and enhance the relationship between China and Tanzania through this plant. I am happy that the company has demonstrated a comprehensive and strategic partnership with Sinotruk,” she said.

The ambassador added that China and Tanzania have already entered into strong commitments aimed at supporting Africa’s industrial transformation, with Tanzania emerging as an important partner. “We have a lot to do together between China and Tanzania,” she said, pointing to opportunities in manufacturing, industrial investment and technology cooperation.

She also commended Saturn Corporation’s plans to collaborate with the government in supporting skills development for young people through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. According to the ambassador, China remains committed to initiatives that equip Tanzanians with the technical and engineering skills required in modern industries.

Saturn Corporation was established in 2021 with the aim of supporting Tanzania’s expanding transport and logistics sector through the supply of heavy-duty vehicles and professional after-sales services. Its assembly plant in Kigamboni was officially inaugurated in May 2024 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marking a milestone in the country’s industrialisation drive.

Since then, the facility has grown into one of the most advanced truck assembly plants in East and Central Africa, helping to reduce reliance on imported vehicles while strengthening local manufacturing capacity. Saturn’s Chief Operations Officer, Mehul Sachdev, said the Kigamboni plant has quickly become an important production hub supporting the transport and logistics sector.

“Today, this plant has the capacity to assemble and customise heavy-duty trucks that support key sectors of the economy, including construction, mining, logistics, agriculture and infrastructure development,” he said. “To be specific, we currently have a daily output of up to 22 tractor trucks per day, translating to about 536 units every month, making this facility one of the most active truck assembly plants in the region.

” Mr Sachdev said the progress reflects the company’s partnership with Sinotruk International, whose engineering expertise has enabled Saturn to introduce global standards of truck assembly while adapting products to local market needs. Through its operations, the company has created more than 330 direct jobs for Tanzanians, including skilled and semi-skilled technicians, engineers and support staff.

Additional employment is generated indirectly through supply chains, transport services and spare-parts distribution networks. Saturn is also pursuing internationally recognised certifications, including ISO 9001 for quality management systems, ISO 14001 for environmental management systems and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, aimed at strengthening operational standards and aligning the facility with global manufacturing best practices.

The company said discussions are underway with Sinotruk International to expand assembly operations to include pick-up trucks as well as light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles. If implemented, the expansion would enable the Kigamboni facility to assemble a full range of vehicles from one tonne to 50 tonnes.

The company expects cumulative production to reach 10,000 heavy-duty vehicles by 2027, further strengthening Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector while contributing to the country’s industrial growth. .

Los Angeles. Paris Jackson has filed a new court challenge against the estate of her late father, Michael Jackson, escalating an ongoing legal dispute over legal costs and estate management.

According to court documents filed on February 26 in Los Angeles, Paris is opposing a request by the estate’s executors seeking reimbursement of more than $115,000 in legal fees connected to a previous motion in the case. The estate, managed by executors John Branca and John McClain, argues the fees were incurred while responding to a legal motion filed by Paris.

The request reportedly includes about $93,924 in attorney fees along with additional litigation costs. Paris’ legal team argues the motion did not resolve any of her core claims and instead prolonged the case while increasing legal expenses.

Her lawyers also claim the filings could have been handled more efficiently without generating such high costs. The dispute forms part of a broader, long-running legal battle over the management of Michael Jackson’s estate.

While the estate’s administrators maintain they have successfully turned the singer’s finances around since his death in 2009, Paris has previously raised concerns over transparency and the handling of certain financial decisions. Court records also indicate the estate claims Paris has already received about $65 million in distributions from her father’s assets, though she disputes the figure.

The case remains ongoing in the United States. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s education sector is undergoing one of its most significant transitions in decades, hence, an overhaul to the current law is eminent, according to experts.

From curriculum reforms and the expansion of digital learning to the implementation of the Education and Training Policy 2014 (Edition 2023), the country is reshaping how learning is delivered and governed. Yet one crucial pillar of the system remains anchored in a different era: the Education Act of 1978. More than four decades after it was enacted, education stakeholders increasingly argue that the law no longer reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving sector.

As the government reviews the Act, experts say the country now faces a critical choice, whether to amend the law or craft an entirely new one capable of supporting modern education reforms. Experts argue that, when the Education Act was introduced in 1978, Tanzania’s education system looked very different.

Enrolment levels were lower, technology had little role in classrooms and policy frameworks were simpler. Today, the sector has expanded dramatically.

Millions more children attend school, new universities and colleges have been established and digital technologies are gradually entering teaching and learning processes. However, the legal framework guiding the sector has not kept pace with these changes.

The chairperson of the committee reviewing the Education Act, Prof Saudin Mwakaje, says consultations with stakeholders across the country reveal a strong consensus that the existing law has fundamental limitations. “The current law has many gaps,” Prof Mwakaje said during a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam.

“Based on the policy reforms we now have and the national development aspirations, many stakeholders believe the country needs a new education law rather than minor amendments.” He explained that the review process involved consultations with various groups in the education sector, whose feedback indicates that the existing law does not adequately support modern governance, accountability and quality assurance mechanisms.

Aligning law with policy reforms A major driver behind the review is the adoption of the Education and Training Policy 2014, Edition 2023, which introduced significant reforms across the entire education system. The updated policy expanded the scope of compulsory education, emphasised inclusive learning, strengthened skills development and highlighted the role of technology in education delivery.

However, experts say policies alone cannot transform the sector without a strong legal framework. Responding to this, Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Ms Wanu Hafidh Ameir, acknowledged the challenge, noting that effective implementation of the policy requires supportive legislation.

“We all agree that having a policy is one thing, but implementing it requires the necessary tools,” she said. “One of those tools is a modern and improved Education Act.

” She added that the ministry is also reviewing laws governing institutions under its mandate to ensure that the broader education governance structure supports the policy reforms. Another key concern raised during consultations relates to accountability and clarity in the management of education institutions.

Stakeholders argue that the current law leaves gaps in defining the responsibilities of institutions and authorities responsible for supervising the education sector. Such gaps, experts warn, can weaken coordination and oversight at a time when the sector is expanding rapidly.

Education analysts say a modern law should establish stronger governance structures, clearer mandates for regulatory bodies and improved monitoring mechanisms to safeguard quality across the system. The push for a new law is also driven by the growing emphasis on inclusive education.

Although national policy promotes the principle that no child should be left behind, stakeholders say practical implementation remains uneven. Advocates argue that stronger legal provisions are needed to guarantee access to education for children with disabilities and those from vulnerable backgrounds.

TEN/MET national coordinator, Ms Martha Makala, said the review process presents an opportunity to embed inclusive education more firmly within the legal framework. “The review provides an opportunity to build an education system that is inclusive, equitable and capable of addressing challenges such as school dropout and youth unemployment,” she said.

Stakeholders have also proposed that the law formally recognise issues such as compulsory education, school feeding programmes and mechanisms for returning students who drop out back into the education system. Technology is another area where the 1978 law is increasingly viewed as outdated.

Digital tools have begun transforming education worldwide, Tanzania included. Education specialists argue that a new Act should provide a legal foundation for online learning, digital classrooms and data systems that support education planning and management.

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Sydney. Australian police extracted five Iranian women soccer players from the team’s hotel before they were granted asylum, the interior minister said on Tuesday, as details of their escape from Iranian government minders emerged.

The five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought protection after the team were branded “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match. The team’s Asian Cup campaign began as the U.

S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran and Australian media reported the team had been accompanied by Iranian government officials who were controlling their movements.

Conversations with the players about seeking asylum had been ongoing for several days, Interior Minister Tony Burke told a press conference as he confirmed the women had been granted asylum in Australia. The players granted asylum were Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh – all in their early 30s – as well as 21-year-old Fatemeh Pasandideh.

The five players were moved to a safe location by the Australian Federal Police on Monday evening, where they remain under their protection, Burke said. Even before their defection, Australia had deployed its own officers to protect the women.

“There’s been a good police presence at different points and we just made sure that opportunity was there,” he said. Once immigration officials completed the processing of the women’s humanitarian visas around 1:30 a.

m. on Tuesday (1530 GMT Monday), celebrations broke out among those present.

“Once everything had been signed off last night, there were lots of photos, lots of celebrating, and then a spontaneous outcry of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi’,” Burke said. “These women are great athletes, great people, and they’re going to feel very much at home in Australia.

” Four of the players are teammates at the Bam Khatoon club, which has won the Iranian women’s championship a record 11 times and is where Ghanbari also played until she moved to Persepolis for this season. Captain Ghanbari was suspended for several days in 2024 after her hijab, the head covering that all Iranian women players must wear, slipped off during a goal celebration in an Asian Champions League fixture.

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Dar es Salaam. A day after announcing a new Port Infrastructure Development (PID) fee, the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has deferred its implementation to July 1, 2026. The fees were originally scheduled to take effect on March 8, 2026 but sparked public debate, with some expressing shock and others questioning the role of DP World, the company managing the port, in the planned infrastructure developments.

In response, TPA director general, Plasduce Mbosa, said the extension would give all domestic and international clients, as well as the public, time to prepare. “The extension allows service providers to fulfil the terms of existing contracts with their clients within the remaining period up to June 30, 2026,” part of the statement read.

TPA’s director of Marketing and Communications, Dr George Fasha, insisted that the fees were not a surprise, noting that stakeholders had been consulted over the past six months and their feedback incorporated into the announcement. “Our regulator, TASAC [the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation], also engaged stakeholders and obtained their opinions before approving these fees.

The aim is to improve our port infrastructure, enhancing efficiency now and in the future. Environmental fees are standard practice internationally,” Dr Fasha said.

He said that TPA is responsible for infrastructure development because it oversees strategic areas, while operators like DP World focus on commercial port operations. “Strategic projects cannot wait for operators.

For instance, the construction of fuel storage tanks currently underway costs over Sh670 billion. TPA must fund these because they are nationally critical, even if they are not highly profitable commercially,” he said.

Dr Fasha said that some projects address national security and economic interests, which cannot be left solely to investors. However, rapid commercial decisions, such as equipment procurement, can be handled by operators.

Regarding congestion and cargo delays, Dr Fasha said these resulted from increased volumes. “The port attracted significant business in 2025/2026, which is why we prioritise infrastructure improvements to ensure efficient cargo handling,” he said.

Mr Mbosa previously told The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi, that the fees would fund 18 new berths over 24 months. Once completed, additional storage space would reduce cargo handling costs and ease congestion, providing long-term relief for port users.

However, some traders and associations have raised concerns. National Traders Association Chairperson, Hamis Livembe, said the fees would affect everyone, including those importing vehicles or household items.

He argued that fees should not be excessive, given that the government already earns significant revenue from customs duties and VAT. “The complaints will be many.

Increasing fees creates challenges. Postponing implementation is only a temporary fix; authorities need a practical solution,” he said.

Clearance Inland Depots Association of Tanzania (CIDAT) Chairperson, Meleck Shange, noted that consultations often involve junior representatives who cannot fully assess the implications, resulting in complaints despite engagement opportunities. Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA) President Edward Urio said members had been consulted before the fee was introduced, including through a survey sent to more than 1,500 members.

Only two responses were received. He added that many members do not take consultations seriously unless directly affected.

After the fee began to be implemented, TAFFA requested relief for cargo held at the port between January and February. The extension to July 1 was granted to ease the burden.

An emergency members’ meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2026 to adopt a unified position and plan the next steps. Economist Oscar Mkude said the fees would not significantly affect exports but could increase costs for domestic consumers.

“Local traders may scale back operations due to higher costs, while private operators continue handling cargo efficiently but do not influence TPA’s infrastructure operations,” he said. The postponement gives stakeholders time to adapt while TPA proceeds with its plans to expand and modernise port infrastructure, aiming to boost efficiency and reduce long-term costs for users.

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Dar es Salaam. The government has explained the sharp decline in Tanzania’s diamond production during the final quarter of 2025, attributing the drop mainly to seasonal disruptions and operational adjustments in key mining areas.

Officials say the downturn was temporary and largely linked to heavy rains, safety upgrades and production cycle changes at the country’s main diamond mine. Data from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) show that diamond output fell to 43,244 carats valued at $6.1 million in the quarter ending December 2025. This was a steep fall from 111,125.8 carats worth $17.4 million recorded in the preceding quarter.

The figures indicate a 61 percent decline in production volume and a 65 percent drop in value within a three-month period. The fall reversed gains recorded earlier in the year.

During the first quarter ending March 2025, Tanzania produced 93,557 carats valued at $15.7 million. Production slipped slightly in the second quarter to 79,524.9 carats worth $14.4 million.

Output then rebounded strongly in the third quarter to 111,125.8 carats, marking the highest quarterly level recorded since 2023. However, the sharp decline in the final quarter raised concerns within the mining sector and among policy observers. Questions emerged about whether Tanzania’s diamond industry, though relatively small compared with gold and other minerals, was beginning to face deeper structural challenges.

A senior geologist at the Ministry of Minerals, Mr Joseph Matalu, said the decline was largely the result of temporary operational and environmental factors rather than any long-term deterioration in the country’s diamond reserves. “It is true that production declined in December 2025,” Mr Matalu told The Citizen.

“The main causes were normal operational and environmental conditions, particularly the rainy season and production adjustments in certain mining areas.” According to him, heavy rains during the period led to flooding in several small-scale mining pits, slowing extraction activities.

In addition, some pits, including those located in the Mwampangabule area, were temporarily suspended to allow for safety improvements and technical upgrades. “Safety considerations are paramount in mining operations,” Mr Matalu explained.

“Some pits had to be halted temporarily so that improvements could be implemented before activities resumed.” He added that fluctuations in global diamond prices also played a role in influencing the behaviour of some small-scale miners.

When international prices weaken, smaller operators often scale down production as a risk-management strategy. However, he stressed that operational disruptions remained the primary driver of the fourth-quarter decline.

Williamson operations Through the Ministry of Minerals, Williamson Diamond Limited, Tanzania’s principal diamond producer, also addressed the fall in output. The company said the decline was linked to planned operational activities at its mine.

During the period, the mine was undertaking extensive waste rock stripping, a process that involves removing layers of non-valuable material covering diamond-bearing ore. At the same time, the company relied on lower-grade stockpiles while preparing to access richer ore zones.

“These activities are aimed at unlocking higher-grade areas for sustainable production,” the company said in a statement. It emphasised that the decline in output was temporary and tied to technical requirements, safety considerations and the normal cycle of open-pit mining operations rather than a structural downturn.

Mining experts note that waste stripping is a capital-intensive but necessary process in open-pit mining. While it can reduce production in the short term, it is essential for maintaining long-term productivity.

The slowdown also coincided with a challenging period for the global natural diamond industry. Industry data indicate that polished diamond prices remained under pressure throughout 2025. The weakness was largely driven by oversupply and intensifying competition from laboratory-grown diamonds.

According to Rapaport, the RapNet Diamond Index for one-carat stones fell by 9.9 percent during the year.

Prices for smaller stones dropped even more sharply. Market analysts also report that prices of lab-grown diamonds have declined significantly due to increased supply from major manufacturing hubs such as China and India.

The rapid growth of the lab-grown segment has continued to exert pressure on the traditional natural diamond market. For relatively small producers such as Tanzania, whose share of global diamond supply remains limited, such market shifts can quickly affect export earnings when production also declines.

Recovery strategy The Ministry of Minerals says it has begun implementing measures aimed at stabilising diamond production and protecting government revenues during 2026. These efforts include strengthening supervision of small-scale mining operations and accelerating rehabilitation of pits affected by heavy rains. Authorities are also intensifying inspections through the Mining Commission to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.

Another priority is the completion of waste stripping activities at the Williamson mine. This work is expected to open access to higher-grade ore zones by the second quarter of 2026, which officials believe could significantly boost output.

In addition, the government is encouraging mining operators to adopt more cost-efficient technologies to help cushion them against global price volatility. .

Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has received a special message from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, conveyed through the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Mr Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, at Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

In a statement released by the Director for Presidential Communications, Mr Bakari Machumu, the envoy’s visit was described as part of efforts to consult with various stakeholders and assess measures taken by the Government to strengthen political stability, national cohesion and the rule of law following incidents of unrest before and during the General Election held on 29 October 2025. “The United Nations recognises and commends the steps taken by the Tanzanian Government, including the establishment of an Independent Investigation Commission, the commitment to inclusive national dialogue and the ongoing constitutional reform process,” the statement reads in part. It says the UN continues to acknowledge Tanzania’s long-standing history of peace, political stability and national unity, while appreciating the country’s contribution to peace efforts across Africa.

During his visit, Mr Onanga-Anyanga met with leaders of various national institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and political party leaders. He also consulted with the Independent Investigation Commission and other stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives on the events and ongoing government measures.

“These consultations will enable the United Nations to gain an accurate understanding of the events of 29 October 2025 and of the Government’s efforts to address the challenges that arose during and after those events. Such measures are crucial for strengthening national reconciliation, restoring public confidence, and continuing to build strong democratic institutions,” the statement said.

President Hassan, the statement says, expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for sending a Special Envoy to Tanzania to understand the national situation and hear views from stakeholders. “The Government of Tanzania is committed to ensuring that the review of these events is conducted in accordance with the rule of law, accountability, and justice, while maintaining peace, national unity, and political stability — the foundation of the country’s development,” the statement reads.

It also noted that the Government is ready to act on recommendations from the Investigation Commission once its work is complete, emphasising that these will be central to strengthening national reconciliation and advancing constitutional reforms. “Tanzania will continue to collaborate with the United Nations and the international community to promote democracy, good governance, and inclusive development,” it reads in part.

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Cairo. Africa’s top club competitions will get prize-money rises of up to 100 percent this season, with payouts for the Champions League and Confederation Cup up by a combined $4 million to strengthen the continent’s teams globally, the CAF president Patrice Motsepe (pictured)has announced.

Winners of the Caf Champions League in the 2025-2026 campaign will earn $6 million, a 50 percent rise, while the Confederation Cup champions will receive $4 million, double the current prize. CAF said the latest changes extend a steep prize-money increase since iMotsepe took over in 2021. Over five years, the Champions League prize pot has jumped 140%, from $2.5 million to $6 million, while Confederation Cup payouts have surged 220 percent, from $1.25 million to $4 million.

Total annual prize money and solidarity payments for African clubs have climbed to more than $42 million, up from $18.8 million in 2021 — a rise of 123.4 percent, Caf said. Motsepe introduced payments for clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds, allocating $50,000 per team in 2024 and doubling that to $100,000 for 2025. CAF said the expanded financial support helped push participation to a record 130 clubs in the 2025-26 Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions.

The twolegged CAF Champions League final will be played on May 15 and 24 this year, while the Confederation Cup final dates are May 9 and 16, CAF added. .