Category: The Citizen

Kigoma. ACT Wazalendo parliamentary candidate for Kigoma Urban Constituency, Zitto Kabwe, has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Kigoma into a trade and transport hub for the Great Lakes region, should voters give his party a new mandate in the 2025 General Election.

Addressing a large rally at the Mwanga Community Centre Grounds on Sunday, Mr Kabwe outlined a 15-point plan aimed at revitalising the local economy, creating jobs, and improving public services. His pledges ranged from port and market infrastructure to social welfare and youth empowerment initiatives.

“It is time to awaken and choose leaders who deliver, not just promise,” Mr Kabwe told residents. “We have shown before that true leadership delivers results you can see and feel.

Now we must build on that foundation to make Kigoma the economic centre it was meant to be.” Mr Kabwe, who previously served as MP for Kigoma Urban, cited major achievements during ACT Wazalendo’s earlier leadership of the Kigoma Ujiji Municipality between 2015 and 2020, including new roads, drainage systems, schools, markets, and the construction of the Ujiji and Kibirizi ports.

“These successes are proof of what true leadership can achieve when it listens to the people,” he said, adding that the ruling party had “failed to turn promises into progress.” Turning Kigoma into a regional trade powerhouse At the heart of Mr Kabwe’s plan is a push to make Kigoma a Trade and Transport Hub for the Great Lakes, anchored on the expansion of Kigoma Port.

He pledged to ensure that port operation contracts benefit local residents and not “foreign interests,” while promoting Kigoma as a final destination for regional cargo. He also committed to closely monitor the Shipyard Project at Katabe-Bangwe and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to ensure timely completion and maximum benefit for the community.

Empowering the blue economy Recognising fishing as a key sector contributing 30 percent of the local economy, Mr Kabwe promised reforms to ease levies on fishermen, introduce modern boats powered by alternative energy, promote fish farming, and upgrade landing sites and storage facilities. He also pledged to complete strategic markets–including the Mwanga International Market and Kibirizi Market–as part of broader efforts to empower small-scale traders and strengthen Kigoma’s informal economy.

Urban renewal Zitto’s plan includes reviving Ujiji Town as a historic trade centre through road and port projects, improved flood control, and a new Ujiji City Project to spur economic activity. He also promised to build stormwater drainage systems, rehabilitate neighbourhood roads, and turn flood-prone areas like Katubuka ponds into economic zones.

He said Kigoma’s expansion would be guided by the development of satellite towns in Bangwe, Kagera, and Gungu, supported by modern planning and essential infrastructure. Jobs, education, and health for all To tackle unemployment, Mr Kabwe proposed a Sh1 billion interest-free fund for small entrepreneurs, bodaboda operators, and women traders.

The fund would also help youth purchase their own motorcycles to “end exploitative contracts.” On social services, he pledged to restore community health insurance, eliminate delivery costs for expectant mothers, and ensure free maternal healthcare.

He also promised to establish a Technical School and Kigoma University, as well as four new high schools–two for sciences and two for arts–to prepare youth for future opportunities. Justice, industry, and inclusion Zitto further vowed to ensure fair compensation for residents affected by the Kigoma Special Economic Zone (KISEZ), airport expansion, and flood control projects.

He also called for new industries, such as fish processing plants, to boost job creation and lower product prices. “We promised, we delivered.

Trust us to build our city again,” Mr Kabwe declared, urging voters to choose ACT Wazalendo candidates at all levels. “The 2025 elections are our time to reject stagnation and embrace change.

” He closed his address with a call for unity and courage: “Together, we will open doors of opportunity, defeat poverty, and make Kigoma Urban the envy of Tanzania. This is our time–let’s seize it.

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Mbeya. Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has called on Tanzanian leaders and citizens to emulate the virtues of the Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and continue praying for him to be among the saints.

Dr Mpango made the call on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 during a special memorial mass held at the Mwanjelwa Catholic Church in Mbeya to mark the 26th anniversary of Mwalimu Nyerere’s passing. The service was attended by several top government officials, including Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Tulia Ackson.

Addressing the congregation, Dr Mpango urged leaders and citizens to live by Nyerere’s principles of humility, service, and integrity. He also asked the Prime Minister to ensure that the prayers read by religious leaders are aired by national broadcasters, especially Radio Tanzania.

“I thank and commend you for this meaningful service. As leaders, we must follow the good example of the late Mwalimu Nyerere.

Each of us, in our position, should continue to pray for him to be among the saints,” he said. Earlier, Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga of the Mbeya Catholic Archdiocese described Nyerere as a compassionate, loving, and faithful man whose life reflected holiness beyond religious boundaries.

He explained that the canonisation process begins with recognising a person’s life of virtue and service, followed by the declaration of ‘venerable’, then ‘blessed’, and finally sainthood. “The final stage is sainthood, which confirms that the person is in heaven.

The process for Mwalimu Nyerere is still in its early stage and will take time,” said Archbishop Nyaisonga. He added that Nyerere’s legacy continues to inspire because of his humility, faith, and honesty.

“He can be mentioned among the saints, like the late popes. Nyerere avoided hypocrisy and embodied holiness in politics, social life, and the economy,” he said.

Archbishop Nyaisonga further noted that Nyerere left a lasting legacy through education, promoting the Kiswahili language internationally, and demonstrating integrity in public service without pursuing personal gain. “Even after retirement, he continued to share his views for the good of the nation.

The Catholic Church believes that God has already granted him sainthood,” he said, urging Tanzanians to reflect on their own lives. “If we desire to be saints, let us use Mwalimu Nyerere as our example.

When we wrong one another, let us remember that judgement awaits us all,” he said. Delivering remarks on behalf of the Mbeya Region, Regional Commissioner Beno Malisa thanked religious leaders and citizens for attending the mass and encouraged them to participate in the upcoming Uhuru Torch race celebrations.

“I thank all religious leaders and citizens for turning out in large numbers, and I invite you to join the Uhuru Torch celebrations here in Mbeya,” said Mr Malisa. .

Dar es Salaam. The popular seafood restaurant Samaki Samaki today celebrates 18 years since it officially opened its doors on October 13, 2007, marking nearly two decades of passion, growth, and resilience in Tanzania’s hospitality industry.

The restaurant’s journey has been remarkable, starting with its first branch at Mbezi Beach Massana, which was later destroyed by fire. Another branch at Posta also caught fire, forcing the team to relocate to Masaki, where the restaurant rebuilt its identity and regained customer trust.

According to Cleaners Manager Vitus Mkinyi, who has been with the company since 2007, the transition to Masaki came with challenges but eventually turned into success. “It was not easy at the beginning, but customers gradually adapted,” he says.

“Working here for 18 years has changed my life. I have managed to build a home for my parents and educate my children through this job.

” Masaki Branch Manager Naomi Lema shares a similar story of growth. Having started as a waitress, she has risen through the ranks to become branch manager.

“We have been through a lot, but God is good. I am proud of how far we have come as a team,” she says.

Kalito’s Way Group (KWG) Chairman, Carlos Bastos alias known as Kalito Samaki, says the “Sweet 18” celebration is taking place at both Masaki and Mlimani City branches. He explained that Samaki Samaki, Wavuvi Kempu, and Kukukuku are all operated under Kalito’s Way Group, which continues to expand its footprint in Tanzania’s food and beverage sector.

“It is a big day for us. We have passion for this business, and today we celebrate 18 years of growth and creativity,” he said.

From its humble beginnings at Mbezi Beach to becoming one of Dar es Salaam’s most loved seafood brands, Samaki Samaki’s 18-year journey stands as a story of resilience, teamwork, and a deep love for great food. .

Dar es Salaam. As the nation marks 26 years since the passing of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Tanzanians continue to live the dream of a country he built, one where “everything is possible.

” Since his death in 1999, Tanzania has held five general elections. On October 29 the country will head to the polls for the sixth time, reaffirming the democratic legacy that Mwalimu Nyerere laid down, a legacy in which Tanzania remains the land of equal opportunity for all.

Mwalimu built a foundation on which every Tanzanian, regardless of background, origin, or family lineage, can aspire to be anything. From humble beginnings, young people have risen to leadership and influence.

Felix Mkosamali, a 24-year-old student from a modest background, contested and won a parliamentary seat while still in his first year at St Augustine University. Likewise, figures such as Zitto Kabwe, David Kafulila, John Mnyika and Mwigulu Nchemba emerged from ordinary families to serve as Members of Parliament.

In Tanzania, success has no set path. It embraces those who dare to pursue their dreams.

From Kariakoo’s hustlers such as Sanda Yenga “Sandaland” and Fred Ngajiro “Vunjabei,” who are now billionaires and business leaders, to young entrepreneurs winning major contracts with football clubs like Young Africans and Simba, Mwalimu’s vision of possibility remains alive. A nation of equal opportunity From Nyerere to Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s six presidents have each carved their own path without family privilege or inherited political power.

That continuity of merit-based leadership is part of Mwalimu’s enduring gift. Even among Tanzania’s wealthiest individuals, none are children of political leaders.

This reflects Nyerere’s belief that the country belongs to every citizen. From a poor child in Kizimkazi who became President, to another from Buhigwe, Philip Mpango, now Vice President and Kassim Majaliwa from Ruangwa, who rose to become Prime Minister–all exemplify the equality Nyerere envisioned.

He could have chosen to hand over power to one of his children upon retirement but refused, affirming that Tanzania belonged to all, not to the Nyerere family of Butiama. The country’s business history tells similar stories.

Reginald Mengi, who grew up herding livestock, became one of Tanzania’s most successful industrialists. Said Bakhresa, once a small snack vendor, is now a billionaire.

These stories are possible because Nyerere nurtured a nation that believes in hard work, discipline and equality before the law. Every Tanzanian, he taught, has the right to pursue legitimate business and prosperity.

No tribe owns Tanzania Through the Arusha Declaration of 1967, Nyerere bound leaders to integrity and humility, rejecting the notion that anyone deserved more than others. In the Tanzania he built, every tribe, from the Wanyakyusa and Wanyamwezi to the Wapare, Wamakonde and Wazaramo, was recognised and made to feel part of the nation.

Over 120 ethnic groups coexist peacefully, united by their shared Tanzanian identity. Inter-tribal marriages are commonplace, symbolising the inclusiveness Mwalimu envisioned.

A Mkerewe can settle in Arusha or a Mfipa in Tanga without being made to feel like a stranger. Wherever one travels within the country, Tanzania feels like home.

Religious tolerance also stands as one of Nyerere’s lasting legacies. Citizens are free to worship as they wish and no one faces discrimination based on faith.

Both public and private institutions employ people of all religions. A Christian-owned company may have mostly Muslim workers, while a Muslim-owned organisation may employ Christians and non-believers alike.

An enduring legacy Twenty-six years after his passing, Tanzanians remember Mwalimu Nyerere with gratitude for building a just and inclusive nation. His leadership created institutions and values that continue to define Tanzania’s stability and unity.

When compared to many African nations that experienced turmoil after independence, Tanzania’s peace and cohesion stand out as proof of Nyerere’s vision and wisdom. Thank you, Father of the Nation, for building a country where everything is possible.

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Dar es Salaam. The FUNGUO Innovation Programme has expanded its catalytic funding to a total of Sh6.5 billion, marking a major milestone in its efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The latest round of investment targets 13 high-potential startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the country. The aim is to help them scale their solutions, create decent jobs, and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Implemented by UNDP Tanzania and funded by the European Union (EU), the Government of Finland, and the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), FUNGUO focuses on “investing in innovation for a prosperous Tanzania.” The programme seeks to nurture a vibrant ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs by addressing barriers to innovation, finance, and business growth.

By de-risking startups and building their capacity to attract follow-on investment, FUNGUO empowers entrepreneurs–particularly women and youth–to scale their ventures and contribute to inclusive economic transformation. Deputy Executive Secretary for Trade and Innovation at the National Planning Commission, Dr Blandina Kilama, commended FUNGUO’s role in advancing national development priorities.

“We recognise that government cannot create every job or solve every problem. But we can create an enabling environment where innovators and entrepreneurs thrive.

That is our commitment,” she said. “We are aligning our policies with Vision 2050 to prioritise innovation and entrepreneurship in national planning frameworks.

The government also aims to improve the ease of doing business so that starting and scaling a business in Tanzania becomes simpler, faster, and less expensive. The new Crowdfunding Guidelines are one such example–we need more enabling policies like this.

” Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Tanzania, Mr Marc Stalmans, said Tanzania’s growth is increasingly driven by the dynamism of its private sector. “The European Union firmly believes that sustainable development comes from the ingenuity and initiative of entrepreneurs,” he said.

“Under the Global Gateway, we are investing in people and ideas that are shaping Tanzania’s economic transformation. Through FUNGUO, we have proudly supported startups that are turning innovation into inclusive growth and real opportunities for communities.

” Development Director at the British High Commission, Ms Anna Wilson, emphasised the UK’s focus on inclusive growth and private sector empowerment. “Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship is key to building a stronger, more resilient Tanzanian economy.

The UK is proud to be part of the FUNGUO partnership that nurtures startups with the potential to transform communities and create lasting impact,” she said. Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Finland, Ms Sanna-Liisa Taivalmaa, highlighted her country’s long-standing partnership with Tanzania in promoting innovation and sustainable development.

“Finland’s cooperation in innovation is rooted in our belief that local ideas can solve both local and global challenges,” she said. “Through FUNGUO, we are supporting the Green Catalyst Initiative, which continues to be a strong platform for empowering women and youth entrepreneurs–especially within the forestry value chain.

” UNDP Tanzania Deputy Resident Representative Mr John Rutere said catalytic investments were key to unlocking Tanzania’s innovation potential. “Investing in innovation is investing in Tanzania’s future,” he said.

“Through FUNGUO, UNDP is creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to design sustainable solutions that address local challenges, create jobs, and drive inclusive prosperity.” Alongside unveiling a new cohort of investees–bringing the total number of startups supported under FUNGUO to 74–UNDP launched a new study titled Catalysts for Growth: A Landscape Study of Entrepreneur Support Organisations in Tanzania, developed in collaboration with Deloitte East Africa.

The event also featured the launch of a special FUNGUO edition of Atoms and Bits magazine, which showcases stories of innovation from across the ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Youth Ignite student founders fellowship and the Green Catalyst Initiative, FUNGUO continues to support entrepreneurs across multiple sectors, building a resilient innovation ecosystem where Tanzanian startups can thrive, scale, and contribute to sustainable prosperity.

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Dar es Salaam. The government will continue creating an enabling environment for investors in the education sector to enhance learning opportunities and equip students with diverse knowledge and skills, including foreign languages, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said over the weekend.

Speaking on his behalf, Kinondoni Municipal Secondary Education Officer Mtundi Nyamhanga addressed the launch of the Monti International School Transformation Programme, which will follow the Cambridge International Curriculum. Mr Chalamila said adopting foreign languages would prepare students for future employment and encouraged private investors to establish schools to support national efforts in expanding access to quality education.

He commended Monti International School for its inclusive approach integrating academics, sports, creativity and innovation. “Monti provides students with a strong academic foundation while nurturing curiosity, critical thinking and global awareness,” he said.

The school’s investments in sports facilities, including a swimming pool, football pitch and multipurpose courts, instil discipline, teamwork, and resilience, preparing students to succeed both in sports and life. Monti International School Founder and Head Fatma Fernandes announced plans to expand to a new Madale Campus in 2026, offering secondary education and extending the school’s journey from early childhood through secondary level.

With over 150 students enrolled, the transformation plan focuses on three pillars: Cambridge-based learning, sports excellence, and creativity. Parent Thuwein Makamba praised the school’s approach, calling education “the best inheritance for our children, one that lasts forever.

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Siha. The late Civic United Front (CUF) parliamentary candidate for Siha Constituency in Kilimanjaro Region, Daudi Ntuyehabi, will be laid to rest in Kilingi Village after his family failed to raise funds to transport his remains to his ancestral home in Kumlungwe Village, Kakonko District, Kigoma Region.

The burial is scheduled for today at his home in Kilingi Village, after well-wishers who had pledged to assist with transport expenses failed to fulfil their promises. The family had already conducted the farewell ceremony on Saturday.

Following the financial setback, the body was returned to Kibong’oto Hospital mortuary in Siha District after the farewell ceremony, a situation that caused distress among villagers who had gathered to bid farewell to the deceased candidate. Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, the deceased’s father, Mzee Wilbard Ntuyehabi, said the family had no choice but to proceed with the burial locally after all efforts to transport the body to Kigoma failed.

“My son was supposed to be buried in Kigoma, but we have no means to transport his body there. The promises we received turned out to be empty.

Some of those who had pledged help have even switched off their phones. We have decided to conduct the burial here tomorrow so that we can move on,” said Mzee Wilbard.

Kikuyuni Hamlet chairperson, Ruben Mgeni, confirmed that all burial arrangements had been completed and that the local authorities were only waiting for the burial permit. “All preparations are complete, and we’re just waiting for authorisation to proceed with the burial tomorrow,” he said.

Ntuyehabi died on October 7 after being attacked by a mob of more than eight people who accused him of injuring a young man while attempting to mediate a dispute involving money owed at a local grocery. According to Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa, eight suspects are in custody in connection with the incident for allegedly taking the law into their own hands and causing the death of the CUF candidate.

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Mali has announced a new visa policy requiring US citizens to post a bond of up to $10,000 before entering the country, in a move that mirrors a previous US measure targeting Malian nationals. The decision, unveiled by Malian authorities this week, is being described as an act of diplomatic reciprocity aimed at countering what Bamako considers a discriminatory US visa bond system.

Under the new arrangement, American travellers — including business visitors and tourists — will be required to deposit a refundable bond as a condition for obtaining entry clearance. Officials say the funds will be returned once visitors leave Mali within the permitted timeframe.

The policy is expected to affect US business and tourism activity in the country, particularly within the mining sector where American companies maintain significant interests. Mali’s move reflects a growing trend among West African nations adopting reciprocal measures in response to what they perceive as unequal treatment under US immigration and visa policies.

Analysts view the decision as both a symbolic and strategic gesture, underscoring Mali’s determination to assert greater parity in its diplomatic relations with Washington. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania remains conspicuously absent from Africa’s fundraising leaderboard as of October, even as start-ups across the continent continue to secure significant capital, with the total raised in 2025 now surpassing $2.2 billion.

According to Africa: The Big Deal, co-founded by Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, who is also the Head of Mobile for Development (M4D), 58 start-ups raised over $140 million in September alone. Although this is slightly below the average, it matches September 2024’s tally of $146 million and surpasses the $124 million raised in September 2023. The number of ventures raising at least $100,000 last month was also the second highest in a year, just behind July.

Of the $140 million raised, $105 million (75 percent) came from equity, with the remainder consisting mainly of debt ($32 million) and some grant funding ($3 million), including 16 match-funding grants from DEG Impulse as part of their new develop Ventures cohort in East Africa. The five largest transactions of the month were all equity: Kredete (fintech, Nigeria) secured $22 million in a Series A round; Pura Beverage raised $15 million in Series B funding; Contactable (identity, South Africa) bagged $13.5 million; Intella (AI, Egypt) closed a $12.5 million Series A; and The Invigilator (education, South Africa) received $11 million.

On a quarterly basis, start-ups in Africa raised $785 million in Q3. While this is lower than the $963 million raised in Q2, it is significantly higher than Q1’s $461 million. It is also a strong Q3 compared to the same quarter in 2024 ($649 million), 2023 ($496 million) and 2022 ($612 million).

Start-ups have now raised $2.2 billion in 2025 to date, excluding exits, putting the continent only $40 million away from surpassing the total raised in the whole of 2024. But as these figures rise across the continent, Tanzanian start-ups continue to struggle to maintain the fundraising momentum seen last year, raising questions about what the country must do to ensure consistency in attracting investment. In 2024, Tanzanian start-ups raised a total of $53 million, with more than $40 million coming in the third quarter alone, placing the country third in Africa for funds raised during that period.

This year, however, the picture is different. According to Africa: The Big Deal, Tanzanian start-ups have so far not crossed the $10 million mark in 2025, while across the continent, start-ups collectively raised over $1.4 billion in the first half of the year.

However, TSA’s Senior Manager of Programmes and Operations, Mr Praygod Japhet, said that after conducting an internal assessment to identify what is hindering Tanzania from performing well in startup investment across Africa, TSA found a significant gap in access to funds, especially in early and mid-stage financing. This led them to lobby the government to establish the National Venture Capital Trust Fund to enhance Tanzania’s competitiveness with other countries in this area.

“In other countries that have succeeded in startup investment, they strengthened their early and mid-stage financing, which enabled them to reach where they are. No country succeeds in startup investment if its systems are immature.

We expect the National Venture Capital Trust Fund will do the revolution because investment institutions are key to the success of startup investments in a country,” he said. He went on to reveal that the process of establishing the fund is in its initial stages and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Furthermore, Mr Japhet said that accessing funds in the early and mid-stages for startups in the country has been one of the prime challenges that is hindering the country from attracting more startup funds. For the co-founder of health-tech start-up Plate AI, Janeth Kareen Kilonzo, Tanzania’s subdued fundraising performance this year reflects both investor caution and structural gaps within the local ecosystem.

“Investors are increasingly looking for scale, traction and robust business models. Many early-stage Tanzanian start-ups are still at the proof-of-concept stage, with limited access to acceleration or growth-stage funding,” she said.

She noted that while the local ecosystem has made progress, particularly with regulatory reforms in the pipeline, more needs to be done to build strong pipelines and support systems for start-ups to grow beyond seed stage. “There’s talent and innovation in Tanzania, but our ecosystem support is not yet as layered as in markets like Kenya or Nigeria.

More targeted acceleration, mentorship and follow-on funding structures are needed if we’re to compete at continental level,” she added. Meanwhile, CEO and co-founder of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Ltd, Mr Baraka Chijenga, attributed part of the slowdown to a mismatch between investor expectations and the realities of operating businesses locally.

“Many international investors come in expecting the same pace and scale they see in Nairobi or Lagos, but Tanzania has its own market dynamics. Regulatory timelines, infrastructure gaps and limited local capital participation can make growth slower,” he said.

Mr Chijenga emphasised that the focus should now shift to creating sustainable investment pathways rather than chasing short-term fundraising highs. “If we can deepen local value chains, strengthen our agri-business infrastructure, and get more local corporates involved in co-investing, we can build stronger, more resilient ventures.

This will give foreign investors more confidence and attract larger rounds over time,” he explained. Sahara Ventures CEO and tech entrepreneur, Mr Jumanne Mtambalike, observed that Tanzania’s current fundraising landscape reflects a mix of global trends and domestic realities.

He pointed out that global capital movements, shifting investor preferences, and the tendency of funding to gravitate towards a few dominant African markets are factors largely beyond the country’s control. However, he stressed that there is clear work to be done locally to boost competitiveness.

“We need to strengthen our policy environment and bring more clarity to regulations, expand the pool of local investors to work alongside foreign ones, and equip our start-ups with better investor-readiness skills,” he noted. He added that quick interventions such as expediting the implementation of the Startup Policy, enhancing governance frameworks, and organising more deal showcase platforms, could help restore momentum in the short term.

Over the longer horizon, he said, mobilising domestic capital, incentivising corporate participation, and nurturing ventures in high-potential sectors like fintech, agritech and climate-tech will be crucial. “The $53 million raised last year proved what’s achievable.

This year’s slowdown is a reminder that sustained success requires deliberate effort, we need to put in place systems that make Tanzania a regular destination for investors, not a market that experiences occasional peaks,” he stressed. .

Mwanza. The breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti will once again echo with the rhythm of running shoes as the eighth edition of the Serengeti Safari Marathon brings together athletes, environmentalists, and tourists in a powerful celebration of sport, sustainability, and tourism.

The event, scheduled for November 15 at Ndabaka, Serengeti in Mara Region, is set to attract both local and elite foreign runners from Kenya and other African nations. Participants will compete in the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km, and 5km fun run categories.

More than 2,000 local and international athletes are expected to take part in the race, competing not just for medals and records–but also for a greener planet. Among those expected to light up the event is Tokyo World Marathon champion Alphonce Simbu, who will headline the elite lineup and inspire upcoming runners with his presence and performance.

Serengeti Safari Marathon Director Timothy Mdinka said the marathon goes far beyond the spirit of competition, its heartbeat lies in promoting responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and local economic empowerment. “Each registered participant will receive at least five tree seedlings to plant anywhere they wish, especially in areas affected by deforestation,” said Mdinka.

“Through our Go Green Campaign, in partnership with the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), we’re promoting sustainable tourism that gives back to nature. Every runner will get a race jersey and more than five tree seedlings,” he added.

This year’s theme, “Tourism Connects,” has already drawn an overwhelming response, with over 65 percent of participation tickets sold–including 200 purchased during the launch. Mdinka noted that the improved prize packages, quality medals, and rising international participation, particularly from Kenya, have elevated the event’s profile and excitement.

UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Amon Manyama underscored the marathon’s wider environmental and social significance. “UNDP remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect Tanzania’s natural resources, ensuring they continue to benefit communities today and for generations to come,” he said.

Representing the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Ilemela District Commissioner Amiri Mkalipa applauded the marathon’s creative approach in linking sports, tourism, and conservation. “There can be no tourism without conservation.

Giving tree seedlings to runners is a brilliant idea–this event is not just a race; it’s a statement of care for our environment,” he said. John Semkubai, Senior Tourism Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, reaffirmed the government’s support, calling sports tourism a vital engine for the country’s economic and environmental goals.

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