Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s football giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC will be forced to seek alternative venues for their Mainland Premier League and continental fixtures following the government’s confirmation of a six-month closure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for major renovations.

The 60,000-seater national stadium, which has served as the home ground for both clubs this season after they moved away from the smaller KMC Complex, will undergo extensive pitch upgrades starting this month. Yanga have already hosted Angola’s Wiliete FC in the CAF Champions League and Pamba Jiji FC in the league at the facility, while Simba played their league ties against Fountain Gate FC and Namungo FC there, in addition to their CAF Champions League clash with Botswana’s Gaborone United.

CAF’s official fixture list shows that Yanga are scheduled to welcome Malawi’s Silver Strikers in a Champions League return leg on October 25, a week after the first leg in Lilongwe. Their arch-rivals Simba are due to host Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs at the same venue on October 26, following the away leg on October 18. However, these fixtures are now in doubt depending on when the renovations officially commence.

Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, confirmed that the closure affects both clubs. “Simba’s recent match against Namungo was the last league game to be staged at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium before work begins.

Renovations are scheduled to last six months,” said Msigwa. “The venue will only be available for international matches if the timing does not clash with construction.

If work has already started, then even CAF fixtures will be shifted.” To minimize disruption, the government has already proposed alternative venues.

“We have the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar and the Azam Complex in Chamazi. It will be up to the clubs to choose,” Msigwa explained.

He added that another long-term solution is Uhuru Stadium, which is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen on November 21. “Uhuru Stadium will be equipped with high-quality artificial turf approved by CAF and FIFA. Once complete, it will be able to host both international and CAF matches,” he noted.

The closure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium marks a significant shift for Yanga and Simba, who have enjoyed massive home support at the iconic venue. With crucial CAF Champions League ties around the corner, the two Tanzanian giants now face the challenge of selecting new temporary homes that can maintain their competitive edge and fan atmosphere.

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Dar es Salaam. When a Tanzanian hit song climbs the charts, the applause is often reserved for the artiste under the spotlight.

But behind that three-minute track lies a complex ecosystem of creative professionals whose livelihoods depend on every beat, lyric, and video. In Tanzania, music has become more than entertainment it is a growing business engine, providing jobs and opportunities for young people across the country.

The process begins long before the first public performance. Producers craft beats, sound engineers polish vocals, and songwriters fine-tune lyrics.

These professionals may rarely appear in music videos, but they are among the first to earn from a song’s success. Recognising the potential of this creative workforce, the National Arts Council (Basata) has rolled out programmes to support them.

Loans and mentorship initiatives are helping turn talent into sustainable careers, contributing to the broader creative economy. Kelvin Daniel, a 24-year-old producer, explained; “People thought artistes just walked into a studio and sang.

But behind a three-minute track, there were hours of production, mixing, and mastering. That’s how I earn my living.

” Once a song is recorded, another layer of professionals steps in. Artiste managers negotiate contracts, book performances, and handle logistics.

Promoters organise concerts and events, creating temporary yet significant employment for sound technicians, stage crews, dancers, and security personnel. A single live show can engage dozens of people from poster designers to stage installers often for weeks at a time.

Digital platforms have further widened employment opportunities. Today, a song’s success is almost impossible without strong social media visibility.

Digital marketers plan TikTok campaigns, videographers produce viral-ready content, and influencers push songs to online audiences. A viral social media challenge can turn a song into an overnight hit generating income for a host of young professionals working behind the scenes.

Digital promoter Anna Michael said; “I study what’s trending and design content to make people engage with new tracks. When a song goes viral, the artiste wins but so do I.

My work pays my bills, and it’s all linked to the song’s success.” The artiste’s image also fuels more work.

Stylists, make-up artistes, and fashion designers ensure performers stand out on stage and in music videos. Video directors, drone operators, lighting technicians, and editors all contribute to the polished visuals that have given Tanzanian music a competitive edge locally and abroad.

Stylist Amina Musa, who works with emerging Bongo Flava stars, explained how music transformed her business. “Artistes want to look unique in their videos, so they come to us for outfits.

Before, I mainly designed for weddings, but now music is my largest client base,” she said. Together, these professionals form a hidden economy that thrives alongside the public-facing music industry.

A single hit song entertains millions while setting off a chain of earnings for dozens of people, demonstrating the industry’s economic ripple effect. Artiste manager Godfrey Abel underscored this point.

“Every artiste on stage is supported by a network of workers whose livelihoods depend on that success. People see the face on stage and think that’s the whole story, but behind every song are layers of professionals.

The music industry is feeding far more people than most realise,” he said. The industry’s growth is also opening doors for innovation.

Mobile app developers are creating platforms for music streaming and promotion, while entrepreneurs are launching creative agencies, event production firms, and merchandising businesses. Analysts argue that this shows the need to treat music as a serious sector of the creative economy, with policies that protect artistes while empowering the wider workforce.

The rise of Tanzanian music on the international stage has further intensified demand for these roles. As Bongo Flava and other local genres gain fans across Africa and beyond, producers, stylists, videographers, and digital marketers are finding their skills increasingly in demand offering more avenues for youth employment and entrepreneurship.

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Nairobi. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has urged African countries to place youth at the center of implementing land governance, environmental conservation, and climate change agendas and calling them the “pillar and decisive card” for sustainable agriculture, land stewardship, and pastoral systems on the continent.

The urged are given at the official opening of the 2nd Post-COP workshop on customary tenure Rights and Agroecology, held from October 23 at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. During the official opening, FAO Kenya’s team lead for land Governance and Social Inclusion, Husna Mbarak said that with Africa’s vast youth population, their participation is key to advancing environmental protection policies and strengthening food security.

The urgency is underscored by sobering statistics, Africa’s agricultural productivity has declined by 34 percent due to climate change (AFSA), while over half of the continent’s youth are engaged in agriculture (FAO) and yet many remain locked out of secure access to land. The workshop aims to produce a strategic roadmap and position paper underscoring youth land rights as essential for combating land degradation, strengthening resilience, and advancing climate-friendly food systems.

Africa’s demographics highlight the stakes, in 2025, the continent’s population reached 1.5 billion, with over 75 percent are under 35 years old and making it the world’s youngest region, with an annual growth rate of 2.

34 percent (Macrotrends). “The biggest challenge for young people has been lack of land ownership, through lease agreements, however, they can access and develop land” “It is time African countries move from endless dialogue to concrete action, guided by the lived experiences of communities,” said Mbarak.

She said that FAO and its partners are pushing forward the agenda of land tenure security and customary land rights to counter the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change. “These agendas will not achieve the outcomes we seek if we leave this majority group behind, Countries must not only make commitments in words but must implement the international agreements they have signed, ensuring land, environment, and ecosystems are safeguarded for future generations.

” FAO also underlined the role of agroecology, family farming, and climate-resilient agriculture as vital tools for mitigating land degradation and desertification. The workshop, convened by the Youth and Land Multi-Stakeholder Platform in Africa (YLMPA) in collaboration with FAO Kenya, RECONCILE, ILC Africa, and YILAA, builds on outcomes of the 2024 COP sessions and looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil later this year.

In his remarks, Coordinator of YLMPA, Innocent Antoine Houedji, said the workshop was designed to elevate youth voices on customary land tenure and agroecological practices. He cautioned that there remains a wide gap between climate commitments made at international COP negotiations and the lived realities of young people struggling with land insecurity.

“We cannot protect the environment, biodiversity, and climate if the land itself is not secure, so Land rights, youth empowerment, and investment are the foundations of every sustainable solution,” he said. More than 70 participants attended, including youth from across Africa, representatives from governments, the African Union, IGAD, UN agencies, pastoralist and Indigenous communities.

According to Houedji, the workshop is expected to deliver two flagship outcomes, a youth advocacy position paper for global forums and a roadmap to catalyze collective action toward COP30 and the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). “This position paper will be our collective voice, strengthening the place of young people in shaping the future of land governance and climate resilience,” Houedji added.

Founded by the African Union, IGAD, ILC, Landesa, and YILAA, YLMPA now includes 55 members from 18 countries, supported by YILAA and led in partnership with RECONCILE, DIOP, and CED. Also speaking at the event, Technical Advisor to Kenya’s Council of Governors, Evance Kipruto, affirmed the role of youth in transforming Africa’s agricultural economies.

“We must make agriculture attractive to young people so they are not viewed as a burden on governments” “I urge you to use this opportunity for meaningful dialogue, and I commit to relaying your resolutions to the highest levels of government for action,” he said .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed new leaders to steer the city’s troubled Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, at a time when public dissatisfaction with services is mounting.

Mr Said Tunda is the new director general of the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) which regulates the BRT, while Mr Pius Ng’ingo takes over as director general of Uda Rapid Transit (Udart) that operates Phase One. Their appointments were announced on Thursday October 02, 2025, by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka.

The reshuffle saw the removal of Dr Athuman Kihamia, who was heading Dart, and Mr Waziri Kindamba, the former Udart boss. No reasons were given for the shake-up.

However, the leadership changes come amid growing public frustration with Dar es Salaam’s flagship transport project. Just a day earlier, commuters on a GerezaniKimara BRT bus broke into protest songs — an unusual yet telling expression of anger over worsening services.

Launched in 2016 with the promise of easing congestion and improving mobility, the BRT system is now plagued by overcrowding, long queues, irregular schedules and deteriorating infrastructure maintenance. Passengers have voiced repeated complaints, urging the government to act.

Adding to the discontent is the delay in launching Phase Two of the project, linking Mbagala to Gerezani. Despite repeated government assurances, the service is yet to begin, deepening scepticism among residents.

The route was scheduled to start on September 1, 2025 but has not yet matured so far. Although the government has enlisted private partners to speed up delivery — with Mofat Company importing nearly 100 new buses — services have not yet taken off with Dart remaining mum.

Several of the buses that should operate in the Mbagala-Gerezani route were seen operating in Morogoro Road route yesterday. .

Dodoma. The race for Tanzania’s State House is gaining momentum as political parties and their presidential candidates ramp up their campaigns.

With 17 candidates officially in the race, strategies vary: some engage voters directly through rallies across the country, while others seek legal channels to secure their positions on the ballot. Among the contenders is the United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP).

Their presidential candidate, Mr Twalibu Kadege, has distinguished himself with a campaign strategy that focuses less on criticising rivals and more on presenting clear policies. UPDP leaders emphasise that their priority is to persuade citizens with ideas rather than rhetoric.

At a campaign rally in Dodoma, Mr Kadege unveiled three central pillars of his manifesto: land ownership, strict penalties for lawbreakers, and a new approach to public sector salaries. He asserted that his government would not tolerate corruption, abuse of power, or violations of citizens’ rights, warning that those who cross the line would face severe consequences.

Land policy Mr Kadege explained that the UPDP’s land policy is designed to empower Tanzanians economically. Under his plan, every citizen would be entitled to own at least five acres of land, while farmers would qualify for larger allocations based on their capacity.

“If every farmer cultivates their land productively, Tanzania can power its own economy and feed the African continent,” he said. He further promised that any citizen whose land contains mineral resources would have the right to negotiate directly with investors, without government interference.

Additionally, women entrepreneurs would be eligible for interest-free loans of at least Sh5 million, repayable over ten years, to support small-scale businesses. Strict penalties for offenders Mr Kadege outlined a policy he called Tuzo, which involves imposing strong penalties on individuals convicted of corruption, abuse of power, or dereliction of duty.

He proposed a minimum sentence of 50 years for senior officials implicated in grand corruption or rights abuses. “We will not lead a government of embezzlers and lawbreakers,” Mr Kadege said.

“Every wrongdoer will face justice, regardless of their status or rank. Tuzo will apply equally to everyone.

” He cautioned judges and magistrates that under his leadership, the judiciary would be held to strict standards. Biased rulings overturned on appeal, he warned, would lead to immediate consequences, including removal from office.

“A judge or magistrate who repeatedly delivers flawed judgments should know their career will be at risk,” he noted. Mr Kadege expressed his desire for his government to be remembered for fairness in the administration of justice.

“Every citizen deserves their rights, and every criminal deserves their punishment,” he stated. Salaries and accountability The UPDP manifesto also addresses civil service reform.

Mr Kadege promised to set the starting salary for public servants at Sh2.8 million, arguing that well-compensated staff would perform more effectively. However, he coupled this promise with a stern warning: “Any civil servant who misuses their salary or violates professional ethics will also face Tuzo,” he said.

He highlighted regional commissioners as officials who would be closely monitored, insisting that their conduct should set an example for others. Furthermore, he stated that students sponsored to study abroad would be required to return and serve in Tanzania after completing their studies.

Those who refuse, he warned, would face legal action, including the repayment of public funds. Campaign conduct Mr.

Kadege urged political parties to maintain discipline during campaigns, reminding them of the code of conduct agreed upon by the political parties’ council. He criticised candidates who resort to personal attacks, stating that this fuels unnecessary tension.

“I call on the police to take action against politicians who use inflammatory language,” he said. “They must be arrested, taken to court, and receive their Tuzo in prison.

The campaign should be about policies, not insults.” At the Dodoma rally, attended by a group of boda boda riders waving UPDP flags, Mr Kadege emphasised that his approach is about empowering ordinary Tanzanians.

He also pledged that leaders in his government would operate transparently. Instead of hiding behind tinted car windows, public officials would be expected to interact openly with citizens, greeting them publicly and listening to their concerns.

A different message Mr. Kadege, the youngest of six children from Mzee Ibrahim Kadege’s family in the Lindi Region, stated that his candidacy represents a generational shift in Tanzanian politics.

While many parties include land issues in their manifestos, he argued that UPDP’s approach stands out by directly linking land ownership with national wealth creation. He concluded by urging voters to embrace UPDP’s vision.

“Some doubted whether projects like the Standard Gauge Railway could be delivered, but today they are a reality. If Tanzanians trust UPDP with their votes, we will deliver positive change.

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Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has dissolved the boards of the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) and Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (UDART), appointing new leadership for both agencies.

A statement issued on Thursday, October 2, 2025, by the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka, and signed by the director for Presidential Communications, Ms Sharifa Nyanga, confirmed the changes. In what amounts to a major shake-up, Mr David Kafulila, who also serves as Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) unit, has been named chairman of the DART board.

Ambassador Dr Ramadhani Dau has been appointed chairman of the UDART board. On the same day, President Hassan appointed new chief executives to steer the city’s troubled Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Mr Said Tunda is the new DART Director General, while Mr Pius Ng’ingo has been named Director General of UDART, which operates Phase One of the system. The reshuffle removes Dr Athuman Kihamia, who previously headed DART, and Mr Waziri Kindamba, the former UDART boss.

No official reasons were provided for the changes. The leadership overhaul follows mounting public frustration with Dar es Salaam’s flagship transport project.

Just a day earlier, commuters on a GerezaniKimara BRT bus broke into protest songs–an unusual but telling sign of dissatisfaction over declining services. Launched in 2016 with promises to ease congestion and improve urban mobility, the BRT system is now dogged by overcrowding, long queues, irregular schedules and deteriorating infrastructure.

Passengers have repeatedly complained, urging the government to intervene. Adding to the discontent is the delayed launch of Phase Two of the project, which was supposed to link Mbagala to Gerezani.

Despite repeated assurances, the service–originally scheduled to begin on September 1, 2025–has yet to start, deepening scepticism among residents. The government has brought in private partners to accelerate delivery, including Mofat Company, which has imported nearly 100 new buses.

However, services are still pending, with DART remaining silent on when operations will begin. Several of the new buses meant for the MbagalaGerezani route were spotted yesterday operating along Morogoro Road instead.

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Kibaha. In the run-up to Customer Service Week 2025, the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) has extended support to a youth agribusiness group, Wazito Farm Flex, as part of its community outreach initiatives.

The group, which specializes in horticulture, received farming tools, inputs, and pesticides from the bank. In addition, TADB has organized an exposure visit to Zanzibar to enable the young farmers to exchange experiences and learn from peers who have achieved significant progress in the sector.

Wazito Farm Flex is made up of seven university graduates united by a vision to invest in agribusiness. The group was identified and nurtured under the TADB Mikoani program, which focuses on educating farmers–particularly youth and women–about banking services and opening opportunities in agriculture.

To date, the group has employed 20 other youths from their surrounding village, contributing to job creation and local economic development. TADB Senior Customer Service Officer, Faithful Joshua, said this year’s Customer Service Week will be marked under the theme “Mission Possible”, coinciding with the bank’s 10th anniversary.

“In customer service, we don’t only listen to clients, but also to the community, addressing their challenges and needs. Through such initiatives, we are transforming young farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture,” she said.

On her part, TADB Relationship Manager, Irene John, emphasized the uniqueness of the bank compared to other financial institutions. “TADB is different from commercial banks because we focus exclusively on agriculture, offering short, medium, and long-term loans to drive transformative change in the sector,” she said.

The Customer Service Week is celebrated globally every second week of October, with TADB using the occasion to not only highlight its services but also give back to the farming communities it serves. .

Dar es Salaam. The much-anticipated Vodacom Tanzania Open Golf Championship 2025 officially tees off today at the prestigious Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate (Kili Golf) in Arusha, bringing together top professional golfers and elite amateurs from Tanzania and across the region.

The event, now firmly established as one of East Africa’s premier golf competitions, will be contested in stroke play format over four days of action. Local and regional stars will battle for glory on the lush 18-hole championship course, renowned for its pristine fairways and stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

Tee-offs begin at 8am, with the opening groups featuring Tanzania’s promising amateurs Zacharia Edward and Likuli Juma, alongside Onesphory Gerald and Zambia’s Aaron Musonda. They will be joined by Kenya’s Joseph Karanja and Reece Shah, setting a competitive tone for the championship’s opening day.

Among the standout names in the amateur category is Isiaka Dunia, fresh from his Lina PG Tour victory in Morogoro. Dunia will be paired with Josphat Rono and Yuvraj Singh Rajput in the morning rounds.

Another player drawing attention is Madina Hussein, who will represent Tanzania in the women’s elite category, teeing off from the first hole at 8:20 am. The professional field is equally strong, led by Tanzania’s Ramadhani Yassini, Prosper Emmanuel, and leading lady golfer Angel Eaton.

They will face a stern test against regional heavyweights including Kenya’s Greg Snow, the defending champion, alongside Michael Karanga and John Lejirna–names synonymous with success on the East African circuit. Later in the day, some of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups will unfold.

At 11:40 am, Tanzania’s Fadhyl Nkya, buoyed by his recent triumph at the Lina PG Tour in Morogoro, will go head-to-head with Kenya’s rising star Njoroge Kibugu and seasoned player James Mathenge in what promises to be a thrilling contest. The draw also features several seasoned international professionals, including George Frisby and Tanzania’s Hassan Kadio, both expected to mount strong challenges.

The diversity of the field–mixing experienced pros with ambitious amateurs–ensures a competitive edge while providing a stage to spotlight the future of golf in the region. Speaking on the eve of the championship, Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) chairman Gilman Kasiga confirmed that all preparations had been finalized and players were ready to deliver an unforgettable tournament.

“All systems are in place, and the golfers are in high spirits,” said Kasiga. “This is not just a tournament; it is a celebration of the growth of golf in Tanzania and across East Africa.

” Also in the sponsorship is consulting firm HLB Tanzania among the key partners. Consulting firm HLB Tanzania is also among the key sponsors.

As a premier professional services firm, HLB Tanzania provides audit, tax, and advisory solutions tailored to today’s complex business environment. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s banking sector is enjoying record profits and strong balance sheets, but economists and private sector leaders are warning that excessive concentration in two institutions could undermine competition, stifle innovation and increase systemic risks.

According to Ernest and Young’s (EY) Tanzania Banking Sub-Sector report for 2024, the country hosts 81 institutions supervised by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), including 44 banking and 37 non-banking institutions. Among the 34 commercial banks, only two (CRDB and NMB) control nearly half of the market share by asset size.

The sector’s total assets rose 14.8 percent to Sh62.1 trillion in 2024. At group level, CRDB closed the year with assets of Sh16.7 trillion and NMB with Sh13.7 trillion, giving them a combined Sh30.4 trillion, or almost 50 percent of the market. Medium-sized banks saw their share shrink to 8.

6 percent, while regional and small lenders clung to just 0.6 percent.

EY’s country leader, Mr Joseph Sheffu, said this concentration reflected the strength of large players but warned it highlighted “the need for innovation and strategic support to bolster the competitiveness of smaller institutions.” For some observers, dominance by the top two banks provides stability.

For others, it risks turning the system into a duopoly with disproportionate influence over lending, deposits and innovation. Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) chief executive officer, Mr Raphael Maganga, said over-reliance on the two largest lenders was a concern.

“Yes, Tanzania risks becoming over-reliant on two big banks, and this will continue in the medium to long term,” he said, pointing to similar experiences in the region. He warned that concentration reduces private sector bargaining power, raises systemic risks, and constrains innovation.

“For TPSF and the broader private sector, it is crucial to advocate for financial sector diversification, fintech inclusion and alternative financing mechanisms,” he said. Mr Maganga urged expansion of venture capital, private equity, collective investment schemes and fintech platforms to complement traditional bank lending.

Uneven fortunes According to the report, the sector’s deposits stood at S1 trillion at the end of 2024 while after tax profit rose by 40.9 percent to close 2024 at Sh2.1 trillion. The level of non-performing loans stood at a historic low of 3.

2 percent. Medium-sized banks saw their share of assets fall from 13.4 percent in 2023 to 8.

6 percent in 2024, partly due to reclassifications such as Equity Bank Tanzania and Citibank Tanzania moving into the large-bank category, alongside a Sh1.3 trillion fall in deposits. Development economist Prof Abel Kinyondo of the University of Dar es Salaam described concentration as “both a shield and a vulnerability.

” Large banks can absorb shocks, he said, but if either CRDB or NMB stumbles, the entire economy feels the impact. For smaller lenders, the reverse is true.

“Bad debts eat directly into their thin profit margins,” Prof Kinyondo said. “They don’t have the buffer that CRDB or NMB enjoys.

” Finance lecturer Dr Tobias Swai added that concentration is also geographic. “Most large banks’ networks are in urban areas,” he said.

“Innovation tends to happen where infrastructure is strongest, while smaller banks follow too late.” He noted that mobile and agent banking are helping narrow the gap, but historical advantages–deep government links and payroll management for public servants–keep the two biggest players far ahead.

Dr Swai suggested regulatory reforms beyond entry capital requirements, such as performance thresholds requiring banks to achieve growth within five to ten years. “This would push smaller banks to scale faster, rather than stagnating,” he said.

Systemic pressures Banking analyst Mr Kelvin Mkwawa said the dominance of the top two banks is already reshaping the market. “Small banks are under liquidity pressure,” he noted.

“They struggle to attract deposits, limiting their ability to lend to SMEs, while the large banks effectively set the cost of credit.” He warned that even minor disruptions at a top-tier bank could have outsized effects.

“A small change in CRDB’s core system disrupted millions across the country. That is the systemic risk concentration creates.

” Mr Mkwawa suggested BoT should monitor loan-to-deposit ratios more closely and encourage collaboration among smaller banks to reach underserved populations. Incentives for SME lending and rural expansion could also help level the playing field.

The EY report reinforced these concerns, noting that large banks operate at far greater efficiency–with cost-to-income ratios of 35.7 percent compared to 67.4 percent for smaller institutions. Meanwhile, collective investment schemes such as UTT AMIS are growing rapidly, with a 44.9 percent compound annual growth rate between 2022 and 2024, compared to bank deposits’ 15.8 percent CAGR.

This suggests savers are beginning to diversify. Consolidation trend Recent mergers and acquisitions are also reshaping the landscape.

Access Bank Group’s takeover of BancABC Tanzania and the consolidation of Kilimanjaro and Tandahimba cooperative banks into the Cooperative Bank of Tanzania in 2024 further entrenched the dominance of major players. BoT has introduced reforms to strengthen resilience, including a shift to interest rate-based monetary policy, maintaining the central bank rate at 6 percent, and amendments to accommodate Islamic finance.

The loan-to-deposit ratio edged up to 92 percent, while return on average equity climbed to 23.6 percent. Still, experts warn that concentration could slow innovation and widen inequalities in a country targeting 6 percent GDP growth in 2025. Regional lessons Tanzania’s challenge is not unique.

In South Africa, the top five banks control around 90 percent of assets. In Nigeria, a handful of large lenders dominate despite dozens of licensed players.

Kenya, by contrast, maintains a more fragmented market, where mid-tier banks continue to play a meaningful role. For Tanzania, the lesson is clear: concentration may signal strength, but without diversification, it could also expose the economy to vulnerabilities.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians in the diaspora investing in the stock market will soon be able to participate in tribunal proceedings without physically attending courtrooms, thanks to a new visual hearing system being rolled out by the Capital Markets Tribunal (CMT).

The digital platform, which is 90 percent complete and expected to be fully operational by December, will enable investors abroad to attend hearings remotely. The system is designed to cut travel costs and delays while keeping investors fully engaged in dispute resolution processes from anywhere in the world.

CMT Registrar Martin Kolikoli, told reporters during the Tribunal’s second anniversary yesterday that the initiative marks a milestone in modernising Tanzania’s judicial process for capital market-related issues. He said it would ultimately boost investor confidence and appetite in the stock market.

“The visual hearing system will enable access to justice regardless of location, which is especially beneficial for diaspora investors who previously faced challenges attending hearings physically,” he said. The platform, being developed by local ICT professionals under the supervision of the e-Government Agency (eGA), is designed to simplify case management, improve communication and increase efficiency within the capital markets judicial framework.

Once integrated with the High Court system, it will support real-time virtual hearings and allow more streamlined case handling. Mr Kolikoli also highlighted progress since the CMT was established two years ago, pointing to successes, challenges and future plans.

He said the Tribunal had strengthened the investment climate by providing a dedicated mechanism for resolving disputes in the capital markets. So far, the Tribunal has resolved several key cases and has partnered with regional counterparts in Kenya and Zambia to enhance its operational capacity through knowledge sharing and joint initiatives.

The launch of the visual hearing system is part of a wider government effort to harness digital tools to improve public service delivery. “For the CMT, it represents a shift towards a more inclusive and investor-friendly judicial environment, where technology helps break down barriers to justice,” Mr Kolikoli added.

Since its establishment, the Tribunal has handled numerous cases and conducted educational seminars reaching more than 850 stakeholders. It has also raised awareness among over 500,000 individuals through social media campaigns.

With preparations for the system’s rollout in progress, the CMT is confident the platform will contribute significantly to building a more robust and accessible legal framework for all stakeholders in Tanzania’s capital markets ecosystem. .