Category: The Citizen

Airtel Africa has reported a strong start to its 2026/27 financial year, with first-quarter revenue rising by thirty-one percent as growing demand for mobile data and digital financial services continued to drive growth across its operations.

The telecommunications company, which operates in 14 African countries, including Tanzania, said revenue for the quarter ended June 30 increased to $1.853 billion, up from $1.415 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Mr. Sunil Taldar, said profit after tax rose 27 percent to $198 million, while revenue in constant currency grew by 21.1percent, reflecting sustained growth across voice, data and mobile money services.

Regional performance remained strong, with revenue in Nigeria increasing 29.8 percent, while East Africa and Francophone Africa recorded growth of 17.8 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

The company also expanded its customer base by 11.6 percent to 189 million subscribers. Data customers increased by 15.5 percent to 87.3 million, while mobile money customers grew by 23.3 percent to 56.5 million, supported by rising smartphone adoption and greater use of digital services.

Smartphone penetration reached 51 percent, while average monthly data usage per customer increased from 7.8 gigabytes to 10.6 gigabytes over the past year. The rise in data consumption helped drive a 56.3 percent increase in overall data traffic.

Airtel Africa said the annualised transaction value processed through Airtel Money exceeded $245 billion, representing a 51.5 percent increase compared with the previous year. Mobile money revenue rose by 38.9 percent to $404 million, highlighting the growing importance of digital financial services to the company’s business.

“We have started this year with another pleasing performance,” Mr. Taldar said.

He attributed the results to higher smartphone adoption, stronger customer engagement with digital services and continued investment in network infrastructure across the company’s markets.

To meet growing demand, Airtel Africa increased capital expenditure during the quarter, investing $389 million to strengthen its network. The company deployed more than 920 new sites, the highest first-quarter rollout in its history, while extending its fibre network to 82,100 kilometres to improve coverage, capacity and service quality.

Tanzania boxers begin Commonwealth Games medal hunt todayDespite the increased investment, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 36.6 percent to $928 million, with the EBITDA margin improving to 50.1 percent.

Net cash generated from operating activities increased by 38.3 percent to $786 million, reflecting resilient underlying operations despite higher energy costs.

Looking ahead, Mr. Taldar said Airtel Africa remains on track to pursue a London listing for its Airtel Money business, subject to regulatory approvals, as the company seeks to unlock long-term value and broaden access to international investors.

Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi has said Tanzania cannot achieve lasting peace without justice, urging leaders and citizens to uphold justice without fear as the foundation for national unity and development.

Speaking on Friday, July 24, at the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) General Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Dr Nchimbi said there was no contradiction between protecting human rights and preserving peace, arguing that the two are mutually reinforcing.

He cited President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s remarks during the swearing-in of judges in May that “justice is the foundation of peace”, saying the statement should guide all leaders. “The President said justice is the foundation of peace. I thanked her for saying it publicly because all leaders under her leadership should promote that message. Once you start fearing to say that justice is the foundation of peace, you also begin to feel ashamed of implementing justice,” he said.

Dr Nchimbi said advocates of peace should not be regarded as opponents of justice, just as those who champion justice should not be viewed as enemies of peace.

It is impossible for a peace advocate to be an enemy of justice, or for a justice advocate to be an enemy of peace. That thinking should not exist. We must avoid such a perception,” he said.

He said his vision was for a Tanzania where every citizen is proud of their nationality, feels secure and has an equal opportunity to contribute to national development.

According to Dr Nchimbi, political, religious and ethnic differences should enrich the country’s diversity rather than divide its people.

“I want us to have a Tanzania where every Tanzanian feels proud of being where everyone feels safe in their own country and has the desire to contribute to national development. I want a country where we differ in ideology, political parties, religion and ethnicity, but embrace each other because of our Tanzanian identity,” he said.

He also called for greater tolerance of differing views, saying people should be free to engage in dialogue without being labelled as enemies.

“I wish that when I meet any activist, people recognise and appreciate each other based on the ability to think and persuade. People should not see me sitting with someone who has different views as a sign of hostility. They should see it as people discussing matters concerning their country peacefully,” he said.

Referring to activist Maria Sarungi, Dr Nchimbi said he hoped Tanzanians would view such engagements as constructive dialogue rather than political rivalry.

“If I am sitting with Maria Sarungi, people should say they are discussing issues concerning their country. There is no hostility, there is no animosity. That is the kind of nation I want us to build,” he said.

He urged Tanzanians to seize every opportunity to strengthen national unity and solidarity while upholding justice as the cornerstone of peace and sustainable development.

Mainland Premier League champions Young Africans (Yanga) have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2026/2027 season after completing the signing of Comoros defender Housseine Zakouani from Saudi Arabian side Al Zulfi.

The move marks another major step in Yanga’s ambitious recruitment drive as the club prepares for a season that will see them defend their domestic title while competing in the domestic cup competitions and the CAF Champions League.

Zakouani arrives at Jangwani as a free agent after leaving Al Zulfi, where he played following his move to Saudi Arabia in February 2026. The versatile player brings international experience from a career largely built in France, where he developed through one of the country’s most respected football academies.

The Comoros-born defender began his football journey in 2011 at Olympique Marseille’s youth academy, progressing through several levels of the club’s development structure, including Marseille Youth, Under-17, Under-19, and the reserve team.

His years at Marseille exposed him to a high-level football environment and helped shape his technical ability, tactical awareness, and confidence in possession.

However, competition for places in Marseille’s senior squad limited his opportunities, forcing him to search for regular first-team football elsewhere.

In 2018, Zakouani moved to Trikala before joining Aubagne FC after a short period without a club. It was at Aubagne where he continued developing his reputation as a dependable defender capable of operating in different positions.

He later featured for Jura Sud in 2024 before joining Thionville Lusitanos in January 2025. His consistent performances earned him another move to Hyères 83 before LB ChSteauroux secured his services in early 2026.

After his spell in France, Zakouani accepted a new challenge in Saudi Arabia with Al Zulfi, where he continued gaining valuable experience before becoming available on a free transfer.

Although primarily a defender, Zakouani’s versatility allows him to operate in several positions, including on the wing, giving Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi more options when setting up his team.

His ability to contribute in different areas of the pitch is expected to be an important asset for Yanga, especially during a campaign where the club will face a demanding fixture schedule.

The player is regarded as a composed defender who is comfortable with the ball, strong in one-on-one situations, and capable of helping his team start attacks from the back.

His arrival adds competition to Yanga’s defensive department as the club seeks to maintain the consistency that has delivered domestic success in recent seasons.

Yanga have placed significant emphasis on improving squad depth ahead of their continental campaign, with the club looking to assemble a team capable of competing both locally and against Africa’s top clubs.

Zakouani’s background in the French football system and his experience in Saudi Arabia match the profile of players the champions are targeting as they strengthen their squad.

The Comoros player becomes one of several new additions expected at Yanga as Mngqithi continues shaping his team for the new season.

With expectations high following another league triumph, Yanga supporters will hope Zakouani can quickly adapt to Tanzanian football and become a key figure in the club’s pursuit of more domestic success and a stronger CAF Champions League campaign.

Mainland Tanzania Premier League defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) are planning a move for experienced Namibian striker Peter Shalulile as they seek to strengthen their striking force ahead of the 2026/2027 season.

Sources within the club have revealed that Yanga’s top management has already initiated early negotiations with both Shalulile and his South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns, in an effort to secure the services of the prolific forward.

The move comes at a crucial time for Yanga, who are looking to bolster their squad for both domestic competitions and the Caf Champions League campaign. At present, the Jangwani-based side has only two available strikers in its senior squad: Laurindo ‘Depu’ Aurélio and newly signed Hussein Mihambo, who joined the club from Mashujaa FC during the current transfer window. Yanga’s striking department has been significantly weakened following the departure of dependable Zimbabwean striker Prince Dube, who recently left the club to join Hardrock FC of Zimbabwe. Dube was an important figure in Yanga’s attack and played a key role in the team’s success over the past seasons. The situation has been further complicated by the injury setback suffered by young forward Clement Mzize. Reports indicate that Mzize is yet to make a full recovery and is expected to regain match fitness only in November, leaving Yanga with limited options in the attacking department for the opening months of the new season.

A source close to the club confirmed that Yanga are actively searching for a striker capable of leading the line in both local and continental competitions.

‘Top management is working on the matter. Soon we will give what is going on. But we are searching for a striker ahead of both local competitions and the CAF Champions League,’ said the source.

Shalulile, one of Africa’s most experienced and decorated strikers, has built an impressive reputation during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Namibian international has been instrumental in Sundowns’ dominance of South African football, helping the club win multiple Premier Soccer League titles and competing regularly in the CAF Champions League.

Known for his pace, movement, and clinical finishing, Shalulile would bring a wealth of experience to Yanga’s attack if the deal materialises. His arrival would also provide coach Manqoba Mngqithi with a proven goalscorer capable of handling the demands of both the Mainland Premier League and the high-pressure environment of continental football.

Africa’s richest industrialist just placed two very different investments in two neighbouring countries, and the split tells sophisticated capital more about East African competitiveness than either deal does on its own.

At State House in Dar es Salaam, Aliko Dangote laid out a project pipeline for Tanzania that goes well beyond the cement plant that has anchored his presence there for years. On the table: a 2,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant, a urea fertiliser complex, new port infrastructure, a special trade zone, a 40-kilometre concrete access road, and an 812-kilometre transport corridor linking Mtwara to Mbamba Bay in the south. It builds on an existing $500 million cement operation in Mtwara producing three million tonnes annually and sits inside a wider Dangote Group commitment to deploy $40 billion across the continent over five years. President Samia responded quickly, directing her ministries to open technical discussions and appointing the Minister of Planning and Investment to coordinate formal negotiations, with a Tanzanian delegation expected in Nigeria in the coming weeks.

Read against Dira 2050’s flagship pipeline, this is the kind of signal investment climates are built on: a repeat investor, already embedded in the local economy, choosing to multiply his exposure rather than simply maintain it.

For DFIs and sovereign funds weighing Tanzania against its regional peers, that is a data point worth more than most communiques.

But the same meeting carried a second story, and it belongs to Kenya. Dangote’s planned East African refinery, long discussed as a Tanga project, will now be built at Lamu instead.

President Samia has clarified that her administration had not cleared the Tanga plan, and Dangote has since pointed to commercial and technical considerations, chiefly Kenya’s larger domestic fuel consumption base, as the deciding factor.

He has invited Tanzania to take an equity stake in the Lamu asset rather than host it. That is a generous offer, and a real one. It is also a reminder that anchor investment decisions of this scale are won on feedstock logistics, demand depth, and regulatory readiness well before they are won on diplomatic goodwill.

The two outcomes are not a simple win and loss. Tanzania secures upstream capacity across power, fertiliser and ports, precisely the infrastructure a manufacturing and mining economy needs to move up the value chain.

Kenya secures a strategically significant downstream energy security asset. Both governments got something real. What the split does confirm is that Dangote, like any investor deploying capital at this scale, is running the same siting discipline his peers apply everywhere: proximity to demand, cost of logistics, and speed of regulatory clearance decide where the largest tickets land, not the strength of the relationship alone.

For investors watching Tanzania specifically, three things are worth tracking before treating this as done. First, everything announced remains at the stage of technical and legal review. Implementation is explicitly contingent on ministries checking the proposals against legal, policy and development priorities, and formal negotiations have not yet concluded.

Second, a 2,000-megawatt coal-fired plant is a financing question as much as an engineering one. Development finance institutions and export credit agencies have moved decisively away from coal in the past five years, which narrows Tanzania’s options to commercial lenders, Dangote’s own balance sheet, or bilateral financing from markets less constrained by coal-exclusion policies.

That detail matters for anyone modelling how this gets built, and it sits awkwardly beside Tanzania’s parallel push to position itself as a regional hub for green investment. Third, the power plant and fertiliser complex will need offtake agreements, land arrangements and local content compliance worked out in detail, the same categories of commitment that determine whether ambitious announcements in Tanzania become operating assets or remain permanently at the memorandum stage.

None of this diminishes the significance of the announcement. A repeat investor choosing to expand rather than exit is itself a credible signal, and one Tanzania’s competitors would be glad to receive. But the discipline that separates a signed memorandum from a functioning power plant is the same discipline that should separate an investor’s enthusiasm from an investor’s due diligence.

The gap between the two is where the real work, and the real risk, sits.

Tanzania’s flagship pipeline under Dira 2050 will keep attracting announcements of this size. The question worth asking of each one, this deal included, is not whether the investor believes in the country, but whether the terms on offer can clear the financing, regulatory and offtake hurdles that stand between a State House meeting and a plant that produces power.

The East African Community (EAC) has operationalised its Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen the region’s capacity for virus research, specialised laboratory training and disease surveillance.

The facility, hosted by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe, Uganda, was officially launched on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, by Uganda’s Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabbanja, on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.

The centre is expected to serve as the region’s leading hub for advanced virology research, laboratory diagnostics, scientific training, disease surveillance and knowledge sharing, enabling EAC partner states to better prepare for and respond to public health threats, including Ebola, Marburg and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases. Launching the centre, Ms Nabbanja described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening regional health security, saying East Africa must continue investing in scientific research and innovation to address evolving disease threats.

‘The world is changing rapidly, together with its health challenges. We have learnt that a nation capable of studying its own pathogens is a self-reliant nation. Uganda remains committed to increasing investment in research,’ she said.

The EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, said the establishment of the centre came at a critical time when infectious diseases continued to pose serious risks across the region and beyond.

She said lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that diseases do not respect national borders, making regional cooperation essential in preventing and responding to outbreaks.

Ms Kadaga added that although EAC partner states had strengthened their laboratory systems in recent years, disparities in technical expertise, infrastructure and resources remained.

She said the new centre would bridge those gaps by promoting scientific collaboration, specialised training and the sharing of expertise among partner states.

Representing the EAC Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Mr Ariik Malueth said the centre was among seven Regional Medical Diagnostic Centres of Excellence identified under the EAC Health Investment Priority Framework 2018-2028, approved by the 19th Summit of EAC Heads of State.

He said the centre would ensure specialised scientific knowledge developed in one partner state became a shared regional resource benefiting all East Africans.

‘Uganda’s selection reflects the Uganda Virus Research Institute’s internationally recognised expertise and decades of contribution to virus research, disease surveillance and outbreak response,’ he said.

UVRI Director, Prof Pontiano Kaleebu, said the institute was committed to supporting regional health security through cutting-edge virology research, specialised laboratory training, diagnostics, surveillance and scientific collaboration.

He noted that UVRI already played a regional role by confirming laboratory samples submitted by partner states before disease outbreaks were officially declared, ensuring public health decisions were guided by scientific evidence.

The operationalisation of the centre has been supported through the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project, with financial support from the German government through KfW and technical assistance from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM).

Uganda’s KfW country director, Jan Alber, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting East Africa’s health security, saying stronger laboratory systems and scientific partnerships were essential for building resilient health systems capable of responding to future disease outbreaks.

The legal saga involving University of Dodoma (Udom) lecturer Melkisedeki Kaijage has taken a new turn after prosecutors upgraded his charge to terrorism.

Mr Kaijage has been in police custody since July 8, 2026, when he was initially arrested for allegedly inciting public protests, an offence for which he was denied bail.

In response, the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association (Udomasa) filed an application seeking his release on bail, which was heard on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Following the hearing regarding the July 7 incitement allegations, the court issued guidelines enabling Mr Kaijage to secure bail.

However, as defence lawyers and Udomasa officials processed the court judgment to execute his release, authorities substituted the charge.

Udomasa Chairman, Dr Gerald Shija, confirmed that the academic now faces a non-bailable terrorism charge and has been transferred from police custody to Isanga Prison.

‘Yesterday, we received information that Mr Kaijage was taken to court. Upon arrival, we discovered he had already been remanded on a new charge of terrorism,’ said Dr Shija.

The severe charge presents significant legal hurdles for his family and colleagues regarding bail eligibility.

Mr Kaijage is widely regarded among peers as a popular lecturer who maintains strong rapport with students, an influence colleagues attribute to his engaging teaching methods rather than political mobilisation.

Unguja. Zanzibar has stepped up efforts to strengthen early childhood development (ECD), describing investment in childcare, nutrition and early learning as critical to building a skilled and productive future workforce.

Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, representing President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, made the remarks yesterday during the launch of the Zanzibar Multisectoral Early Childhood Development Programme (ZMSECDP) 2026-2031 and the opening of the Stanbic Bank Tanzania-funded Mwanakwerekwe Early Childhood Development Centre.

He commended Stanbic Bank for supporting Zanzibar’s ECD agenda and called on other financial institutions and private sector players to support similar initiatives.

“We commend Stanbic Bank for this strategic investment and its continued support for socio-economic development not only in Zanzibar but across Tanzania,” Mr Abdulla said.

The Sh500 million facility, named the Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi Childcare Centre, is among the first projects under the Adopt an ECD Centre Initiative, a partnership involving the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Stanbic Bank Tanzania and Save the Children International.

Located at Mwanakwerekwe Market, the centre will provide childcare, early learning, nutrition, healthcare and child protection services for up to 60 children daily, particularly benefiting traders and working parents. State Minister in the President’s Office and Acting Minister for Health, Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, said implementation of the five-year ZMSECDP programme will require Sh205.2 billion, to be mobilised through the government, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania Chief Financial and Value Officer Derick Lugemala said the project was an investment in people and Zanzibar’s future rather than corporate philanthropy. He said the remaining Sh150 million from the bank’s Sh500 million commitment would support additional ECD centres across Zanzibar.

“The centre demonstrates what can be achieved when government, business and development partners unite to strengthen families, empower communities and unlock the potential of the next generation,” Mr Lugemala said.

The initiative aligns with Zanzibar Development Vision 2050, which identifies human capital development as a key driver of long-term socio-economic transformation.

A total of 258 patients diagnosed with conditions requiring surgery and specialised treatment during the Phase Three Medical Camp in Arusha will receive these services free of charge.

The announcement was made on Thursday, July 23, 2026, by Arusha Urban Member of Parliament Paul Makonda, who coordinated the initiative, stating that organisers will collaborate with stakeholders to cover all medical expenses.

During the camp held from July 13 to 21, 2026, 28,871 citizens accessed health services, with 258 identified as needing specialised referrals and surgery for serious conditions, including tumours, cancer, and cardiovascular ailments. Mr Makonda, who is also noted that most affected patients come from low-income families unable to afford procedures, prompting the organising committee to intervene.

‘Patients attended seeking diagnoses, only to learn they required complex, costly surgeries. It would be unjust to leave them without assistance,’ said Mr Makonda.

He assured that the committee will track each patient through the referral process until full recovery.

‘We will support them through this secondary phase of care to restore their health and enable them to resume economic activities,’ he added, appealing to health institutions and donors for support.

The camp engaged 520 healthcare providers, including medical specialists and super-specialists from across the country, alongside 200 support staff.

Screenings revealed high rates of non-communicable diseases: 6,030 individuals were diagnosed with hypertension, including 1,930 newly identified cases placed on immediate care.

Additionally, 6,297 people were screened for diabetes, with 554 diagnosed with elevated blood sugar levels and enrolled in treatment.

Mr Makonda urged men to prioritise routine prostate health checks, noting that participation remains low despite rising cases.

Services encompassed cardiology, oncology, paediatrics, gynaecology, orthopaedics, nephrology, and mental health care, alongside cervical and breast cancer screenings.

Surplus medical supplies valued at Sh89.88 million and Sh154 million in cash donations will be retained to sustain local services.

Arusha District Medical Officer, Dr Nindwa Maduhu, confirmed that the remaining supplies will be distributed to district health centres, with referrals commencing immediately.

Tanzania has reaffirmed the importance of its long-standing defence partnership with China, saying the cooperation has strengthened the country’s security capabilities through military training, technology transfer and capacity building.

Speaking during celebrations marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday, the Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Rhimo Nyansaho, said the partnership had become a cornerstone of bilateral relations. He said defence cooperation between the two countries dates back to the era of Tanzania’s founding President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and China’s Chairman Mao Zedong, and has continued to grow under President Hassan and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beyond defence, the relationship has expanded to education, health, infrastructure and other areas of development, he said.