Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Transporters and traders have raised concerns over new domestic cargo charges introduced at Tanzania’s ports, warning that the revised rates will significantly increase the cost of doing business and eventually push up prices for consumers.

The new tariff book released by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) came into force on March 8, 2025, replacing the previous schedule that had been in use since March 2013. The authority says the changes are necessary to finance major infrastructure upgrades, improve efficiency and strengthen environmental protection at the ports. However, stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector argue that the charges are too high and were implemented too quickly, leaving businesses with little time to adjust.

Some also claim the level of consultation was insufficient, despite TPA insisting that discussions were held with stakeholders before approval by the regulator, the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation. TPA Director General Plasduce Mbossa said the new rates will enable the authority to construct 18 new berths within 24 months and expand cargo handling capacity, which he said will reduce delays and other costs in the long run.

“After these investments, storage delays will be minimised and port users will benefit from improved efficiency. The tariffs were last reviewed more than a decade ago, so the adjustment was unavoidable,” he said, adding that the new charges were benchmarked against those of neighbouring countries.

But transporters say the immediate impact is severe. The director of Dar Planet Logistics Limited, Philibert Msacky, said the introduction of new levies has sharply increased clearance costs.

“They have introduced an infrastructure improvement levy of 0.09 percent of CIF value and an environmental management charge depending on the type and size of cargo.

This has pushed port costs close to, or even higher than, the value of the goods in some cases,” he said. According to him, under the environmental charge a 20-foot container now pays $50 (Sh128,970) while a 40-foot container pays $100 (Sh255,900).

General cargo is charged $0.25 per tonne, while vehicles are charged $1 per cubic metre. Mr Msacky said one container that previously cost Sh925,848 to clear now requires about Sh3.8 million, while some transporters have reported vehicle charges rising from Sh230,000 to Sh1.2 million and others from Sh500,000 to Sh3.4 million.

Transporters warn that such increases will inevitably be passed on to importers, manufacturers and ultimately consumers, raising the cost of goods in the domestic market. However, the chairman of the Tanzania Shipping Agents Association, Daniel Malongo, said the objective of the new tariff structure is to speed up port operations and reduce vessel waiting time.

“This tariff book has been under preparation for more than six months. The aim is to improve port infrastructure, build new berths and strengthen the digital management system so that services become faster and more reliable,” he said.

He added that the previous tariff had remained unchanged for more than 10 years, making the revision overdue, and noted that the new charges will bring Tanzania’s port costs closer to those of neighbouring countries. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has strengthened its position as an attractive destination for mining investment after ranking 34th out of 68 jurisdictions worldwide in the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2025. The improvement is driven largely by its strong mineral potential and gradual improvements in the policy environment.

The survey, which is widely used by global investors to assess mining destinations, also places Tanzania fourth in Africa, behind Botswana, Morocco and Zambia on the Investment Attractiveness Index, a ranking influenced by both geological prospects and the regulatory framework governing the sector. According to the report released last week, Tanzania’s overall score rose to 68.04 in 2025, up from 62.75 in 2024 and 46.38 in 2023, reflecting growing investor confidence supported by rich mineral resources, expanding exploration activity and ongoing policy reforms.

The Fraser Institute index combines two key measures: the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index, which evaluates the quality and availability of mineral resources, and the Policy Perception Index, which captures investor views on regulations, taxation, licensing systems and overall stability of the investment climate. Tanzania’s high ranking was largely driven by its strong performance on mineral potential, where it placed 15th globally with a score of 75.00, highlighting the country’s significant endowment of gold, graphite, nickel, rare earth elements and other strategic minerals that are increasingly in demand worldwide.

The report also shows a modest improvement in Tanzania’s policy perception score, which rose to 57.61 in 2025 from 55.41 in 2024, signalling improving investor sentiment about the operating environment following regulatory adjustments and efforts to enhance transparency in the sector. The 2025 survey was distributed to 2,304 senior executives in mining and exploration companies worldwide, with 256 responses used to assess 68 jurisdictions.

Participating firms reported a combined $4.2 billion in exploration spending, making the survey a key indicator of global mining investment trends. The latest ranking comes as Tanzania continues to position mining as a central pillar of economic transformation through expanded exploration, stronger oversight systems and policies aimed at increasing local participation while maintaining investor confidence.

A professor at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Department of Geology and former Deputy Minister for Minerals, Shukrani Manya, said Tanzania’s strong showing reflects both its natural resource base and reforms introduced in recent years to improve governance in the sector. “The policy framework for investment in the mining sector is clear, and regulations governing small-scale miners are transparent.

This has helped reduce conflicts between small-scale operators and large investors,” he said. According to Prof Manya, the 2018 mining legislation introduced reforms that strengthened state oversight while creating more opportunities for Tanzanians to participate in the industry.

“The reforms placed strong emphasis on local content, enabling Tanzanians and other stakeholders to benefit more directly from developments in the industry,” he explained. He said that improved regulation, together with the establishment of mineral markets across the country, has increased transparency and helped formalise trading activities that were previously conducted informally.

“Mineral markets have aligned trading practices with global standards, opened up better business opportunities for small-scale miners and helped increase their earnings,” he said. Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Chamber of Mines, Benjamin Mchwampaka, said Tanzania’s ranking reflects the balance between strong geology and a policy environment that is improving but still has room for further reform.

“About 60 percent of investment decisions are influenced by mineral potential and 40 percent by policy and the legal framework. Tanzania scores highly on geological potential, particularly for critical minerals such as graphite, rare earths, nickel and lithium, which are attracting growing global demand,” he said.

He noted, however, that Tanzania still trails leading African destinations such as Botswana on policy perception, meaning further regulatory stability and consistency will be important to sustain investor confidence. .

Dar es Salaam. The Minister for Finance, Mr Khamis Mussa Omar, has urged financial institutions to take a more proactive role in supporting the implementation of Tanzania Development Vision 2050, saying the sector will be pivotal in driving the country’s long-term economic transformation.

Mr Omar made the call during a special iftar event hosted by the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) for its customers and stakeholders in Dar es Salaam. The gathering, held at Johari Rotana, brought together NBC clients, government officials and religious leaders.

The bank’s leadership was also present, including board chairman Dr Elirehema Doriye, managing director Mr Theobald Sabi, and other senior executives. Speaking at the event, the minister said the government’s development blueprint aims to build a modern and competitive economy driven by investment, industrialisation, trade and digital innovation.

He said financial institutions, particularly banks, must play a central role in supporting the realisation of the vision by facilitating investment and expanding access to financial services. “Achieving the vision objectives requires the financial sector–especially banks–to play a central role, not only by providing financial services but also by enabling major economic transformation,” he said.

Mr Omar added that the government will continue to create a supportive environment to enable financial institutions to thrive and contribute effectively to the country’s development goals. The minister commended NBC for organising the faith-based gathering, noting that such engagements help to strengthen relations between financial institutions and their customers while fostering social cohesion.

For his part, Dr Doriye said the bank remains committed to maintaining such engagements as part of efforts to strengthen relationships with its stakeholders. He noted that NBC highly values the role played by key partners, including the government and customers, in supporting the bank’s growth and operations.

“We also recognise the role of the Almighty God in enabling us to run institutions that directly impact people’s livelihoods. That is why we encourage citizens to continue praying for our national leaders, as their effectiveness depends greatly on divine guidance and blessings,” he said.

Mr Sabi thanked stakeholders–including the government, religious leaders and customers–for their continued cooperation with the bank. Mr Sabi also highlighted the bank’s Islamic window and other services designed to support small traders, alongside financial solutions tailored for both individual and corporate clients.

“Through the Sharia-compliant services, more than 43,000 customers are currently served under this window, with deposits exceeding Sh80 billion, while financing provided through the same window has surpassed S6 billion,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. Aspirants seeking the presidency and vice presidency of the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) will be required to pay a Sh1 million nomination fee as the national Olympic body prepares for its leadership elections scheduled for April 12 in Dar es Salaam.

The elections were initially scheduled for December 14, 2024, but were later suspended by the government over constitutional issues that required review and amendments. The situation was later resolved after the government, through the Registrar of Clubs and Sports Associations, endorsed amendments to the TOC constitution.

The revised document was also approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), paving the way for the long-awaited polls. Chairman of the TOC Election Committee, Ibrahim Mkwawa, said yesterday that a total of 12 positions will be contested during the organisation’s General Assembly.

According to Mkwawa, the positions include the President, Vice President and 10 Executive Committee members who will form the governing body of the organisation for the next term. He explained that, apart from paying the Sh1 million nomination fee, candidates seeking the presidency and vice presidency must possess at least a bachelor’s degree.

Meanwhile, candidates contesting for positions on the Executive Committee will be required to pay a nomination fee of Sh500,000 and must have a minimum academic qualification of Ordinary Secondary Education (Form Four). Mkwawa further noted that the composition of the 10-member Executive Committee will reflect the structure of the Union, with equal representation from both sides.

Five members will come from Tanzania Mainland while the other five will represent Zanzibar. He also revealed a significant change in the leadership structure, noting that the Secretary General position will no longer be filled through elections.

Instead, the role will now be filled through a professional recruitment process. The post is currently held by renowned former middle-distance runner Filbert Bayi, who has been serving as the committee’s Secretary General.

Mkwawa said nomination forms will be available from March 14 at the TOC headquarters in Dar es Salaam and at the main library in Zanzibar to allow interested candidates from across the country to collect and submit their applications. He added that the election committee will receive appeals from April 1 to April 3.

Decisions on the appeals will be issued on April 4 by the Appeals Committee chaired by Richard Sinamtwa, alongside members Georgina Mulebya and Jamal Nassor Adi, popularly known as Karume. The upcoming elections are expected to attract candidates from various national sports federations and stakeholders across the country as the Olympic body prepares to elect leaders who will guide its activities and development programmes in the coming years.

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Dar es Salaam. The government is restructuring the long-awaited KibahaChalinze expressway project to eliminate historic delays and accelerate implementation.

Officials describe the venture as a linchpin for national infrastructure that will support Tanzania’s ambitious drive toward a $1 trillion economy. Speaking at a national dialogue on PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPP) at the University of Dar es Salaam on March 9, 2026, the Executive Director of the PPP Centre (PPPC), Mr David Kafulila, confirmed that the project is undergoing a strategic overhaul.

This move follows years of procedural stagnation and mismatched expectations between the state and private bidders. The 78.9-kilometre section is a critical component of the Dar es SalaamChalinzeMorogoro corridor.

As one of the country’s most congested routes, it serves as the primary artery linking the commercial capital to the lake zones and landlocked neighbouring states. Once completed, the road will operate under a toll system, allowing private investors to recoup construction costs through user fees.

“This is a vital project for the movement of people and goods,” Mr Kafulila stated. “Despite past delays, the government is now employing a special arrangement to move the project forward at a faster pace.

” The project’s history has been marked by significant procurement hurdles since preparations began in 2017. Initial feasibility studies conducted by Korean and South African consultants drew interest from nine international firms. After rigorous evaluation, the pool narrowed to three Chinese finalists.

However, the process faltered when two firms failed to submit necessary documentation, leaving a single bidder, SBRG, in the final negotiations. This lack of competition created a strategic disadvantage for the state.

“When negotiations started, there was no second bidder to provide an alternative,” Mr Kafulila explained. Financial discrepancies further stalled progress.

The remaining investor proposed a budget exceeding $900 million (approx. Sh2.4 trillion), far surpassing the government’s internal estimate of $560 million (approx.

Sh1.5 trillion). “Certain cost items appeared exaggerated, making it impossible to proceed with the same investor under those terms,” Mr Kafulila noted.

To resolve this impasse, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Works have intervened to explore fresh investor arrangements. As Tanzania’s first major PPP highway, the project is viewed as a litmus test for future infrastructure financing.

During the same forum, the Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, highlighted that such infrastructure is central to the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2026/272030/31). This plan aims to set Tanzania on a trajectory to reach a $1 trillion GDP by 2050. “We have identified four major priorities, including macroeconomic stability and structural reforms that empower the private sector to drive growth,” Prof Mkumbo said.

National economic growth rose to six percent in 2025, with projections hitting 6.3 percent this year.

The government targets 10.5 percent annual growth by 2031 through strict fiscal discipline and infrastructure strengthening. To fund these development priorities by 2031, Tanzania requires approximately S77.7 trillion ($183 billion).

The government expects the private sector to provide 70 percent of this capital, making successful PPP frameworks like the Kibaha expressway essential. Private sector leaders have welcomed the restructuring but emphasised the need for policy consistency.

The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Director of Policy and Planning, Ms Mwanahamisi Hussein, urged the government to continue refining the investment climate. She also called for increased investment in local expertise to manage these complex, large-scale engineering and financial models.

The successful delivery of the KibahaChalinze stretch is expected to pave the way for a modern expressway network eventually connecting Dar es Salaam directly to the capital, Dodoma. .

By Hawa Urungu Investment conversations in Tanzania have long centred on priority sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, and energy. Policy debates frequently focus on tax incentives, regulatory reforms, infrastructure expansion and export competitiveness.

Agriculture remains central to this discussion, contributing roughly a quarter of national GDP and employing nearly two-thirds of the population, according to official statistics. It anchors rural livelihoods, food security, and value chain development.

Yet the stability of the backbone sector can no longer be assumed. Recently, the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt), together with the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), convened two complementary discussions that sought answers for a critical question: how can the resilience of Tanzania’s agricultural sector strengthen investment confidence? The first stakeholder discussion held on February 24, 2026 in Dodoma emphasised an important perspective.

Tanzania generates a significant amount of environmental data through research, satellite systems, and policy frameworks. However, the challenge lies in converting that data into structured insights that can inform capital decisions.

Financial institutions need clear signals to assess risk accurately. Without this structured visibility, risk premiums remain high, leading to more cautious capital investment.

The Landscape Resilience Index (LRI), introduced under IUCN’s SUSTAIN initiative, aims to bridge this gap by incorporating indicators of land, water, and adaptive capacity into measurable baselines. It consolidates factors such as soil fertility, water quality and availability, biodiversity, the adoption of sustainable land management practices, productivity trends, and socio-economic vulnerability into a resilience profile.

This transformation turns fragmented environmental information into a cohesive decision-support framework. The second dialogue, held on February 26, 2026 in Dar es Salaam, examined how agricultural value chains can attract capital when risk is properly structured.

This roundtable anchored the environmental logic within AGCOT’s expanded four-corridor strategy, which now extends across Southern, Northern, Central, and Mtwara corridors. The targets are ambitious: 350,000 hectares under profitable production, 420,000 jobs, $3.5 billion in catalysed investment and two million people lifted out of poverty by 2030. The model has detailed proof of concept.

What remains constrained is affordable finance. Bank representatives from ABSA, NBC, TADB, BRAC, and CRDB described a rational but restrictive lending environment, whereas agricultural loans compete internally against 15 percent risk-free treasury bonds.

The dialogue highlighted opportunities to further refine agricultural finance frameworks, particularly by tailoring products more closely to seasonal cash flows and production cycles. Together, these dialogues established that Tanzania does not lack opportunity, farmer readiness, or environmental data.

The central challenge lies in aligning sustainability metrics, corridor planning, and financial architecture into a coherent investment framework. Both discussions converged on a single insight that Tanzania’s agricultural transformation requires dual integration.

First, ecological resilience must be embedded within investment screening. The LRI and field data provide tools to price risk more accurately.

Second, financial architecture must adapt to on-ground realities. Grace periods, seasonal repayment schedules, cooperative governance training, and blended finance structures are prerequisites for scale.

Sustainability and capital are interdependent. Without financing, sustainable models struggle to scale.

Without sustainability, investment outcomes are exposed to long-term risk. Tanzania’s agricultural growth narrative depends on productive, investable and resilient landscapes.

These two engagements emphasised that sustainable agriculture is commercially viable when risk is structured, data is translated and finance is aligned to ecological realities. Investment will continue to flow where confidence exists.

The task ahead is to ensure that confidence is anchored in resilience. Hawa Urungu is Head of Projects at the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania .

Dar es Salaam. Apple Music has announced Tanzanian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Vanillah as the latest artist to be featured in its Up Next artist development programme in East Africa.

The Mwanza-raised performer, born Fanuel Phabian Peter and also known by the alias “Spana,” said the recognition marks an important milestone in his musical journey. “I feel so happy to be part of Apple Music’s Up Next, because not everyone gets an opportunity like this.

It is a wonderful thing, and it shows the growth and maturity of our work being able to reach every corner of the world,” said Vanillah. He also promised fans fresh music and exciting content in the near future.

“To my fans: you can look forward to great new music with a unique flavour. Get ready, because you are going to receive content that you will truly enjoy,” he added.

Known for blending Bongo Flava with Afro-pop influences, Vanillah has been steadily reshaping the East African music landscape with his soulful sound and heartfelt storytelling. Before stepping into the spotlight as a recording artist, Vanillah built a reputation behind the scenes as a songwriter and instrumentalist.

He contributed to several projects, including the hit song “Utu” by Tanzanian star Alikiba. His breakthrough came after winning the Super Nyota competition in 2019, which paved the way for him to join Kings Music Records.

Since then, the talented vocalist and guitarist has continued to grow his fan base, earning recognition for his polished production, strong vocals and emotional depth. As the newest Up Next artist in East Africa, Vanillah will be prominently featured across Apple Music’s Up Next playlist and related promotional platforms.

The global Up Next programme has previously highlighted several internationally acclaimed artists including Billie Eilish, H.E.

R., Khalid, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, Bad Bunny, Tems and Rema, among others.

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Dar es Salaam. The government has tasked the new board of the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) with strengthening oversight of higher education institutions to safeguard academic standards and improve the quality of graduates.

The directive was issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, during the inauguration of the Commission’s board for the 20262029 term in Dar es Salaam on March 6, 2026. Prof Mkenda said the Commission has a central role in ensuring universities maintain standards at a time when concerns about graduate quality remain part of public debate. He said improving the credibility of university education is a key part of wider reforms, including the ongoing curriculum review and the implementation of the Education and Training Policy 2014 (Edition 2023).

“The Commission carries a major responsibility of protecting the quality of higher education and maintaining public trust in our universities,” said Prof Mkenda. “If quality supervision is weak, the consequences can affect the economy and public safety.

” He cited professional training, including medicine, as an example of why strict standards must be maintained. “If we lower standards simply to produce more doctors, the result could be serious mistakes in hospitals,” he said.

“Training professionals requires qualified lecturers, laboratories, equipment and strong ethics.” Prof Mkenda said improving university quality must be linked to reforms across the entire education system.

“University graduates become teachers and professionals in other sectors, but their journey starts at early education. Quality must be built at every level,” he said.

The government has expanded higher education infrastructure in recent years, with new campuses planned or under development in several regions, including those linked to the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma and Mzumbe University. Prof Mkenda said the expansion should reflect labour market needs, with universities encouraged to introduce more technical and vocational programmes alongside academic degrees.

“We must maintain academic standards while also strengthening technical training so that graduates have skills required in the economy,” he said. TCU board chairperson Prof Makenya Maboko said the Commission will prioritise stronger internal quality assurance systems across universities.

“Our responsibility is strategic. We must ensure university education remains credible, competitive and aligned with labour market needs,” he said.

TCU executive secretary Prof Charles Kihampa said the regulator will also strengthen engagement with institutions and investors seeking to establish new universities. “The Commission must regulate but also guide investors so that new institutions meet required standards while expanding opportunities for students,” he said.

Prof Mkenda said expansion of higher education must not come at the expense of quality, urging the Commission to enforce regulations while supporting institutions. “TCU should guide universities and help them improve, but this must be done without weakening standards,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. Gate Manager at the Dar es Salaam port terminal Bona Felix says leadership in logistics is not defined by gender but by competence, discipline and vision.

Bona, who has 14 years of experience in port and terminal operations, currently oversees gate operations at Terminal One, which is among the most critical control points in the logistics chain. Her responsibilities include managing truck flow, coordinating traffic and ensuring compliance to keep cargo moving efficiently in a high-pressure environment traditionally dominated by men.

“Being a woman in this field has strengthened my resilience, leadership and commitment to excellence,” she says. “I am proud to represent women who continue to break barriers in logistics and port operations, proving that competence, discipline and dedication have no gender.

” In the fast-paced world of port and terminal operations where precision, discipline and coordination determine the flow of global trade few roles carry as much responsibility as managing the gate. At the centre of this demanding environment stands a leader whose journey reflects resilience, mastery and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence.

Bona began her career as a Documentation Controller in the Control and Planning section, where she built a strong foundation in cargo documentation, compliance systems and operational planning. “Rather than rushing through positions, I intentionally mastered each step of the logistics chain,” she explains.

Her career progressed through several key operational roles, including Warehouse Supervisor at KICD, Permit and Booking Supervisor and Gate Supervisor, before she rose to her current position as Gate Manager in Port and Terminal Operations at TEAGTL. “I did not skip levels I mastered them,” she says.

“Each role deepened my understanding of cargo flow, compliance systems, truck coordination and team leadership.” Today, alongside managing complex gate operations, Bona also serves as Chairperson of Women in Logistics Africa (WILA) Tanzania, where she champions the advancement of women in the logistics sector.

Port and logistics operations have long been male-dominated fields. Entering this space as a woman required not only competence but also the determination to prove it consistently.

“In high-pressure environments, women are often tested more rigorously, questioned more frequently and observed more closely,” she reflects. Her strategy for overcoming these challenges was straightforward: let results speak for themselves.

By immersing herself in operational systems, mastering performance data and strictly adhering to standard operating procedures, she built credibility through consistency. Over time, her technical knowledge, calm leadership under pressure and fairness earned the respect of colleagues across departments.

“In terminal operations, performance is the ultimate currency. Once people witness consistency and knowledge, respect follows naturally.

” As Gate Manager, Bona oversees the coordination of truck flow, compliance checks and operational efficiency under intense pressure. Her leadership philosophy is built on structure, clarity and discipline.

She emphasises clear instructions, structured coordination and strict adherence to operational procedures, supported by real-time monitoring of truck flow and turnaround times. While discipline remains non-negotiable, she believes motivation is equally essential.

“A motivated team will always outperform a fearful one,” she says. “When people understand the purpose behind the urgency, they cooperate more effectively and take ownership of their roles.

” Her leadership is grounded in four core principles: integrity, operational safety, accountability and respect. “Integrity means doing what is right always.

Operational safety means protecting people and assets without compromise. Accountability means owning every outcome, whether success or setback.

And respect means treating every stakeholder with dignity,” she explains. “In terminal operations, shortcuts don’t save time they create congestion and invite risk.

I believe in doing things correctly the first time, every time.” One defining moment in her career came during a period of intense vessel pressure and peak congestion at the terminal, when operations faced mounting delays.

Through coordinated leadership with planning teams, ground crews, truck drivers and inland container depots, she helped stabilise the flow of cargo. “It was a moment where everything came together systems knowledge, teamwork and decisive leadership,” she recalls.

“That was when I realised I was no longer simply participating in the industry; I was leading it.” Beyond operations, Bona is passionate about mentorship and representation, believing that creating opportunities for the next generation is an important part of leadership.

“When younger women see someone who advanced through competence and resilience, it builds confidence in their own potential,” she says. As Chairperson of WILA Tanzania, she also advocates for stronger networks of support among women in logistics.

“When women support one another, we elevate not just individuals, but the entire logistics industry.” For Bona, the future of logistics depends on diversity in leadership.

“Women bring strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, meticulous attention to detail and resilience–qualities that are essential in logistics environments where precision matters,” she says. Her journey from a documentation desk to managing the gate of a major terminal demonstrates that leadership in logistics is not defined by gender, but by competence, discipline and vision.

And for the next generation of women watching from the sidelines of the port yard, her message is simple: there is space for you here and you can rise. .

Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has assured the public that the country’s payment systems are secure, fully operational, and protected against fraud and cyber threats.

Speaking during the BoT Iftar, the central bank’s Governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, said all banking payment systems are functioning normally and continue to support economic activity across the country. “Our payment systems are operating well, and there has been no hacking in any banks,” Tutuba said.

“Security teams are monitoring fraud and cyber threats, particularly from individuals with malicious intentions.” He stressed that responsible financial behaviour among borrowers is essential for maintaining stability in the financial sector.

Reports show that Tanzanian banks are laying the foundations for artificial intelligence (AI) to detect fraud, automate operations, and improve customer services, while addressing a rise in cyber-attacks targeting financial institutions across East Africa. Tanzania’s banks are implementing AI-driven solutions for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, personalisation, and automation, supported by robust and well-connected infrastructure.

“If people follow ethical practices, including borrowing and repaying loans on time, it will reduce financial risks and allow financial resources to be used more effectively for development,” Tutuba said. The governor said Tanzania’s economy remains resilient due to sound economic policies and stable leadership.

“Our economy continues to perform steadily because of effective economic policies and a stable financial system,” he said, noting that the financial sector has adequate capital and liquidity to support growth. Data presented during the event showed Tanzania’s economy grew by about six percent in 2025, while Zanzibar recorded growth of around 6.

8 percent. “Mainland Tanzania is expected to grow by about 6.

3 percent in 2026, while Zanzibar’s economy could expand by around 7.2 percent,” Tutuba added.

He attributed the positive outlook to effective monetary and fiscal policies, improvements in the business environment, and rising export earnings. “We are seeing steady performance in key sectors such as tourism and exports of gold, cashew nuts, and coffee,” he said.

On gold sales, Tutuba said the central bank occasionally sells part of its reserves to maintain foreign exchange liquidity, manage reserve diversification, and support macroeconomic stability. The governor also highlighted the importance of unity and ethical conduct during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Ramadan reminds us to strengthen integrity, compassion, and cooperation in our society,” he said. “These values are important not only for social harmony but also for building a trustworthy economy.

” Temeke Municipal Council Mayor Uzairu Abdul Athumani urged citizens to respect their tax obligations, saying it supports roads, schools, hospitals, and national development. “When citizens contribute honestly, the government can deliver services to all.

Let us pay our taxes willingly and on time, because a strong nation is built by responsible taxpayers working together for Tanzania’s future.” .