Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is steadily weakening the effectiveness of essential medicines, threatening decades of medical progress and straining health systems already struggling to treat routine infections.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Janabi, said signs of the growing threat are evident across the continent, from village clinics to referral hospitals, where patients increasingly battle infections that no longer respond to treatment, resulting in prolonged hospital stays and rising costs for households and governments. Prof Janabi delivered the warning during the commemoration of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), held from 2 to 6 December 2025 under the theme Act now, protect our present, secure our future.

According to WHO estimates, antimicrobial-resistant infections caused about 1.14 million deaths globally in 2021, surpassing fatalities from HIV and malaria.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region. “If left unchecked, antimicrobial resistance could push millions into poverty, undermine food systems and reverse decades of progress.

Yet this is a fight we can win if we act with leadership, collaboration and accountability,” Prof Janabi said. WHO cites limited diagnostic capacity, weak infection-prevention systems, inappropriate use of medicines in humans and animals, and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene as major drivers of resistance.

Prof Janabi called on African governments to scale up domestic investment in AMR action plans and laboratory systems, saying increased local financing is essential for sustainability and national ownership. He urged governments to integrate AMR control into primary health care, infection-prevention programmes and universal health coverage strategies, noting that embedding AMR responses in routine services will improve preparedness.

Prof Janabi also highlighted the need to empower frontline health workers–particularly pharmacists and veterinarians–with better training and tools to promote responsible antimicrobial use. Stronger regulation of antimicrobial manufacturing and waste disposal, he said, is vital to prevent environmental contamination.

He further underscored the importance of community engagement to discourage self-medication and ensure adherence to prescribed treatments. Governments, he said, should also work closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to curb misuse of antimicrobials in livestock and crop production.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has renewed its call for increased investment in high-quality tree seeds, underscoring their importance in building resilient forests and meeting Africa’s rising demand for land restoration and industrial timber.

Speaking during the 25th African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC25) meeting on December 3, 2025, in Banjul, Gambia, the Commissioner for Conservation at the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Prof Dos Santos Silayo, held discussions with leading tree genetics expert and TTSA co-founder, Dr Anders Pedersen. Their talks highlighted tree seed science as central to shaping forests capable of withstanding climate change while supporting commercial forestry and industrial growth.

Prof Silayo traced the development of Tanzania’s seed sector, noting that the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency, established in the 1990s with support from Dr Pedersen, has been further strengthened through TFS’s Tree Seed Production Unit. “High-quality seeds are the foundation of resilient forests,” Prof Silayo said, urging investors and restoration partners to prioritise certified seed sources from Tanzania’s accredited facilities.

Dr Pedersen said Africa has a strong opportunity to lead global forest regeneration if it continues investing in research, innovation and improved seed technologies. .

Nairobi. Tanzania has joined more than 170 countries in Nairobi, Kenya, for the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), as the world confronts escalating environmental emergencies and approaches critical ecological thresholds, according to scientists.

UNEA-7 is considering 15 draft resolutions and two draft decisions. Although these outcomes are not legally binding, they regularly shape major multilateral environmental agreements and influence global policy direction.

The Assembly is expected to adopt a ministerial declaration and approve the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Medium-Term Strategy for 20262029, which will define global environmental priorities for the next four years. The meeting, running from December 8 to 12, 2025, is the world’s highest-level environmental decision-making forum and has attracted nearly 6,000 participants, including ministers, scientists, business leaders, youth representatives and civil society organisations.

Opening the session, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said the Assembly must move decisively towards practical, science-based action. “We have the right ideas on the table,” she said, emphasising that many of the draft resolutions directly address the most severe environmental challenges facing the world.

Her remarks highlighted key agenda areas, including artificial intelligence, sustainable minerals and metals, antimicrobial resistance, the global hydrological cycle, deep-sea ecosystems, and chemicals and waste management. Ms Andersen stressed that UNEA is not only a negotiating forum but also a platform for generating momentum and delivering solutions.

“This is where the world gathers beyond the negotiating halls to bring new ideas and accelerate environmental action,” she said. The meeting aims to guide countries towards concrete commitments that strengthen environmental governance, improve coordination among multilateral environmental agreements and speed up implementation.

As part of the UN80 reform initiative, discussions are advancing proposals to streamline reporting requirements and reinforce global cooperation. “We are working to strengthen the global system of environmental governance,” Ms Andersen said, noting that improved coordination would enable faster and more effective responses to environmental threats.

For Tanzania, several draft resolutions are of direct national importance. Deliberations on artificial intelligence are closely watched as countries seek to balance environmental benefits with the significant energy and resource demands of the technology.

Tanzania, which is expanding the digitisation of climate and environmental data, expects these outcomes to guide national policy on responsible use of artificial intelligence. The proposed resolution on sustainable minerals and metals is equally strategic.

Tanzania is positioning itself as a major supplier of critical minerals, including nickel, graphite and rare earth elements, and stronger global frameworks are expected to reinforce environmental safeguards as investment in these sectors increases. The global hydrological cycle is another priority area for Tanzania.

Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts and water-related shocks continue to disrupt agriculture and urban water systems across the country. Management of chemicals and waste remains a serious challenge in rapidly growing urban centres.

International alignment on chemical and waste policies is expected to help Tanzania access financing and technical support to advance its circular economy objectives. Addressing delegates, the President of UNEA-7 and Head of Oman’s Environment Authority, Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri, said the Assembly must deliver decisions that define the world’s environmental direction.

He told delegates that “multilateralism delivers when science, solidarity and solutions are combined”, and said success would depend on adopting implementable resolutions supported by strong follow-up mechanisms, a unifying ministerial declaration and a well-resourced UNEP strategy that enables countries to deliver results. He added that stronger coherence among multilateral environmental agreements, and equitable access to finance and technology, are essential to ensure no country is left behind in building a resilient planet.

While UNEA-7 will not generate legally binding commitments, its resolutions have consistently shaped global environmental priorities. For Tanzania, the Assembly provides a strategic opportunity to advance national environmental interests while aligning with global action to restore ecosystems, reduce pollution and build a climate-resilient economy.

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Dar es Salaam. On December 4, the government announced the placement of 937,581 Standard Seven leavers into public secondary schools.

This was intended to alleviate concerns, end speculation, and reaffirm the State’s commitment to free basic education. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Long before the minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Prof Riziki Shemdoe, declared that “every candidate who scored between 121 and 300 marks has been selected and assigned a government school,” thousands of parents were already frantically pursuing what they considered “better schools.” In this quiet but intense race, private schools–especially those with strong brands and consistent academic results–have emerged as the biggest winners.

Across Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and the Southern Highlands, parents began scrambling for spaces in reputable private schools weeks before the Form One selection list was published. Some parents reported paying up to Sh1 million in non-refundable booking fees just to keep their options open in case their children did not secure a spot in the most sought-after public boarding schools.

“I could not wait for the government,” said Ms Agnes Moses, a mother from Dar es Salaam, who had placed her child on waiting lists at three well-known private schools. “We were told that spaces were disappearing.

They asked for a booking fee of Sh800,000, non-refundable. I had no choice if I wanted quality education for my child,” she added.

Mr Juma Macha, a father from Arusha, described the psychological pressure many families face: “You cannot gamble with your child’s future. The booking fee hurts, but missing a good school hurts more.

” This desperation has also opened doors for scammers. In Mwanza, two parents shared with The Citizen that they lost money to middlemen who claimed to have “connections” in private schools.

“He told us a special list was being prepared. We paid Sh500,000 each.

Then he disappeared,” recounted one victim, Mr Amos Mwita. Private schools, whose examination performance continues to draw demand, say the rush is predictable.

A proprietor of a well-established school in the Coast Region explained: “Parents start calling immediately after the Standard Seven exams. By the time Tamisemi announces the selection, we are already full.

” On the non-refundable booking system, he candidly stated, “It is our brand. Parents trust the results we produce.

During this season, the pressure is intense. The booking system helps us manage the numbers and secure commitment.

” In Dodoma, Dr Annet Msofe, a private school administrator, labeled this period “the busiest and most profitable window” for the sector. “We hire extra staff just to handle inquiries.

Sometimes we receive more than 200 calls a day. Parents want assurance, and we give it, but at a cost,” she said.

According to Prof Shemdoe, the government placed 937,581 students in public schools: 508,477 girls and 429,104 boys. Among these, 3,411 students were selected for vocational boarding secondary schools, and 7,360 secured spaces in national boarding schools.

Only 815 students were placed in elite public schools such as Ilboru, Msalato, Kibaha, Kilakala, Mzumbe, Tabora Boys, and Tabora Girls. The vast majority–925,065 students–were assigned to day secondary schools nationwide.

The minister insisted that “the government made early preparations to ensure all students join Form One by January 13, 2026,” directing regions and councils to ensure smooth enrollment. The confidence gap driving the private school rush Education policy expert Dr Amina Kileo notes that despite universal placement, a significant trust gap remains between ordinary day schools and elite institutions.

“Parents know that out of nearly 938,000 students, only a tiny fraction–just over 800–will enter top public schools. The rest will be distributed across ordinary day schools whose performance varies widely.

That uncertainty pushes parents to look elsewhere,” she explained. Another analyst, Mr Peter Mahenge, cautioned that the rising cost of securing slots in private schools is creating new inequalities.

“Some parents now take loans, sell livestock, or borrow from relatives to secure a place. Education is becoming a commodity,” he observed.

The emotional toll is also substantial. Teachers in some private schools reported instances of parents crying in their offices, pleading for space, while others queued as early as 5 am.

A receptionist in Dar es Salaam stated, “Some parents even beg us to put them on an unofficial waiting list. They do not trust the government list because they want certainty.

” The transition for the 2025/2026 academic year has revealed a widening gap between state guarantees and parental expectations. While the government has achieved 100 percent placement–an extraordinary administrative milestone–parents are signalling that placement alone is not enough.

For now, the private sector remains the biggest beneficiary of this confidence gap. .

Dar es Salaam. Despite being hailed as the year that would transform Tanzania’s startup ecosystem, 2025 is instead turning out to be one of the most challenging fundraising periods for local innovators, forcing the sector to confront uncomfortable questions about what must change going forward.

The Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) had projected that 2025 would be ‘the year of structure, stability and predictable investment inflows,’ driven by the expected completion of the Startup Policy, the operationalisation of the Tanzania Venture Capital Fund and new regulatory incentives that would finally align Tanzania with global startup investment standards. According to TSA Head of Programmes and Operations, Praygod Japhet, 2025 had been anticipated to be a major turning point because key instruments were expected to be in place by June: the Startup Policy, the Sh100 billion Tanzania Venture Capital Fund and regulatory changes allowing venture capital firms to incorporate locally.

TSA believed these reforms would solve historical challenges including lack of capital access, policy ambiguity and absence of structured incubation and mentoring support. Mr Japhet said earlier that finalising the Startup Policy would bring clarity on startup classification, streamline regulatory processes, and open doors for capital access, incubation programmes and incentives.

He further explained that the Tanzania Venture Capital Fund would target high-potential sectors such as agritech, fintech, healthcare, manufacturing and clean energy and would operate under a hybrid publicprivate model to unlock funding gaps that startups have traditionally faced. He noted previously that with these reforms, Tanzania could finally shift from being an ecosystem driven by hope to one driven by structure.

“These are not just documents. They are instruments that finally put Tanzania on the global map for startup investment,” he said earlier.

Optimism meets harsh reality That optimism, however, has met a harsh reality. Data from Africa: The Big Deal shows that as of now, Tanzanian startups have not crossed the $15 million fundraising mark for 2025. The contrast to last year is stark.

In 2024, startups in Tanzania raised a total of $53 million, more than $40 million of which was raised during the third quarter alone, placing Tanzania as the third highest recipient in Africa for that quarter. Across the continent, African startups collectively raised over $2.2 billion by October this year, signalling that Tanzania’s decline is not part of a continental downturn but a local ecosystem setback.

The slowdown is prompting a shift in conversation: not about what went wrong, but what Tanzania must do to stage a strong comeback in 2026. While the government had already expressed its commitment to improving the investment environment, the remarks by the Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, were not fresh statements but part of earlier official explanations about ongoing reforms. Prof Mkumbo said previously that the government is prioritising a conducive investment climate through legal restructuring, policy harmonisation, formation of a national investment fund, and creating smoother processes for investors.

“Our goal is to ensure that Tanzania becomes the easiest place for investors to operate,” he said earlier, noting that investment inflows thrive where processes are predictable and transparent. He also referenced the merger of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) into the new entity Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) as part of that effort.

“We are simplifying the system, one doorway, one authority, one decision path,” Prof Mkumbo said in his earlier remarks. Prof Mkumbo explained that the Investment Act of 2022 would form a basis for investor-friendly engagement and that the planned National Investment Fund would support strategic investments, including startups.

He reiterated that Tanzania’s future growth will depend on changing the mindset of how the country responds to enterprise risk. “We must build a culture that supports innovation, that tolerates intelligent failure, and encourages entrepreneurs to try again,” he said at the time.

He also cited infrastructure improvements such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and transportation networks as part of the country’s broader plan to attract investors. “Infrastructure opens markets.

When you build strong logistics, you reduce costs for investors,” he emphasised. These government commitments form part of the foundation on which Tanzania must now build its startup comeback plan.

Beyond policy, those in the ecosystem argue that for Tanzania to recover from this funding dip, structural –not symbolic — changes must be made. CEO of Sahara Ventures, Jumanne Mtambalike told The Citizen that Tanzania’s decline is a reminder that ecosystems do not grow on hope or vision statements, they grow on execution.

“Global capital flows, shifting investor appetite, and concentration in a few African markets are realities we can’t fully escape. But on our side, the work is clear: we need stronger policies and regulatory clarity, more local investors to complement foreign ones, and better investor readiness among our startups,” he said.

He believes Tanzania must stop depending on a few large deals to elevate its fundraising figures and instead build a consistent pipeline of investment-ready startups. “The $53 million we raised last year showed what’s possible.

The dip this year is a reminder that consistency won’t come by chance, it will come when we build structures that make Tanzania a permanent stop for investors, not an occasional spike,” he said. For co-founder of Plate AI, Janeth-Kareen Kilonzo, Tanzania’s comeback depends on what she calls ‘investment accessibility infrastructure.

‘ “Many investors are interested in Tanzanian innovation, but there is a lack of organised systems connecting them to the right startups. Greater transparency and compliance will help maintain long-term investor confidence,” she explained.

Other founders point to sector prioritisation. The co-founder of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Ltd, Baraka Chijenga, said Tanzania must stop chasing trending sectors and instead focus on areas where the country holds a competitive edge.

“Agriculture, health-tech, and logistics have huge opportunities, but funding often goes to hype-driven sectors. Tanzania must showcase its comparative advantages, especially in agribusiness, to attract steady inflows,” he noted.

Startup mentor and entrepreneur Michael Nyamwero said that regulatory predictability will determine investor confidence more than incentives ever will. “Startups face unpredictable regulations that discourage investors from committing long-term.

Government reforms, including tax incentives and easier cross-border payments, are necessary to ensure consistency,” he said. .

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet with British, French and German leaders in London on Monday, rallying allies for support as the United States increases pressure on Kyiv to agree to a proposed peace deal with Russia. France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who are travelling to London for the meeting, voiced their support for Zelenskiy as concerns grow that the U.

S. could force Kyiv to accept terms that favour Russia.

“We are starting a new diplomatic week right now there will be consultations with European leaders,” Zelenskiy told Ukrainians in a video address on Sunday evening, recorded as he was travelling in a train. “First and foremost, security issues, support for our resilience, and support packages for our defence.

First and foremost, air defence and long-term funding for Ukraine. Of course, we will discuss a shared vision and common positions in the negotiations.

” Ukraine is going through one of the most difficult stages in the nearly four-year war. Russian troops are slowly grinding forward in the east, and Ukrainian cities and towns are plunged into darkness for hours due to intensified Russian strikes on the energy grid and other infrastructure.

Washington proposed a ceasefire plan last month that endorsed many of Russia’s wartime demands. Kyiv’s European allies have since backed Ukraine in seeking to improve the terms.

U.S.

President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner brought a revised plan to Moscow last week, then held several days of further talks with Ukrainian officials in Miami, which ended on Saturday with no breakthrough. Zelenskiy called the discussions constructive but not easy.

Trump said on Sunday he was “disappointed” with Zelenskiy, who Trump said hadn’t read the latest proposed peace deal backed by the U.S.

Zelenskiy’s top negotiator Rustem Umerov said he would brief Zelenskiy about his team’s dialogue with U.S.

officials and receive all documents related to the peace plan. “The primary task of the Ukrainian team was to obtain from the American side full information about their conversation in Moscow and all drafts of current proposals to discuss them in detail with Ukraine’s President,” Umerov said.

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officials said they are in the final stage of reaching an agreement. But there has so far been little sign that either Ukraine or Russia is willing to sign the framework deal drawn up by Trump’s negotiating team.

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Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania will commence passenger flights between Dar es Salaam and Cape Town on December 11, marking a major expansion of the national carrier’s regional network ahead of the festive peak season.

The new connection links one of Africa’s fastest-growing tourism hubs with one of its most popular leisure and business destinations. The launch coincides with Cape Town’s high summer travel period, traditionally a time of increased traffic from both regional and long-haul markets.

According to the airline, Air Tanzania will operate two flights weekly on a triangular route. Aircraft departing from Dar es Salaam will make a scheduled stop in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, before continuing to Cape Town.

The return journey will be nonstop to Dar es Salaam. The service will be operated using the Airbus A220-300, the flagship of Air Tanzania’s modern fleet, noted for its fuel efficiency and enhanced onboard comfort.

The route aims to serve both tourists and business travellers, improving connectivity between Southern and East Africa and unlocking broader travel networks. Passengers flying from Cape Town will be able to connect through Dar es Salaam to key regional and international destinations, including Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Lagos and Guangzhou, where the airline operates long-haul services.

Travel sector analysts say the expansion underscores Air Tanzania’s continued investment in connecting strategic African destinations, supporting tourism, trade and corporate mobility. The Cape Town service is the latest addition to Air Tanzania’s growing regional network, as the airline positions itself to capitalise on seasonal demand and strengthen its presence on competitive AfricaAfrica routes.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s march toward a potentially historic Africa Cup of Nations campaign has entered a decisive and energised phase after the Taifa Stars officially settled into their residential camp in Egypt today.

With the 2025 Afcon finals fast approaching in Morocco, the atmosphere around the national team carries a renewed sense of urgency, competition and ambition. Under interim head coach Miguel Gamondi, preparations have shifted into high gear, supported by a large provisional squad and uplifting returns that have injected fresh belief into the camp.

The headline arrival is captain Mbwana Samatta. His return to the squad could not be timelier.

The Le Havre AC striker, who missed several recent assignments, brings more than international experience. His presence offers emotional lift, composure and leadership at a moment when Tanzania is gearing up for its fourth Afcon appearance and facing one of its toughest groups in history.

In such a demanding environment, Gamondi’s decision to lean on established leadership is a clear strategic statement. Equally encouraging is the reinstatement of Simba SC forward Kibu Dennis.

His comeback boosts the attacking setup and gives Gamondi added flexibility in transition play, an area he has emphasized throughout preparations. The squad reflects a carefully crafted balance between domestic reliability, overseas maturity and youthful hunger.

It also highlights the depth of Gamondi’s scouting, with players drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Tanzanian Premier League. The Taifa Stars will battle Nigeria and Tunisia, both former African champions, along with regional rivals Uganda.

In such a demanding environment, Gamondi’s decision to lean on established leadership is a clear strategic statement .

Jakarta. Indonesia’s Sumatra island will require 51.82 trillion rupiah ($3.11 billion) in reconstruction and recovery funds following a series of deadly floods, senior government officials said.

The death toll from the cyclone-induced floods and landslides reached 950 as of Monday, with 274 people still missing, according to official data. The storms also killed about 200 people in southern Thailand and Malaysia.

Suharyanto, head of Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency, said that the recovery funds needed across the three provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra may still increase as the agency continues to calculate how much damage has been done. Among the three provinces affected, Aceh needs the most funds, amounting to a total of 25.41 trillion rupiah, Suharyanto said at a cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto in Aceh province late on Sunday.

North Sumatra and West Sumatra will require 12.88 trillion and 13.52 trillion rupiah respectively, he added. The reconstruction process will soon begin in some areas in North Sumatra and West Sumatra, which have recovered relatively well, he said.

“So, areas that are already in better condition can start the reconstruction process. We will relocate people living in evacuation centres to temporary houses,” Suharyanto said without providing a timeline.

The temporary houses are 40 square-metre plywood structures built by the government for people affected by natural disasters. “In the next phase, they will be relocated into permanent houses, built by the housing ministry,” he added.

Responding to the initial estimated recovery cost, Prabowo said his calculations were “similar”, without elaborating whether he will approve the spending or not. “The point is we have the capacity and we will do it meticulously and do our best to manage it,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo also said that conditions in some areas remained serious, with rice fields, dams and a large number of houses especially affected. “The local leaders reported that there are quite a number of houses that we must help rebuild,” he said.

“In some places, there are still challenges,” he said, adding that the distribution of medication and clothes to the residents must also become a priority. .

Johannesburg. At least 11 people were killed on Saturday including a three year old boy, after gunshots were fired at an illegal bar in the South African city of Pretoria, police said, adding that a manhunt was launched for three suspects who were not identified.

Another 14 people were wounded during the incident in the Saulsville township, they said in a statement. Police didn’t say whether the shooting occurred inside or outside the illegal bar, known locally as a ‘shebeen.

‘ “Three minors are among those deceased, which include 3- and 12-year-old boys (and a) 16-year-old female,” the South African Police Service said. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, averaging about 60 a day.

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