Category: The Citizen

Unguja. Small businesses and households across Zanzibar are set to enjoy faster, more reliable internet as Zanlink Limited rolls out major network upgrades across the islands.

The improvements aim to support local businesses, public services, and communities increasingly dependent on digital platforms for work, education, and commerce.

According to Zanlink Managing Director, Sanjay Raja, the company has invested heavily in modernizing its network over the past two years. ‘We expanded our FTTX fiber network, strengthened wireless infrastructure, enhanced our 24/7 NOC for real-time monitoring, and implemented automation in our CRM and ticketing systems,’ he said.

Mr Raja noted that these upgrades have improved service reliability and significantly reduced disruptions for customers. The company is also preparing Zanzibar for emerging technologies, which are expected to drive future economic growth.

‘We’re accelerating our FTTX rollout, adopting cloud-based systems internally, training staff on new-generation technologies, and leveraging our partnership with Liquid Intelligent Technologies,’ he said.

The developments will support new services including cloud hosting, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and advanced cybersecurity, equipping local businesses with tools essential in today’s digital economy. Operating across islands comes with unique challenges, Raja explained.

‘Being an island presents difficulties such as submarine cable dependency, salt corrosion, uneven terrain, and inconsistent power supply,’ he said.

To address these issues, Zanlink has invested in backup systems, marine-grade equipment, and regional technical teams that monitor and respond to network problems around the clock.

Zanlink is also focused on reaching underserved areas beyond the main commercial centres. The company is introducing affordable home and SME plans while maintaining regional offices along the coast.

‘We’re expanding fibre and wireless networks beyond central business districts and partnering with community institutions,’ he said.

Schools and youth programmes are also supported through Zanlink’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, aimed at developing digital skills among young people.

Reliable internet is already transforming Zanzibar’s economy. Hotels and lodges depend on seamless online bookings, small shops use social media and digital payments to reach new customers, and public services are increasingly moving online.

‘Connectivity has become the backbone of economic growth,’ Raja said.

Zanlink’s achievements were recently recognized at the 2025 EAC Excellence Awards, where the company was named first runner-up in the Best SME Services category.

The award highlighted Zanlink’s innovation in ICT service delivery, quality customer service, and strong quality management systems aligned with EAC standards.

Observers say the recognition sets a benchmark for other service providers.

Looking ahead, Zanlink plans to expand fiber coverage across the islands, strengthen network redundancy, introduce advanced cloud and cybersecurity solutions, and move toward renewable-energy-powered connectivity.

These initiatives aim to give SMEs the tools they need to grow, help community’s access essential services, and drive Zanzibar’s broader digital transformation.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s transport sector is embracing innovation in efforts to curb climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ranging from electric mobility solutions to GPS-enabled systems and natural gas technologies, a variety of technologies are being showcased at the inaugural Sustainable Land Transport Week, taking place in Dar es Salaam, in attempt to expand e-mobility nationwide.

Dar es Salaam. Local clinics, dispensaries, and community health posts remain the first point of care for many young Tanzanians seeking quickly and nearby health services.

For university students living away from home and young people in close-knit communities, these small facilities have long promised convenience and a sense of privacy.

Zanzibar. Visitors arriving on the isles today often remark on a new kind of atmosphere, one shaped not only by warm breezes and ocean views, but by a growing culture of eco-conscious living.

Over the past decade, Zanzibar has undergone a quiet architectural and social shift, and nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Fumba Town.

Yet a decade ago, this stretch of the southwestern coast was largely untouched, its future uncertain. The idea of building a modern, sustainable township here, privately developed and driven by green principles, felt ambitious, even improbable. Tanzania had not seen anything quite like it, and scepticism was widespread.

Today, that idea has transformed into a thriving community of more than 1,500 residents, over 800 completed homes, and a growing ecosystem of businesses, schools, and public spaces marking a full decade of progress, innovation, and community life.

Launched in 2015 by CPS Africa, Fumba Town set out to redefine urban living in East Africa by demonstrating that sustainability, affordability, and modern design can coexist.

The project has since emerged as a flagship example of how private investment and public policy can combine to shape greener, more inclusive African cities.

From skepticism to success

Reflecting on the past decade, CPS Africa CEO Sebastian Dietzold says the greatest early challenge was not technical – but psychological.

‘The biggest challenge was belief,’ Dietzold explains. ‘There was no model for a private, sustainable township in Zanzibar – or even in the wider region. People loved the idea, but few thought it could work. We had to build trust first – with buyers, regulators, and the local community – before we could build anything physical.’

The breakthrough came when the first families moved in. Shops opened, children enrolled in school, and the town came alive.

‘Once people could see it and feel it, everything changed,’ he recalls. ‘Fumba taught us that if you hold the line on purpose and quality, the market – and the mindset – will follow.’

A Sustainable vision brought to life

What distinguishes Fumba Town is its deep commitment to environmental responsibility – not as branding, but as a guiding philosophy.

‘We never treated sustainability as a marketing phrase – it was our starting point,’ Dietzold says.

Three innovations have been particularly transformative: Engineered timber construction, which reduces carbon emissions, lowers dependence on scarce building sand, and speeds up construction.

The renewable energy and independent water systems, including solar roofs, rainwater harvesting, and decentralized wastewater treatment.

And, a circular economy approach, with community education, local sourcing, recycling, and reuse built into the town’s operations.

These practices have made Fumba Town one of the most self-reliant developments in the region. And now, CPS is scaling up. The new SuperTimber2000 factory in Zanzibar will produce engineered timber components locally, supporting both sustainability and job creation. District-level solar grids and digital monitoring systems for water, waste, and energy are also being rolled out.

Dietzold sums it up:’The next phase will move from ‘sustainable buildings’ to a truly smart, circular city model.

A vibrant community takes root

Beyond its green architecture, Fumba Town has blossomed into a lively community. Green courtyards, cafés, boutiques, playgrounds, weekend markets, and the Fumba Academy have made the town not just livable, but socially dynamic.

‘For us, it’s not just about the houses – it’s the people,’ says one of the residents. ‘We’ve built friendships, shared gardens, and a lifestyle that feels both global and local.’

The completion of icons like The Soul Paje and Fumba Townhouses, Apartments and Villas has attracted a diversepool of local and international homeowners, strengthening the town’s identity as a cosmopolitan enclave.

Driving skills, jobs and local growth

Fumba Town has created hundreds of jobs and helped train a new generation of Zanzibari professionals – from engineers and carpenters to solar technicians and entrepreneurs.

Through partnerships with training institutions and local suppliers, CPS has contributed to the island’s shift toward a greener, knowledge-driven economy.

This alignment is no accident. Dietzold says the next decade will build even more clearly on Zanzibar’s Vision 2050.

‘We’re introducing new lifestyle and innovation clusters – a business district, smart homes for local professionals, and a tech and education campus. Fumba is already living the Vision 2050 ideal of green, inclusive, knowledge-based development.’

A blueprint for African cities

As Fumba Town gains international recognition, Dietzold believes its broader value is as a replicable model for African urban growth.

‘Fumba is already being looked at as a proof of concept,’ he notes. ‘But what’s transferable is not just the architecture – it’s the framework: strong public-private collaboration, community-first planning, and sustainability that makes business sense.’

His message to other African cities is clear:

‘Africa doesn’t need to copy global models – it can define its own. Fumba shows that we can build cities that work for people and the planet, right here at home.’

Fumba 2035: Scaling the vision

As Fumba Town moves into its second decade, CPS is gearing up for its most ambitious expansion yet – a phase that will deepen the township’s role as a model of sustainable, future-focused urban living.

The upcoming development plans include a fully-fledged hospitality and business district, a dedicated technology and education hub, an expanded portfolio of affordable smart homes, and district-wide renewable energy systems designed to enhance efficiency and self-reliance.

The next phase will also introduce upgraded health, recreation, and mobility infrastructure to support a growing and increasingly diverse population.

‘The next 10 years will be about scaling the model,’ says CEO Sebastian Dietzold. ‘Sustainable development is not a luxury – it’s the foundation of a resilient future.’

A Decade that reshaped Zanzibar’s urban story

From a blank shoreline to a pioneering eco-town, Fumba’s journey reflects the spirit of a modern Zanzibar – innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking. As CPS Africa, residents, and partners celebrate the 10-year milestone, one truth stands out:

Fumba Town has not only transformed the landscape – it has transformed what people believe is possible.

Hong Kong. A fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of a residential housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday, with plumes of thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze.

Several people are trapped inside, public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing police, while two people have suffered severe burns, it said. Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the massive flames.

The fire department said it received reports at 2:51 p.m. (0651 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm, the second highest, at 3:34 p.m.

Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, providing close to 2,000 residential units. Several towers around the blazing tower have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior.

Hong Kong’s Transport Department said that due to the fire an entire section of the Tai Po highway has been closed and buses are being diverted.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s commercial sector is experiencing a renewed surge of activity as importers draw increased value from the Africa-China trade corridor.

What began as a supply-and-demand relationship, has now matured into a crucial channel for industrial parts, motor vehicles, electronics, spare parts for cars and motorcycles, and iron, steel and metal products and an array of technological inputs that fuel local productivity.

Dar es Salaam / London. Tanzania has signed a new agreement with Qatar that is expected to open more job opportunities for Tanzanian seafarers and strengthen cooperation in the maritime transport sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates was signed on Monday in London, on the sidelines of the 34th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly.

Dar es Salaam. The government has again declined to release the number of people killed during the October 29 election-related unrest, with Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba insisting that publicising death figures would fuel further division at a time when the country needs unity and healing.

Speaking to editors on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Dr Nchemba said that while the loss of life is undisputed, the government would not disclose the death toll, arguing that doing so would dishonour the dead and play into the hands of those seeking to destabilise the nation.

Arusha. A 40-year-old man from Arumeru District whose genitals were severed by his wife has appealed to Tanzanians to help him cover mounting medical bills as he continues to receive treatment at Selian Hospital.

Baraka Melami, a resident of Olevolosi Village in Kimnyaki Ward, said he is in severe pain and urgently needs support to pay more than Sh1.5 million in hospital costs.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representatives in the Caf Champions League, Young Africans (Yanga), will be without seven key players ahead of their second Group B match against JS Kabylie on Friday from 10pm Tanzania time.

The match has been scheduled to take place at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Boukhalfa, Tizi Ouzou Province.

The absentees include Dennis Nkane, Salum ‘Sure Boy’ Abubakar, Farid Mussa, Kibwana Shomari, Nizar Othman Abubakar (Ninju), Abdulnasir ‘Casemiro’ Mohammed, and Clement Mzize, who is still recovering from knee surgery. Despite these setbacks, Yanga remain confident, relying on a well-prepared squad that includes goalkeepers Djigui Diarra, Abubakar Khomein, and Aboutwalib Mshery, defenders Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job, Ibrahim ‘Bacca’ Abdulla, Frank Assinki, Mohammed ‘Tshabalala’ Hussein Chadrack Boka, and Israel Mwenda.

Midfielders are Mudathir Yahya, Duke Abuya, Maxi Nzengeli, Shekhan Khamis, Moussa Bala Conte, and Aziz Andabwile, as well as forwards Prince Dube and Andy Boyeli.

Friday’s clash is crucial for Yanga. The team currently sits second in Group B with three points, following an impressive 1-0 victory over Morocco’s AS FAR at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar last Saturday.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly top the table on superior goal difference after a commanding 4-1 win over JS Kabylie in Cairo, putting the Algerian side under pressure to respond positively on home soil.

Yanga, meanwhile, are determined to consolidate their position and maintain momentum in pursuit of a knockout stage berth. For head coach Pedro Gonçalves and his technical team, the match requires maximum focus and discipline, particularly against a home side eager to recover.

JS Kabylie, sitting at the bottom of the group after their opening defeat, will see this game as a chance to redeem themselves in front of their supporters.

Historically strong at home, the North African club can be formidable, meaning Yanga must be at their best to secure another positive result and strengthen their ambitions for the next stage of the competition.

In addition to Yanga’s fixture, the other Group B match will see AS FAR host Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rabat at the same time.

Both matches are expected to significantly shape the direction of Group B, as teams jostle for quarterfinal spots. For Yanga, Friday’s encounter is not just about earning points; it is about demonstrating resilience and tactical maturity in a challenging environment while keeping pace with the group leaders.

With a reduced squad but a focused mindset, Yanga will aim to navigate the hurdles posed by missing players, the intensity of an away stadium, and the pressure of competing against a desperate JS Kabylie.

The outcome will play a major role in determining who advances from Group B into the knockout stages of Africa’s premier club competition.