Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Stanbic Bank Tanzania and GIZ have launched a national initiative to support 2,000 women and youth food vendors across five regions.

The programme was unveiled at the Stanbic Biashara Incubator after 96 vendors from Coco Beach completed a pilot training that tested the delivery model.

The participants, known locally as Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe, underwent a four-day course delivered by Sido and Stanbic trainers.

The sessions covered business planning, pricing, online business, financial management, customer service, food hygiene and personal development. Many participants asked for continued mentorship to help them apply the lessons consistently.

At the launch, Stanbic Bank distributed 100 energy-efficient stoves, which reduce smoke exposure and fuel costs while supporting the national clean cooking strategy that targets to raise the number of households using clean cooking energy to 80 percent by the year 2034.

The percentage stood at less than 10 in 2023 but until recently, it had risen to just about 30 percent.

The new programme, RISE Mama Lishe, will be implemented in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro and Tanga between September 2025 and December 2026.

It will combine business and financial training, demonstrations on clean cooking, legal clinics and access to suitable financial products. It will also train 200 community champions to mentor other vendors in their markets.

Stanbic Bank has supported similar programmes over the past two years, reaching more than 800 women. Previous phases focused on financial literacy, customer service and clean cooking practices, with participants requesting more frequent training and wider regional coverage.

Acting Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Stephen Mpuya, said the programme aligns with the bank’s focus on economic inclusion.

He said strengthening food businesses improves household income and planning, while the clean cooking element supports national environmental goals.

GIZ Project manager, Awadh Milasi, said the partnership reflects shared priorities on local economic development and climate action.

He noted that Mama Lishe play an important role in feeding communities and supporting local markets. Sido Director of Training and Regional Administration CPA George Kasinga said the partnership will help build long-term capacity for food vendors and ensure the training addresses real business challenges.

Participants from the pilot reported early improvements in record keeping, food hygiene, customer service and planning.

The national roll-out begins in Dar es Salaam, with additional sessions in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga and Dodoma. By the end of 2026, Stanbic Bank and GIZ expect to have trained 2,000 vendors, distributed 2,000 stoves and developed 200 community champions.

Ageing is such an interesting phenomenon. When I was young, I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could make my own decisions without needing my parents’ permission. But now that I am independent and relatively old, some days I need someone to tell me what to do and exactly how to do it. In The Beggar Student by Osamu Dazai, translated by Sam Bett, Osamu experiences the same paradox.

He is a 32-year-old writer, or at least he hopes to be one. He feels defeated after sending his terrible manuscript to his editor. He knows the story is awful but still sends it because he had promised to do so, and he did not want to break that promise; that is not the Japanese way of life.

‘If I hadn’t sent the manuscript today, I would have broken a promise to my editor. You see, I made the dumb mistake of promising to send the story today at the latest.’ As a perfectionist who values keeping your word, it hurts when you fall short. I know because I live by the same terms. I feel bad for breaking a promise but worse for not doing my best. It’s a vicious circle we battle as we age.

As he beats himself up for doing what he hates just to keep his word, he wanders, too ashamed to go home. Along the Tamagawa Canal, he sees a young man swimming happily, naked. Unable to save himself, he decides he must save this young man, whom he believes is in danger.

‘This is a disaster! He is going to drown! So what if I can’t swim? I can’t just let him die! I’m going to die someday; it may as well be now.’

But that is the thing with perceptions. The limits of our experiences shape how we see the world. As he gets down to the bridge, he realises the young man is having the best time of his life and does not need rescuing at all.

He is simply a young man trying to make sense of his own life, as we all are. He struggles with disappointment toward a father he believes should be doing more with his life. He lost his mother. But through it all, he is still searching for a silver lining.

Their meeting begins a day of banter between a young man and an older one. The elder thinks the youth is arrogant; the youth thinks the elder knows it all. Isn’t that always the case in our societies?

But the truth is, young people know exactly who they are and what is best for them based on their own experiences, hopes, and dreams.

The writer, the older man, is so determined to show the boy that he knows better. Whatever the young person says is met with opposition.

‘Clearly, you envy me. When a feeble idiot encounters a youthful genius, it drives him crazy. He needs to shut down every single thing the young guy says to feel superior.’

This small book is more than just the banter between its two main characters. It explores how we perceive criticism, how we relate to others, and how we understand freedom. Everything depends on who we are and what we believe.

For example, the author argues that nature offers no freedom and is not a friend to reason. This is why reason is so compelling: it is what holds society together. Through reason, we can think, plan, and make choices. And the choices we make determine the kind of life we live.

Human beings are self-centred in nature. We are selfish beyond reason. We see this in the writer as the boy shares his life with him. He does not care because it has nothing to do with him.

‘I guess I have no patience listening to people talk about themselves. I try to listen, but in no time, every thought is overshadowed by the question of what any of this has to do with me.’

We often hide our most authentic selves to maintain the image we think others expect, not for them, but for our own comfort. The writer finds himself running an errand for the young man, just to appear humble. That is how we become victims of our own choices.

This philosophical book will have you questioning your sense of self and how others perceive you. It is a longing for youthfulness, a cry for years gone by, and the time you will never retrieve. But it is also a reminder to enjoy life wherever it finds you. There is no better day to be alive than today. There is no better age to be than the age you are now.

In a world where technology continuously shapes how people live, work, and connect, few innovations have transformed everyday life as profoundly as mobile banking.

In Tanzania, SimBanking by CRDB Bank stands out-not just as a digital service, but as a true enabler of opportunity. Since its launch in 2009, this platform has driven a powerful shift in the financial landscape, breaking geographical barriers, reducing costs, and placing banking directly in the hands of millions.

SimBanking was never meant to be an ordinary banking product. It was created as a solution to a real national challenge: how to reach millions of Tanzanians who lived far from bank branches, lacked time to visit them, or were completely excluded from the financial system.

Today, more than 15 years later, SimBanking has become a bridge of digital financial transformation, improving lives, growing businesses, and strengthening financial inclusion across the country.

A service touching every aspect of daily life

With just a mobile phone, smart or basic, customers can send money, pay school fees, receive salaries, withdraw from ATMs, make purchases, apply for loans, or even invest in unit trusts and DSE-listed shares.

The platform also allows users to check foreign exchange rates, make online payments, or carry out transactions without ever visiting a bank branch. For millions, SimBanking has quietly become a pillar of their financial lives.

Small traders deposit their daily sales through the app. Students pay university fees without queues. Mothers in rural villages buy health insurance vouchers instantly.

Farmers monitor crop payments from their mobile phones, saving both time and money. Bonaventura Paul, CRDB Bank’s Director for Retail Banking, states that the latest version of SimBanking has been significantly enhanced for speed, security, and convenience.

‘Whether you’re in a city or in a remote village or even outside the country, SimBanking works seamlessly. Customers can now transact up to Sh50 million per day, up from the previous Sh30 million. They can also request to increase or reduce their limits depending on their needs,’ he explains.

One of the latest updates allows customers to save up to five frequent recipients for quick transactions. ‘This is especially useful for customers who send money to many people, teachers, business owners, or organisations. It reduces time, cost, and effort,’ Bonaventure adds.

Human stories behind the technology: SimBanking as a lifeline of opportunity

What makes SimBanking even more remarkable is how it impacts real people. A powerful example is Said Mbaruku Mohamed from Tabata, Dar es Salaam, who won a Toyota IST through this year’s SimBanking campaign.

For him, the car is more than a prize; it’s a life-changing symbol of hope and possibility. On the day he received the winning call, he had just purchased electricity via SimBanking.

He never imagined such a routine transaction could lead to such a blessing. ‘I thank God for this opportunity, but I also thank myself for trying my luck,’ he says, still overwhelmed with joy.

His win is part of CRDB Bank’s tradition of rewarding loyal SimBanking users through annual campaigns. In 2024 alone, four customers won Nissan Dualis cars, six took home Bajaj motorcycles, 12 won motorbikes, 100 received smartphones, and 10 university students walked away with laptops.

For many, these rewards are a sweet bonus; yet the platform’s real impact runs deeper. It gives ordinary people a chance to save, transact, and grow financially with dignity and ease.

SimBanking as a driver of economic transformation

In the digital era, SimBanking has played a central role in reducing transaction costs and dispelling the stereotype that banking is for a select few.

Today, even individuals living in remote rural areas can open an account through the app, deposit cash via agents, or transfer money between mobile networks and their bank accounts with ease.

TullyEsther Mwambapa, CRDB Bank’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Managing Director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, says the platform has been transformative for young entrepreneurs supported by the foundation.

‘A customer can open an Imbeju Account, make payments, access statements, or transfer funds, all through SimBanking. Even if someone lives in a remote village, they can enjoy reliable banking services,’ she explains.

SimBanking has also become a practical financial literacy tool. CRDB Bank has integrated features that help customers track income, record expenses, and plan budgets. According to Bonaventure,

‘This feature-found only at CRDB Bank, allows customers to apply what they learn in financial education programmes. They can plan daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly budgets through SimBanking.’

More than a banking platform: A legacy for the next generation

One undeniable reality in today’s world is that an entire generation is growing up without ever setting foot inside a bank branch. Technology has rewritten the norms, how people pay, save, invest, and access credit. This makes SimBanking more important than ever.

By connecting financial services with everyday life, CRDB Bank is laying the foundation for a new Tanzania, one where every citizen, whether urban or rural, has equal access to financial opportunities.

SimBanking has become a tool of equality, opening doors for people who were once beyond the reach of traditional banking.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Young Africans, departed yesterday for Algeria in high spirits ahead of their second Group B match, a crucial encounter against JS Kabylie scheduled for Friday night.

The match will take place at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Boukhalfa, located in Tizi Ouzou Province, and will kick off at 10 p.m. East African time.

Yanga travel to North Africa full of confidence after starting their group stage campaign with an impressive 1-0 victory over Morocco’s AS FAR last Saturday at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. That win not only boosted the team’s morale but also positioned them well in a highly competitive group. Information obtained by The Citizen indicates that the Yanga delegation left Tanzania fully prepared, having taken every necessary precaution to ensure the team remains focused and settled ahead of the high-stakes encounter.

The technical bench, led by head coach Pedro Gonçalves, has emphasized the need for maximum concentration, especially when playing away against an opponent desperate to recover from an opening defeat.

Yanga currently sit second in Group B with three points, level with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who top the standings due to a superior goal difference. Al Ahly opened their campaign with a commanding 4-1 win against JS Kabylie in Cairo, a result that leaves the Algerian side under pressure to respond positively on home soil.

For JS Kabylie, Friday’s match represents a chance for redemption in front of their supporters. Sitting at the bottom of the group after the heavy loss, the Algerian club will view the fixture against Yanga as an opportunity to revive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

The North African side is historically strong at home, meaning Yanga must be at their best to secure another positive result.

The group’s other fixture will see AS FAR host Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, also on Friday at 10 p.m. East African time. Both matches are expected to significantly shape the direction of Group B as the battle for quarterfinal spots begins to intensify.

Despite their strong start, Yanga will be without striker Clement Mzize, who remains sidelined after recently undergoing knee surgery.

His absence is a blow, but the squad remains packed with experienced players capable of stepping up in his place.

The team’s recent form, tactical discipline under coach Gonçalves, and growing confidence among fans suggest that Yanga will be motivated to deliver another statement performance on the continental stage.

With momentum on their side and belief within the squad, Yanga enter Algeria determined not only to compete but to continue their march toward a historic CAF Champions League campaign

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s arts and creative industries continue to gain ground as key drivers of economic growth, youth employment, and cultural innovation.

Far beyond painting, music, and performance, the creative sector today powers entrepreneurship, promotes tourism, inspires new technologies, and helps shape the cultural identity of communities across the continent.

To reinforce this momentum, Nafasi Art Space, working in partnership with creative organisations across Africa, has launched the Tukutane Dar Arts Week, a major regional festival designed to strengthen artistic collaboration within Africa and with international communities. Nafasi Art Space Director Lilian Hipolyte said the initiative aims to highlight the expanding role of the creative economy in Africa’s economic transformation.

‘The festival also aims to spotlight the expanding role of art in Africa’s economic transformation and the growing market potential of cultural industries,’ she said.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Abel Ndaga, Senior Arts Officer at the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA), noted that the Council will dedicate the week to educating the public on its mandate and the importance of nurturing Tanzania’s creative ecosystem.

‘Artistic work has evolved far beyond entertainment, becoming a viable business sector that generates employment, stimulates innovation, and contributes substantially to national revenue,’ he said.

According to organizers, Tukutane Dar Arts Week also seeks to enhance regional cooperation within the creative and cultural industries, particularly among East African countries.

The platform aims to spark dialogue on arts business development, cross-border creative services, and opportunities for sector growth at both regional and continental levels.

Angela Kilusungu, Creative Economy Manager at CDEA, said the weeklong event will feature specialized forums examining the business of arts and culture, regulatory frameworks, and key challenges facing artists, including limited funding, copyright issues, and uneven cross-border market access.

The ultimate goal, she added, is to develop shared strategies, strengthen creative networks, and identify sustainable solutions that support long-term growth within Africa’s creative sector.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s mining industry is closing in on a historic milestone after the total value of minerals produced in the country surged to nearly $1 billion in the third quarter of 2025, underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to the national economy amid record global gold prices and strong performance from large-scale miners.

According to official data, the total value of minerals produced increased by 23 percent from $806.2 million in March 2025 to $991.1 million by September 2025.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is advancing efforts to curb newborn deaths through a unique public-private partnership (PPP) involving the Aga Khan Hospital, the Aga Khan University Medical College and Amana Regional Referral Hospital.

The collaboration, supported by the Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT), focuses on strengthening frontline capacity to improve the initial stabilisation of newborns, an intervention that experts describe as the ‘missing link’ in tackling neonatal mortality.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba has instructed the Minister of Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, to reopen the Church of Resurrection and Life, led by Bishop Josephat Gwajima, which had previously faced operational challenges.

‘The President has granted amnesty to religious institutions that have experienced occasional disruptions.

Dar es Salaam. Exim Bank has stepped up efforts to promote early detection of diabetes in attempt to address the disease across Tanzania, particularly among working-age adults.

The lender partnered with the Tanzania Diabetes Association (TDA) in marking this year’s World Diabetes Day, held under the theme Diabetes and Wellbeing in the Workplace. To reinforce the importance of early screening, Exim Bank conducted free diabetes tests for its employees and customers.

The exercise, supported by specialists from the TDA, assessed lifestyle habits, measured BMI, monitored blood pressure and tested blood sugar levels using glucometers. The bank’s head of marketing and communications, Mr Stanley Kafu, said the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of its staff and clients.

“Our employees and customers are at the centre of everything we do. Health is a crucial foundation of wellbeing and productivity,” he said.

“By providing these tests, we aim to equip them with the knowledge they need to prevent or manage diabetes and its associated risks.” He added that all tests were conducted by qualified professionals and in strict confidence.

The screenings formed part of the bank’s broader Exim Cares programme. This year the programme has also supported mental health services for children at Muhimbili National Hospital, organised blood donation drives, donated medical equipment, and partnered with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to offer health education.

Mr Kafu said the bank views its corporate social responsibility as extending beyond financial empowerment to include supporting national health priorities. Health stakeholders say workplace-focused interventions such as these could help curb the increasing burden of diabetes, which continues to strain families and the healthcare system.

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Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has downplayed fears of crowding out credit to the private sector as appetite for government securities has surged to record high.

The latest Monthly Economic Review shows the country’s domestic debt stock increased by 0.9 percent to Sh37.46 trillion by the end of September 2025, driven largely by strong uptake of long-term Treasury bonds.

Government securities now account for 86.8 percent of total domestic debt, comprising Sh2.05 trillion in Treasury bills, Sh135.7 billion in government stocks and a dominant Sh30.3 trillion in Treasury bonds. BoT data indicates that the market remains highly concentrated among institutional investors.

Commercial banks hold the largest share at 28.7 percent, equivalent to Sh10.75 trillion, followed by the central bank at 27.4 percent (Sh10.28 trillion). Pension funds account for a further 18 percent, or Sh6.75 trillion, underscoring the continued dominance of institutional players in the securities market.

Despite the rapid expansion, the central bank insists the system remains stable and well-balanced. A financial analyst from the BoT’s Directorate of Financial Markets, Mr Francis Samuel, said the rising demand for government securities is neither accidental nor destabilising.

He noted that Treasury instruments sit at the core of the banking system. “Commercial banks must comply with liquidity requirements to ensure they maintain enough liquid assets to meet short-term obligations,” he said.

“Treasury bills and bonds are the only acceptable collateral for accessing central bank liquidity facilities, so banks accumulate them to strengthen their borrowing capacity.” He added that in the interbank lending market–where banks lend to each other–Treasury securities provide high-quality collateral.

“Unsecured interbank lending is rare and costlier, making government bonds the preferred instrument for securing cheaper short-term credit,” he said. This collateral value, he explained, means that even as banks increase their holdings of government paper, liquidity remains sufficient.

“Banks are earning substantial income from their external investments, and their domestic operations are performing strongly,” Mr Samuel said. “Because of these diversified revenue streams, liquidity stays stable even when banks allocate large sums to government paper.

The banking sector continues extending loans to private-sector players, and the numbers show they are doing well.” Data from the Monthly Economic Review supports this view, showing private-sector credit expanding by 16.1 percent year-on-year in September–one of the strongest growth phases in recent years.

Agriculture, mining, trade and construction all recorded strong lending activity, with personal loans–frequently used by MSMEs–continuing to command the largest share. Regarding the rising demand for government securities, Mr Samuel said Tanzania is witnessing a structural shift in how both ordinary citizens and institutional investors manage their money.

“Financial literacy has improved sharply, with more Tanzanians now aware of fixed-income investment options,” he said. He pointed to the rapid growth of collective investment schemes, particularly those operated by UTT AMIS, which pool resources from thousands of small investors and channel them directly into government securities.

With Treasury bond yields remaining high–often in double digits–many retail savers who previously relied on bank deposits or informal savings groups have shifted towards the bond market. However, he cautioned that increased preference for low-risk government instruments over investing in or expanding businesses may prompt policymakers to reflect on what this shift means for the broader business environment .