Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s women’s national golf team put up a spirited performance to finish third overall at the 2025 East and Central Africa All Africa Challenge Trophy (EACAACT), held at the picturesque Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha, Kenya.

The championship, organized by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU), attracted elite golfers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Reunion, competing over three days on one of Africa’s most scenic and demanding golf courses. Team Tanzania was represented by Neema Olomi, Vicky Elias, Shufaa Twalib, and Khadija Suleiman, under the management of Yasmin Chali, Secretary General of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) and TLGU president Queen Siraki.

After three rounds of intense play, Tanzania returned a total of 460 strokes, placing third behind Reunion, who scored 445, and Kenya, who were crowned champions with 443 strokes. Despite narrowly missing out on defending their 2023 title, Tanzania’s campaign produced several highlights, most notably the emergence of youngster Shufaa Twalib, whose breakthrough performance marked her as the country’s next big name in women’s golf.

Recently promoted from the Under-18 junior squad, Shufaa impressed on her senior debut by carding a total of 242 strokes, finishing ninth overall in the individual standings. Her steady improvement over the three days drew attention as she struggled on the opening day with 85 strokes but bounced back with 79 on day two and 78 in the final round, ending the tournament with a respectable +29 score.

“I believe I can do even better if I continue to get opportunities to compete in international tournaments,” said Shufaa, who plays for Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam. Her consistent showing, combined with the leadership of experienced teammate Neema Olomi, was crucial in securing Tanzania’s top-three finish.

Top golfer Neema Olomi once again demonstrated her quality, finishing second overall in the individual category with a total of 220 strokes, just five behind Melliyal Schmit of Reunion, who took top honours. Olomi began the tournament strongly, shooting 72 on the first day, followed by 76 on day two, and closing with another solid 72 in the final round.

Her overall +4 score ranked among the best in the tournament and just slightly above professional standards. “If my teammates and I had managed slightly better results, I believe Tanzania could have successfully defended our title,” said Olomi, who represents Arusha Gymkhana Club.

For golf enthusiasts, Olomi’s performance came as no surprise, as she has consistently been one of Tanzania’s standout players both locally and regionally. However, the revelation of Shufaa Twalib brought fresh excitement and optimism for the future of women’s golf in Tanzania.

.

Dar es Salaam. As climate challenges continue to intensify across Tanzania, young innovators are taking the lead in designing solutions that strengthen the country’s resilience.

This was highlighted on Thursday, October 23, during the YouthADAPT Demo Day held here under the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP). The event, organised by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), and its local partner MTI International Tanzania, brought together young entrepreneurs showcasing practical, climate-smart innovations for Tanzania and the wider region.

Speaking during the event, the President and ceo of the Global Centre on Adaptation, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, said Africa’s youth were not just victims of the climate crisis but also key drivers of solutions. “Through our YouthADAPT Challenge, we are turning their ideas into investable, impactful businesses.

This is practical climate leadership, aligning innovation with national priorities and NDCs, while creating decent jobs and strengthening food systems and infrastructure where it matters most,” he said. Five local enterprises pitched their ideas at the event as part of the In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge.

Over the past few weeks, these enterprises underwent a rigorous due diligence process to ensure high-quality participation in the final pitching sessions. Similar Demo Day events have already been held in Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, with Kenya set to host the final in-country event next week.

Tanzania’s adaptation needs remain urgent as the country continues to face challenges in agriculture and transport infrastructure. Farmers struggle with unpredictable rainfall, water scarcity, and post-harvest losses, while the transport sector seeks to build systems that can withstand heat, flooding, and erosion.

The YouthADAPT Challenge aims to promote bold, technology-driven, and community-based ideas that empower farmers with climate-smart irrigation, digital advisory tools, and resilient market access. It also encourages innovations that improve the durability and sustainability of critical infrastructure.

A panel of experts in climate innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development evaluated the pitches. Two Tanzanian enterprises will each receive a $30,000 grant and participate in a year-long acceleration and mentorship programme, gaining access to markets, expert guidance, and investment opportunities.

“Tanzania’s climate challenges reflect those across Africa, and that calls for shared innovation,” said CEO of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, Mr Joseph Murabula. “Through this programme, we are building a regional network of entrepreneurs whose solutions can strengthen resilience beyond borders.

” The Demo Day forms part of a broader continental initiative to bridge the gap between innovation and investment by linking youth-led enterprises directly with domestic and regional financiers. It also fostered collaboration among incubators, government agencies, and private sector players committed to driving adaptation-led growth.

The In-Country Demo Days will culminate at COP30 in Brazil this November, where the top 10 youth-led enterprises from across Africa will be showcased as global models of adaptation-driven entrepreneurship. .

There’s a quiet pressure in the air these days. It doesn’t always show up loudly, but you can feel it.

You scroll through your feed and it’s all soft life content, main character energy, curated routines, aesthetic dinners, and captions about romanticising your existence. And even if you’re content, part of you starts to wonder, should I be doing more? But what if your life right now is calm? Uneventful? Centred around routine and small joys? What if you’re not in your hustle era or healing era or living a perfectly documented life? Does that mean you’re behind? Or worse, boring? There’s nothing wrong with a peaceful life.

We just don’t see it celebrated often. And in a world where everything is about showing, sharing, and levelling up, quiet consistency can feel invisible.

But being invisible doesn’t mean being unsuccessful. Sometimes, it just means you’re not performing for anyone.

The subtle stress of constant comparison When everything becomes content, it’s easy to fall into silent comparison. Even people who don’t consider themselves influenced by social media still feel it.

You see updates from friends who are traveling, moving abroad, launching businesses, getting engaged. Their lives seem full.

Yours feels repetitive. The same routine.

The same responsibilities. You start to ask yourself if something is missing, even when nothing actually is.

From a psychological perspective, this taps into social comparison theory, the idea that we evaluate our own worth by comparing ourselves to others. But when the comparisons are based on curated highlights, we’re not judging reality.

We’re judging illusions. This disconnect creates anxiety, even when your life is actually aligned with your values.

You’re not broken for not chasing excitement. You’re not failing if your joy comes from small, quiet things.

A steady life is not a wasted one. Peace doesn’t always look like aesthetic minimalism The term “soft life” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s often tied to luxury and escape.

The actual softness most people need is rest. Mental stillness.

Relationships that don’t drain them. Work that doesn’t eat away at their nervous system.

That kind of softness isn’t always instagrammable. It looks like boundaries.

Sleep. Saying no.

Making food at home. Leaving the party early.

We’ve started to associate peace with something visual, something polished. But real peace is often messy and deeply personal.

It’s not about being on vacation, it’s about not feeling like you need one all the time. The quiet power of routine There’s power in routine.

Waking up and knowing what to expect. Being consistent.

Taking care of your space. Going to work, coming home, resting.

These things might feel small, but they’re not insignificant. In fact, from a psychological lens, stability is a strong predictor of wellbeing.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places safety and predictability right at the bottom of the pyramid. You can’t self-actualise if your nervous system is constantly in fight or flight.

A calm, uneventful day might not trend, but it’s often what keeps your mind and body grounded. What “boring” might actually mean When you describe your life as boring, ask yourself what you really mean.

Is it that you’re unfulfilled? Or are you just not being overstimulated? There’s a difference. We’ve gotten so used to stimulation that the absence of it feels like lack.

But overstimulation is often what burns us out in the first place. Quiet doesn’t have to mean empty.

Routine doesn’t have to mean stuck. Some of the most fulfilling lives are built slowly.

They’re full of small, repeated choices that don’t look exciting on the outside, but on the inside, they feel safe. They feel right.

Give yourself permission to be kow-key Not everything in your life needs an explanation or an audience. Quiet weekends, familiar routines, and a sense of calm don’t need to be defended or dressed up.

Trends come and go, but the way you move through your life should make sense to you. There’s room in the world for loud ambition and big dreams, and there’s also room for simple days and inner stability.

One isn’t better than the other. They’re just different ways of being.

Finally A boring life is not a failed life. It’s often a sign that you’ve created rhythm.

That you’re not constantly surviving. That you’ve made peace with enough.

You don’t need to be the loudest, the busiest, or the most visible. You can take your time.

You can grow quietly. You can build a life that makes sense to you .

Stone Town. The 23rd edition of Sauti za Busara, East Africa’s most celebrated music festival, will return to Stone Town from February 5 to 8, 2026, promising another vibrant showcase of Africa’s creative spirit under the theme “A Celebration of Culture and Diversity.

” The four-day festival, organized by Busara Promotions, will feature performances from over 20 countries, blending traditional and contemporary sounds across genres like taarab, Bongo Flava, afrobeat, and fusion. All performances will be 100 Percent live, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a platform for authentic African music.

This year’s edition will be headlined by the legendary Salif Keita of Mali — known globally as the Golden Voice of Africa. Making his Sauti za Busara debut, Keita brings his distinctive mandingue rhythms and powerful advocacy for albinism awareness, aligning closely with the festival’s mission to amplify socially conscious artistry.

“We are honored to welcome Salif Keita, a living legend whose music and activism resonate with the heart of Sauti za Busara,” said Journey Ramadhan, the Festival Director. “His presence, alongside our diverse lineup, celebrates the richness of African culture while embracing its future.

” A global stage for African talent The 2026 lineup features artists from across Africa and beyond, including Ben Pol and Man Fongo (Tanzania), Pilani Bubu and Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O (South Africa), Lindigo (Reunion), Sousou and Maher Cissoko (Senegal/Sweden), Atanda and Afrojazz Messengers (Nigeria/UK), La Carmen Y Su Familia Musical (Colombia), and Rajab Suleiman and Kithara (Zanzibar). Local acts such as Hammer Q, Tarajazz, Magomamoto Theatre Group, Mama C and The Fusion Band, and DCMA Young Stars will also take the stage, reaffirming Zanzibar’s growing influence as a hub for creative expression.

Economic and cultural impact According to Busara Promotions Managing Director Lorenz Herrmann, the festival has become a key economic driver for Zanzibar. “Sauti za Busara contributes an estimated $20 million to the local economy and has transformed February–once a low season–into one of the busiest months for tourism and business,” Herrmann said.

Local traders in Stone Town share the same sentiment. “Through Sauti za Busara, we make enough to sustain our families through the rainy and Ramadhan seasons,” said one vendor.

“The festival is irreplaceable for our livelihoods.” Herrmann added that the event’s expansion to four days offers “more performance opportunities for artists, greater exposure for partners, and increased benefits for local businesses.

” A recent UNESCO report on festivals in Southern Africa reinforces these observations, stating that “arts and cultural festivals generate significant income, create jobs, and empower youth, serving as strategic platforms for development and regional integration.” Cultural legacy and future vision Since its founding in 2003, Sauti za Busara has hosted some of Africa’s most influential musicians, including Ebo Taylor (Ghana), Cheikh La’ (Senegal), Thandiswa Mazwai (South Africa), and Zanzibar’s own Bi Kidude, whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

The festival’s reach extends beyond music. Through its NGO arm, Busara Promotions, it promotes youth engagement, supports the regional creative economy, and advocates for cultural preservation and inclusion.

“We are proud to produce one of Africa’s most significant cultural platforms,” Herrmann said. “More importantly, we’re proud of the festival’s role in strengthening Zanzibar’s identity as a top-tier cultural destination.

” Festival details In addition to the main stage in Stone Town, performances and community events will also take place in Fumba Town, a new urban development project by CPS Africa. Visitors can expect live performances, cultural workshops, and networking sessions throughout the four days.

Tickets are now available via www.busaramusic.

org and the Tukiio platform, with options for single-day, full festival, and VIP passes. As Sauti za Busara prepares to mark over two decades of celebrating African culture, the 2026 edition promises to reaffirm Zanzibar’s place on the global cultural map — where music, identity, and community come together in harmony.

.

There’s a lot of talk these days about healing. We hear it in conversations, see it on social media, and feel it in the pressure to constantly be working on ourselves.

Unpack this. Journal that.

Fix your inner child. Rewire your brain.

The message is clear: you should be healing, all the time. And if you’re not, maybe you’re falling behind.

But healing is not a race. It’s not a productivity metric.

It’s not another project you have to manage. Some things take time.

Some wounds don’t close because you’ve read the right book or followed the right therapist online. Sometimes, the most honest thing you can do is sit with the ache and not try to force it away.

There’s this belief that the goal is to be fully healed before you can live fully. Before you can date again, trust again, make new friends, or start a new chapter.

But that’s not how life works. Life doesn’t pause while we patch ourselves up.

It keeps moving, even when we’re a little broken, a little bruised, and a little unsure. Psychologically, this pressure to heal perfectly can actually create more distress.

It turns healing into another thing to perform. You end up monitoring your emotions like a checklist: Have I processed this? Am I doing better yet? Why do I still feel this way? Instead of allowing space for your feelings, you start policing them.

Healing is messy. It’s inconsistent.

You might feel fine for weeks and then suddenly find yourself crying over something you thought you were past. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re human. The expectation to be emotionally perfect In a world hyper-focused on self-improvement, there’s an unspoken expectation to always be working on yourself.

And while growth is important, this mindset can leave you feeling like you’re never enough as you are. Every flaw becomes a problem to solve.

Every hard emotion becomes something to “fix.” But not every feeling needs to be solved.

Some emotions just want to be acknowledged. They want to move through you without being judged or picked apart.

When we treat our emotions like errors in need of correction, we miss out on what they’re trying to tell us. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to grow.

But growth can also mean accepting yourself in moments when you’re not okay. It means being gentle when your heart still hurts, even if it’s been a while.

It means giving yourself permission to live in the grey, instead of trying to rush to the clarity. Living while healing You don’t have to wait until you’re fully healed to show up for your life.

You can still laugh, love, make plans, mess up, and start over while holding grief in one hand and hope in the other. Life is rarely clean-cut.

Most of us are navigating complex emotions on a daily basis. That doesn’t make us broken.

It makes us real. In psychology, the concept of “dual awareness” explains how people can experience pain and progress at the same time.

You can carry sadness and still function. You can feel triggered and still find joy.

You can have trauma and still be worthy of peace. There’s something powerful about continuing to live, even when things feel unresolved.

It shows resilience. It proves that healing doesn’t have to look like stillness.

Sometimes it looks like movement, like living through the mess and finding meaning along the way. Signs you might be forcing healing: You constantly search for the “why” behind every feeling.

You feel guilty for having bad days. You judge yourself for not being over something yet.

You avoid relationships or opportunities until you feel more “together.” You treat healing as something to finish instead of something to live with.

If these resonate, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means you might need to take the pressure off.

Let yourself be incomplete There’s beauty in being a work in progress. No one needs a perfected version of you to care deeply.

The people who matter will meet you where you are, without requiring you to have it all figured out. The more you can offer yourself that same kind of acceptance, the easier it becomes to move through hard moments without shame.

Scars don’t make you fragile. Memories that still sting don’t make you weak.

They are reminders that you’ve lived, felt deeply, and survived things that shaped you. That depth isn’t something to rush past.

It’s part of your story. When the pressure lifts to be finished, fixed, or flawless, what’s left is space.

Space to rest. To feel.

To live without constantly checking if you’re “doing the work” right. Some of the most important healing happens when you stop trying to perfect it.

Healing isn’t a finish line. It’s not something you master.

It comes in waves, not milestones. Some parts of you might always carry an ache, and that doesn’t make you broken.

It just makes you human. The real goal isn’t to erase the past or numb the pain.

It’s to find a way to live with yourself in the present, soft spots and all. To build a life that honors who you’re becoming, without disowning who you’ve been.

There’s nothing to prove. No perfect version to chase.

Just a life, slowly unfolding. And that’s more than enough.

.

Dar es Salaam. The Ambassador of Sudan to Tanzania, Dr Mohamed Abdalla Abdelhameed (pictured), has called for renewed efforts to bolster the historic ties between Tanzania and Sudan, asserting that deeper cooperation would bring substantial benefits to citizens of both nations.

Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Dr Abdelhameed said the two countries share a long-standing relationship that dates back to just months after Tanzania’s independence, and that it was time to inject fresh momentum into the partnership. “Bilateral relations are in dire need of a new driving force through high-level visits between the two countries,” he said.

“It is also imperative to complete the steps for establishing the Political Consultation Committee.” The envoy highlighted that the Sudanese Embassy in Dar es Salaam was among the first to be opened in March 1962, only three months after Tanganyika gained independence.

He also recalled the historic visit of the late President Julius Nyerere to Sudan in November 1974, describing it as a landmark moment in the shared history of the two nations. Dr Abdelhameed noted Sudan’s interest in learning from Tanzania’s experience in sectors such as mining, particularly gold, tourism, the development of nature reserves, and the electric-powered train transport system.

He emphasised the importance of expediting the signing of pending memoranda of understanding to advance cooperation in these areas. He reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across political, economic, and cultural spheres, in line with Tanzania’s policy of economic diplomacy and regional engagement.

“While upholding the principles of African unity enshrined by Mwalimu Nyerere, Tanzania demonstrates readiness to share its successful experiences with other African states,” he said, adding that this approach aligns with Sudan’s broader vision for continental collaboration. Dr Abdelhameed also lauded Tanzania’s major infrastructure achievements, including the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), noting that such developments position Tanzania among Africa’s leaders in modern transport and energy.

He highlighted the recent reopening of the Tanzanian embassy in Khartoum, after more than 30 years of closure, as a significant symbol of renewed partnership. However, he expressed concern that the inactivity of the Joint Economic Committee has slowed trade, particularly following Tanzania’s withdrawal from the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) in 2000, which resulted in the loss of one of Sudan’s largest markets for tea and coffee.

“Until the late 1990s, about 80 per cent of Sudan’s tea imports came from Tanzania,” he said, noting that he has engaged with the Tanzania Tea Board to explore ways of reviving exports. Dr Abdelhameed also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in security, counterterrorism, and education, particularly in promoting Kiswahili teaching in Sudan.

.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has written a new chapter in African football history after four of its clubs qualified for the group stages of the continental club competitions for the 2025 season.

Mainland Premier League giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have booked their spots in the CAF Champions League group stage, while Azam FC and Singida Black Stars have advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. This marks the first time in the country’s football history that four Tanzanian clubs have reached this milestone in a single season.

Yanga secured their qualification after defeating Malawi’s Silver Strikers 21 on aggregate. The reigning Mainland champions put on a dominant display at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, led by goals from Dickson Job and Pacome Zouzoua.

The result sealed their back-to-back qualification for the Champions League group stage, reinforcing their growing stature in African club football. Simba, meanwhile, completed the historic achievement after eliminating Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs.

The Msimbazi Reds, who have consistently been among the continent’s top performers in recent years, confirmed their spot after a strong home performance in Dar es Salaam. In the Confederation Cup, Azam FC made an emphatic statement by thrashing Zanzibar’s KMKM 90 on aggregate, showcasing their attacking strength and tactical discipline.

The Ice Cream Makers will now be making their debut appearance in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup — a major achievement for the Chamazi-based club. Singida Black Stars also made history by reaching the group stage after overcoming Flambeau du Centre of Burundi 42 on aggregate.

The victory reflects the club’s steady progress and growing ambition on the continental stage, despite being one of the youngest sides in the competition. The four teams’ success highlights Tanzania’s rising dominance in regional and continental football.

It also underscores the progress made by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and local clubs in improving professionalism, infrastructure, and competitiveness. Tanzanian football fans will now eagerly await the CAF draw for the group stages, scheduled to take place on November 3 in South Africa.

The draw will determine the next opponents for Yanga, Simba, Azam, and Singida as they look to continue flying the Tanzanian flag high across Africa. .

Mbamba Bay. The government, in collaboration with the Elico Foundation, has handed over a solar-powered fish drying plant worth Sh129.9 million to the Nyasa District Council to help reduce post-harvest losses and boost productivity among small-scale fishers.

The plant, launched at the weekend by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Edwin Mhede, has a drying capacity of between three and five tonnes per day and is expected to improve product quality and incomes for local communities. Dr Mhede said the project forms part of government efforts to address post-harvest losses estimated at between 30 and 40 percent, particularly for sardines during rainy seasons.

“At times sardines get mixed with mud, sand, or rainwater, reducing quality, price, and posing health risks to consumers,” he said. He said that the government is promoting modern, eco-friendly drying technologies to replace traditional wooden racks that could dry only one tonne every two days.

“This new facility can dry up to five tonnes per day, valued at between Sh10.5 million and Sh17.5 million,” he said. Dr Mhede said the ministry would continue investing in fish markets, cold storage facilities, ice plants and processing factories to support the transition from subsistence to commercial fishing.

Local fisher Kasian Mwelang’ombe thanked the government and partners for the support, saying the facility would be especially helpful during rainy seasons. Mbamba Bay fish trader Mese George commended Elico Foundation for introducing the technology, which she said would ease challenges for small-scale traders.

She appealed for access to microloans to empower women in the fish trade. Elico Foundation Board Chairperson Prof Evelyne Mbede said demand for the technology was high, adding that the foundation would seek more funding to expand the initiative.

Ruvuma Acting Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Joel Mbewa, pledged to continue supporting education and supervision to ensure the facility’s sustainability and economic benefits. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s soybean sub-sector has received a boost following the signing of a $4.8 million financing agreement that seeks to improve productivity, market access and rural incomes.

The agreement signed between the Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Trust and the Royal Norwegian Embassy intends to revitalise soybean farming through a three-year initiative called Soybean Value Chain Support Project. Under the agreement, the Royal Norwegian Embassy will provide a $2.4 million grant, which will be matched by PASS Trust through its credit guarantee mechanism.

The combined investment will support more than 12,500 farmers in the Ruvuma Region–40 percent of whom are women and youth–by providing access to improved seeds, mechanisation, training and reliable markets, according to a joint statement issued at the weekend. Yields are expected to rise from the current 700 kilogrammes per hectare to more than 3,000 kilogrammes, with household incomes projected to increase by up to 40 percent.

PASS Trust Managing Director Yohane Kaduma described the partnership as a milestone in Tanzania’s agricultural transformation journey. “This collaboration with Norway represents not just financial support but a shared commitment to inclusive and climate-resilient growth.

Through this partnership, we aim to transform Tanzania’s soybean sector into a driver of food security, import substitution, job creation and sustainable rural development,” he added. The project will be implemented through PASS Trust’s Commodity Compact Financing Model, which integrates financial guarantees, technology and structured market linkages to reduce risks in agricultural lending.

The model connects smallholder farmers to processors, aggregators and financial institutions through contract farming and guaranteed offtake arrangements, encouraging banks to lend confidently to the agriculture sector. Representing the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Head of Cooperation Mr Kjetil Schie reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural growth in Tanzania.

“This partnership reflects our shared ambition to make agriculture a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said. “By strengthening nutrition outcomes through soybean production and empowering women and youth to participate actively across the value chain, we help build resilient communities and lasting impact,” he added.

He also emphasized that the project aligns with Norway’s global development priorities, including climate-smart agriculture, digital inclusion and gender equality and encouraged other stakeholders to consider scaling up the Commodity Compact model to strengthen value chains and promote trade and investment collaboration. The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s key agricultural frameworks, including the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP), Agenda 10/30 and the Agriculture Master Plan 2050. It also supports global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, gender equality and climate action.

Climate-smart innovations–such as certified seed systems, soil-friendly mechanisation and digital platforms for real-time market and weather data–will form part of the project’s core implementation strategies. Beyond soybeans, the partnership is seen as a model for future collaborations in other value chains such as sunflower, coffee, horticulture and wheat.

.

Cairo. African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has marked the end of Prof Benedict Okey Oramah’s tenure as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors with a legacy conference celebrating his decade of leadership and impact on intra-African trade and investment.

The farewell event, held at the Bank’s headquarters in Cairo, brought together more than 2,000 guests, including heads of state and government, former leaders, African and Caribbean dignitaries, business executives, all former Afreximbank Presidents, the President-designate, members of the Board, shareholders, staff, and friends of the Bank. Prof Oramah, who assumed office in September 2015, said he made the promotion of intra-African trade and investment the cornerstone of Afreximbank’s strategy, driven by the conviction that it was the only viable path to Africa’s development and economic emancipation.

“Our philosophy was borne out of the conviction that the only viable path forward for Africa’s development and economic emancipation was one that would aggressively reverse-engineer the colonial strategy of ‘divide and rule’ that had, for decades, pinned Africa and people of African descent down in the dustbin of despair,” he said. He added that Africa’s growth must be driven from within, noting that external interests had historically been “predatory and parasitic, unless engaged from a position of strength and purpose.

” Reflecting on his tenure, Prof Oramah said Afreximbank’s broad interventions had produced tangible results. “We can now point to those things that exist today new institutional arrangements and interventions that have become formidable forces in Africa’s fight towards true self-determination many of which were mere aspirations ten years ago,” he said.

Legacy of growth and innovation During Prof Oramah’s 10-year leadership, Afreximbank’s balance sheet and guarantees grew nearly eight-fold, from $6 billion in 2015 to about $44 billion by September 2025. He spearheaded numerous initiatives addressing the continent’s trade and industrial challenges, positioning Afreximbank as Africa’s leading trade finance institution. Among these were the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), backed by a $3 billion facility, which now operates in 20 countries and enables cross-border trade in local currencies.

The AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established with a $1 billion commitment in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, supports member states to adapt to the new trading regime. Launched in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has attracted over $170 billion in trade and investment deals across four editions, drawing 180,000 participants.

The Africa Trade Gateway, a digital platform, and Afreximbank Africa Trade Centres are further breaking information barriers and facilitating investment across the continent. The Bank also led efforts to harmonise over 500 standards in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, and automotive industries, while expanding certification and testing centres across Africa.

Through collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and COMESA, Afreximbank launched the African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme, supported by $1 billion in guarantee limits, to ease the movement of goods across borders. Additionally, Afreximbank has supported industrialisation by investing in special economic zones and major projects such as Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, while strengthening socio-economic and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean through CARICOM partnerships.

Under Prof Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank disbursed over US$10 billion to help African economies withstand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a US$2 billion facility to secure vaccines for Africa and the Caribbean. The Bank also launched the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) to overcome logistical barriers in cross-border trade and initiated the African Medical Centre of Excellence to improve access to quality healthcare.

Praise from successor Afreximbank President-designate Dr George Elombi described Prof Oramah as “one of the few in the world the 0.8 per cent who combine vision and execution.

” “Under his leadership, Afreximbank and its partners have built a strong foundation for enhancing intra-African trade and industrial development. He turned decades-old political aspirations into tangible economic gains,” Dr Elombi said.

The legacy conference concluded with tributes from staff, business leaders, political figures, and members of the public whose lives and careers were touched by Prof Oramah’s work. .