Category: The Citizen

Tanzania has opened its Treasury bills and government bonds market to all foreign investors after amending its foreign exchange regulations, marking a major step towards attracting international capital and strengthening the country’s financial markets.

The changes are contained in the Foreign Exchange (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, issued under the Foreign Exchange Act through Government Notice No. 206 of 2026 and published in the Government Gazette on July 17, 2026.

Previously, only investors from the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and members of the Tanzanian diaspora were eligible to invest in the country’s government securities. In a public notice, Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba said the amendments allow all non-resident investors to buy Treasury bills and government bonds issued by the Government of Tanzania, broadening access to the country’s debt market.

He said the reforms form part of the central bank’s strategy to deepen domestic financial markets, improve market liquidity and position Tanzania as a more competitive destination for international investment.

Under the new framework, eligible foreign investors will access the government securities market through approved Central Depository Participants (CDPs), subject to the amended regulations and other applicable legal and operational requirements.

The reforms are expected to expand the government’s investor base, increase foreign capital inflows and enhance liquidity in the domestic bond market while supporting long-term financial sector development.

Before Paulo Joshua became a Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) award-winning mountaineer, the then 17-year-old boy’s only dream was joining the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, which is known for its gruelling recruitment regimen.

But as a teenager, he knew that was his path in life, a path his parents had consented to and given their blessings.

That changed once his curiosity for the mountain got the best of him.

‘My first dream was being a soldier. The first time I went to Kilimanjaro, I was still in school, just out of wonderment about what goes on there,’ he remembers.

The Arusha-born boy had heard a lot of stories about the highest mountain in Africa; in the streets, youth would talk with fascination about the hiking tales.

But Paulo had also read in school; he truly wanted to see the mountain with his own eyes.

The curiosity turned to passion; he wondered if he could get a chance to work as a porter there.

It was a tough occupation for his young body, carrying the heavy bags for tourists and tour guides ascending the mountain.

But Paulo was mentally prepared for the army, so the arduous work that comes with being a porter didn’t frighten the young boy.

He was welcomed by older boys and seasoned porters; their cooperation and appreciation for each other became the cornerstone that made the laborious job doable.

‘Man, I wanted to be a soldier, so this is it. I’m in,’ he said.

To become a porter on Kilimanjaro, your body adapted well.

Being a native of the high-altitude region helped Paulo adjust seamlessly to the high altitude of the mountain.

He still insists anyone from anywhere can be a porter. ‘You just need an adaptive body, and human bodies are very resilient.’

Paulo’s biggest challenge was not on the mountainous terrains but at home, where his parents refused to accept his new-found career path.

A lot of youth who took similar jobs of baggage-carrying had nothing to show for it.

‘My parents didn’t see these porters as good role models; that discouraged them even more,’ he said.

Paulo’s mother had already envisioned his son as a soldier; accepting the change was heartbreaking for the parent.

Even when he showed interest in joining the tour guide college, they refused to fund his studies, so he had to hike with the bags on his back daily and use the money he made to pay for his school fees.

He kept climbing the mountain while paying for the tourism college for almost two years before his parents came to the realisation that they wouldn’t be able to change his mind and accepted his decision.

That strenuous work made a man out of the curious boy.

From a porter to a mountain guide, suddenly Paulo had not only his life in his hands when climbing Kilimanjaro but the lives of the whole group of tourists and porters that supported him along the way.

‘That’s the level where you start making decisions, from the path you choose, to making sure everyone gets home safe after summiting the 5,895-metre mountain,’ he said. Paulo got his mountain guiding licence in 2012.

But he kept getting more training, from Wilderness First Responder and all and other kinds of tourism training. ‘I really wanted to be a professional.’

He started mentoring young people in his team who were fresh from school, inspiring the youth, and going out of his way to make sure they became the best at what they do.

In March of 2020, he received a call from a friend, and he told him that Tanzania National Parks was conducting the Best Guide Challenge, and urged him to apply.

More than 200 guides came forth. What followed was a nerve-wracking elimination process; more than 15 judges asked probing questions, ranging from their safari experience to their expedition in the mountains.

‘Everyone had their questions regarding all angles of tourism, of guiding, wildlife, mountain climbing activities, geology, botany, and everything,’ he said.

On August 6, 2020, he was crowned the best guide and handed his award. An inspiring moment, after years of hard work.

Kilimanjaro has more than 12,000 guides, and being number one was surreal. It made him even more passionate.

‘I am still the reigning champion because Tanapa didn’t organise another Best Guide Award,’ he laughed.

Being a guide, the role comes with a great responsibility for human lives; everyone depends on you to lead them.

As much as it is challenging, Paulo wouldn’t have it any other way.

‘I believe in growth, and I believe the best way to grow is through challenges,’ he said.

‘You need to be very competent, and you need to be very sure of every decision you’re making because any mistake you make as a leader affects not only your client, but also all the team you’re leading, the porters, and everything.’

A guide also carries the reputation of the company he works for, even the country.

How a tour guide handles the tourists is how they will remember their experience in Tanzania, when they are telling their friends back home about their expeditions and adventures up the mountain.

‘I don’t aim at being the best guide in Tanzania, but I want to be better than I was yesterday,’ Paulo said.

The recent meeting between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and tourism stakeholders has brought forth tourism to the spotlight, and its contribution to Tanzania’s foreign earnings.

And Paulo is excited about the future, ‘The President did things like The Royal Tour; we see her constant support for tourism, and the support she’s giving to tourism. I can tell her that she has to keep the good job alive,’ he said.

‘Another thing I will tell her is just to make sure that the local guides are well recognised.’

Paulo views that local guides need more recognition locally and internationally; the Tanzania Tourist Board has to create room to include them in international and local exhibitions; the country could benefit from their vast knowledge and firsthand experience.

‘Nepal has a lot of good guides. But for a long time now, they have had a person called Nimsdai who unfortunately died a few days ago. If you read about Nimsdai, you can always see Nepal behind him. You can always see Nepal recognising him.’

Tanzania is not using them, he said; there have been exhibitions in South Africa, Germany, London, and many countries around the world, and he didn’t see any local guide being invited, other than socialites and social media influencers.

‘Use real professionals from the industry to market the country and what it has to offer in tourism; we can answer questions competently and persuade potential tourists to visit,’ he said.

‘They interviewed one of the Instagram-famous people, and he said Kilimanjaro is in Arusha.’

Paulo aims to guide and nurture the new generation of mountaineers, understanding that guides on Mount Kilimanjaro carry the heavy responsibility of ensuring that all tourists who summit leave the country satisfied, safe, and with the best stories to tell the world about the highest point in Africa.

Residents of Nyakabanga Ward in Karagwe District, Kagera Region, have complained over delayed compensation payments following repeated elephant invasions that destroyed crops on their farms.

The residents raised their grievances on Thursday, August 6, 2026, before the Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, during a public rally held in the ward.

They reported that stray elephants regularly invade agricultural land and destroy various food and cash crops, leaving numerous families facing food insecurity. They alleged that despite registration and promises of compensation by wildlife officers, the funds have not been disbursed.

A resident of Kanogo Village, Ms Petrades Johanes, stated that elephants invaded their farms in May last year.

She noted that wildlife officers subsequently inspected the damage, registered victims, and directed affected farmers to open bank accounts for compensation transfers, which have yet to materialise.

‘Many of our residents remain without food due to the massive destruction of banana plants, coffee, and other crops. I pray the government assists us with emergency food relief alongside ensuring our compensation claims are paid on time,’ said Ms Johanes.

A resident of Kayungu Village, Mr Dakius Jacobo, requested the minister to convey a plea to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the construction of a wildlife ranger outpost in the area.

He noted that a local ranger station would enable officers to respond rapidly when elephants enter human settlements.

Mr Jacobo also criticised delays during damage assessments, alleging that some wildlife officers suspended registration exercises claiming their equipment batteries were depleted and failed to return.

A Kanogo Village resident, Mr Geofury Burchad, noted that the ward features satellite schools, including Rutete and Charwania, with poor physical infrastructure located in elephant-traversed corridors, threatening student safety.

He urged the government to upgrade the facilities into full primary schools.

Responding, Dr Kijaji extended condolences to the affected community and confirmed that her ministry had received compensation claims from over 70 residents in Karagwe District.

She stated that four residents have already received a total of Sh2.6 million, while claims amounting to Sh39.9 million for the remaining victims are being processed.

‘I reassure residents that compensation funds for those remaining are available and will be disbursed within this week. I direct ministry executives to begin paying verified Nyakabanga Ward residents immediately,’ directed Dr Kijaji.

She explained that processing delays were largely caused by name discrepancies between submitted identity details and registered mobile SIM cards or bank accounts.

‘I direct wildlife officers from Burigi-Chato, Rumanyika-Karagwe, and Ibanda-Kyerwa National Parks to track problem elephant herds using GPS satellite collar devices fitted on herd leaders, ensuring they are driven back into reserves before causing further damage,’ stressed the minister.

Former President Jakaya Kikwete has called on African countries to invest in education, digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI), warning that infrastructure alone will not deliver the continent’s economic transformation unless it creates opportunities for young people.

Speaking at the Infra for Africa Forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Kikwete said the value of roads, railways, ports and digital networks should be measured not by the number of projects completed but by their ability to generate jobs, develop skills and improve livelihoods.

The forum, sponsored by Africa50, brought together policymakers, investors and development partners to discuss financing, infrastructure and Africa’s long-term economic development. Mr Kikwete said Africa was entering a defining period as its youthful population continues to grow, with the continent expectedHe said the demographic shift could become Africa’s greatest asset if young people are equipped with quality education, relevant skills and productive employment opportunities, but warned it could become a major challenge if they are left behind.

‘For many years, infrastructure development has been measured by the number of kilometres of roads built, megawatts of electricity generated, pipelines laid, ports expanded or people connected to the internet,’ he said.

‘But the real measure should be the opportunities created through those investments, including jobs generated, skills developed, businesses enabled and lives transformed.’

Mr Kikwete said Africa must accelerate investment in education and technology to prepare young people for the rapidly changing world of work, where AI and other digital technologies are reshaping labour markets.

He noted that while some jobs will disappear as technology advances, many new opportunities will emerge for workers with the right skills.

‘By 2030, Africa will have more than 230 million jobs requiring digital skills. Countries across the continent must ensure young people acquire the knowledge needed to meet that demand,’ he said.

According to Mr Kikwete, the greatest challenge is no longer simply unemployment but the widening skills gap, which risks excluding many young people from available jobs because they lack the capabilities employers require.

He urged African governments not to fear AI or embrace it without adequate preparation, but instead to invest in the skills and innovation needed for the continent to become an active participant in the global digital economy.

‘African youth should not remain consumers of technologies developed elsewhere. They must participate in building their own digital platforms, own technological innovation and compete in high-value fields such as engineering, research, data analytics and digital product development,’ he said. He said greater investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), digital infrastructure and skills development would enable Africa’s youth to benefit from AI-driven opportunities rather than be displaced by technological change.

Meanwhile, businessman and MeTL Group chief executive officer Mohammed Dewji said Tanzania had made progress in mobilising domestic resources and private sector participation to finance strategic infrastructure projects despite the financing challenges facing many African countries.

However, he said greater investment was still needed in electricity transmission infrastructure, an area that could benefit from stronger public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve efficiency and expand access.

‘As MeTL Group, we plan to invest approximately $250 million in the development of a dry port, railway connectivity to the facility and the infrastructure needed to establish a Special Economic Zone for industrial development,’ he said.

Mr Dewji said the investment reflects Tanzania’s strategic position as a transport gateway linking East and Central Africa, as well as the country’s ambition to accelerate industrialisation.

We will go straight to the cardinal task of this column, which is, dishing out linguistic gems picked up over the week. Here we go…

Page 20 of Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet of Monday, August 3, has four stories, one of which is thus headlined: ‘TBF Taifa Cup reaches grand finale.’

It is a story on the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Taifa Cup Championship semi-finals which were held in Dodoma recently. The scribbler reports in Para 4: ‘The men’s semi-finals promised equally exciting action AS Songwe WERE locked horns with Geita…’ Grammar has been violated here, rendering the sentence nonsensical.

The past tense plural form of the verb ‘to be’-WERE-is out of place. It means the sentence should have been written this way: ‘The men’s semi-finals promised equally exciting action AS Songwe LOCKED horns with Geita…’

Another story, which is about the 2026 Commonwealth Games that took place from July 23 to August 2 is entitled, ‘Makenji leads Tanzania’s medal hopes after historic 200m record.’ Says the scribbler in Para 5: ‘However, she was eliminated AFTER her performance WAS NOT ENOUGH to secure a place in the next stage of the competition.’

There is syntactical goofing in this sentence. Now, instead of fussing about it, we shall simply do a rewrite: ‘However, she was eliminated SINCE (not ‘after’) her performance WAS NOT ‘good’ ENOUGH to secure a place in the next stage of the competition.’

In Para 9, the scribbler reports further on the elimination of Tanzanian boxer Zawadi Kutaka: ‘The defeat ended Tanzania’s hopes in boxing after other representatives, including Faki Issa Faki and team captain Yusuf Changalawe HAD exited earlier in the competition…’

The verb that we pen in caps is not needed for it simply introduces grammatical mess. It should read, in part: ‘The defeat ended Tanzania’s hopes in boxing after other representatives, including Faki Issa Faki and team captain Yusuf Changalawe, EXITED earlier in the competition…’

Finally, we take a look at Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Monday, August 3. The Front Page of this one has a story with this headline: ‘Eight killed, 66 hurt as two buses collide,’ and for his intro, the scribbler says the following: ‘Eight people died and 66 others were injured following a head-on-collision involving PASSENGER buses at Ibihwa Village in Bahi District, Dodoma Region.’

An old goof has re-emerged here-‘passenger’ buses! A bus, as our wordbook explains, is a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers. Which is to say, it is nonsensical to qualify the word ‘bus’ with ‘passenger.’ Just call it ‘a BUS.’

Page 3 of the broadsheet is carrying a photo, the caption of which reads: ‘Thomas Mgonto, Member of Parliament for Ikungi East CONSTITUENCY in Singida Region, recently addressed pupils at Unyahati Secondary School during a tour of schools within his CONSTITUENCY. Throughout his visits, he STRONGLY urged pupils to uphold strict discipline and good morals to SIGNIFICANTLY enhance their performance in national examinations.’

Hello! When someone is the MP for an area, that area is, obviously, a constituency, so, why say it? In any case, the word ‘constituency’ appears at the end of the cited sentence. Boring, isn’t it?

Furthermore, the adverb ‘strongly’ that qualifies the verb ‘urge’ has been unnecessarily used since this word in itself connotes forcefulness. Actually, according to our wordbook, ‘urge’ means to STRONGLY advise, persuade or forcefully push someone in a specific direction. We also consider the adverb significantly unnecessary.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Deus Sangu, has commended Yas for its participation in this year’s Lindi Region Nane Nane Exhibition, saying private sector investment remains crucial in supporting Tanzania’s agricultural modernization and digital transformation.

Speaking after touring the Yas Pavilion, where he was briefed on the company’s digital connectivity and financial services offered through Yas and Mixx, the minister said such innovations are helping improve access to technology-driven solutions for farmers and other wananchi.

Yas’ Trade Marketing Manager for the Coast South Zone, Mr George Msofe, said the exhibition provides an opportunity to engage directly with farmers and showcase digital solutions that simplify communication, financial transactions and business operations. He said the company will continue working with stakeholders to expand access to digital services, particularly in rural communities, to boost productivity and financial inclusion.

African governments have been urged to adopt innovative financing models and strengthen partnerships with long-term investors in effort to bridge funding gap in the continent’s vast infrastructure ambitions.

Speaking at the 2026 Infra for Africa Forum and Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting in Dar es Salaam, Stanbic Bank Tanzania chief executive officer Manzi Rwegasira and Standard Bank Group’s global head of energy and infrastructure, Oladele Kuti, said Africa must unlock domestic capital and develop bankable projects to close its widening infrastructure financing gap.

Their remarks came after President Samia Suluhu Hassan called on African leaders, financiers and development partners to move ‘from vision to delivery’, saying governments cannot finance the continent’s infrastructure needs on their own. Mr Rwegasira said commercial banks are structurally constrained because they rely largely on short-term customer deposits, making it difficult to provide affordable long-term financing for major infrastructure projects.

‘The big challenge that banks face is that our funding comes from depositors, and it is short term,’ he said.

‘We cannot lend for very long periods at affordable rates because the money we receive is demanded back by our customers quite quickly.’

He explained that projects such as highways, bridges and power infrastructure typically require several years of construction before generating returns over decades, creating a mismatch between banks’ funding sources and infrastructure financing needs. To address this, Mr Rwegasira proposed a financing model in which commercial banks provide capital during the early years of a project before institutional investors, including pension funds, take over long-term financing.

‘What banks can do is finance the first five, six or seven years of a project and then bring pension funds in to provide the remaining long-term financing,’ he said.

He also urged financial institutions to play a greater role in helping governments design projects that are attractive to private investors.

Mr Kuti said Africa’s infrastructure deficit cannot be addressed without substantial investment in the energy sector, describing reliable power as the foundation of economic growth.

‘Driving Africa’s growth story is quite important for us. Our purpose is to drive the growth of the continent,’ he said.

‘There is no continent that can grow without significant investment in energy and the infrastructure required to support that growth.’

He said nearly 600 million Africans remain without access to electricity, while hundreds of millions still lack clean water, underscoring the scale of investment required across energy, transport and water infrastructure.

Drawing on Standard Bank’s experience across the continent, Mr Kuti pointed to investments in South Africa, Angola, Nigeria and Kenya covering oil and gas, electricity generation, energy storage and transport infrastructure. However, he stressed that commercial banks cannot bridge Africa’s infrastructure financing gap on their own.

‘There is a need for Standard Bank, Ecobank, CRDB and NMB, together with other commercial banks, to collaborate,’ he said.

‘We also need to work closely with development finance institutions such as TDB, Africa50, Afreximbank and the African Development Bank, while leveraging World Bank risk mitigation instruments.’

According to Africa50 chairman and African Development Bank president Sidi Ould Tah, Africa requires between $130 billion and $170 billion annually to meet its infrastructure needs but still faces a financing gap of between $68 billion and $100 billion each year.

Tanzania will face Uganda today as Dar es Salaam hosts the final leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B 2024-26 for the first time.

The tournament, which runs until August 18 at the newly inaugurated TCA Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam, is also the first ICC men’s senior World Cup pathway event to be hosted in Tanzania.

Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, Italy, Singapore, Tanzania and Uganda are competing for the remaining qualification places on the road to next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Ahead of the opening match, Tanzania captain Kassim Nassoro expressed confidence in his team’s preparations, saying they are ready for the challenge.

‘We have prepared thoroughly and there is no room for excuses. Our objective is clear, and that’s to proudly represent our country,’ Nassoro said.

Tanzania Cricket Association chairman Balakrishna Sreekumar said hosting the tournament marked an important step in the development of cricket in the country.

He said the event is the result of years of planning, investment and collaboration, and would help strengthen cricket infrastructure while creating opportunities for players, officials and supporters.

‘Following the successful inauguration of the TCA Arena recently, we are honoured to welcome the participating teams to our new home of cricket,’ Sreekumar said.

‘We look forward to delivering a memorable tournament and showcasing the warmth, hospitality and passion for cricket that this country has to offer.’

Tournament coordinator Atif Salim said the new venue, which comprises Annexes A and B, is expected to host major international tournaments in the future.

He added that Tanzania would immediately host the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup Africa Qualifiers after the completion of the current tournament, further strengthening the country’s position as a regional cricket hub.

The qualifiers began in Uganda in November 2024 before moving to Hong Kong, China, in February last year. The final leg is now being staged in Dar es Salaam, with 15 List A matches scheduled to be played.

The top two teams in the standings will advance to the qualifier play-off, making every match crucial in the race for World Cup qualification.

Kinondoni District has launched immigration clubs in schools as part of a new initiative to educate pupils about lawful migration, strengthen national security awareness and discourage illegal immigration from an early age.

Launching the first immigration club in Dar es Salaam at Green Acres School, Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule said the programme would be rolled out to more than 200 schools across the district to ensure children understand immigration laws and their role in safeguarding the country’s security.

He urged residents to support government efforts by reporting suspected undocumented immigrants to the relevant security agencies, stressing that Tanzania welcomes foreigners who comply with the country’s immigration laws and procedures. “We want children to understand immigration matters from a young age. Tanzania welcomes immigrants, but they must enter and live in the country legally. Building this awareness early will help strengthen respect for the law,” said Mr Mtambule.

He also warned residents against sheltering undocumented immigrants, saying anyone found assisting people living in the country illegally would face legal action.

The district commissioner commended the Immigration Department, led by Commissioner General of Immigration Dr Anna Makakala, for intensifying measures to curb illegal immigration nationwide.

Kinondoni Municipal Mayor Songoro Mnyonge described the clubs as an important platform for instilling respect for immigration laws among young people and promoting responsible citizenship.

He praised Green Acres School for becoming the first school in Dar es Salaam to establish an immigration club, saying the initiative would help shape law-abiding future generations.

The mayor also recognised the school’s director, Jackline Rushaigo, for continuing the vision of the school’s late founder while maintaining high academic standards.

Speaking at the launch, Green Acres School Director Jackline Rushaigo thanked the Immigration Department for selecting the school to pioneer the programme, saying the club would complement the school’s commitment to nurturing disciplined, responsible and patriotic citizens.

An old video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rapping in Luganda has resurfaced online, reigniting interest in his deep ties to Uganda and his multicultural upbringing.

Long before entering politics, Mamdani performed under the stage name Young Cardamom, collaborating with Ugandan rapper HAB on socially conscious hip-hop tracks that blended English, Luganda and other East African languages.

One of the songs, Kanda (Chap Chap), celebrated Uganda’s multicultural identity while reflecting on his own background as a Ugandan-born son of Indian parents.

The resurfaced clip has attracted widespread attention on social media, with many Ugandans expressing pride that someone who once rapped in Luganda now leads America’s largest city.

Born in Kampala, Mamdani spent his early childhood in Uganda before moving with his family to New York. He later transitioned from music into public service, serving in the New York State Assembly before becoming Mayor of New York City.