Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. African governments have been urged to invest in digital infrastructure and policy frameworks that will allow artificial intelligence (AI) to meaningfully drive climate action across the continent.

The call was made yesterday during a panel discussion on “Powering AI for Climate Action: The Infrastructure Imperative” at the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee’s AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, taking place in Dar es Salaam. The experts said the continent’s AI potential would remain underutilized without coordinated data systems, inclusive funding mechanisms, and deliberate efforts to localize technology.

World Bank senior digital development specialist Sara Ballan said many African governments are sitting on valuable climate and agricultural data that could spark local innovation if made accessible. “Across ministries, the data sits in silos,” she said.

“In Kenya, it took a year and a half just to curate and organize it in a way innovators could use.” She said the World Bank has supported such initiatives by helping governments build shared digital infrastructure and cross-sector data systems that allow collaboration between ministries, researchers, and startups.

“The digital transformation has become a foundation for development planning. Governments are now realizing that investing in data centers, connectivity, and interoperability is not optional–it’s essential,” she said.

From Malawi, Mechro’ chief executive Mr Alinafe Kaliwo said enabling policies and access to capital remain major hurdles for AI-driven climate solutions in Africa. “Governments must create policies that are enabling enough for innovators to innovate, but also inject opportunities for funding,” he said.

He added that while donor funding remains limited, resources should be directed to areas with direct community impact. “The starting point should be the innovators themselves.

We must look at the challenges our communities face and turn them into opportunities,” he said. Enterprise Neurosystem Chairman Mr Bill Wright said the next frontier for Africa lies in developing its own digital backbone — from cloud systems to sensor networks.

“When we went to Uganda, they made it clear they didn’t want to use Western cloud providers,” he said.He added, “They wanted to build their own infrastructure, and we partnered with startups like AfroCloud to make that happen.

” He said such models not only enhance data sovereignty but also preserve cultural and social values embedded in AI models. “It’s more than just technology– it’s about ensuring that what we build reflects the essence of the societies it serves,” he said.

Wright added that Africa’s innovation ecosystem is gaining global recognition. “You could camp out at universities and be amazed at what’s happening,” he said.

“The intellectual engine is already running; what’s needed is structured collaboration.” Mr Kaliwo said AI innovation should be guided by practical needs,especially in agriculture.

“As technology evolves, we must evolve our solutions,” he said. “We are developing the Munda Platform, which connects IoT, cloud computing, and AI analytics–all powered by green energy for field-based use.

” He stressed that food systems must be at the heart of AI infrastructure. “If it doesn’t touch the farmer, we risk building systems that do not feed people,” he warned.

The panelists agreed that Africa’s climate innovation agenda depends on how well governments, international partners, and local entrepreneurs can align their efforts. The AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, which continues today, has drawn global participants exploring how AI can accelerate climate solutions while addressing Africa’s unique infrastructural and policy gaps.

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Dar es Salaam. Africa’s battle against climate change could be transformed by home-grown artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that address the continent’s unique environmental and development challenges, leaders told.

The statement made yesterday by Deputy Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office (Environment) Prof Peter Msoffe at the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, a three-day hybrid event here in the city. Prof Msoffe underscored both the challenges and opportunities Africa faces in harnessing digital innovation for climate resilience.

The forum aims to accelerate local development and deployment of AI-powered solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation across the continent. “Africa faces unique challenges — including limited digital infrastructure, restricted access to high-quality climate data, financial constraints and capacity limitations,” he said.

He added, “But these challenges also offer us opportunities: to leapfrog outdated systems, innovate locally and create home-grown solutions.” Prof Msoffe emphasized that AI must be “shaped by equity and inclusion, grounded in trust and transparency and guided by our values and realities.

” “Together, we can ensure these technologies serve our people and our planet–and not the other way around,” he added. He highlighted the urgency of integrating AI into climate action strategies, particularly in agriculture, energy management and data-driven environmental monitoring.

He outlined five key objectives for the forum which include Showcasing local AI innovations, creating enabling policy environments and addressing data and infrastructure gaps. Other include recognizing excellence through the AI for Climate Action Awards 2025; and producing actionable recommendations for sustained progress.

“AI must be equitable, inclusive and guided by shared values. Together, we can ensure these technologies protect people, communities and our planet,” he said.

Advisor and Presidential Envoy of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania on Environment and Climate Change Dr Richard Muyungi said Tanzania’s hosting of the forum reflects both the government’s commitment and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership in prioritizing climate resilience. Dr Muyungi who also serve as Chairman of the Africa Climate Change Negotiators Group said, “This conference demonstrates Tanzania’s readiness to address climate change issues through modern technologies”.

He said, “It also creates an opportunity for youth to learn and develop AI innovations aimed at combating climate change.” Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Mr Simon Stiell, noted that AI is emerging as “one of the most powerful tools available to accelerate climate action.

” “We are already seeing applications that optimize energy and land use, monitor greenhouse gas emissions, map climate resilience, strengthen early warning systems, improve water and food security and manage supply chains,” Mr Stiell said. However, he warned that the technology’s benefits come with caveats.

“If left unaddressed, the digital divide, algorithmic bias and weak data governance could widen inequalities and undermine climate progress,” he cautioned. “But when managed responsibly, AI’s benefits far outweigh its risks.

” For Africa, he said, the stakes are especially high. The continent’s youthful population, expanding digital connectivity and urgent need for climate resilience create fertile ground for locally relevant AI innovations–but infrastructure and financing gaps remain major obstacles.

The Dar es Salaam forum takes place ahead of COP30 in Berlin this November, where countries are expected to submit updated climate action plans extending to 2035. Organizers view this gathering as a vital step toward ensuring Africa’s voice is central in shaping the future of climate-focused digital technologies. .

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Dar es Salaam. The first prosecution witness in the treason case against Chadema national chairperson Tundu Lissu has completed his testimony, insisting that incitement intended to threaten the government constitutes treason.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Bagyemu, the Deputy Zonal Crime Officer (DZCO) for the Dar es Salaam Special Zone, made the statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025 as he wrapped up four days of testimony before the High Court’s Dar es Salaam sub-registry. ACP Bagyemu took the stand from Monday, October 6, to Thursday, October 9, before a panel of three judges led by Judge Dunstan Ndunguru of the Iringa Sub-Registry, sitting with Judges James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde.

Mr Lissu is facing a treason charge under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, in connection with remarks he allegedly made suggesting the prevention of the 2025 General Election. Led by Principal State Attorney (PSA) Nassoro Katuga, the witness faced clarifying questions following two days of cross-examination by the accused.

He maintained that suspending elections through lawful means does not amount to treason, but doing so unlawfully, through intimidation or violation of the law, does. On Thursday, ACP Bagyemu spent about 27 minutes responding to the prosecution’s clarifying questions before being released after prosecutors confirmed the conclusion of their examination.

Among the key exchanges between the State Attorney and the witness were: Attorney: You were asked whether incitement is an act of treason, and you said yes. What did you mean? Witness : Incitement that threatens the government amounts to treason; it is not simply the act of incitement itself.

Attorney: You were shown the charge sheet and asked whether the word “Government” appears in it. You said even if it does not, it is implied.

Can you explain? Witness: The term “Government” is implied in context. Considering the statements and their intent, they amount to rebellion.

Elections are constitutional, so even if the term is missing, it remains contextually present. Attorney: You were also asked whether preventing elections is treason.

You said it depends on the method. Please clarify.

Witness: Preventing elections through legal procedures is not treason. But doing so unlawfully, through intimidation or defiance of the law, is treason.

Attorney: You were asked about who published the content online. You mentioned “P” and later both “P” and Tundu Lissu.

What did you mean? Witness: By speaking to journalists, particularly from Jambo TV, Mr Lissu intended his statements to be published online. The journalist was his conduit for dissemination.

Attorney: You were also asked whether it is an offence for an opposition party to challenge the government through lawful means. You said it is not.

Please clarify. Witness: Challenging the government through lawful means is not an offence.

It only becomes one when intimidation is involved. During Wednesday’s cross-examination, Mr Lissu questioned the witness extensively about his earlier testimony, while recounting his record in democracy and human rights advocacy.

He repeatedly asked whether the witness was aware of his background, achievements, or international recognition. ACP Bagyemu said he knew some details, was unaware of others, and denied a few outright.

He added that he did not know of Mr Lissu’s activism or that he was a prominent public figure. Following ACP Bagyemu’s conclusion, the prosecution called its second witness, Police Inspector John Kaaya, 45, from the Cybercrime Investigation Unit, who serves at the Online Patrol Desk.

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Dar es Salaam. For the first time, pension funds across Africa are seeking to pool their resources to address the continent’s development challenges, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional foreign funding sources, according to leaders of the African pension industry.

Africa faces enormous annual financing gaps, with the African Development Bank estimating that the continent requires over $1.3 trillion each year to meet its development goals. Against this backdrop, the continent’s pension providers are preparing to commit to a “Development Fund for Africa” at the “$700bn in 1 Room” All Africa Pensions Summit, scheduled from November 5 to 7 at the Munyonyo Convention Centre in Kampala, Uganda.

Hosted by NSSF Uganda, the summit will be held under the theme, ‘Pension Funds Powering Africa’s Growth’. Its agenda focuses on deepening patient capital pools, strengthening partnerships, enhancing social impact and positioning pension funds as catalysts for infrastructure development.

“Pension funds across Africa hold about $700 billion in assets under management. This is a major opportunity for Africans to catalyse our own economies by providing funding that is not tied to unfavourable conditions from foreign donors,” said Mr Patrick Ayota, managing director of NSSF Uganda, East Africa’s largest fund valued at over $7 billion.

Mr Ayota emphasised that the realignment of global geopolitics has rendered traditional foreign funding insufficient to meet Africa’s expanding infrastructure requirements. “By setting aside just one per cent of the assets held by African pension funds, we are looking at $7 billion.

Two per cent translates to $14 to $20 billion a substantial resource that could drive meaningful development across the continent,” he said. United Nations Resident Coordinator for Uganda Leonard Zulu called for Africa to look inward and mobilise domestic savings, diaspora remittances and blended financing models.

“The traditional models of development cooperation are being redefined. Official development assistance, though important, is no longer sufficient to meet the scale and complexity of challenges we face.

Declining aid flows, shifting geopolitical priorities and funding uncertainties make it vital to develop innovative domestic financing solutions to support national development strategies while fostering resilience and sustainability,” he said. He noted that fifteen of the continent’s twenty traditional donor partners have reduced funding, underscoring the urgency for African nations to shift from aid to trade, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access capital crucial for achieving national goals.

For his part, Africa Social Security Association (ASSA) secretary general Meshach Bandawe highlighted that African infrastructure funding must increasingly be addressed by Africans themselves. “Pension funds are increasingly recognised as critical levers for inclusive development and can unlock long-term capital for infrastructure, agriculture, climate change mitigation and social impact initiatives,” he said.

According to ISSA, Africa has 51 pension and social security funds. Several, including Tanzania’s NSSF, have already demonstrated the potential of locally mobilised capital in development projects.

“The time is ripe for African pension providers to coalesce around this approach. With foreign funding sources drying up, there is no better moment than now to harness domestic capital for the continent’s development needs,” Mr Bandawe added.

The summit has attracted CEOs of pension funds, chief investment officers, global investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), venture and private capital firms, policymakers and government officials from across Africa and beyond. East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association chairperson Amanda Kabagambe explained the complementary role of private equity in infrastructure.

“There’s a role for governments and long-term players to fund infrastructure because private equity and venture capital typically do not have capital for projects spanning 15 to 20 years. These funds are more aligned to projects where risk, liquidity and return timelines are shorter.

But private equity can directly participate in infrastructure developed by DFIs, complementing their investments,” she said. The summit will also examine ways to expand pension coverage and deepen capital pools.

Many Africans, particularly in the informal sector, save in livestock or land rather than formal financial instruments. Pension funds aim to convert these savings into investable capital, thereby increasing domestic long-term savings.

“African countries still have savings in the low teens as a percentage of GDP, compared with Asian tigers such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, where domestic savings reach 25 to 27 per cent. By mobilising and pooling our savings, Africa can fund its own development rather than relying on external partners,” Mr Ayota said.

The summit will showcase examples of pension funds catalysing infrastructure projects. In Tanzania, the NSSF contributed significantly to the construction of the Jemoni Bridge.

In Ethiopia, local capital funded the Gadd Dam. In Uganda, NSSF is involved in the Kampala-Ginja Expressway project.

By pooling resources, African pension funds could fund multiple major projects across the continent. A regional task force has already been established by six East African pension funds to explore cross-border investment opportunities.

Regulatory barriers are minimal between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, leaving political considerations and risk diversification as primary factors for investment decisions. “Diversification protects members’ savings.

For example, political risks differ between countries. By investing across East Africa, funds can mitigate these risks while ensuring better returns for their members,” Mr Ayota explained.

Social impact investments will also be a focus. Rwanda’s RSD has extended healthcare coverage to over 94 per cent of its population.

NSSF Uganda is implementing borderless education initiatives to ensure equitable access for children across national boundaries. Pension funds can also strengthen public-private partnerships in agriculture, support start-ups and finance research and development.

Mr Zulu emphasised that Africa is not poor. With $57 billion in private savings and $100 billion in remittances, the continent has sufficient domestic resources to become its own development agent.

“The All-Africa Pension Summit will lay the foundation for a continental discussion on how Africa’s $1.3 trillion in pension assets can be strategically leveraged to drive inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure and social protection,” he said. The summit is expected to be attended by the President of Uganda, CEOs from across Africa, international organisations including the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, African Development Bank, East African Development Bank and venture capitalists.

NSSF Uganda is leading the initiative, encouraging collaboration and shared learning among African pension providers. “The goal is to transform African pension funds from mere financial institutions into powerful engines of development.

By investing domestically, we reduce reliance on foreign aid, minimise currency risks and mobilise capital that can be reinvested in local economies,” Mr Ayota said. .

Dar es Salaam. A Tanzanian entrepreneur has developed a digital platform designed to connect shippers, drivers and freight forwarders through a system that functions much like ride-hailing Uber.

Azizi Chamani, 35, is behind CargoLink–a web-based freight platform built to modernise the transport sector and address inefficiencies in cargo movement across Tanzania and East Africa. Founder and chief executive officer of Top Notch Company Limited, Azizi Chamani “I was inspired by the inefficiencies I observed in the logistics chain, where thousands of trucks either return empty after offloading cargo inland or arrive empty at the Port of Dar es Salaam to pick up new shipments,” Mr Chamani said in an interview.

“This imbalance in cargo flow costs businesses and the economy millions every year,” added Mr Chamani who the founder and chief executive officer of Top Notch Company Limited that owns the platform. Mr Chamani, who holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialisation in Blockchain Management from Guglielmo Marconi University in Italy, said CargoLink was developed to digitise how cargo is booked, moved, and paid for–an area that has remained largely manual despite advancements in digital banking and mobile money.

“Ultimately, our goal is to make Tanzania the digital logistics hub of East Africa and support the country’s Development Vision 2050 by enhancing trade efficiency and digital innovation,” he said. The platform allows shippers to post cargo, drivers to accept jobs, and payments to be processed securely online.

Mobile applications for Android and iOS are in their final stages of development and are expected to launch in the coming months. From idea to reality With endorsement from the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), Mr Chamani said CargoLink has engaged with regulators, industry stakeholders, and the private sector to establish partnerships.

“The entire project–its platform, services, and brand identity–has been fully copyrighted and trademark-protected, ensuring the long-term integrity of the brand,” he said. “So, we can confidently say CargoLink is no longer just an idea–it is an operational solution gearing up for a large-scale rollout by early next year,” he said.

Currently self-financed through Top Notch Company Limited, the project seeks to raise between $1.5 million and $2 million to scale operations across Tanzania and expand regionally. According to him, the funds will support system upgrades, hardware acquisition, marketing and workforce expansion.

“We are in discussions with both local and international investors who see the long-term potential in what we’re building,” he said, adding that the doors are wide open for strategic partners and investors who share their vision. How it works Through CargoLink, businesses, importers, and exporters can post shipments by entering details such as pickup and drop-off points, cargo type, and schedule.

They can then choose to work directly with a verified driver or through a registered freight forwarder. Freight forwarders handle logistics documentation, negotiate rates, assign vetted drivers, and manage multi-leg, cross-border shipments.

Once a shipment is booked, it can be tracked in real time via GPS, offering full visibility for shippers, forwarders, and drivers. Payments are processed digitally, reducing fraud and ensuring secure, cashless transactions.

The platform also supports multi-leg bookings–for example, from Dar es Salaam to Lubumbashi–optimising routes and minimising empty return trips. To ensure reliable service delivery, CargoLink plans to provide branded smartphones equipped with GPS and preloaded applications to fleet owners and drivers, particularly those lacking compatible devices.

Mr Chamani believes the timing is right for such innovation, given the ongoing expansion of regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), increased government emphasis on transport efficiency, and widespread smartphone penetration. “Tanzania is a natural logistics hub,” he said.

“With the Port of Dar es Salaam handling over 95 percent of the country’s international trade and serving landlocked nations like Zambia, Rwanda, and the DRC, efficient freight coordination is essential.” While Kenya’s Mombasa port remains a major competitor, Mr Chamani said CargoLink’s dynamic booking and route optimisation features could complement both ports and promote collaboration.

“Our vision is not just to build a platform,” he added, “but to help reshape how goods move across East Africa–efficiently, transparently, and digitally.” .

Unguja. When President Hussein Ali Mwinyi cut the ribbon to launch Zanzibar’s new electricity stabilisation system last week, the moment symbolised more than just an engineering milestone.

It was also the story of a Tanzanian who left home almost 30 years ago, built a career in the United States, and then returned to prove that the diaspora can deliver strategic projects of national importance. At the heart of the project is Erick Kasalika, an electrical engineer whose company designed and installed the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) stabilisation system that now ensures a more reliable flow of power across the Isles.

The success of the project has been hailed as a turning point for Zanzibar’s energy sector — and for Kasalika, it represents the fulfilment of a personal mission. “This project was about more than stabilizing power,” he says.

“It was about proving that Tanzania’s diaspora can bring home not only resources but also global experience, skills, and networks. A country cannot be built by foreigners alone.

It must be built by its own people.” From Dar es Salaam to Kansas and back Kasalika’s story begins in Dar es Salaam, where he was born, before moving through Tanzania’s renowned schools: Dodoma Amani Primary, Tabora Boys, Kibaha Secondary and Tambaza High.

In the 1990s, like many ambitious young Tanzanians, he left for the United States in search of higher education and professional opportunities. “I trained as an electrical engineer in the U.

S. become professional engineer and began my career at Cessna Aircraft- Textron Company before moving into the American utility industry,” After finished he Graduate School specialised in Power Systems he recalls.

“Eventually, I started my own company, which I have now run for more than 15 years.” But despite a successful career abroad, Kasalika never stopped thinking about Tanzania.

His dream was to return and invest in the infrastructure that he believed would determine the nation’s future. “Whenever I came home, I saw the potential — in energy, in construction, in water systems.

Tanzania has enormous opportunities. What was missing was trust in local and diaspora expertise.

” Struggles breaking through Kasalika’s path back into Tanzania’s infrastructure sector was anything but smooth. Despite his international credentials, he found himself sidelined in favor of large foreign contractors.

“Many of the big projects were awarded to foreign companies. As a local or a diaspora company, it was a challenge to be trusted.

Sometimes people believed a foreigner could do a better job than someone who grew up here,” he says with a sigh. Among the projects that stung were subcontracting roles in mega-initiatives like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.

Local and diaspora firms, he argues, were often given only minor roles while foreign companies took the lead. “I call those experiences my wake-up calls,” he says.

“They showed me how the system worked — and why we need to raise the bar in terms of professionalism, transparency, and persistence. If you give up at the first disappointment, you miss the bigger opportunities.

” Delivering for Zanzibar Persistence eventually paid off. His company secured the contract for the Zanzibar Voltage Stabilization which includes STATCOM, Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR) and Capacitors Banks project in Zanzibar, a sophisticated system that stabilizes the grid and ensures households and businesses receive steady electricity.

For an island economy long plagued by power interruptions, the impact has been immediate. Shops, hotels, and factories now report fewer outages.

Families and Hotels are no longer have to rely as heavily on backup generators. And for Kasalika, the praise from President Hussein Mwinyi at the project’s inauguration was more than symbolic — it was validation.

“This project shows that the diaspora can deliver,” he says proudly. “We bring with us the discipline and exposure of working in highly competitive environments abroad, and we can adapt that knowledge to Tanzania’s needs.

” Lessons for Diaspora investors Kasalika believes his journey holds lessons for other Tanzanians living abroad who dream of contributing to their country’s development. His first lesson is resilience.

“You will face disappointment, but that’s part of business. The important thing is to find the right people to work with and remain open-minded.

You can’t expect everything to work smoothly the first time,” he says. The second lesson is to break out of the “comfort zone” that many diaspora professionals fall into.

“It’s easier to stay in the U.S.

or Europe, where systems work and you feel safe. But if you really want to make a difference — and build something lasting — the opportunities are greater here in Tanzania.

There is more space to innovate and more demand for solutions.” The third lesson is trust in one’s own ability.

“It’s not about color or nationality. It’s about competence.

If you can succeed in the U.S.

or Europe, you can succeed anywhere, including Tanzania. What we need to fight is the mindset that foreigners are always better.

” A call for policy change Beyond individual effort, Kasalika believes the Tanzanian government must do more to embrace diaspora investment. He points to other African countries — Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda — that have built strong frameworks for harnessing the skills and capital of their diaspora communities.

“Sometimes we are made to feel that being diaspora is a bad word, but it isn’t. We are Tanzanians who saw opportunities abroad and now want to bring that experience home.

If doors are opened wider, we can do even more,” he says. He suggests policies that would create more favorable conditions for diaspora businesses: fairer procurement systems, stronger protections for local contractors, and clear incentives for diaspora investors.

“If we can level the playing field, I am confident more Tanzanians abroad will return and invest.” Looking ahead Kasalika is not stopping with Zanzibar.

His company is already engaged in construction projects in Dar es Salaam, and he has his eyes on opportunities in engineering, renewable energy, construction, water systems, and technology. “There are more opportunities to make an impact here than in the U.

S.,” he says confidently.

“And you can build something that truly changes people’s lives.” He dreams of a future where Tanzania no longer depends heavily on foreign companies for its major infrastructure.

Instead, he envisions a vibrant ecosystem where local and diaspora firms drive development. “It’s about restoring pride.

We need to believe that Tanzanians — whether at home or abroad — have the capacity to build this country. That’s what motivates me every day.

” A role model for a new generation As Tanzania charts its path toward middle-income status, stories like Kasalika’s highlight the untapped potential of its diaspora. His success in stabilizing Zanzibar’s electricity grid has already made a tangible difference in people’s lives.

But perhaps his greater contribution is as a role model — proof that Tanzanians abroad can return, invest, and succeed. For young engineers, entrepreneurs, and students studying overseas, his message is simple: Don’t wait for perfect conditions.

Come home, bring your skills, and build something meaningful. As he puts it: “A country cannot be built by foreigners.

It must be built by its own people. And the diaspora is part of that story.

We are ready — if Tanzania is ready for us.” .

Dodoma/Dar es Salaam. Fresh hope has emerged for Tanzanian pigeon pea farmers as the government engages in talks with India to secure a major market for the crop.

The price of pigeon peas has sharply declined in recent seasons, primarily due to falling international prices driven by abundant supply. Sources indicate that global prices have dropped significantly from $1.60 per kilogram last year to between $0.60 and $0.75 currently.

Despite this decline, Tanzanian farmers benefited last year by earning about 75 percent of the price that pigeon peas fetched in India, which ranged from Sh950 to Sh1,200 per kilogram. However, the latest data from the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange Plc website shows that the prices for pigeon peas in nearly 16 growing regions for September and October 2025 have further plummeted to an average of Sh670 to Sh1,030 per kilogram.

Yesterday, a statement dated Wednesday, October 8, 2025, issued by the Director-General of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), Ms Irene Mlola, showed that there were ongoing talks between Tanzania and India over pigeon pea trade. The Indian market remains a lifeline for Tanzanian pigeon peas; however, the crop is one of the most volatile globally, relying heavily on a single buyer, India.

According to Ms Mlola, discussions between the two sides were initiated during a working visit to New Delhi, where a Tanzanian delegation attended the World Food India 2025 exhibition. She said Tanzania is projected to produce over 400,000 tonnes of pigeon peas this season and that the government is working to secure a reliable market to support farmers and guarantee better returns.

“The negotiations aim to enable India to purchase Tanzania’s pigeon peas directly for its national food reserves, thereby contributing to that country’s food security,” she said, stressing India remains Tanzania’s largest export destination for the crop. “I commend farmers for their continued hard work.

Our country ranks second globally in pigeon pea production, and last season Tanzania exported about 350,000 tonnes of the crop to India,” she said. Tanzania’s High Commissioner to India, Ms Anisa Mbega, said the current talks build on the groundwork laid by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her state visit to India in October 2023. “During the visit, President Samia held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which both leaders strengthened bilateral trade ties,” Ms Mbega was quoted in a statement.

Trade volume between Tanzania and India has since grown, reaching $8.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, according to official data. With the latest engagement, Tanzania hopes not only to ensure better prices for its farmers but also to consolidate long-term trade relations with India in the agricultural sector.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, contained in the 2025/26 Fiscal Year Budget, show that 441,590.56 tonnes of pigeon peas were exported between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. Statistics show the country earned a staggering Sh1.395 trillion in the said seasons: S45.64 billion (2021/22), Sh334.17 billion (2022/23), and Sh615.32 billion (2023/24).

Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Godfrey Malekano, was recently quoted by local media as saying plans were afoot to establish a storage facility to warehouse the crop during global surpluses and sell when demand is high, to mitigate price fluctuations, protect farmers, and avoid being mere price takers. He said India’s recent decision to extend duty-free pigeon pea imports to next March marks a major development in the global pulses market, aimed at addressing domestic supply shortages.

“The recent plunge in pigeon pea prices has affected not only local farmers but also export traders, who are struggling with lower prices in the Indian market, even as TMX quotes remain above Indian levels,” he said. He added that the government was gradually adjusting prices in line with global market trends to prevent traders from exploiting farmers.

“Our focus is on ensuring fair value for producers while responding to international price movements,” he said. Current prices regionally According to the TMX market, the following is the average price range per kilogramme and respective growing regions in brackets for September and October, respectively: Sh910-Sh910 (Tabora); Sh670-Sh670 (Katavi); Sh730-Sh760 (Coast); Sh700-Sh700 (Kigoma); Sh700-Sh770 (Mtwara); Sh680-Sh800 (Lindi); Sh850-Sh860 (Morogoro); Sh680-Sh840 (Ruvuma) and Sh770-Sh800 (Tanga).

Others are: Sh940-Sh940 (Singida); Sh990-Sh1,030 (Arusha); Sh930-Sh970 (Simiyu); Sh960-Sh990 (Manyara); Sh820-Sh840 (Dodoma); Sh710-Sh710 (Mara) and Sh810-Sh810 (Mbeya). Pigeon peas are nutritious, providing high levels of protein, dietary fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

A 100-gramme serving of cooked pigeon peas contains about 203 calories, 39 grammes of carbohydrates, 11 grammes of fibre, and 11 grammes of protein. The seeds are particularly rich in minerals such as copper and manganese, which contribute to cardiovascular health and blood sugar stability.

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Mwanza. CCM’s presidential candidate and current Head of State, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged to cement the Lake Zone as the country’s commercial heartbeat by strengthening five crucial sectors–agriculture, health, education, energy and transport.

Addressing a rally at Nyamagana grounds in Mwanza as she concluded her campaign trail in the region, President Samia said her government’s vision is to build upon the foundations already laid, with Mwanza as the epicentre of transformation. “In the past five years alone, Mwanza has received approximately Sh5.6 trillion in development projects.

Some have already been completed, while others are nearing completion. This is why progress in Mwanza is visible, and this is why we must continue,” she declared, greeted by thunderous applause.

Health: Bringing specialist services closer President Hassan assured citizens that health remains a top priority. She pointed to major investments in the region’s referral hospitals.

“At Sekou-Toure, we have built a five-storey maternal and child block worth Sh10.1 billion, with 261 beds. This has helped us significantly reduce maternal and child deaths,” she said.

She added that government efforts have ensured hospitals now produce their own oxygen, ending the old practice of transporting gas cylinders from afar. “At Bugando, we invested over Sh9 billion to improve medical facilities, expand the ICU, and build a cancer treatment block.

We have acquired mammogram machines and modern radiotherapy equipment. Cancer patients no longer need to travel to Ocean Road in Dar es Salaam,” she stressed.

The President promised to extend specialised services to islands like Ukerewe so that patients no longer have to cross to Mwanza City for treatment. Education: Skills for the future On education, she highlighted how the government has expanded opportunities through free education and investment in skills training.

“We have built three VETA colleges in Magu, Misungwi and Buchosa to give our young people practical skills for self-employment. We have also constructed a new DIT campus in Ilemela and a campus of the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy in Misungwi.

At Malya in Kwimba, we have improved the sports college with an investment of over Sh34 billion. This is to nurture talent and produce more coaches for the country,” she explained.

Energy: Powering households and businesses The president reassured residents that energy is no longer a challenge, with electricity reaching more villages and emphasis being placed on clean cooking energy. “In the first phase, we subsidised gas cylinders to promote clean cooking, because we know this is a liberation for women.

For areas not yet covered, we will continue offering subsidies and expand distribution,” she said. Transport: Roads, rail and ports She underlined the transformative impact of infrastructure in the Lake Zone.

“The KigongoBusisi Bridge, worth Sh700 billion, is now Tanzania’s longest bridge. It has ended the long ferry delays, connecting communities faster.

The MwanzaIsaka Standard Gauge Railway, a 314km section worth Sh3 trillion, is progressing well. This will link Mwanza to the central corridor and boost trade across the region,” she stated.

She added that the ongoing Sh28 billion Mwanza Airport expansion will turn the city into an international hub, handling 4,000 passengers at once. “Alongside the Sh18 billion Northern Port expansion and the new Sh123 billion modern market in Mwanza, our goal is to make Mwanza the Kariakoo of the Lake Zone,” she said.

She also highlighted government support for small traders, cage fishing investments worth S.1 billion in loans, and projects clearing invasive weeds from Lake Victoria.

“The recently launched MV Mpungu and the soon-to-operate MV Mwanza will strengthen trade with Uganda and Bukoba, restoring Mwanza’s role as the region’s trade hub,” she added. A record of resilience Former CCM Secretary General, Dr Bashiru Ally, told the crowd that President Samia has already proven her strength in times of trial.

“If our country has remained united, if CCM has stayed strong, and if peace and security have prevailed during a time of sudden change, then it is clear we are safe under her guidance,” he said, as supporters waved party flags. He urged Tanzanians to dismiss divisive voices: “These are distractions planned by a few.

Samia is a treasure of experience. I do not doubt that Tanzanians will vote for her to continue leading this country forward.

” Parliamentary candidate for Arusha Urban, Paul Makonda, also rallied youth to stand with Samia. “When the late Magufuli was president, some insulted him day and night.

Now they attack Samia. But where are the youth to defend her achievements? This is the time to rise and protect our leader,” he declared.

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Yaounde. Cameroonian President Paul Biya is running for an eighth term on Sunday that could keep him in office until he is nearly 100, seeking to overcome frustration with his decades-long rule and a spirited challenge from a former government mouthpiece.

Biya took office in 1982 and has held a tight grip on power ever since, doing away with the presidential term limit in 2008 and winning re-election by comfortable margins. His government has denied claims of ballot stuffing and manipulating the courts to sideline opponents.

Maurice Kamto, Biya’s top challenger in the 2018 election, has been disqualified this time and the remaining contenders have failed to rally around a unity candidate, boosting the president’s victory chances. Biya rarely appears in public, fuelling consistent speculation that he is in poor health.

The government last year banned public discussion of the topic. He has attended one campaign rally this year, on Tuesday in the northern city of Maroua, where he thanked people for their support “despite the false omens, the slander, the fabrications”.

He acknowledged complaints about basic services like roads and electricity in the cocoa and oil-producing country. “I am well aware of the problems that are of concern to you.

I am aware of the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future,” he said. “I can assure you that these problems are not impossible to overcome.

” FORMER SPOKESPERSON BECOMES CHALLENGER The challenger drawing the biggest crowds is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who previously served as employment minister but announced in June that he was defecting. Tchiroma has accused Biya of mismanaging Cameroon’s resource wealth, leaving it dependent on international financial institutions.

“Their failure is everywhere,” he said of the ruling party while campaigning. All Cameroonians are fed up with their management.

” It is unclear whether the energy of Tchiroma’s rallies will translate into votes. In war-hit eastern Congo, nearly 90% of surveyed health facilities were fully out of medicines “One is left with the impression that if this mobilisation is transferred into the ballot box then change is coming,” said Pippie Hugues, a Cameroonian political analyst.

“However, the reverse might be true. We have seen such mobilisation in 2018, and nothing changed.

” Raoul Sumo Tayo, senior researcher with the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies think tank, said Tchiroma might perform well in cities but would struggle in rural areas where the ruling party has a strong turnout operation fuelled by patronage. “The ruling party is likely to be declared the winner of the election,” he said.

“Nevertheless, Tchiroma has demonstrated a strong ability to mobilise support to contest the results.” Twelve candidates are running in the election, and Cameroon does not hold run-offs, meaning the top vote-getter on Sunday wins .