Category: The Citizen

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.

The government has completed construction of Engaresero Airport at the foothills of Ol Doinyo Lengai, popularly known as the Mountain of God, in a move expected to open up Lake Natron’s tourism potential and attract more visitors to the area.

The new facility, which was constructed between May 2025 and June 2026, is awaiting official commissioning after completing the required inspections and beginning trial operations by selected aircraft.

The airport features a 1.2-kilometre runway measuring 23 metres wide, built with compacted and reinforced gravel designed to support operations throughout the year.

Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the global leader in integrated, 360-degree airport hospitality experiences and passenger service solutions, has officially announced its strategic expansion into Tanzania ahead of its upcoming launch of the country’s first Plaza Premium Lounge at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Terminal 3 in Dar es Salaam.

To mark this milestone, PPG hosted an executive stakeholder engagement in Dar es Salaam, bringing together key stakeholders across Tanzania’s aviation, tourism, financial, corporate and government sectors. The session focused on establishing collaborative partnerships to support Tanzania’s premium travel infrastructure and passenger experience.

Scheduled to officially open later this month, Plaza Premium Lounge at JNIA Terminal 3 will welcome all travellers with an elevated pre-flight experience that reflects Plaza Premium Group’s award-winning global expertise and thoughtfully integrated local hospitality. Guided by the philosophy of Your Destination Before Departure, the lounge will offer elevated dining and beverage experiences, premium lounge facilities, shower suites, a dedicated prayer room, business amenities and personalised service, creating a seamless and memorable start to every traveller’s journey.

“Tanzania represents one of the most promising aviation and tourism markets in East Africa,’ said Okan Kufeci, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), adding that ‘Continued investment in infrastructure, growing international connectivity, and a vibrant tourism sector are creating the right conditions for premium airport hospitality.

Today’s engagement marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to collaborate with government institutions, airlines, and industry partners to elevate the passenger experience while supporting Tanzania’s broader growth ambitions.”

This expansion directly supports Tanzania’s vision to solidify JNIA as a premier regional hub for international business, trade, and tourism.

Operating across more than 600 airports in 150 countries and serving over 30 million passengers annually, PPG brings extensive global operational expertise to the market, seamlessly combining international service standards with authentic local elements to create a refined, destination-inspired journey for every traveller.

All kinds of perceptions about life in Russia can still be found online. But what happens when a young woman comes to the country not for a week as a tourist, but for several years – to work and grow professionally?

How much does a full shopping basket cost? Is it true that a taxi ride is cheaper than a cup of coffee in some countries? To answer these questions, we broke down everyday life in Yelabuga – a city near the Alabuga special economic zone, where participants of the international programme Alabuga Start work.

How much does a typical food basket cost?

For many young women arriving in Russia, one of the first discoveries is the price of food. Even with regular shopping, grocery expenses remain quite affordable.

On average, groceries for one person come to around $80-150 per month, depending on preferences and lifestyle.

Taxi is cheaper than many expect

In Russia’s major cities, taxi apps are available and familiar to international users. In Yelabuga, a trip around town usually costs starting from $3.

For employees of the Alabuga special economic zone, there is a specific app – Alga. It allows users to book a car directly to the SEZ territory, which is not always accessible to regular city residents. In addition, the cost of rides is often lower than standard rates.

Communications, internet, and service subscriptions

Russia is known for having one of the most accessible mobile internet services in the world. Mobile tariffs typically cost between $3 and $7 per month. This price includes mobile internet, calls, and messages. By comparison, in many European countries, similar packages are significantly more expensive – around $25.

Almost all everyday tasks can be handled through a smartphone: booking a taxi, ordering food delivery, paying for services, buying tickets, or making online purchases.

Most services are available through integrated apps, which makes them very easy to use.

Where to buy clothes

If previously Russians preferred shopping centres, today most purchases are made through marketplaces such as Wildberries and Ozon. On these platforms, you can order clothing, shoes, electronics, cosmetics, and household goods with delivery to pick-up points that are located in almost every neighbourhood.

In many cases, items bought through marketplaces turn out to be cheaper than in regular shops. They can be tried on and, if necessary, returned if the size or style doesn’t fit.

Entertainment

Despite the city being relatively small, residents of Yelabuga have plenty of entertainment options. There are cinemas, sports clubs, cafés, museums, and cultural spaces. In summer, walks through the historic city centre and along the Kama River embankment are especially popular.

Average prices:

Work and income

For most foreigners, the main question is clear: how comfortable is it to live in Russia on a local salary? Alabuga Start participants come to Russia not to study, but for formal employment and career development.

Today, the programme offers several fields:

Starting salary starts from $706 per month.

Even after paying for accommodation, a significant part of the income remains available for personal expenses, savings, or helping the family. That is why many participants note that for the first time, they have the opportunity not only to support themselves but also to regularly provide financial support to their relatives.

One of the most challenging tasks when moving to a new country is finding a place to live. Alabuga Start participants do not need to look for accommodation on their own. The young women live in modern corporate hostels. The cost of accommodation is $44 per month.

This eliminates the need to search for a property owner, sign contracts, or pay a large deposit, as is often the case when renting accommodation in other countries.

Russia without stereotypes

For many foreign women, moving to Russia begins with anxiety and uncertainty. They arrive with a suitcase, countless questions, and perceptions of the country shaped by other people’s stories or the news. But after a few months, entirely different things begin to stand out: the first pay cheque, new friends, professional skills, the ability to help parents, and a sense of security about the future.

Life in Russia turns out not to be a set of stereotypes, but an ordinary daily reality in which you can make plans, grow, and move forward. Here, people manage their budget, look for the best deals on marketplaces, meet friends after work, and save money for future goals – just like millions of people around the world.

That is why many girls who came for just a few months end up staying much longer. Because the real country is not revealed through news headlines, but through personal experience. And often that experience turns out to be far more interesting, comfortable, and promising than they had thought before arriving.

Morogoro. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has completed the first phase of stringing transmission lines for the 400-kilovolt (kV) Chalinze-Dodoma power transmission project, paving the way for the restoration of electricity services in areas affected by the works.

The utility said the six-day exercise at Mkambarani in Morogoro Region was completed safely and on schedule, marking another milestone towards the completion of the strategic transmission line.

Speaking to journalists at Mkambarani yesterday, Tanesco Acting Director of Communications and Customer Service, Ms Irene Gowelle, said electricity supply had now been fully restored in all regions that experienced temporary outages during the exercise.

‘The first phase has been completed successfully, allowing electricity services to return to normal so that economic and social activities can continue without disruption,’ she said.

She said the project would strengthen Tanzania’s electricity transmission network, supporting economic growth and improving power reliability across the country.

Ms Gowelle thanked customers for their patience during the planned outages and urged them to prepare for the second phase of the works, which is scheduled to take place in Mkonze and Kikombo in Dodoma between August 11 and 14.

‘We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation. Electricity services have returned to normal, but we will announce the schedule for the second phase in advance so that customers can plan their activities accordingly,’ she said.

The project manager for the Chalinze-Dodoma transmission line, Mr Newton Mwakifwamba, said the completed works involved stringing transmission lines across the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the existing 220kV Morogoro I and Morogoro II transmission lines, and a 132kV transmission line at Mkambarani.

He said the next phase would be undertaken simultaneously in Kikombo and Mkonze, where temporary electricity interruptions would be necessary to ensure the safety of workers during construction.

‘The project is crucial because it will significantly increase the capacity of the national electricity transmission network. Once completed, the 400kV Chalinze-Dodoma transmission line will strengthen the country’s ability to transmit electricity more efficiently,’ Mr Mwakifwamba said.

According to Tanesco, the Chalinze-Dodoma 400kV transmission line project is 94 percent complete and is expected to be finished by August 21, 2026.

Once commissioned, the project is expected to increase the capacity of Tanzania’s electricity transmission system while improving the availability, quality and reliability of power supply nationwide.

Two people have died in Babati District, Manyara Region, after being attacked by hyenas in separate incidents across different locations.

These fatalities come just days after similar hyena attacks were reported in Masakta Ward, Hanang District, where a resident succumbed to injuries inflicted by the wild animals.

The first incident occurred in the Dareda Mission area, Babati District, where 40-year-old Manase Nicodemus died following a hyena attack. In another incident in Gidingwar Village, Antony Saqwere, aged between 30 and 35 and a Catholic Church choir master from Donya Village, was killed and devoured by hyenas, leaving behind minimal remains.

Dareda Ward Councillor Willbroad Bayo confirmed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, that Mr Nicodemus was well known to residents, adding that it was believed he was heavily intoxicated when the attack occurred.

Bayo noted that physical evidence at the scene suggested a single hyena was involved, as the animal consumed parts of the legs and abdomen while leaving other body parts intact.

“The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, near residential houses in Dareda Mission, and residents discovered the deceased’s body the following morning,” said Mr Bayo.

He added that he had notified wildlife authorities regarding the increasing movement of hyenas into human settlements at night in search of food.

Gidingwar Village Chairman, Mr Paulo Afirkanus, stated that search teams arriving at the scene recovered the deceased’s clothing, bloodstains, scattered bones, and a skull.

He confirmed that police officers visited the scene and collected the remains for forensic examination and related procedures.

“Neighbours reported hearing numerous hyenas howling throughout the night, which indicates that a pack was likely involved in the attack,” he said.

A resident of Dareda, Ms Elizabeth Qares, noted that stray wild animals continue to pose a serious threat to public safety in the area, particularly after darkness.

Manyara Regional Police Commander Ahmed Makarani confirmed both incidents, stating that police have launched investigations into the fatal animal attacks occurring in the two separate locations.