Category: The Citizen

. The Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam will host its 16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Gymkhana Club, bringing together golfers, corporate leaders, Rotarians and partners to raise support for community development initiatives.

Held under Rotary’s theme, ‘Each One, Engage for Impact,’ the annual tournament has become a key platform for combining sport, fellowship and service, while mobilising resources for projects in health, education, environmental conservation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Rotary Club of Bahari President Irene Bizere said reaching the 16th edition was an important milestone, noting that the tournament had evolved beyond a sporting event into a platform for corporate partnerships and community service.

‘Over the years, this tournament has grown beyond golf to become a platform where friendship, corporate partnership and a shared commitment to service come together,’ Ms Bizere said.

She thanked sponsors, golfers and partners for their continued support, saying their contributions had enabled the club to make a tangible difference in communities.

The club’s recent projects include a Microforest Project implemented in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation during the 2025/26 Rotary year. The initiative engaged 80 youth volunteers and directly benefited more than 300 students and staff.

The club also planted 1,000 trees around the University of Dar es Salaam campus, provided free cervical cancer screening to at least 150 women and delivered an incinerator to Toangoma Primary School to improve sanitation and waste management.

Several projects are also currently underway, including a Neonatal Global Grant Project in partnership with SolidarMed to support neonatal wards with equipment and training.

Other initiatives include renovating primary school toilets, installing an incinerator at Mtakuja Secondary School to support WASH and girls’ hygiene, and providing 450 desks to improve learning conditions for about 3,030 pupils, including 34 blind pupils at Toangoma Primary School.

Healthcare remains another major area of focus for the club.

In July, the Rotary Club of Bahari, working with Rotaract Tanzania and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), conducted a blood donation drive in Masaki, Dar es Salaam.

The campaign registered 77 donors and mobilised 41 volunteers, resulting in the collection of 44 units of blood, which could potentially save more than 130 lives.

Service Project Director Gladyness Mkumbo said the results demonstrated the impact that could be achieved through collective action and partnerships.

‘Forty-four units is a strong start, but our ambition is to go further,’ Ms Mkumbo said, adding that partnerships built around initiatives such as the golf tournament could help mobilise more people and resources for community projects.

The tournament has attracted support from a range of corporate partners, including Toyota, Ecobank, TotalEnergies, ASAS, GSM, Minet Insurance, SBC (T) Ltd, Allmol Freight Services, Neelkanth Group, Lodhia Group, Tanfoam, Abbas Autos, V One Ahead Insurance, Blueberry Travel and NCBA.

The Rotary Club of Bahari has invited golfers, companies, organisations and friends of Rotary to participate in the tournament and support its efforts to create lasting positive change in communities.

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) has assured private sector investors seeking opportunities in the archipelago of a conducive investment environment, emphasising that economic growth cannot be driven by the government alone.

The government said its primary role is to formulate policies, laws and regulations that create certainty, comfort and ease for investors, enabling the private sector to play a leading role in economic development.

These remarks were made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by Zanzibar’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Juma Malik Akil, during a meeting on private sector participation in the implementation of the Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP II) 2026/31.

Held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Unguja’s Urban West Region, the meeting was organised by the Zanzibar Planning Commission.

Minister Malik stated that there has been a perception that when the government formulates short- and long-term plans, it excludes the private sector, and they want to eliminate that notion because it is incorrect.

‘A country’s economy is built by the private sector; the government has one major task: to formulate policies, laws, and procedures that make it easier for them to invest, and to create regulations that give them comfort in executing the projects they wish to invest in,’ he said.

He noted that the old mindset of expecting the government to handle everything was what created hesitation and fear around investing.

Consequently, Dr Malik stated that because the government is ready to collaborate with the private sector, it has resolved to amend laws that cause delays and create bottlenecks in enabling them to conduct business or invest.

The minister added that the aim of these measures is to provide stability and peace of mind.

He reassured investors that past obstacles no longer exist, noting that even the registration process for investors has been streamlined to prevent long delays and make operations easier.

The Zanzibar Planning Commission executive secretary, Dr Josephine Kimaro, stated that ZADEP II is a medium-term development framework building on where ZADEP I (2021-2026) concluded, forming part of the implementation of the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050.

She explained that the main objective of the plan is to boost the economy and individual incomes, develop human capital through skills and employment, and ensure the economy built is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive of ordinary citizens.

‘The private sector is ready to participate in raising citizen incomes to ensure that development reaches ordinary people and enhances individual livelihoods,’ she said.

She emphasised that the private sector is a key stakeholder, given that the Commission bears the primary responsibility of planning, overseeing, and monitoring implementation to ensure tangible results.

A stakeholder from the Africa Pension Fund (APeF), Mr Mfaume Kimario, advised the RGZ to list and register companies and projects executed in Zanzibar on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and in collective investment schemes.

He noted that such a step would offer Tanzanians and Zanzibaris a full opportunity to participate by purchasing shares and becoming owners or investors in these strategic government projects.

m. American R and B star Trey Songz has arrived in Tanzania promising Dar es Salaam music lovers a performance to remember, while also using his maiden visit to the country to take part in a humanitarian engagement.

The concert will take place at the TTCL Grounds, popularly known as Posta Grounds, in Kijitonyama, Dar es Salaam. Unlike events that charge individual entrance fees at the gate, fans will access the venue through table bookings, with tables available at different prices depending on the package. There will be no individual entrance fee for fans at the gate.

The Grammy-nominated singer touched down at Julius Nyerere International Airport shortly after midnight yesterday ahead of the Imbeju Sauti Moja Concert, which will be held tomorrow, August 14, at TTCL Grounds, popularly known as Posta Grounds, in Dar es Salaam.

Unlike conventional concerts, organisers have said there will be no entrance fee charged at the gate. Instead, fans will access the event by purchasing tables offered at different prices, depending on the package.

Trey Songz will headline an international line-up of artistes at the concert, which is expected to attract thousands of music fans eager to watch the American R and B star perform live in Tanzania for the first time.

As part of his Tanzania itinerary, Trey is also expected to visit the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), adding a social and humanitarian dimension to his maiden trip.

The visit will give the artiste an opportunity to learn more about the institute’s work and interact with people connected to its services before turning his attention to the concert stage.

His arrival has already generated excitement among local music fans, with the singer expected to combine his international R and B appeal with a major Tanzanian welcome during his stay in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking shortly after arriving in Dar es Salaam, Trey said he was excited to be in Tanzania and meet his fans. ‘It’s overwhelming but I’m happy and excited to be here. I’m happy to come and perform. I’m very happy,’ he said.

Beyond the concert, the singer said he was interested in experiencing Tanzania, its culture and its people, rather than relying on assumptions about the country.

His arrival was given an added touch of Bongo Flava glamour when Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz showed up at the airport to welcome him.

The two artistes are not strangers, having previously met in the United States, where they also spent time together in a studio. Their reunion in Dar es Salaam quickly became a talking point among music fans.

Trey’s visit comes as Dar es Salaam prepares for the Imbeju Sauti Moja Concert, part of the wider CRDB International Marathon 2026 weekend, which brings together entertainment, sport and social investment.

He will share the stage with Nigerian Afrobeats singer BNXN, formerly known as Buju, South African DJ and producer Kabza De Small, as well as Tanzanian stars Mbosso and G Nako.

For Trey, the show will mark his Tanzanian performance debut and an opportunity to connect directly with an audience that has followed his music over the years.

His catalogue includes fan favourites such as Bottoms Up, Slow Motion, Say Aah, Na Na, Can’t Help but Wait and Heart Attack.

. Tanzania’s national futsal team left the country yesterday for Cairo, Egypt, where they will play two international friendly matches against the hosts as part of preparations for their historic appearance at the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The matches against Egypt will provide coach Curtis Darrel Reid with an important opportunity to assess his squad against one of Africa’s most established futsal nations before Tanzania make their continental finals debut.

Tanzania were drawn in Group B alongside three-time champions Egypt, Angola and Mozambique at Monday’s final draw in Morocco. The tournament will be staged from October 12 to 21, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semi-finals. The group presents a major challenge for Tanzania, particularly against Egypt, who have won the continental title three times and are among Africa’s most experienced futsal sides.

Angola and Mozambique also have a strong history in the competition, meaning Tanzania will face three established opponents in their first appearance at the finals.

The trip to Cairo follows earlier preparations that included two friendly matches against Zambia in July. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) said those matches were part of the team’s build-up to the AFCON finals.

Tanzania secured their place in Morocco after eliminating Côte d’Ivoire 9-7 on aggregate in the final qualifying round under Reid. The achievement marked a significant milestone for the country’s men’s futsal program.

Indeed, the 2026 tournament will be Tanzania’s first appearance at the men’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations. The team had previously attempted to qualify for the 2024 edition but failed to reach the finals.

Their 2026 qualification therefore represents a breakthrough after years of limited exposure on the continental stage. Tanzania’s route to Morocco began in the first round of the qualifiers, where they faced Zimbabwe. CAF’s qualifying format involved two-legged ties, with the aggregate winners progressing to the next stage.

The team then faced Ivory Coast in the decisive second round. Tanzania won the tie 9-7 on aggregate, securing one of the seven available qualification places alongside hosts and defending champions Morocco. The achievement is particularly significant given Tanzania’s relatively recent emergence in international men’s futsal.

The national side has been building its international experience through regional and international matches, with Reid now tasked with developing a squad capable of competing against Africa’s established futsal powers.

Their Group B assignment will offer an immediate test of that progress. Egypt have a long-established pedigree, while Angola have previously finished among Africa’s leading sides and Mozambique have also featured regularly at the continental finals.

For Tanzania, the two matches in Cairo will therefore be more than ordinary friendlies. They will give Reid and his players a valuable opportunity to measure themselves against the opposition they will face in Morocco and identify areas requiring improvement before the tournament.

. Businesspeople in Tanga Region have urged the government to introduce a mandatory 60-day deadline for public institutions to settle its bills, arguing that prolonged payment delays constrain cash flow, production, investment and tax compliance.

The proposal was made yesterday, during a stakeholder engagement forum organised by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) headquarters to sensitise the business community on tax law amendments introduced for the 2026/27 financial year.

Speaking at the meeting, Tanzania Business Community (TBC) deputy secretary-general, Mr Ismail Masoud, stressed the importance of continuous tax education, saying traders needed to understand recent legislative changes to comply with their obligations. Mr Masoud said businesses supplying government institutions continued to face serious cash flow challenges due to delayed payments.

He proposed legislation requiring public entities to settle suppliers’ invoices within 60 days of receiving goods or services.

‘We request that TRA explore legislative measures requiring government entities to pay suppliers within 60 days,’ he said, warning that prolonged retention of private sector funds was restricting liquidity.

He said timely payments would enable businesses to reinvest capital, expand operations, create jobs and meet tax obligations to central and local governments.

Mr Masoud also linked the settlement of institutional debt arrears to efforts to broaden the tax base, saying tied-up capital weakened businesses and ultimately reduced revenue collection.

Traders also called for a review of eligibility criteria for tax exemptions covering established businesses that open new outlets in different regions.

According to TRA, the government introduced a one-year tax holiday for new businesses from July 1, 2026, to encourage enterprise growth and expand the taxpayer base.

Mr Masoud argued that an established trader from Tanga opening a business in Kagera should qualify for the incentive because the new venture incurs substantial costs, including marketing, recruitment and local levies.

Tanga Region Chamber of Commerce chairman, Mr Rashed Mwanyoka, supported further dialogue, saying new branches face distinct operational challenges regardless of whether their owners had previously benefited from tax relief.

However, local trader, Mr Bakari Mwanyoka, supported the tax holiday for first-time entrepreneurs but said those who had already benefited should pay taxes on subsequent ventures.

TRA chief tax management officer in the taxpayer education department, Mr Salimu Bakar, said the authority had taken note of the recommendations.

‘The proposals would be compiled with views from other stakeholders and submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in future tax policy amendments,’ said Mr Bakar.

He reaffirmed TRA’s commitment to strengthening taxpayer education through workshops, broadcast media and digital platforms, while simplifying administrative processes through electronic systems.

He said sustained tax education was essential to promoting voluntary compliance, improving services and strengthening domestic revenue collection.

The government has directed authorities to strengthen pastoralist and fisherfolk associations across the country to give them greater influence and enhance the productivity and efficiency of the livestock and fisheries sectors.

The move is also aimed at addressing challenges facing livestock keepers and fishers by strengthening their collective voice, representation and participation in decisions affecting their livelihoods.

The directive was issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Bashiru Ally, while addressing residents in the Serengeti and Tarime District Councils in Mara Region to inspect and commission development projects and engage with the public. Dr Bashiru stated that these associations must establish a formal structure involving all pastoralists and fisherfolk from the grassroots level, enabling them to have a unified voice in identifying and presenting their challenges for collective resolution.

‘Unity is strength. I know there is a pastoralist association whose chairman comes from here in Mara, but it has not yet engaged livestock keepers at the village level.

Put mechanisms in place so these associations are strengthened starting from the villages, ensuring every fisher or pastoralist is part of this union so that their collective voices are heard,’ he said.

He noted that the government is determined to transform all productive sectors, including fisheries and livestock, to bring about an economic revolution for communities and the nation as a whole.

Therefore, their concerns, particularly the challenges they face, should be voiced through an official framework rather than individually.

He added that the government, through the livestock and fisheries sectors, has allocated substantial funds, and these resources must yield swift results to boost the economy; thus, the presence of strong associations in these sectors will accelerate the achievement of these outcomes.

Dr Bashiru stated that the government is committed to implementing all commitments outlined in the CCM 2025/30 election manifesto, as well as the National Development Vision 2050.

He stressed that for these goals to be realised, citizens must support the government by upholding the foundational values established by the Father of the Nation, the late Julius Nyerere, namely unity, solidarity, peace, love, stability, brotherhood, justice, and patriotism.

During the tour, among other engagements, Dr Bashiru commissioned two classrooms at Igina Primary School in Serengeti District and an administrative block at Mjini Kati Secondary School in Tarime District, both projects costing over Sh220 million.

Presenting the progress report on the construction of the two classrooms at Igina Primary School, the Matare Ward Education Officer, Mr Gisango Gabriel, said: ‘These classrooms are already in use, and their completion has resolved the classroom shortage at this school, contributing to an improved teaching and learning environment.’

Mjini Kati headteacher, Mr Pius Charles, said the project cost over Sh172 million, noting that its completion has significantly improved the administrative working environment, unlike previously when they were forced to use classrooms for administrative duties.

‘We are grateful for this project, which has improved our working conditions. We request the government to assist us with other challenges we face, including the lack of electricity and a shortage of teachers for Physics, Commerce, English, and Biology,’ he said.

Artificial intelligence tools are giving cybercriminals skills they never had, and several recent reports show how fast the danger is growing.

Bad guys are using modified AI tools like ‘GhostGPT’ to write code, build fake websites, and craft perfect scam messages without any technical background.

The typos and bad grammar that used to give scammers away are gone. They use deepfake video software to trick bank security systems and run massive fake accounts.

These tools scrape social media profiles to steal photos and voice clips, creating fake identities that can bypass standard identity checks.

Kenya, as usual, sits right in the middle of this digital storm. Deepfake videos of well-known politicians have been circulating online, luring unsuspecting citizens into crypto scams. At the same time, hackers broke into President William Ruto’s official website and demanded a Bitcoin payment.

Next door in Tanzania, fraudsters fabricated a deepfake of a government official issuing a false disaster warning during the Dar es Salaam floods, and the panic that followed was real enough.

In Uganda, criminals are pairing AI tools with stolen national ID details to hijack SIM lines and empty mobile money accounts before the owner even notices.

It all reads like a horror story, yet there is a stubborn pattern in how societies mature. Crime, terrorism and full-blown crises have a peculiar way of forcing nations to grow up faster than most 10-year development plans ever could.

Consider what followed the 1998 US Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. That single, horrific morning dragged East Africa’s entire border security apparatus into the modern age almost overnight.

Paper ledgers gave way to digital fingerprint scanners, scattered records were pulled into computerised intelligence databases, and border officers who had spent whole careers writing visitor names by hand were suddenly being retrained on new technology.

Roughly a decade later, the 2007 post-election violence closed major highways, torched shops and shut down bank branches across the country. Families needed a way to reach relatives trapped behind roadblocks, and hand-delivered cash was no longer an option.

That desperation is what pushed a fledgling two-year-old M-Pesa from a modest experiment in sharing airtime between friends into the global mobile money backbone it is today. Once branches were burning and roads were cut by ethnic militias, moving money by text stopped being a novelty and became survival.

The Westgate Mall and Garissa University attacks forced a similar reckoning. Kenya built a central cyber intelligence unit, assembled digital threat-response teams, and deployed thousands of smart cameras with facial and number-plate recognition across Nairobi and Mombasa.

Now a stranger threat is emerging. Boko Haram in Nigeria and various jihadist outfits scattered across the Sahel have discovered Elon Musk’s Starlink, running entire operations from deep inside forests and deserts that no cell tower ever reached.

They stream propaganda, coordinate ambushes and run networks beyond the reach of any telecom operator a government could pressure.

In Sudan, armed factions kept Starlink dishes running despite the country’s phone networks going dark. Fighters now carry small satellite terminals into remote hideouts, making encrypted calls, tracking troop movements, and broadcasting straight to the internet without ever touching the local networks that police would normally monitor.

That is forcing governments and banks to catch up quickly. Militaries are creating satellite-tracking units, and African banks are racing to deploy AI systems to catch fraud in real time. Security forces across West Africa and the Horn are forming spectrum-monitoring teams to spot unauthorised satellite signals.

At the same time, it’s been reported that major banks across Kenya and East Africa are rolling out machine-learning models that watch customer behaviour, flag takeovers within milliseconds, and freeze stolen funds before they can be cashed out.

Left to their own devices, without these threats breathing down their necks, the state and the private sector would probably have stayed comfortable, clinging to old systems and endlessly postponing the hard investments.

But that is how it works here: every time criminals get cleverer, the rest of society is dragged, kicking and complaining, into getting cleverer too.

Each fresh nightmare, however unwelcome, quietly becomes the engine for the next leap forward.

. Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi once again got the better of Simba counterpart Steve Barker as the two South African tacticians went head-to-head, guiding their respective sides in a fiercely contested Kariakoo derby for the Community Shield at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar yesterday, August 12, 2026.

Mngqithi masterminded a 1-0 victory that saw Yanga retain the trophy for the second consecutive year.

Albert Kangwanda scored the decisive goal in the 31st minute, rising highest to head home a well-delivered cross from left-back Chadrack Boka and give Yanga the lead. Simba started the Community Shield strongly, applying considerable pressure during the opening 15 minutes and forcing Yanga to defend in numbers. However, Barker’s side failed to turn their early dominance into clear chances, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra largely untroubled.

Yanga gradually settled into the contest before breaking the deadlock through Kangwanda. Boka’s precise cross found the forward in the right position, and his header gave Yanga an advantage they would protect for the remainder of the match.

The goal shifted the momentum in Yanga’s favour. Mngqithi’s players became more comfortable in possession and increasingly disciplined without the ball, while Simba struggled to regain the intensity they had shown in the opening stages.

Yanga almost doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Peter Shalulile was presented with a good opportunity following a swift attacking move. His effort, however, went narrowly wide.

Simba went into halftime trailing 1-0 and without registering a shot on target, while Yanga had gradually taken control of the contest.

Barker responded at the start of the second half by replacing striker Ibrahim Doumbia with Ellie Mpanzu, hoping the change would provide Simba with a greater attacking threat. But Mngqithi’s side remained well organised and limited Simba’s opportunities.

Both teams exchanged attacks as the half progressed, but Yanga’s defensive structure proved difficult to break down. Simba struggled to create the clear openings required to level the match.

Their best opportunity came in the 89th minute when substitute striker Bakari Msimu met a cross with a header. Diarra, however, reacted quickly to make an important save before collecting the rebound and preserving Yanga’s advantage.

Yanga held on through the closing stages to secure another 1-0 victory over Simba and give Mngqithi another important tactical win over Barker.

The triumph also had historical significance for Yanga. It was their 10th Community Shield title, moving them level with Simba as the joint-most successful clubs in the competition’s history.

Yanga’s titles have come in 2001, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026, while Simba’s 10 victories were recorded in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023.

The latest success also completed Yanga’s third consecutive Community Shield triumph. They defeated Azam FC in 2024 before beating Simba 1-0 in 2025 and repeating the same scoreline this year.

More importantly for Yanga supporters, the victory continued the club’s growing dominance in recent meetings with Simba. Yanga have now won five of the last six competitive encounters between the two sides, with Simba managing only one victory.

The defeats will increase pressure on Barker to find a solution against Mngqithi, particularly because both coaches have now met at the same venue twice and Yanga have emerged victorious on both occasions.

For Simba, the loss also prolongs their wait for another Community Shield triumph. Their last success came in 2023, leaving them unable to reclaim the trophy from their biggest domestic rivals.

For Yanga and Mngqithi, however, the victory provides the perfect start to the 2026/27 season. They leave Zanzibar with another trophy, bragging rights in the Kariakoo rivalry and, perhaps most importantly, another victory over Barker.

Kizimkazi Festival 2026 has officially opened in Zanzibar with a mix of music, culture, entertainment and business opportunities, bringing together artistes, visitors and stakeholders for three days of celebrations.

Running from August 12 to 14, the festival, themed ‘Shangwe na Fursa’ (Celebration and Opportunities), has attracted attention with a star-studded entertainment line-up featuring some of Tanzania’s biggest names, including Frida Amani, Alikiba, Nandy, Harmonize, Mbosso and Marioo.

The artistes are expected to take the stage throughout the festival, offering audiences a mix of musical styles while adding a major entertainment draw to the annual event. The festival officially opened on August 12 at Dimbani grounds, South Unguja, with Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi urging organisers and stakeholders to use the event to showcase the islands’ tourism, business and investment opportunities, particularly in the blue economy.

President Mwinyi said the festival’s growing popularity, including participation from Zanzibar and beyond, presents an opportunity to attract more visitors while promoting local culture and economic activities.

The programme goes beyond music, with traditional arts, food exhibitions, sports, ngalawa competitions, business exhibitions and the launch of development projects forming part of the three-day celebration.

President Mwinyi also highlighted Zanzibar’s beaches, spices, fruits, cuisine, historic buildings, wildlife and cultural heritage as attractions that can be promoted to both domestic and international visitors.

The 2026 edition draws Tanzanians and visitors from outside the country, offering a combination of live entertainment, cultural experiences and opportunities to explore business and investment prospects in Zanzibar.

With music stars taking the stage alongside cultural and community activities, Kizimkazi Festival 2026 is shaping up as more than a celebration of entertainment. It is also positioning itself as a platform where shangwe meets fursa.

This series began with a simple question: after nearly four decades of economic liberalisation, what is the proper role of government in determining prices?

The discussion has taken us from the transition away from administrative price controls, to agricultural producer prices, consumer price regulation and, finally, to the principles that should guide government intervention in markets. One final question remains: Who ensures that these principles are respected?

The answer lies in one of the least understood, yet most important, pillars of a liberal economy-the system of fair competition.

Markets do not function efficiently simply because buyers and sellers exist. They require rules that ensure competition remains open, transparent and fair. Without those rules, markets can be distorted by monopolies, cartels, collusion, abuse of market power or unfair trade practices.

Equally, well-intentioned government intervention can unintentionally weaken competition and reduce efficiency if not exercised within a clear legal framework.

The purpose of competition law is therefore not to prevent business success. It is to ensure that success results from efficiency, innovation and fair competition rather than monopoly power, collusion or administrative privilege.

This is the role of Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission (FCC).

Unlike sector regulators such as Ewura and Latra, which supervise particular industries, the FCC has a broader economy-wide responsibility. It promotes and protects competition, investigates anti-competitive conduct, reviews mergers that may substantially lessen competition, combats unfair trade practices and protects consumers against misleading market behaviour.

Its mandate extends beyond protecting consumers alone. Competitive markets also protect producers.

When several buyers compete openly for agricultural produce, farmers enjoy stronger bargaining power. When businesses compete fairly, consumers benefit from better prices, improved quality and greater choice.

When investors compete under transparent and predictable rules, confidence in the economy increases. Competition therefore benefits producers, consumers, investors and the nation as a whole.

One important lesson emerging from this series is that government should protect competition rather than individual competitors.

A business that loses customers because another enterprise has become more efficient has not necessarily suffered an injustice. Competition inevitably rewards innovation, lower costs and better service. Public policy should therefore encourage enterprises to become more competitive rather than shielding them from legitimate market rivalry.

At the same time, competition itself requires effective public oversight. Where monopolies abuse market dominance, regulators must intervene. Where businesses collude to fix prices or divide markets, competition authorities must act.

Where consumers are deceived through false or misleading claims, the law must provide protection. Strong competition policy therefore complements-not contradicts-effective sector regulation.

The relationship between sector regulators and the FCC is particularly important. Regulators such as EWURA and LATRA possess specialised technical expertise within their respective sectors and establish the regulatory rules governing those industries.

The FCC provides a broader safeguard by ensuring that market practices remain consistent with the principles of fair competition and consumer welfare established under Tanzania’s competition laws.

Neither institution replaces the other. Together, they strengthen confidence in Tanzania’s market economy.

An equally important, though less widely appreciated, institution is the Fair Competition Tribunal (FCT). Established under the Fair Competition Act, the Tribunal serves as an independent appellate body to hear appeals arising from decisions of the FCC and, where provided by law, decisions made by certain sector regulators. Its existence reinforces one of the fundamental principles of a liberal economy: administrative decisions should not be the final word where legal rights and commercial interests are affected.

Businesses, investors and consumers who believe that regulatory decisions are inconsistent with the law or the principles of fair competition have access to an independent forum for review.

This strengthens public confidence in regulatory institutions, promotes consistency in decision-making and assures both domestic and foreign investors that commercial disputes can be resolved through due process and the rule of law.

This institutional framework is becoming increasingly important as Tanzania prepares to implement Vision 2050.

The Vision seeks to transform Tanzania into a modern, diversified, competitive and inclusive economy. Such an economy cannot depend upon administrative price controls alone, nor can it rely upon markets operating without effective oversight.

It requires institutions capable of balancing enterprise with accountability, competition with consumer protection and private initiative with the public interest.

Experience around the world demonstrates that sustained economic transformation depends less on governments determining prices than on governments creating conditions under which competitive markets flourish. That requires predictable laws.

Independent sector regulators. An effective FCC. An independent FCT. Efficient infrastructure. Transparent taxation. Secure property rights. Reliable courts. And confidence that all market participants compete under the same rules.

Nearly 40 years after Tanzania embarked upon market liberalisation, the challenge is no longer to choose between the state and the market. That debate belongs largely to history. The challenge today is to ensure that both work together through strong institutions, fair competition, independent regulation and the rule of law.

Only then will markets serve producers without exploiting consumers, reward enterprise without encouraging monopoly, and promote economic growth that is both efficient and equitable. That is not simply good economics. It is good governance.

And if Vision 2050 is to fulfil its promise, fair competition will not be a peripheral issue. It will be one of its indispensable foundations.