Category: The Citizen

As East Africa’s creative economy gathers momentum, Ugandan entrepreneur Julius Kyazze believes Tanzania has become one of the region’s most important markets-not only for its thriving entertainment industry but also for its growing influence in shaping the future of African creative business.

Known as the co-founder of Uganda’s Swangz Avenue, Mr Kyazze says Tanzania’s success in music, film and digital content has positioned the country as a strategic hub for regional collaboration rather than simply another neighbouring market.

Most young Africans still believe democracy is the best system of government, but a growing majority say the continent needs its own democratic model that reflects African realities, creates jobs and gives young people a stronger voice in leadership.

Those are among the key findings of the African Youth Survey 2026, which found that while 73 percent of respondents said democracy is always preferable to any other form of government, 56 percent believe Western-style democracy is not suitable for Africa.

Tanzania is increasingly positioning science, technology and innovation as the engine that will drive the country’s Development Vision 2050, with the government calling for an education system that produces graduates capable of competing in a fast-changing, knowledge-based and digital economy.

The renewed commitment was underscored during the Inclusive Mwalimu Gala 2026 in Dar es Salaam, on August 3, 2026, where government leaders, teachers, university lecturers, researchers, innovators and private sector representatives met to discuss how education can accelerate the implementation of the country’s long-term development agenda.

There is a particular kind of intelligence that lives in communities long before it reaches a policy document or a national strategy. It lives in the memory of an elder who remembers where the floodwaters rose highest in 1998. It lives in the observations of a market woman who knows which roads become impassable the moment the rains begin.

In the nearly ten years since we founded OpenMap Development Tanzania, this has been the lesson at the heart of everything we do: the knowledge to solve our hardest problems is rarely absent from our communities. What is often absent is the infrastructure to capture that knowledge, share it, and act on it at scale.

That gap is precisely what we set out to close when we established OMDTZ in 2017, and it is why I believe our work carries lessons for anyone thinking seriously about sustainability, water security, food security, climate action and health across East Africa today.

Since our founding, we have built something I am genuinely proud of: a growing, organised community of Tanzanian mappers who use open-source tools, principally OpenStreetMap, to fill in the geographic blanks that so often stand between a community and effective public response. Our vision was always a vibrant, united OpenStreetMap community contributing to national and global development goals. It might sound modest on paper.

In practice, it has meant creating detailed, freely accessible datasets that help decision-makers understand where waste management is failing, where flood risk is concentrated, and where infrastructure gaps are putting lives at risk. It has meant training government offices, including the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), along with universities and civil society groups, in how to generate and use open geospatial data responsibly.

I want to be precise about why this matters, because “open data” can sound abstract until you see it in use. A flood risk map built by a community, using knowledge that community actually holds, is not the same as a map imposed from above. It reflects the lived contours of vulnerability.

It tells a district engineer exactly where drainage needs reinforcing before the rains arrive, rather than after the damage is done. It gives a health worker a clearer picture of which neighbourhoods will be cut off when the roads flood, so that medicine and emergency response can be pre-positioned.

This is climate adaptation built from the ground up, and it is the model my team and I have championed since day one, because we have seen firsthand that it produces more durable outcomes than solutions designed without community participation.

That is also why receiving the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize, in the Climate Action category, felt like such a profound moment for us. We were thrilled and deeply honoured by the recognition.

The prize, established as a tribute to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has become one of the most consequential accolades in global sustainability, and being recognised as a Tanzanian, community-rooted organisation sent an important signal, not just to us, but to our peers across the continent.

It said that African-led, African-designed solutions to climate risk are not peripheral to the global sustainability conversation. They are central to it.

The impact since that win has been tangible for us as an organisation. The one million US dollar prize fund has allowed us to extend our community mapping initiatives into additional flood-prone regions, including Morogoro and Pwani, areas where seasonal flooding has long disrupted livelihoods, education and access to health services.

We have expanded our use of drone mapping technology, giving communities a faster, more accurate way to visualise risk before disaster strikes rather than after. Our capacity-building programmes have deepened, strengthening the pipeline of young Tanzanian mappers and data specialists who will carry this work forward long after we are gone.

And crucially, we have been able to deepen partnerships with local government and international organisations, moving from isolated projects toward the kind of sustained, systems-level engagement that genuine resilience requires.

What strikes me most, as someone who has spent years building an organisation around the belief that data should belong to the people who generate it, is that our growth trajectory reflects something I think about constantly: sustainable development is not a single sector’s responsibility. Water security, food security, health and climate action are interlocking systems. A flood map is also a health intervention.

A dataset on waste management is also an economic empowerment tool, particularly for the women who so often bear the burden of managing household and community resources under climate stress. When we invest in the infrastructure of information, we are investing simultaneously in all of these domains.

The scale of interest in this kind of work is itself instructive, and it tells me we are not alone in this belief. This year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize closed its most recent submission cycle having received a record 10,233 entries from 177 countries, a rise of roughly 32 percent over the previous cycle, and the highest participation in the prize’s eighteen-year history.

More than two-thirds of those submissions came from developing and emerging economies.

This tells us something important: the appetite for community-rooted, locally designed sustainability solutions is not shrinking. It is accelerating, and organisations from across Africa, Asia and Latin America are stepping forward with credible, scalable models of their own.

Tanzania, and East Africa more broadly, has an opportunity here that we cannot afford to squander. We at OMDTZ have tried to demonstrate that open data, built by and for communities, can transform how governments plan, how disasters are anticipated, and how resources reach the people who need them most.

We have a growing network of young mappers who understand their own geography better than any external consultant ever could. And we now have global recognition affirming that this approach works.

The task ahead, for us and for organisations like ours, is to ensure that this recognition translates into sustained investment, not just in mapping technology, but in the people, institutions and policies that allow this knowledge to be used well.

As someone who has built this organisation from the ground up, I can say with confidence: the map is only the beginning. What we do with it, and who we build it with, will determine whether Tanzania’s sustainability transformation becomes a lasting one.

Tanzania is attracting tourists who are spending more during their stay, with new data showing a significant rise in average visitor expenditure driven by leisure travel, high-value tourism activities and stronger demand from premium markets.

According to the 2025 International Visitors’ Exit Survey Report jointly published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the overall average expenditure per tourist per night increased by 19.1 percent to $289 in 2025, compared with $243 in 2024.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania has strengthened its partnership with Tanzania’s Chinese community after sponsoring the 2026 Chinese Basketball Tournament with Sh30 million and taking part in the competition with its own team.

At the opening ceremony held at Don Bosco grounds in Oysterbay, the bank handed over the sponsorship cheque in the presence of the Guest of Honour, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian, before its team joined other participants on the court.

Beyond its role as a sponsor, Stanbic Bank’s decision to field a team in the tournament highlighted its commitment to building stronger relationships through sport, community engagement and cultural exchange.

The tournament has become one of the longest-running platforms for interaction between the Chinese community, businesses, community leaders and partners in Tanzania, bringing people together through sport and friendship.

Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony, Stanbic Bank Tanzania Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Ester Manase said the sponsorship demonstrated the bank’s commitment to meaningful engagement beyond financial services.

“Over the years, this tournament has been one of our most valued platforms for engaging the Chinese community in Tanzania because strong partnerships are built through shared experiences, not transactions alone. That same commitment underpins our work through Standard Bank Group, our partnership with ICBC and our Chinese Desk, which connects Chinese businesses to opportunities across Tanzania and Africa,” she said.

Manase added that the Sh30 million sponsorship was not only about supporting the competition but also demonstrating the bank’s commitment by participating both as a sponsor and a competitor. “Our Sh30 million sponsorship is about more than funding a competition. By taking part as both sponsor and competitor, we are demonstrating that our engagement is genuine and enduring. We remain committed to partnerships that foster community engagement, cultural exchange and shared growth, and we are proud to stand alongside the Chinese community once again this year,” she said. She said the tournament provides Stanbic employees with an opportunity to strengthen relationships beyond business transactions while representing the bank on the basketball court.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian commended Stanbic Bank for its continued support of the tournament, saying such partnerships play an important role in strengthening ties between the two communities.

“The relationship between China and Tanzania is deep-rooted, and it grows stronger through moments like these, where sport unites us in a spirit of goodwill and mutual respect.

I commend Stanbic Bank for its consistent support of this tournament over the years. Such partnerships between businesses and communities are exactly what strengthen the bonds between our two peoples and reflect the enduring friendship between our nations,” said Ambassador Chen. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Gerson Msigwa also praised the Chinese business community for its continued partnership and contribution to Tanzania’s economic development.

Msigwa commended the organisers for maintaining the tournament annually and thanked sponsors for supporting the successful staging of the event.

He said sport remains a powerful tool for promoting friendship and mutual understanding between nations.

“China and Tanzania enjoy a long-standing comprehensive strategic partnership. Our cooperation covers infrastructure, trade, tourism, education, sports and culture. Events like this today are among the strongest bonds of friendship and cooperation between the people of Tanzania and our friends from China,” he said.

The Chinese Basketball Tournament continues to serve as a key platform for networking, relationship-building and cultural exchange between stakeholders from both communities.

For generations, Zanzibar has been regarded as one of Tanzania’s richest sources of football talent, producing players whose creativity, flair and technical ability have captured the imagination of supporters across the country and beyond.

From the narrow streets and community pitches of the Isles have emerged footballers admired for their close control, attacking instincts and natural understanding of the game. Yet, despite this abundance of talent, only a small number have managed to break through into established professional leagues outside Tanzania.

The problem has rarely been the lack of ability. Instead, the biggest challenge has been the absence of a structured development system capable of transforming raw talent into complete professional players.

Limited access to modern coaching methods, international exposure, professional facilities and clear pathways from youth football to elite competition have often prevented many gifted youngsters from reaching their full potential.

Established six months ago as a high-performance youth football institution, ZCFA has set itself an ambitious mission to identify, develop and prepare young footballers who can compete at the highest levels of international football.

The academy’s vision goes beyond producing players who win youth competitions. Its ultimate objective is to create complete footballers equipped with technical ability, tactical intelligence, physical strength, discipline and the mentality required to succeed in the modern game.nAt the heart of this ambitious project is head coach Ahmed Juma Ngwali, a certified CAF A Diploma coach and Ziwani’s Member of Parliament in Zanzibar , who has shifted significant attention towards youth football development. Ngwali believes Zanzibar possesses one of East Africa’s most promising pools of football talent, but says proper systems are needed to unlock that potential.

“Our mission is simple. We want to develop football players who can compete at international level,” says Ngwali.

“Talent exists in every corner of Zanzibar, but talent alone is not enough. It must be identified, nurtured and developed professionally.” According to Ngwali, ZCFA’s ambition is not limited to Zanzibar. The academy plans to scout talented players from across mainland Tanzania before eventually establishing development centres in different regions. Currently, the players train at Mau Sentung Stadium and the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The academy has also expanded its development program to mainland Tanzania, where players are now training at African Dream Arena in Dodoma.

“Apart from Zanzibar, we are targeting talented players from Mainland Tanzania. After establishing ourselves, our plan is to open centres across the country so that more young players can get opportunities,” he says.

For Ngwali, modern football demands much more than natural ability “Today’s football requires intelligence, discipline, physical preparation and the right mentality. We are building an academy that develops the complete player, both on and off the pitch,” he says.

Developing complete footballers

The philosophy behind ZCFA reflects a growing global trend in youth football, where successful academies focus not only on technical development but also education, character building and personal growth. The academy has embraced a “student-athlete” model, combining football training with academic support, leadership development and life skills.

Ngwali believes producing responsible young people is just as important as producing professional footballers. “Football careers are short. Education, discipline and good values remain with a person for life,” he says. “Our responsibility is not only to create footballers but also responsible citizens.” Young players aged between 15 and 19 begin with the foundation phase, where coaches focus on mastering basic techniques, improving coordination and developing a strong understanding and passion for the game.

At this stage, emphasis is placed on building technical foundations, including ball control, passing, movement, decision-making and confidence. Rather than focusing only on winning matches, coaches aim to create players with skills that can support them throughout their football careers.

As players progress into the Under-15 and Under-19 categories, the training programme becomes more advanced. Players are introduced to tactical awareness, positional responsibilities, physical conditioning, match analysis and competitive psychology. The academy’s final stage, the Under-20 Professional Transition Phase, is designed to prepare players for senior football.

At this level, players are expected to develop professional habits, including match intelligence, recovery routines, nutrition awareness, mental strength and discipline. “Our objective is to create players who are ready for professional environments,” says Ngwali. “When clubs or scouts evaluate our players, they should immediately recognise their technical quality, discipline and professionalism.”

Targeting the international market

While many youth academies focus on preparing players for domestic competitions, ZCFA’s long-term ambitions extend much further.

Ngwali says the academy’s main target is to develop players capable of competing in international markets, particularly in Eastern and Western Europe. “Our target is not simply to produce players for domestic leagues,” he says. “We want our graduates to be good enough to compete in Europe and other top football markets. That is why every part of our program is designed to meet international standards.” To achieve that objective, ZCFA plans to conduct talent identification programs beginning next month. The scouting program will focus on discovering talented youngsters from Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania who have the potential to develop into professional footballers. Ngwali says selected players will receive comprehensive support, including accommodation, meals, training equipment and other welfare needs.

“We want talented players to focus fully on football development without worrying about basic challenges,” he says.

Education will also remain a major priority

Through a partnership with Fountain Gate Academy, talented players who are still secondary school students will continue their studies while undergoing professional football training. “We do not want young players to choose between education and football,” he said. “Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in both. If football does not become a career, education will always provide another pathway.” He also said the academy is also working to strengthen international relationships.

Ngwali is scheduled to travel to South Africa on August 13 to explore partnerships with established football academies that could provide technical cooperation, exchange programs and greater exposure opportunities for ZCFA players.

Creating global standards

ZCFA believes producing international-level players requires more than identifying talent. The academy says strong structures, professional management and good governance are essential components of sustainable success.

The institution operates in line with Zanzibar Football Federation regulations while embracing principles associated with international football development standards. These include transparent management systems, accountability measures, player welfare protection and a strict approach against age manipulation.

Safeguarding young players is also a priority

The academy recognises that parents are not only looking for football success but also institutions where their children can develop in a safe and professional environment. For this reason, ZCFA says it is committed to creating a culture based on respect, discipline and responsibility.

The academy is also seeking partnerships with football clubs, educational institutions, technical organisations and corporate sponsors to strengthen its long-term sustainability. Officials believe investment in youth football is not only about producing players but also supporting social development. Young athletes gain valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, commitment and resilience – qualities that remain important beyond football.

Building a football institution for the future

Chief executive officer Rodrick Mwambene says ZCFA is determined to establish an institution capable of transforming youth football development in Tanzania.

“We are building more than a football academy. We are creating a platform that gives talented young people the opportunity to realise their dreams,” says Mwambene. “Our responsibility is to provide a professional environment where every player can develop technically, academically and personally.”

Mwambene says the academy is investing in qualified coaches, modern training approaches and strong management structures to ensure it gains credibility both locally and internationally. He believes trust is central to the success of any youth development programme.

“Parents want an academy they can trust, while clubs and scouts want players who are disciplined, prepared and capable of adapting to professional football,” he says. “Our goal is to become a recognised centre of excellence that consistently produces players ready for the global stage.” .

“We welcome organisations that share our vision of developing young footballers. Building successful players requires cooperation between academies, clubs, schools, sponsors and football authorities,” he says.

“Our success will not be measured only by trophies. It will be measured by the number of young people whose lives are transformed through football, education and opportunity. That is the legacy we want to build.”

A dream built on patience

Developing internationally competitive footballers is not an overnight process. It requires years of investment, qualified coaches, quality facilities, strong administration and consistent exposure to high-level competition.

There are no shortcuts

However, football history across Africa has shown that structured youth development can transform talented youngsters into professionals competing among the world’s best. Several successful academies have produced players who went on to represent leading clubs in Europe and become national team stars.

ZCFA hopes Zanzibar can become part of that success story

For a region blessed with football talent, the next breakthrough may not depend only on discovering gifted youngsters, but on creating the right environment for them to flourish. The academy’s ultimate ambition is clear to ensure the next generation of footballers from Zanzibar are recognised not only for their natural talent, but also for their professionalism, preparation and ability to compete on football’s biggest stages.

If that vision becomes reality, ZCFA could become more than just a football academy. It could become a symbol of how investment, structure and belief can transform Zanzibar’s football dreams into global opportunities.

Airtel Money Tanzania has launched a new customer rewards campaign aimed at encouraging the use of digital financial services by giving customers more opportunities to win prizes through transactions made on the My Airtel App.

The campaign, dubbed Minyoosho Inaendelea na My Airtel App, will run for three months and allows Airtel Money customers who use the application to participate in a Spin and Win experience, where eligible transactions instantly give them a chance to win various rewards.

The initiative comes after the successful conclusion of the Mwaka Umeyooka promotion and is part of Airtel Money’s efforts to promote simple, secure and accessible digital financial solutions for customers across Tanzania.

Through the campaign, customers can win prizes including motorcycles, television sets, smartphones, cash rewards and other instant gifts by carrying out eligible transactions through the My Airtel App.

Eligible transactions include sending money, merchant payments, purchasing airtime and data bundles, bill payments, cash withdrawals, international money transfers and Home Broadband payments.

Speaking during the launch, Airtel Money Director Andrew Rugamba said the campaign demonstrates the company’s commitment to making digital financial services more accessible, engaging and rewarding for Tanzanians.

“Minyoosho Inaendelea is about encouraging more customers to experience the convenience and benefits of the My Airtel App. Every eligible transaction provides an opportunity to win instantly while building confidence in the use of digital financial services for everyday needs,” he said.

Mr Rugamba said Airtel Money is among the pioneers in introducing gamification to digital financial services in Tanzania, turning routine transactions into a more interactive customer experience.

“Our goal goes beyond rewarding customers. We are creating a digital experience that encourages greater adoption of self-service financial solutions while supporting broader digital inclusion across Tanzania,” he said.

He added that the campaign supports Airtel’s Airtel Kila Kona vision by expanding access to digital financial services among customers in both urban and rural areas through innovative technology.

Meanwhile, Airtel Money has reminded customers to remain vigilant against fraud during the campaign period, noting that official communication with winners will only be made through Airtel’s customer care number 100.

The company said winners will also receive official SMS notifications and cautioned customers against sharing their Airtel Money PIN, one-time passwords (OTP), passwords or personal information with individuals claiming to represent Airtel through unofficial channels.

A few years ago, when his three children were still in primary school, Wanging’ombe farmer Mr Alphonse Chengula made a bold prediction.

“The three children you see have all the school fees they need to complete their education, even up to PhD level. I already have the money,” he said.

Seeff Tanzania, a real estate company has marked its first anniversary by securing a major industry accolade. The agency was named the “Residential Property Management Agency of the Year” at the 2026 Africa Company of the Year Awards, held on June 12th at the Dome, Masaki in Dar es Salaam.

Organised by the Eastern Star Consulting Group Tanzania and The Global CEO Institute South Africa, the awards serve as a corporate recognition platform. It honours business excellence and sustainable institutional growth across the African continent, drawing hundreds of corporations, visionary leaders, and industry pioneers.

Securing this recognition within its first year of operation represents a significant milestone for property agency. Marilyn Mosha, Director of Seeff Tanzania, says that despite the demanding operating environment over the past year, Seeff successfully established itself as a key player in the local market, a trajectory now validated by this prestigious award.

The past year has held many challenges for the Tanzanian economy and property market. Global macroeconomic factors exerted pressure, including the broader impacts of international tariff policies, geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, fluctuating oil prices, and rising inflation rates.

Despite these headwinds, Seeff maintained its growth trajectory. The outlook for both Seeff and the broader Tanzanian property market remains positive. The domestic real estate sector is expanding rapidly, with the most pronounced growth concentrated in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar. Residential, tourrism and industrial sectors showing an upward trend.

Supported by ongoing infrastructure development and rising levels of Foreign Direct Investment, local property values are increasing steadily at an annual rate of 4% to 6%.

Capitalising on this momentum, Seeff Tanzania agency is representing a number of new developments currently on the market, positioning them as strong investment opportunities with the potential to generate attractive short-term rental yields of between 8% and 10% annually.

These projects include the Mango Tree Residences on the Msasani Peninsula, Rosewood Residences in Masaki, Blue Skies in Kunduchi and the new Himo Residence on Toure Drive, Masaki. The portfolio also extends to Zanzibar, in the West with the Fumba Town Estate offering a mix of luxury, coastal, premium apartment, and eco-conscious investment options and the Ultra luxury developement by Anantara Hotel and Residence to the Northern end of the Island.

Seeff Tanzania operates as a full-service agency covering residential and commercial sales, property letting, new development off plan marketing and sales, and property management. It is increasing sought after in terms of advising and assisting international clients with cross-border investments and the acquisition of holiday homes and secondary residences.

As part of the wider Seeff Group, Seeff Tanzania leverages an extensive corporate footprint spanning Southern Africa and the Middle East, alongside an exclusive regional partnership with Hamptons International for exposure in the UK market.

This network provides a broader market reach, international best practices, and advanced technology to drive efficiency for buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. This structural support provides the agency with deep property insights and a wide selection of cross-border investment opportunities.

Marilyn says that establishing a new real estate brand in a competitive market requires commitment, resilience, and consistency. Being named the “Residential Property Management Agency of the year,” is not just an extraordinary achievement for us, but a signal of confidence in Seeff Tanzania.

Seeff Tanzania extends their gratitude to clients, property owners, developers, investors, partners, and the Seeff Tanzania team for their trust and support

Seeff Tanzania, That’s a smart move!