Category: The Citizen

. Spotify is set to introduce a special ‘AI Persona’ badge for artiste profiles whose identities are generated by artificial intelligence (AI), giving listeners a clearer way to distinguish virtual artistes from real people as AI-generated music becomes increasingly common.

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the music streaming platform said the badge will begin appearing on relevant artiste profiles from mid-September.

Spotify added that AI Persona profiles will not receive algorithmic or editorial recommendations simply because their music is available on the platform. The move comes as AI-generated songs and virtual artiste identities become more visible on streaming platforms, raising questions about authenticity and whether listeners can easily tell who is behind the music they hear.

According to Spotify, the decision follows feedback from listeners who were frustrated after discovering that profiles appearing to represent real people were actually AI-generated personas.

‘Listeners have been clear in telling us that they don’t like seeing an artiste profile that seems human, only to find out that the persona is AI-generated,’ said the company in a statement.

Under the new system, artistes will be able to disclose that their profiles represent AI Personas, while Spotify’s review team will also be able to apply the badge to relevant profiles.

Artistes whose profiles are labelled by Spotify’s review team will be notified and allowed to either disclose their AI status themselves or appeal the decision.

The platform will also give listeners a role in identifying such profiles.

Spotify said users will be able to report artiste profiles they believe represent AI Personas to its review team in the coming months.

The introduction of the badge, however, does not mean AI-generated music will be removed from Spotify.

Instead, the company said such profiles will not receive personalised or editorial recommendations because of their AI status.

Listeners will still be able to find and follow the profiles and listen to their music.

The announcement is part of Spotify’s broader effort to provide listeners with more information about the artistes and music they encounter on the platform.

‘In 2026, we’ve introduced several other features designed to give listeners more transparency about what they’re hearing and who’s behind it,’ said Spotify.

Among the tools is ‘AI Credits’, which allows artistes to disclose how AI was used in creating their music. Spotify said tens of thousands of AI credits are submitted daily.

The platform has also introduced SongDNA, which gives listeners additional information about the artistes and contributors behind a track, while ‘Artist Details’ provides information such as career milestones, release history and touring activity.

Another feature, ‘Verified by Spotify’, identifies artiste profiles that meet the platform’s criteria for authenticity and trust.

Spotify said hundreds of thousands of profiles have already been verified, with independent artistes accounting for the majority.

The company has also introduced ‘Artist Profile Protection’, allowing artistes to review and approve releases delivered to their profiles in an effort to reduce confusion caused by music being wrongly attributed to them.

The latest move comes as AI becomes increasingly embedded in music creation, from assisting artistes with production to generating voices, songs and entire fictional performers.

Kenyan President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, took a major step towards marriage after undergoing a traditional Koito ceremony that formally brought her together with her Tanzanian fiancé, Isaya Yunge.

The ceremony was held at President Ruto’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, and was attended by senior Kenyan political figures, family members, friends and other guests from Kenya and Tanzania.

A lavish traditional ceremony

Intonna Heritage Farm was transformed into a colourful celebration venue decorated with green and cream fabrics, while brown featured prominently in the guests’ attire.

Charlene was seen wearing a brown gown, while Yunge wore a matching brown suit.

The couple also took part in traditional Kalenjin dances as music, singing and celebrations filled the venue.

The significance of the occasion was further reflected in the list of prominent guests, including Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and nominated MP Esther Passaris.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, and ODM leader Oburu Odinga were also reported to have attended.

Some guests arrived by helicopter and in motorcades, adding to the spectacle of a ceremony that blended Kalenjin tradition with the political stature of the Ruto family.

Reports from the venue indicated that four helicopters landed at the farm as guests arrived for the ceremony.

What is Koito?

Koito is an important traditional ceremony among the Kalenjin community, bringing together the families of a bride and groom to discuss and conclude aspects of the bride price, exchange gifts and formally signify the union of the two families.

The Kilgoris event therefore represented a significant traditional engagement ceremony and an important step towards marriage.

Who is Isaya Yunge?

Yunge, 36, is the founder of Goodsam – a company that is revolutionizing smartphone accessibility across Africa. He gained popularity as the co-founder of SomaApp, a platform that helped students access scholarship and education opportunities.

His work earned him the Queen’s Young Leader Award in 2018, when he was among two Tanzanians recognised that year.

His leadership journey began in his youth

Yunge’s leadership journey began at the age of 17, when he was appointed a UNICEF African Youth Ambassador.

The role gave him an opportunity to participate in discussions on children’s rights, climate change and youth participation in decision-making.

In 2007, he became one of the African young people given an opportunity to address the G8 summit in Berlin, Germany, where he represented issues and perspectives affecting young people.

Before focusing more heavily on technology, Yunge was also involved in community initiatives.

Reports indicate that while he was a secondary school student, he organised informal lessons for street-connected children and later worked with Radio Free Africa through its Sauti ya Watoto Club programme.

Academically, Yunge holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance and Risk Management from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM).

He has also undertaken training in economic diplomacy, digital finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, including the Leading Change in Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme at the University of Cambridge.

Beyond SomaApp, he has been involved in other technology ventures, including KAYA, which focuses on smart-home technology, as well as innovation projects in the financial technology sector.

Who is Charlene Ruto?

Charlene Chelagat Ruto is the third child of President William Ruto and Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto.

Born in Nairobi on January 11, 1993, she has built a public profile around public relations, youth empowerment, agriculture and environmental issues.

Charlene studied at Daystar University, where she earned a degree in Communication, specialising in Public Relations and Print Media.

She later pursued postgraduate studies at Les Roches in Switzerland, where she studied business and management in the hospitality sector.

Before becoming more widely known for her social initiatives, Charlene worked in the private sector.

Among the positions she held was that of Media Relations Officer at Mobile Decisioning Holding Limited between 2015 and 2017.

She was also involved in communications and branding activities at Weston Hotel.

In recent years, she has focused increasingly on youth, environmental and agricultural initiatives.

Through the SMACHS Foundation, she has led programmes aimed at empowering young people, promoting climate action and encouraging youth participation in community development.

Her public profile grew significantly after her father won Kenya’s presidential election in 2022.

Since then, Charlene has participated in various national and international platforms, particularly those focusing on youth and development.

In a 2025 interview with The Standard, Charlene said she was passionate about empowering young people to create opportunities for themselves and succeed in life.

A union that crosses borders

Charlene’s relationship with Yunge has given the ceremony a distinct regional dimension, bringing together the family of Kenya’s President and a Tanzanian entrepreneur.

Although the couple had largely kept their relationship away from the public eye, the Koito ceremony in Kilgoris has brought their relationship into the spotlight, placing Yunge under increased media attention in both Kenya and Tanzania.

For the Ruto family, the occasion was more than a family celebration. It was also a showcase of Kalenjin culture. For Yunge’s family, meanwhile, it marked the coming together of a Tanzanian entrepreneurial family and one of Kenya’s most prominent political families.

Despite the scale of the ceremony, the next stage will involve following the remaining marriage formalities, including whether and when the couple will hold a religious ceremony or a civil wedding.

For now, Kilgoris remains the place where the two families publicly marked a new chapter in Charlene Ruto and Isaya Yunge’s journey towards marriage.

I received an email from a recruiter who had viewed my LinkedIn profile. The salary was generous. The work was fully remote. The message was polished, personalised and strangely flattering. I had already mentally converted the salary into Tanzanian shillings and planned how I would casually mention “my team in Europe” in everyday conversation. Within half a minute I had mentally spent my first three paychecks and started wondering whether “working across time zones” sounded as impressive as I thought.

But then something told me to do a reverse image check on the recruiter’s picture, so I did. Turns out “David, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager” was actually a very handsome dentist from Brazil who, as far as I could tell, had absolutely no interest in my LinkedIn profile. I almost got scammed!

In East Africa, the stakes are high, according to ENACT Africa (2023), data suggests that up to 80 percent of East African youth are unemployed or underemployed, a reality that may make our region fertile ground for job scammers. Furthermore what rarely gets discussed is the scam aftermath. Most victims never report what happened. We tell ourselves we ‘should have known better” on repeat.

That silence has a cost beyond just the individual victim. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) reported that job scams increased by over 30 percent in 2024, with young jobseekers the most targeted group. INTERPOL, in a 2023 global alert, noted an alarming escalation in trafficking networks using fake job offers to lure educated East African youth into forced labour situations in Southeast Asia.

These are not small crimes with small consequences yet, because of shame, the pipeline stays open.

Here are 5 ways to spot a fake job offer:

A salary range that makes no sense. If the offer says “between $500 and $53,000 per month” for the same role, that vagueness is deliberately designed to appeal to whoever is most desperate, rather than reflect actual market rates.

No interview, or an interview that feels like theatre. Real hiring processes verify your qualifications and they take time. If you receive a job offer within hours of applying, or after a five-minute WhatsApp chat, slow down.

Artificial urgency. “You must confirm within 24 hours.” “Submit all documents by EOD.” Urgency is a pressure tactic designed to bypass your better judgment before it can catch up with you.

A request for money or sensitive personal data. No legitimate employer charges you to apply, to register, to complete a background check, or to receive your contract. The moment someone asks for a fee – disappear.

An email that doesn’t match the company. Recruitment correspondence from a Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud account is one of the most overlooked red flags. Genuine companies use official domains, ex: ‘ name@company.com.’

If you’ve been scammed, don’t let embarrassment become the scammer’s final victory. Share your experience, with a trusted friend, the authorities, or online. Every story told makes the next scam easier to spot. Before accepting any offer, verify it: reverse-image-search the recruiter, check the sender’s email domain, and contact the company through its official website.

Employers, recruiters, and those with public platforms have a responsibility too. The more visible and verifiable legitimate opportunities are, the less room there is for fraud to thrive.

Fake job offers don’t succeed because people lack intelligence. They succeed because opportunity feels scarce. The real challenge isn’t only exposing scams-it’s building a job market where hope is rewarded by genuine opportunity, not exploited by deception.

Livestock keepers in Iringa Region have begun benefiting from modern technology utilising ultrasound equipment to test cattle pregnancies and identify health challenges that could affect the reproductive system.

The technology aims to help livestock farmers abandon the practice of breeding cattle without certainty regarding their capacity to conceive, a situation that has been costing them time and money.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Urasi Tanzania company expert, Dr Agrey Julius, said the system is user-friendly for farmers in bringing productivity to guarantee increased livestock numbers.

Dr Julius is among participants showcasing modern livestock farming technologies at the Southern Highlands Zone Nane Nane Farmers’ Exhibition, representing Iringa Region.

Dr Julius said the use of ultrasound is among methods deployed to improve livestock production, including ensuring farmers use improved semen breeds and identify reproductive challenges early.

‘This is a new reproductive technology in Tanzania, including improving cattle genetics by using superior bull semen researched across three countries: Brazil, Canada, and the United States,’ he said.

He said besides using ultrasound, they perform artificial insemination through expert methods while also using embryo transfer technology from high-quality cattle for farmers wishing to upgrade their herds.

Minimising guesswork, Dr Julius said using ultrasound aims to eliminate the issue where farmers breed cows without knowing if they are already pregnant or facing challenges preventing them from conceiving.

‘When a cow is serviced but fails to conceive, it becomes a major problem for farmers. That is why we saw the solution in using this device to conduct thorough examinations and diagnose the issue,’ he said.

He said the technology helps detect and identify various diseases and challenges capable of affecting the bovine reproductive system, including problems related to the oestrus cycle.

‘Following these challenges, we introduced this technology to conduct in-depth research into these conditions. There are also congenital challenges, particularly heifers born with incomplete reproductive anatomy or fallopian tube disorders,’ he said.

According to Dr Julius, some cows with reproductive tract problems may fail to conceive, meaning early diagnosis helps the farmer make informed decisions rather than incurring continuous costs servicing an unproductive animal.

‘The goal is to prevent farmers from harbouring hopes without certainty. When a cow is tested, it will show if it is pregnant, unlike traditional haphazard breeding methods,’ he said.

Professional artificial insemination

Speaking on artificial insemination technology, Dr Julius said they use bulls with high milk or meat production potential, whose semen is selected to upgrade future cattle generations.

He said in another phase, they use embryos obtained through professional scientific procedures, which can be transferred into another cow capable of carrying a pregnancy to term.

‘We harvest a young embryo after seven days, preserve it, and later transfer it for a farmer who requests it. This helps accelerate the acquisition of superior quality livestock,’ he said.

A cattle farmer and resident of Mbozi District in Songwe Region, Mr Fred Ambele, said the technology opened his eyes and helped him realise the importance of modern livestock farming practices.

He said previously he conducted artificial insemination through guesswork without knowing whether the cow was capable of conceiving.

‘This exhibition has enlightened us. Personally, I used to service cows through trial and error, but now I know there are more professional methods yielding greater results in the livestock sector,’ he said.

Mr Ambele appealed to the government and livestock sector stakeholders to ensure this technology reaches more farmers, especially in rural areas, to enable them to test livestock and choose better production methods.

He said using this technology will help farmers abandon guesswork livestock keeping and boost productivity, milk and meat yields, and household income.

Throughout my life, I have approached almost everything with questions. It is through curiosity that I have come to understand the world and the people in it. I may not ask those questions out loud, but I do in my mind and, sometimes, in my writing. The books I read tend to ask the same questions I grapple with, and that is often how I choose what to read. And I have recently realised that I collect more questions than I answer. So I picked up Of Human Freedom by Epictetus.

In Of Human Freedom, Epictetus explores what it really means to be free. Through a series of arguments, he challenges many of the assumptions we make about freedom.

It is a question I have grappled with for a long time. I have always wondered what it means to be free, or whether I am free. According to Epictetus, I couldn’t have been further from being truly free.

For Epictetus, freedom is not the absence of physical chains. It is knowing what is within our power, acting on it, and leaving the rest to nature. Only when I recognise what is mine to control and what is not can I begin to find freedom.

As human beings, we become attached to things we cannot control. We want other people to behave the way we think they should. But their actions have never belonged to us, which is why we are so often disappointed when they choose differently.

I am still thinking about his reflection on death. Death has always been a topic many of us are afraid to talk about openly because we believe that, when we do, we are somehow inviting it into our lives. The fear of death is one of the biggest things that controls many of us. We are threatened by it. Those with power to make it happen against God’s will use it to coerce us into acting a certain way. We are not all free from death because it will eventually happen, but sadly, we are also not free from the fear of it even though we know none of us will come out of this earth alive.

To be free is to come to terms with the fact that we will die. When asked what one should do if threatened with death, Epictetus replies, ‘If it is now, well then I die now; if later, then now I will take my lunch, since the hour for lunch has arrived – and dying I will tend to later.’

I did pause and laugh out loud when I read this because, to me, this level of freedom sounds unattainable. I worry about things I shouldn’t be worried about. A lot of things have to stop when I have a major presentation to do at work. Or an interview. Everything else stops until that thing I have made myself believe is significant is done. Now imagine if I know I am going to be killed. The horror!

It made me realise that freedom is no small achievement. It begins by questioning the beliefs we have carried for so long, especially the belief that we control external circumstances. The truth is, we don’t. Freedom begins with recognising that the only thing we truly have power over is our own actions. The rest is not ours to worry about because worrying will never make external things work in our favour; if they do, well and good. If they don’t, well and good.

Perhaps that is where I realised how much of my peace I have handed over to things outside my control.

We live in a world where we are made to believe that those with power or wealth are free. But Epictetus has a different way of thinking. We are all, in a way, chained by the things we are attached to. Our loved ones. Power. Pleasure, you name it. Anything that threatens what you believe you can’t live without begins to control you. And everything that controls us requires us to give up something, especially our integrity.

‘Consider at what price you sell your integrity; but please for God’s sake, do not sell it cheap.’

Perhaps that is why so many of us feel exhausted. We spend so much of our lives trying to control outcomes that were never ours to control in the first place.

I closed the book wondering whether freedom has less to do with changing our circumstances and more to do with changing our relationship to them. If Epictetus is right, perhaps freedom is not something we spend our lives searching for, but something we begin to experience the moment we stop trying to control what was never ours to control in the first place.

Liverpool have signed Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, the Premier club announced on Monday, as they moved to strengthen an injury-ravaged defence.

British media reported that the deal includes an option to buy the 27-year-old for about £47 million ($63.48 million).

Araujo arrives at a time when Liverpool are facing mounting defensive problems.

Joe Gomez suffered a muscle injury in the ?club’s opening pre-season match, while teenage centre back Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury.

Young centre back ?Jeremy Jacquet is also nursing an injury, leaving captain Virgil van Dijk, 35, as Liverpool’s only ?fully fit senior central defender.

“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I ?think it was a move that was necessary for me to take,” Araujo said in a statement.

“As soon as I ?heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly.”

The club’s options at right back have also been depleted. Conor Bradley is still recovering from a significant knee injury, while Jeremie Frimpong endured an injury-hit campaign last season and struggled for form.

Capable of playing both ?at centre back and right back, Araujo provides Liverpool with much-needed cover in two areas where they are currently short ?of options.

‘Right move at the right time’

Araujo joined Barcelona B from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018 and made his senior debut the year. ?He has since won three LaLiga titles, including back-to-back championships in 2024-25 and 2025-26, as well as two Copa del Rey trophies and three Spanish Super Cup titles.

Araujo was named in the LaLiga Team of the Season in 2021-22 and 2023-24. However, he found opportunities harder to come by last season, making only 11 league starts as Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin ?established themselves as Hansi Flick’s ?preferred central defensive pairing.

One ?of Barca’s captains, Araujo also saw his involvement reduced after taking an indefinite leave of absence from the club at his request.

“I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. ?I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time,” ?Araujo added.

He is ?under contract with Barca until 2031.

Liverpool have signed Jacquet and forward Victor Munoz during the close season, but have also lost talisman Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Forward Hugo Ekitike is among several players sidelined through injury.

Liverpool finished fifth in the ?Premier League ?last season despite spending about 446 million pounds on signings.

The club subsequently ?parted ways with manager Arne Slot and appointed former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola in a bid to revive their fortunes.

Liverpool open the Premier League season ?at Newcastle United on August 23.

Mufindi residents have been urged to collaborate with the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita) in a drive to provide birth and death certificates in Mafinga District.

Mafinga District Commissioner, Dr Linda Salekwa, made the call yesterday while launching the initiative at Lufana Village in Iringa Region, emphasising that the documents are essential for establishing a person’s identity and citizenship.

Dr Salekwa noted that some residents, particularly those in rural areas, continue to lack these documents because they do not always take advantage of the opportunities provided to obtain them.

She warned that the absence of such documentation often becomes a major hurdle when citizens later attempt to access essential government and social services or pursue important career opportunities.

‘We have been providing information on various matters, but citizens do not always pay enough attention. As a result, they miss out on important services and opportunities,’ she said, adding that Rita services are important for every citizen because the documents can help them access many social services.

Dr Salekwa further explained that possessing a birth certificate is particularly vital during unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents or disappearances, where an individual’s identity must be established quickly to facilitate assistance.

‘These certificates are more than just documents. They give us a greater opportunity to be identified and recognised in different places. When a problem occurs, it becomes easier for people to know who we are and determine how they can assist,’ she said.

Supporting the initiative, Mtwango Ward Councillor, Mr Monte Kilambia, commended the agency for bringing services closer to the people.

He noted that many young people previously faced difficulties when seeking sponsorships, employment, or higher education loans.

‘There are times when young people want to apply for higher education loans, but they find themselves unable to proceed because they do not have birth certificates.

These are among the important documents required to validate and complete the application process,’ said Mr Kilambia.

Residents also highlighted the practical benefits for the workforce.

Mr Clayson Samwel, from Mponda Ward, noted that many people in the district depend on tea harvesting but often miss recruitment because they lack birth certificates.

He added that the lack of documents also complicates the process of claiming social security benefits for deceased relatives.

‘The challenges are many. Some people follow up on benefits belonging to relatives who have died, but they are required to provide either a death certificate or a birth certificate. When they do not have these documents, they find themselves unable to access the services on time,’ said Mr Samwel.

The initiative is expected to reduce unnecessary travel to urban centres, saving residents time and transport costs while ensuring their vital information is properly recorded

Mainstream Group Limited has secured two accolades at the Tehama Awards 2026, taking second place in the Technological Innovation in Payment Systems category.

On top of that, the Group’s director, Mr Deogratius Mosha, was named among top information and communication technology (ICT) sector leaders nationwide.

The awards were recently presented at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam during a gala bringing together technology and digital economy stakeholders.

The guest of honour was the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angellah Kairuki.

In the payment systems innovation category, Mainstream Group finished second behind NMB Bank Plc, reflecting its efforts to streamline financial services through digital solutions.

Mr Mosha was honoured for his individual contributions to ICT development, building on his previous recognition as Africa’s Best Leader in Innovation at the 2024 40 Under 40 Africa Awards, organised by Xodus Communications.

Speaking at the Tehama Awards 2026 ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Ms Kairuki congratulated the winners and stressed the importance of technological innovation in improving service delivery and driving the growth of a digital economy.

‘Technological innovation is critical to improving services and building a digital economy. I congratulate all the winners of the Tehama Awards for their achievements and contribution to advancing technology,’ said Ms Kairuki.

She described Mainstream Group Limited’s achievement as a significant milestone, particularly after the company emerged as one of the leading institutions in a highly competitive category.

‘This is a significant milestone for Mainstream Group Limited, which competed against various institutions, including NMB Bank. The achievement demonstrates the importance of using technology to improve and streamline financial services,’ she said.

This marks the second time Mainstream Group has featured among Tehama Award winners, having won the ICT Innovation in Financial Services category in 2024.

The latest recognition comes months after the firm secured a contract to develop a digital membership registration and smart card system for Simba Sports Club.

Mainstream Group operations director, Mr Pascal William, stated that the recognition provides fresh momentum to build digital systems tackling challenges across financial services and higher education.

Mr William noted that the company has engineered systems simplifying banking services alongside university platforms such as Smarti Uni.

He added that these initiatives have boosted youth employment, with the firm providing both formal and informal jobs to over 100 young people nationwide and contributing to tax revenue.

In the heart of Tanzania’s bustling commercial capital, a silent but powerful shift is taking place. While the world grapples with volatile oil prices, a 100% Tanzanian-owned company is looking inward, tapping into the nation’s vast natural gas reserves to power the future of transport.

Energo Tanzania Limited, established in 2008, has evolved from a visionary engineering firm into a cornerstone of the country’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

At the helm of this transformation is the Managing Director of Energo, Engineer Kahema Mziray, whose journey with natural gas began long before it became a national priority.

‘I’m an engineer. Done this myself, I’ve seen my first gas in 1996,’ Eng. Mziray recalls, reflecting on his decades of experience that eventually led to Energo becoming a pioneer in the local CNG sector.

A Legacy of innovation

Energo’s history is rooted in technical excellence and a commitment to local content. Although founded in 2008, the company truly catalyzed the CNG market in 2018/2019 when it began introducing advanced conversion technologies in partnership with local institutions like the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT).

Today, Energo is a fully EWURA-compliant specialist, holding registration number LSSP-2023-4-1810 as a local service provider. The company’s operations are an ‘integrated solution’ to natural gas needs.

Beyond merely installing kits, Energo designs gas systems, supplies certified equipment like compressors and dispensers, and constructs refueling infrastructure.

Their flagship station along the Mwenge-Coca Cola Road stands as a testament to this capacity, serving between 500 and 600 vehicles daily, with the technical potential to serve up to 1,000 cars per day.

The facility is a direct-connect Mother Station, meaning it is linked directly to the national natural gas pipeline for continuous supply without the need for trucked-in gas. The station also is designed for both online refueling (direct to customer vehicles) and feeding satellite or daughter stations across the region.

The site hosts a fully equipped On-site CNG Conversion Centre that retrofits cars, bajajis, and large commercial fleets six days a week. The infrastructure is 100% EWURA-compliant (Registration No. LSSP-2023-4-1810) and built according to international engineering safety practices.

It features high-performance gas compressors and certified dispensers, ensuring fast and safe refueling processes. To maintain high-pressure delivery, the station utilizes gas-powered generators to run its heavy-duty compressors, ensuring reliability even during power fluctuations.

Energo appreciate and thank the management and the team of CRDB bank, who accepted the project and financed the equipment acquisition and made this project a success story!

‘We urge all other Tanzanian financing partners to come up and support the ‘clean energy’ initiatives driven by local entrepreneurs.’

Comprehensive CNG solutions

Energo’s service portfolio is built around the ‘end-to-end’ journey of natural gas utilization. Their core service, CNG Vehicle Conversion, allows petrol or diesel engines to be retrofitted into dual-fuel systems.

This process, which typically takes only one to two days, ensures that vehicles can switch between traditional fuel and CNG seamlessly. For Eng. Mziray, the choice to use gas is a ‘game changer’ for the economy.

‘This is our natural resource. It’s not imported, and of course, we also save forex because we don’t import it,’ he emphasizes.

The economic benefits for the individual are equally staggering. Data from Energo indicates that users can save up to 70% on fuel costs.

A driver spending Sh 100,000 weekly on petrol could see that expense drop to approximately Sh 35,000 when switching to CNG, allowing high-mileage users to recover their conversion investment within 12 to 18 months.

Strategies for a greener tomorrow

Energo’s vision extends far beyond the borders of Dar es Salaam. The company has laid out a robust strategy to expand ‘up-country,’ targeting regions like Morogoro, Tanga, Moshi, Arusha, and Dodoma.

Recognizing the distance limitations of CNG, Energo is also looking into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) technology for long-haul trucks, which Eng. Mziray notes is more capital intensive but vital for national logistics.

Furthermore, the company is innovating in independent power supply, using gas-run generators to power their own heavy-duty compressors, thereby reducing operational costs and ensuring reliability.

In a move to make this technology more accessible, Energo recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equity Bank Tanzania. This partnership provides short-term asset financing of up to 12 months, allowing vehicle owners to convert their cars without the burden of a large upfront payment.

While significant, this financing is just one part of Energo’s broader mission to empower Tanzanians.

A Cleaner Future

Environmental stewardship remains at the core of Energo’s operations. CNG-powered vehicles emit 20% to 30% less CO2 than their fossil-fuel counterparts, significantly improving urban air quality.

As the company continues to grow, its motto remains its guiding light: ‘Cleaner energy for a cleaner future’

As Eng. Mziray puts it, ‘This is our energy. This is a game changer. This is a safer energy. This is a real clean energy’.

With its technical expertise and strategic foresight, Energo Tanzania is not just a participant in the energy sector; it is the architect of a more sustainable Tanzanian economy.

Pressure is mounting on Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba as the Kariakoo rivals prepare to renew their fierce rivalry in the Community Shield at the New Amaan Complex tomorrow night.

The match, which kicks off at 8:30pm, comes with both sides under pressure to make a statement after disappointing results in their respective pre-season promotional matches.

Simba suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kenya’s Police FC during Simba Day last Saturday, while Yanga fell 2-1 to Les Aigles du Congo the following day during Mwananchi Day.

Pressure is mounting on Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba as the Kariakoo rivals prepare to renew their fierce rivalry in the Community Shield at the New Amaan Complex tomorrow night.

The match, which kicks off at 8:30pm, comes with both sides under pressure to make a statement after disappointing results in their respective pre-season promotional matches.

Simba suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kenya’s Police FC during Simba Day last Saturday, while Yanga fell 2-1 to Les Aigles du Congo the following day during Mwananchi Day.

Yet neither result has convinced observers that the two teams showed their full strength. Instead, there is growing speculation that both coaches may have deliberately ‘hidden their white’ – a popular Pool Table expression suggesting they kept some of their strongest cards concealed for the real battle.

Simba coach Steve Barker did not start Ibrahim Jabaar, Clatous Chama or Keletso Makgalwa against Police FC, while Yanga also rested several key players, including first-choice goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

The selections have fuelled speculation that both technical benches were more interested in assessing their squads and avoiding unnecessary risks ahead of tomorrow’s derby.

Barker appeared to reinforce that view after the defeat, acknowledging that the match formed part of his preparations and suggesting that the lessons gained were more important than the result.

Yanga coach Manqoba Mngqithi similarly said his team had valuable lessons to take from the defeat to Les Aigles du Congo and would use them to improve before facing Simba.

But the pressure surrounding tomorrow’s encounter extends beyond the two recent defeats.

Yanga enter the contest as Mainland champions after securing their fifth consecutive league title, while Simba ended a four-season wait for major domestic silverware by winning the CRDB Federation Cup, beating Azam FC 1-0 in July. The Community Shield adds another layer to an already intense rivalry.

Yanga defeated Simba 1-0 in last year’s edition, with Pacome Zouzoua scoring the decisive goal to give the Jangwani side their sixth Community Shield victory over their traditional rivals.

Before that meeting, Simba had held a narrow advantage, winning five of the previous nine Community Shield clashes between the sides. Yanga’s victory last year levelled the overall record at six wins apiece.

Recent derby form, however, gives Yanga the psychological edge. The Jangwani side have gone seven consecutive matches without defeat against Simba, recording six victories and one draw since their last loss in August 2023.

The most recent league meeting ended 2-2 in May after Simba raced into a two-goal lead before Yanga fought back through Prince Dube and Bakari Mwamnyeto. Both sides have also provided glimpses of what they can offer through their pre-season showcases.

Simba’s Keletso Makgalwa and Ibrahim Jabaar impressed, while Yanga’s Erick Mwijage and new striker Peter Shalulile showed promising signs.

Shalulile, in particular, has given Yanga fans reason for optimism with his movement, physical presence and ability to link up with teammates.