Category: The Citizen

Spanish national Daniel Gaona, 44, travelled from Estonia where he lives to watch Sunday’s final in Madrid.

“Everybody was crazy. It was a very good mood. People were very happy. There were no problems, just a lot of happiness,” he said as he prepared to see the players’ parade. “It’s something you have to come here to live it here”.

The Spanish players, wearing ?t-shirts that read “We are champions” except a few who were topless, constantly waved at the crowds and threw some footballs at them.

Some players, like forward Borja Iglesias, played music on a DJ set on top of the bus that had a banner on one side and ?back that read: “Stars shine together”.

Before the parade, the players were greeted by Spanish King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Both had attended Sunday’s final.

“I would like to give immense thanks ?to the staff and the players for your playing (style), effort and victory,” Sanchez told the players.

He added that he was dreaming about the possibility that Spain could ?win its third male World Cup in the next tournament in 2030 which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Russia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Kenya are among the countries that have confirmed participation in the 32nd Nanenane International Agricultural Exhibition, which will be held in Dodoma from August 1 to 8, 2026.

Nane Nane Day was officially established to honor farmers and agricultural workers, recognizing their vital contributions to Tanzania’s economy, food security, and exports.

The participation of international exhibitors is expected to strengthen value chains in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors through the transfer of modern technologies, knowledge and expertise. Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule said the exhibition would create new opportunities for trade, investment and market access for Tanzanian producers and businesses.

“So far, 800 exhibitors have confirmed their participation, including companies specialising in agricultural machinery and equipment, farm inputs, agro-processing and energy,” she told journalists on Monday.

Ms Senyamule said this would be the third time Dodoma hosts the annual exhibition, with preparations being coordinated jointly by the Dodoma and Singida regional authorities.

The event is expected to be officially opened by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on August 1, while President Samia Suluhu Hassan is scheduled to officiate at the closing ceremony on August 8.

She said the exhibition would also bring together local stakeholders, including government ministries, non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, farmers, livestock keepers, fishers and entrepreneurs.

A total of 180 entrepreneurs from Tanzania and neighbouring countries have so far confirmed their participation.

“The entrepreneurs will showcase a wide range of products during the exhibition, which will also be attended by senior government leaders, including ministers and ambassadors, at different stages of the event,” she said.

Ms Senyamule urged exhibitors to complete the allocation of exhibition space early to facilitate smooth preparations and allow any shortcomings to be addressed before the event begins.

She also called on Tanzanians to maintain peace during the exhibition, saying it would provide an opportunity to learn about innovative technologies that support the country’s Development Vision 2050.

while opening up new opportunities in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

. Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Deputy Commissioner General Mcha Hassan Mcha has warned 243 newly recruited employees against compromising integrity and professional ethics, urging them to adhere to the law and established procedures in carrying out their duties.

He said integrity, professionalism and public service ethics would be critical in enabling the new employees to contribute effectively to TRA’s mandate of collecting government revenue.

Mr Mcha made the remarks on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Institute of Tax Administration (ITA) in Dar es Salaam while opening a 10-day induction programme for the new employees, who were recruited from various departments. He urged the recruits to remain committed, professional and results-oriented while focusing on the authority’s objectives.

‘TRA is the backbone of our country. Commitment, professionalism and working towards achieving set targets are key to the success of our nation. As you work, remain focused on government revenue collection,’ he said.

Mr Mcha also cautioned the recruits against being driven by greed in the course of their duties, urging them instead to uphold TRA’s core values, vision and strategic direction.

Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Michael Muhoja urged the recruits to maintain integrity at all times, warning that failure to uphold ethical standards could cost them their jobs.

He said the Domestic Taxes Department had a broad mandate and that the recruitment of new employees would strengthen TRA’s capacity and improve operational efficiency.

Mr Muhoja also urged the new employees to be prepared to work anywhere in the country, including upcountry regions, saying they should not resist postings outside Dar es Salaam.

‘If you are posted to work in the regions, do not refuse to go. Some people, when posted upcountry, suddenly start suffering from serious illnesses, you hear them saying they have kidney problems. When I joined the service 26 years ago, I was posted to Ngara in Kagera Region, and today I am here. So, don’t be afraid when you are assigned to work upcountry,’ he said.

The Director of Human Resources and Administration, Jonathan Kabengwe, said the recruits would undergo 10 days of training, followed by a further three-week programme and an assessment examination.

He said the recruitment had increased the number of TRA employees to more than 9,000, adding that the new staff would help improve the quality and efficiency of the authority’s operations.

Simba Sports Club have bolstered their attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 season after completing the signing of Coastal Union striker Bakari Msimu, as the Msimbazi giants continue their squad rebuilding process.

The forward joins Simba following an impressive spell with Coastal Union, where he established himself as one of the team’s key attacking figures. His performances caught the attention of several clubs, with Simba moving quickly to secure his services as they look to add more quality and competition in their frontline.

Msimu’s arrival is expected to provide Simba with an additional attacking threat as the club prepares for a demanding season involving domestic competitions and continental assignments. The striker brings experience from the Mainland Premier League and is expected to offer the technical bench more options in attack. The signing forms part of Simba’s broader recruitment strategy aimed at assembling a competitive squad capable of challenging for major trophies. The club has been working to strengthen different areas of the team by bringing in players who can improve performance and provide depth throughout the season.

Known for his attacking ability, movement and determination in the final third, Msimu will be expected to compete for a regular place in Simba’s starting lineup. His ability to create opportunities and contribute goals will be important as the club seeks to improve its attacking output.

For Msimu, the move marks a significant step in his career as he joins one of Tanzania’s biggest football institutions. He will now face the challenge of meeting the high expectations associated with playing for Simba, a club with a large fan base and a strong tradition of competing for honours.

The striker is expected to link up with his new teammates when Simba begin their preparations for the upcoming campaign. The technical bench will be hoping he adapts quickly and becomes an important part of the squad’s plans.

Simba’s management has continued to emphasise the importance of building a balanced team capable of competing on multiple fronts. The arrival of Msimu adds another attacking option as the club targets success in the 2026/27 season.

With the new campaign approaching, Simba supporters will be eager to see how Msimu performs in the famous red and white jersey and whether he can replicate the form that made him a standout performer at Coastal Union.

As the curtain falls on the implementation of Vision 2025, Tanzania has unveiled its most ambitious long-term blueprint yet: the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050). Its targets are nothing short of transformative-turning the country into a knowledge-driven, industrialised upper-middle-income economy with a GDP of $1 trillion.

To realise that ambition, the government is placing education at the centre of its development agenda. No longer viewed simply as a social service, the sector is now regarded as the country’s most strategic investment-one that will determine whether Tanzania emerges as a regional leader or remains constrained by low productivity.

At the heart of Dira 2050 is its second pillar, Human Capabilities and Social Development. For a country where 77.8 percent of the population is aged 35 or younger, experts say the demographic dividend presents both an opportunity and a risk.

Without high-quality education, they argue, this youthful population could become a demographic burden characterised by unemployment and underemployment. With the right investment, however, it could become the skilled scientific workforce-or “science elite”-needed to drive a modern, innovation-led economy.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Daniel Mushi, recently underscored this vision during the Annual Joint Education Sector Review.

“Education is not merely a social service but a strategic investment in human capital, which should be the cornerstone of Tanzania’s innovation-driven and knowledge-based economy,” he said.

The same philosophy has been championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has repeatedly called for a “radical shift in mindset” founded on meritocracy, innovation and a culture of execution.

Achieving upper-middle-income status will require a workforce with the knowledge, skills and productivity needed to compete with the world’s more advanced middle-income economies.

Yet Tanzania still faces significant human capital challenges. The country’s Human Capital Index score of 0.39 means that a child born today is expected to be only 39 percent as productive as they could be if they enjoyed complete education and full health throughout childhood.

While the country has achieved a literacy rate of 78 percent, this remains significantly below the upper-middle-income country average of over 95 percent, according to the Long-Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) 2026/27- 2050/51 of the National Planning Commission.

To bridge this chasm, the LTPP 2026/27-2050/51 prioritises comprehensive educational reforms. The government is not just building classrooms; it is overhauling the very nature of what is taught.

The transition from a seven-year primary cycle to a six-year cycle is expected to lead to a “double cohort” of nearly 5.1 million students entering junior secondary school in 2027, necessitating a massive scale-up in infrastructure and teaching staff.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PO-RALG),Mr Atupele Mwambene, noted that “sound economic growth depends on well-prepared human capital,” reinforcing the state’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in this transition.

Building a “science elite”: The frontier discipline strategy

The most visible sign of this educational revolution is the government’s aggressive pivot toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, has been the chief architect of this shift, positioning science and innovation at the centre of the economic agenda as directed by President Hassan.

Under the Samia Scholarship Extended initiative, the government is now sponsoring Tanzania’s brightest minds to attend world-leading institutions in frontier fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, nuclear medicine, and aircraft engineering.

Prof Mkenda highlighted the urgency of this move in his recent budget speech, stating: ‘Government recognises the importance of building national capacity to understand, manage and effectively utilise Artificial Intelligence and related technologies’.

Education policy analyst, Prof Idris Kikula, supports this targeted approach, arguing that, “You cannot build a competitive industrial economy using outdated skills.”

He adds: ‘By training a science elite, Tanzania aims to stop being a mere consumer of global technology and become an exporter of it. The goal is to ensure that by 2050, at least 25 percent of Tanzanians attain higher education with relevant, market-driven skills.’

The digital economy is projected to be a major contributor to the $1 trillion GDP goal. The Tanzania Digital Economy Strategic Framework 2024-2034 sets a target of 80 percent digital literacy for the workforce by 2050. This, analysts say, is not possible without a digitally savvy teaching corps.

The government has committed to training 30,000 teachers in emerging technologies by 2030 and equipping all secondary schools with internet access by 2045.

This effort is bolstered by international partnerships, such as the $5.8 million STEM education partnership between KOICA and UNICEF, which is currently constructing science and ICT laboratories in 13 secondary schools across Dodoma and Simiyu.

UNICEF’s Deputy Representative, Mr Lawrence Oundo, noted that such partnerships are vital for “equipping Tanzania’s youth with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and technology-driven world”.

For the education sector to truly propel Tanzania to a higher middle-income status, the knowledge generated in lecture halls must find its way into factories and farms. The government is now demanding that universities turn research into solutions and knowledge into prosperity.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof William Anangisye, argues that research and innovation are “indispensable tools for creating jobs and driving industrialisation.”

To facilitate this, the ministry has disclosed that 250 Memoranda of Understanding have been signed between universities and industries, with over 154,000 students already receiving practical industrial training under these partnerships.

The LTPP also sets a concrete target of raising national investment in Research and Development to at least one percent of GDP.

This move is designed to ensure that domestic industries benefit from tailored technological advancements, positioning Tanzania as a regional innovation leader in sectors like the blue economy, mining, and agribusiness.

The implementation hurdle: A call to action

Despite the optimism, experts warn of significant execution hurdles. Development specialist Dr Rutashubanyuma Nestory points to the heavy reliance on political will and the need for robust accountability mechanisms.

He says the sector faces a shortage of practical infrastructure, with only 32 percent of public secondary schools currently equipped with functional science laboratories.

Education researcher, Dr Hellen Mbozi, cautions that scholarships and curriculum changes alone are insufficient: ‘We must also strengthen local research institutions… so that returning graduates find an environment capable of utilising their expertise.’

She adds: ‘There is also the persistent risk of brain drain if local prospects do not improve alongside educational outcomes.’

Experts conclude that Tanzania’s 2050 journey is a human capital race. The government’s strategy is clear: align every aspect of the education sector with the needs of the 21st-century labour market.

‘By investing in frontier sciences, digitising the classroom, and fostering university-industry linkages, the state is positioning education as the ultimate driver of productivity,’ affirms Dr Mbozi.

As Dr Nestory noted, this mission is about “uplifting every individual and crafting a digital narrative intertwined with our cultural identity.’

If the state can navigate the execution hurdles and mobilise the necessary finance, the education sector will not just be the backbone of Dira 2050, it will be the very lifeblood that sustains a prosperous, self-reliant, and industrialised Tanzania for generations to come.

Kenyan singer and former Sauti Sol member Bien is set to represent East Africa at Afro+ Fest 2026, joining a star-studded lineup featuring some of the biggest names in African and global music.

The festival, scheduled to take place in the United States, will bring together international acts including Lil Baby, Sexyy Red, Latto, Chief Keef, Alkaline, Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr, with Bien among the artists expected to perform.

The announcement adds another major international milestone to Bien’s growing solo career, following the success of his debut solo album Alusa Why Are You Topless?, which introduced his sound to a wider global audience after the group’s hiatus.

Known for blending Afro-pop, soul and contemporary African sounds, Bien has continued to expand his reach beyond East Africa through collaborations, international performances and recognition from global audiences.

His appearance at Afro+ Fest places him alongside leading voices shaping the future of African music and highlights the increasing global demand for African artists across different genres.

The festival lineup reflects the growing influence of Afrobeats and African-inspired sounds worldwide, with established stars and emerging performers sharing one stage.

For Bien, the performance marks another opportunity to showcase East African music on an international platform and connect with audiences beyond the continent.

After reading this book, I realised the greatest tragedy may be to go through life unnoticed and unacknowledged, spending your time on this beautiful earth yet remaining invisible.

Imagine living detached from your surroundings, so unnoticed that you begin to fade from the world and from yourself. Perhaps this is what happens when no one acknowledges you for long enough.

Gogol’s The Overcoat introduces us to a man named Akaky. Unable to settle on one of the names presented from the church calendar, his mother simply gives him his father’s name. And so he becomes Akaky Akakyevich.

I think children know what awaits them when they hear their names for the first time. It is said that children are angels, after all. If that is true, maybe they know more than we think.

“The child was christened, and during the ceremony he began to cry and pulled such a face that it really seemed as though he had a premonition that he would be titular Councillor one day.”

The story begins in a government department. Gogol is careful not to tell us which one because people working in government departments have a habit of taking criticism personally, as though criticism directed at an institution is directed at them.

“To avoid all sorts of unpleasant misunderstandings, we shall refer to the department in question as a certain department.”

I laughed when I read this because it felt painfully familiar.

Akaky works in this department as a copyist. He keeps to himself and bothers no one. He is constantly mocked by his colleagues, who treat him as though he has no feelings simply because he never fights back. I found myself hoping he would stand up for himself. He does, but only when the insults become physical and begin to interfere with his work.

“Leave me alone, gentlemen. Why do you pester me?”

As painful as those words were to read, they become even more heartbreaking when one of his colleagues hears something else behind them: “I am your brother.”

We are all brothers and sisters. Regardless of our social standing, we share the same humanity. We all want to be treated with dignity. We all want to know that we matter.

Despite everything, Akaky loves his job. Others mock him for spending his days copying documents. To them, it is meaningless labour. To him, it is joy. Even outside the office, he copies things simply because he enjoys writing.

But joy doesn’t protect him from poverty. When his tailor tells him that his old overcoat can no longer be repaired, Akaky is devastated.

“At the word ‘new’ a mist suddenly spread before Akaky’s eyes… How do you mean a new one?… Just mend it somehow, so that I could still use it a bit longer.”

Poverty is cruel because it does more than deprive people of basic needs. It strips away dignity. Something as ordinary as a warm coat becomes impossible to find.

I recently wrote about how powerful anticipation is. Having something to look forward to is a gift. As Akaky begins saving for the overcoat, he starts imagining tomorrow differently. He sacrifices meals and comforts, but for the first time, he wakes up with hope because he knows there is something waiting for him.

“He would always come back home well satisfied, reflecting that the time was not far off when he would pay for it and when his overcoat would be ready.”

Life has a cruel sense of humour.

Akaky loses his new overcoat and is advised to seek help from a “Very Important Person.” Instead of compassion, he finds someone more interested in reminding others of his own importance.

“Do you realise, sir, who you are talking to?… Do you understand who is standing before you?” In our context, we all know someone whose first response is “Unajua mimi ni nani?”

After everything that follows, I found myself thinking about poverty, power, social class, and justice. I thought about legacy. I thought about belonging. I kept asking myself who gets to decide whose life matters and whose does not.

It has been a while since a book left me in tears.

The Overcoat is barely 50 pages long, yet I could not stop thinking about people who pass through this world without anyone noticing that they were here at all. I found myself wanting to tell them, ‘I know you are here. I see you, and I care about you.’

Perhaps that is why Akaky broke my heart.

We all want someone to know that we were here.

. Tanzania has accepted an invitation to serve as the guest of honour at the opening of the Africa Bee Expo 2026, scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria, from September 3 to 6, 2026, in recognition of the country’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading honey producers.

Speaking to Algerian television journalists at the Tanzanian Embassy in Algiers, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Algeria, Mobhare Matinyi, said the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, will officially open the exhibition on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Ambassador Matinyi said Dr Kijaji will lead a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials, beekeeping experts and private sector stakeholders involved in the country’s apiculture value chain. He said the Government continues to attach strategic importance to the beekeeping industry due to its significant contribution to employment, exports and rural livelihoods.

According to the ambassador, the sector currently provides livelihoods for about two million Tanzanians and generates approximately $77.5 million (about Sh205 billion) annually through exports of honey and beeswax to international markets.

Quoting official government statistics, Ambassador Matinyi said Tanzania is the second-largest honey producer in Africa and ranks 10th globally, with considerable room for expansion.

He noted that the country has the potential to establish 9.2 million beehives, capable of producing up to 138,000 tonnes of honey and 9,200 tonnes of beeswax annually if the sector is fully developed.

The invitation, he added, reflects international recognition of Tanzania’s progress in promoting sustainable beekeeping and value addition in bee products.

Earlier, the Chairman of the organising institution for the Africa Bee Expo, Fatah Benchouia, said Tanzania was selected as the guest of honour not only because of the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries but also due to its remarkable achievements in the beekeeping sector.

He noted that Tanzania currently produces around 34,000 tonnes of honey annually, significantly higher than Algeria’s production of about 7,300 tonnes.

Mr Benchouia said Tanzania’s participation will provide an opportunity for African countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation in developing the beekeeping industry.

He was accompanied by the Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Africa Bee Expo, Dr Abdelmadjid Bouchareb, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Centre in Algeria, Ahmed Tibaoaoui.

The exhibition, now in its fourth edition, is expected to bring together beekeepers, researchers, investors and manufacturers of bee products from across Africa and beyond.

For Tanzania, the event presents an opportunity to showcase its achievements in the apiculture sector, promote investment opportunities and learn from innovations and best practices being adopted in other countries.

Tanzanian seaweed producer C-Weed Mwani and its founder, Murtaza “Morty” Fazal, have been recognised for their contribution to the country’s blue economy and efforts to improve livelihoods in coastal communities.

The recognition was presented by Teemo Africa, which commended the company for promoting sustainable seaweed farming, supporting coastal communities and driving innovation in Tanzania’s marine economy.

Speaking during the presentation, Teemo Africa founder and chief executive Winfrida Shonde said C-Weed Mwani has become a model for community-centred development by equipping seaweed farmers with modern farming techniques, improved equipment, technical training and access to reliable markets. She said the company’s initiatives have improved household incomes while reinforcing Tanzania’s position as one of the world’s leading seaweed producers. “C-Weed Mwani has demonstrated that investing in coastal communities is investing in Tanzania’s sustainable future.

Its work has created economic opportunities for thousands of families while strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in seaweed production,” she said.

Ms Shonde said the partnership between Teemo Africa and C-Weed Mwani has supported community empowerment, environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods along Tanzania’s coastline.

She noted that such collaborations are vital to unlocking the potential of the blue economy while ensuring local communities remain at the centre of development.

She also praised Mr Fazal’s leadership, saying his commitment to innovation and value addition has helped expand Tanzania’s seaweed industry and create inclusive economic opportunities.

“As Teemo Africa, we remain committed to working with strategic partners such as C-Weed Mwani to accelerate the growth of Tanzania’s blue economy, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable development.

that leaves no one behind,” she said.

She added that empowering coastal communities through sustainable use of marine resources is essential for building resilient local economies while protecting the country’s coastal ecosystems.

Teemo Africa reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships that promote environmental sustainability, community empowerment and economic inclusion, describing them as key to achieving Tanzania’s long-term development goals.

C-Weed Mwani has supported thousands of small-scale seaweed farmers, particularly women, by providing improved farming technologies, skills training and market access, enabling them to increase productivity, diversify incomes and improve their livelihoods.

. For decades, Kigoma carried a description that reflected its physical location but failed to capture its economic potential as it was widely known as the ‘end of the railway.’

This meant that Kigoma was the final destination of Tanzania’s Central Line where trains from Dar es Salaam stopped before reaching the shores of Lake Tanganyika.