Category: The Citizen

Friday, July 17, 2026 – 6 min read

On July 11, the African continental stage of the World School Team Chess Championship (WSTC) concluded in Cape Town. The competition was held under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) with the support of Freedom Holding Corp. and its founder, Timur Turlov. This is the first time a tournament of this level for school teams has taken place on the African continent. According to the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., advancing chess projects helps create equal opportunities for children regardless of their background, social status, or country of residence.

Winners of the African Tournament

Twenty-six school teams representing 22 African countries took part in the competition. Bronze medals were won by students from Welgemoed Primary School (South Africa). The team from Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School (Kenya) took second place. The tournament winner was Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School (Uganda).

Since 2025, the WSTC has been held under the auspices of FIDE in partnership with the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), headed by Timur Turlov, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. The African stage was financially supported by the Holding.

‘Chess is a universal language – a game that allows us to transcend borders and find common ground. In chess, each piece has its own unique capabilities. When building the Freedom digital ecosystem, we, like chess players, have learned to coordinate various parts of a single whole, ensuring their effective interaction,’ said Timur Turlov.

Freedom has been systematically involved in organizing major chess competitions and supporting international tournaments. Among the projects funded by the Holding in 2024 are the Asian Youth Championship in Almaty, the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championship in Astana, and the World Team and Individual Rapid and Blitz Championships on Wall Street in New York. The New York tournament featured the world’s leading chess players, including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The Tournament United Children from Across the Continent

For most participants, the competition in Cape Town was their first experience performing on the international stage. Of all the schoolchildren who came to the tournament, 91 participants had no official chess rating prior to the event.

A special part of the African stage ceremony was the letters from chess players who had taken part in previous stages of the championship in Asia. The schoolchildren who had already finished competing were asked: ‘What would you say to the other participants if you were on stage during the opening ceremony?’ The children wrote about victories and defeats, friendship beyond borders, big dreams, and the world that opens up to them through chess.

One letter read: ‘If you lose, it’s okay – you can be a little sad. However, only for a short while. Then it’s better to analyze the game and imagine that learning something new was your plan all along.’

Another participant noted that the language barrier does not prevent children from understanding each other:

‘Don’t be afraid if you and your opponent speak different languages. In chess, you can understand each other without words – right after the first move.’

In another letter, children were reminded that an international championship is not just a competition but also an opportunity to see the world: ‘I hope that you will look not only at the board but also around you at this championship. The world is truly vast, and it’s wonderful to discover it while playing chess.’

New Opportunities for Children from Vulnerable Communities

Patrick Mukasa, coach of the winning team from Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School, said that many of his students grew up in disadvantaged areas and belong to socially vulnerable groups. According to him, chess gives them the opportunity to get an education, travel, and implement their abilities.

‘I believed in my kids because we were the favorites of the tournament – the best team in the country and the region. These children train at an academy located in a ghetto. They grew up in unfavorable conditions and face all the problems associated with that. I trained them so that they could take advantage of the opportunities that chess provides. Thanks to this game, they develop and travel the world. I am proud that talented children from such areas will be able to contribute to our country and the whole world,’ said Patrick Mukasa.

Why Timur Turlov Is Promoting School Chess

Freedom Holding Corp. is an international FinTech ecosystem operating in 22 countries. The Holding allocates more than USD 15 million annually to the development and popularization of chess.

Supporting sports and educational projects goes hand in hand with the growth of the business itself. According to the financial statements for FY 2026, Freedom Holding Corp.’s net profit more than doubled to USD 153.3 million, while revenue reached USD 2.2 billion for the first time since the company’s listing on Nasdaq.

Timur Turlov was one of the initiators of the establishment of the International School Chess Federation and became its head in 2024. ISCF is part of the FIDE structure and unites national organizations engaged in promoting chess in schools. One of the federation’s key goals is to facilitate the inclusion of chess in educational curricula across different countries.

‘Our mission, as representatives of the chess world and the International School Chess Federation, is to help national federations and activists disseminate knowledge and integrate chess into school programs,’ said Timur Turlov.

In April 2026, Freedom acquired ChessBase – one of the oldest and largest international platforms in the field of chess software, analytics, and databases. The Holding intends to invest EUR 5 million in the project’s development and provide the platform with access to its own client audience, which numbers over 14 million users.

At the same time, Freedom Holding Corp. continues its international expansion. In early July, the Holding obtained a permit to conduct banking activities in Turkey. The company is also working to obtain banking licences in the European Union, primarily in France.

Timur Turlov’s strategic goal is to transform the Freedom digital ecosystem into a global platform present in the markets of Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.

After the conclusion of the African stage, the 2026 World Schools Team Championship cycle will continue in the Americas. The continental tournament will be held from August 11 to 16 in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Following the four continental stages, the strongest school teams will meet in December at the championship’s grand final.

Online content creators in Mbeya have urged the government to strengthen enforcement against people who write, publish and circulate inflammatory content on social media, saying tougher action is needed to curb misinformation and prevent public unrest.

They also encouraged fellow content creators to use social media to create economic opportunities rather than spread content that fuels tension and panic.

The calls were made on July 16 during a two-day seminar organised under the Dumisha Amani Project, funded by the United Nations Peace and Development Fund (UNPDF) through the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund.

Participants said that, just as the government has established a special fund to support content creators, there should also be effective legal mechanisms to hold accountable those who publish and disseminate inflammatory information.

Mr Heneliko Malo said social media offered significant opportunities for economic empowerment if used responsibly, instead of being exploited to spread divisive content.

“Social media offered significant opportunities for economic empowerment if used responsibly, instead of being exploited to spread divisive content.

“Some people misuse social media simply to attract more followers or readers. We should use these platforms for positive purposes and avoid publishing content that incites hatred or unrest. Authorities should monitor such activities and take appropriate action against offenders,” he said.

Ms Vaileth Mwakalinga urged content creators to verify information before publishing it rather than focusing solely audiences.

She said regular training was essential to improve professional skills and help creators understand both the benefits and risks associated with social media.

“Training helps us improve our knowledge, creativity and content production skills. Those who lack knowledge should be educated, but those who deliberately violate ethical standards for personal gain should face legal action,” she said.

Another participant, Mr Given Kitunda, popularly known as Docho, said unethical content creators were contributing to the spread of misinformation and public panic.

He urged the government to strengthen oversight of the sector and take action against unregistered or irresponsible content creators.

“We appreciate the government’s initiative to establish a special fund for content creators. However, those operating without registration or professional standards are damaging the industry’s reputation and should be held accountable,” he said.

Mbeya Regional Community Development Officer, Mr Elukaga Mwalukasa, said the government recognised the growing importance of digital content creators and was committed to building their capacity to help them operate professionally and benefit from opportunities in the digital economy.

“We want them to use social media responsibly, follow professional and unlock economic opportunities. The government values young people and will continue supporting them,” he said.

Dumisha Amani Project Officer, Mr Edmund Mbigili, said the initiative aims to equip young content creators with the skills needed to use digital platforms productively while promoting peace and countering harmful online content.

“Our goal is to help young people use social media to create economic opportunities without contributing to conflict or hate speech. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, we must also strengthen our ability to address harmful online content,” he said.

Confusion spread in Shinyanga after reports emerged that the district secretary of the Council of Chadema Youth (Bavicha), Alfred Massanja, had been abducted by unknown people in the early hours of today.

The Citizen followed up on the reports circulating online since dawn and sought confirmation from party officials regarding the alleged abduction.

Speaking to The Citizen by phone on July 17, 2026, Chadema Serengeti Zone Secretary Jackson Mnyawami confirmed that the incident occurred, saying further follow-up had established that Mr Massanja was arrested by police and remains in custody.

‘The incident happened at around 4am when unknown people with covered faces stormed his home. They ordered him to come out and threatened to kill him if he refused. His wife then came out and opened the door, allowing them to enter before they took him away in a vehicle without registration plates,’ Mr Mnyawami said.

He added: ‘After the commotion at his home and among neighbours, we decided to follow up once day broke and discovered that he had been arrested by police. He is still there, although the reason for his arrest was not known at the time. People believed he had been abducted because of the manner in which he was taken and the threats he received.’

However, the Shinyanga Regional Police Command confirmed that it was holding Mr Massanja, 43, a resident of Ndala Ward in Shinyanga Municipality, over allegations of inciting demonstrations planned for July 7, 2026.

According to the police statement, Mr Massanja is accused of mobilising various groups from different parts of Shinyanga Region to participate in the planned demonstrations.

‘We are continuing with investigations and questioning the suspect. Once the investigations are complete, appropriate legal procedures will be followed,’ the police statement said.

President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has said education and knowledge have little value unless they are used to address society’s challenges, transform people’s lives and build nations with sustainable development.

He urged graduates of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to become innovators and leaders of change in their communities.

Dr Mwinyi made the remarks today, July 17, 2026, while serving as the chief guest at the 63rd convocation ceremony of IIT Madras held in Chennai, India.

‘Education should not be viewed only as preparation for employment, but as a tool for building a nation, strengthening communities and nurturing a generation with knowledge, courage and the determination to bring positive change,’ he said.

In a statement issued by the Zanzibar State House Directorate of Presidential Communications, Dr Mwinyi said true success is not measured by the size of one’s title, position, wealth or personal recognition, but by the lives improved, opportunities created for others, trust built and hope left within communities.

He encouraged the graduates to uphold integrity, humility, compassion and service to others, stressing that innovation should not be measured by technological complexity alone, but by its ability to deliver meaningful benefits to citizens.

Dr Mwinyi said the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has placed education at the centre of its National Development Vision, describing it as the foundation for innovation, citizens’ wellbeing, good governance and the implementation of the Blue Economy agenda.

He added that genuine development requires investment in people, particularly by empowering young people to become producers of knowledge and technology.

Speaking about the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, President Mwinyi said its establishment had opened a new chapter in educational cooperation between Tanzania and India, while creating opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, experience and culture between African and Indian students.

He said Zanzibar’s ambition is to transform the campus into a centre of excellence in education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship for the East African region, bringing together experts to develop solutions to challenges and create new development opportunities.

Dr Mwinyi also commended IIT Madras for its contribution to producing engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs, as well as advancing research and innovation that contribute to global social and economic development.

During the ceremony, President Mwinyi joined in awarding graduates from various higher education levels, including bachelor’s degree and PhD recipients.

He was also presented with a special award by IIT Madras leadership in recognition of his contribution to the establishment and development of the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus.

The East African Kiswahili Commission (Kakama), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has launched a Disaster Preparedness and Response Framework for Media Institutions aimed at strengthening the role of news organisations in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.

The framework was launched in Bujumbura, Burundi, on July 7, 2026, with further details provided by Dr Caroline Asiimwe during an interview with The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi on July 16, 2026.

According to UNESCO, the framework is aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations’ disaster risk reduction agenda, with the objective of building more resilient communities.

UNESCO said the publication is the first of its kind, providing practical recommendations to help media institutions develop or strengthen disaster preparedness and response plans. It also seeks to improve community resilience by promoting accurate reporting that encourages informed decision-making and behavioural change.

The organisation noted that climate change has led to a rise in disasters worldwide, disrupting livelihoods, damaging infrastructure and placing millions of people at greater risk.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), disasters cause annual global economic losses exceeding $2.3 trillion (about Sh6.21 quadrillion).

UNDRR also reports that only 40 percent of African countries have multi-hazard early warning systems. Countries with such systems record disaster-related death rates that are eight times lower than those without them.

In addition, 32 African countries have established disaster loss databases. However, UNESCO emphasised that collecting data alone is insufficient unless vital information reaches communities promptly and in languages they understand.

Speaking during the launch, Dr Caroline Asiimwe said bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public action requires the active involvement of the media.

She said radio, television, newspapers and digital platforms play a critical role throughout the disaster management cycle, from preparedness and prevention to response and recovery.

‘Across Africa, particularly in East Africa, the media have made a significant contribution during major emergencies, including floods, famine and public health crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic,’ said Dr Caroline Asiimwe.

She added that without the media, many communities would have been deprived of life-saving information during emergencies, even though news organisations themselves are often affected by the disasters they cover.

However, Dr Caroline Asiimwe noted that many media outlets still focus on reporting disasters after they occur rather than investing in preparedness journalism centred on risk assessment and prevention.

She said the framework is intended to ensure the public continues to receive accurate and reliable information before, during and after disasters, while enabling media institutions to maintain operations even when facing emergencies.

She added that translating the framework into Kiswahili will make it more accessible to a wider audience across East Africa.

Following the recent World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations, Kakama and UNESCO resolved to distribute the framework to media organisations across the region to strengthen institutional preparedness and promote coordinated disaster response within the media sector.

The initiative was made possible through the translation of the publication into Kiswahili as part of broader efforts to promote discussions that reflect East Africa’s environmental realities and priorities in collaboration with the scientific community.

Dr Caroline Asiimwe said the framework will help translate scientific research and technical data into clear, accessible language that supports informed government action and community participation.

She also urged media organisations to adopt the framework as part of their institutional resilience strategies to reduce the economic impact of inadequate disaster preparedness, while ensuring they remain trusted sources of information during emergencies.

Dr Caroline Asiimwe commended UNESCO and all partners involved in developing the publication, saying its ultimate goal is to build resilient, well-informed communities capable of participating in global discussions through their own languages, particularly Kiswahili.

Across Africa and the wider global economy, sustainability is no longer a corporate accessory or branding exercise. It has become a defining measure of leadership, trust, and long-term value creation.

The age of broad claims such as ‘green,’ ‘environmentally conscious,’ or ‘socially responsible’ is rapidly fading. Today, stakeholders-regulators, investors, customers, employees, and communities-are asking harder questions and expecting evidence, not rhetoric.

They now want to know:

Where did this product come from?

Who made it?

What is it made of?

What happens to it after use?

Can these claims be verified?

Sustainability has shifted from storytelling to testimony. In many African markets, where growth is fast and infrastructure is evolving, this shift is especially significant. Trust is fragile, resources are finite, and accountability is increasingly non-negotiable. Organisations are being called to move beyond compliance into conscious stewardship-balancing growth with responsibility and success with service.

The Corporate Sufi SPARK framework offers a grounded way forward

Service: Sustainability begins with care

At its core, sustainability is an expression of service. It asks a fundamental leadership question: Who benefits from our growth-and who carries the cost?

In Africa’s emerging economies, where communities are deeply interconnected with business activity, this question is not theoretical. It is practical and visible.

Organisations that extract value while quietly transferring environmental, social, or economic harm eventually weaken the very ecosystems they depend on.

Sustainable leadership recognises that long-term success is inseparable from shared value. When leaders operate from Service, sustainability stops being a compliance requirement and becomes an ethic of care.

Purpose: Turning intention into discipline

Without purpose, sustainability becomes fragmented-reduced to isolated projects, reports, or branding exercises.

Purpose provides coherence. It turns intention into disciplined decision-making across sourcing, packaging, labour practices, energy use, logistics, and product design.

Across Africa’s fast-growing consumer and industrial sectors, stakeholders are no longer satisfied with labels or slogans. They want clarity and specificity.

Purpose-driven organisations replace vague commitments with measurable actions and transparent outcomes. They understand that credibility is built not on what is said, but on what is consistently done.

Attraction: Trust is the new competitive advantage

In an increasingly noisy marketplace, trust has become the most powerful form of attraction.

Consumers and partners do not expect perfection. They expect honesty, consistency, and accountability.

Organisations build trust when they communicate openly-especially when progress is incomplete or challenges arise. Transparency attracts loyalty. Humility builds credibility. Truth creates lasting confidence.

In Africa’s relationship-driven business environment, this principle is amplified. Reputation travels quickly through networks, communities, and markets. Trust, once earned, becomes a strategic asset that cannot easily be replicated.

Resilience: Designing for the long-term

Sustainability cannot be treated as a reporting exercise added at the end of a process. It must be embedded in design itself.

Resilient organisations consider durability, efficiency, repairability, and end-of-life impact from the outset of innovation.

This is particularly relevant in African contexts, where resource constraints, climate variability, and infrastructure challenges demand practical, adaptive thinking.

When responsibility is designed into systems, sustainability becomes more than compliance-it becomes a source of operational strength and long-term resilience.

Knowing: Seeing the full system

The final dimension of SPARK is knowing-the discipline of understanding the full lifecycle of what we produce and consume.

Leaders must ask: What do we truly know about our supply chains? Where are the blind spots? Are we willing to uncover what we do not yet see?

In today’s global economy, traceability is no longer optional. Organisations that cannot understand their sourcing, production impact, or environmental footprint cannot credibly claim responsibility.

Knowing requires curiosity, humility, and continuous learning. It is not about certainty; it is about awareness and the willingness to improve.

From intention to evidence

The future of sustainability will belong to organisations that can translate intention into measurable impact. Not perfect organisations-but honest, disciplined, and accountable ones.

Within the SPARK framework:

Service reduces harm and expands shared value

Purpose gives direction and discipline

Attraction builds trust through transparency

Resilience embeds sustainability into design

Knowing strengthens awareness and accountability

Ultimately, sustainability is not only an environmental agenda. It is a reflection of consciousness in action.

Across Africa and beyond, the organisations that will endure are those that move beyond green slogans and rekindle their inner Spark-leading with responsibility, clarity, and purpose to create value that serves people, protects the planet, and benefits generations to come.

Shopping and doing business online across East Africa could soon become safer and more reliable as the East African Community (EAC) steps up efforts to boost consumer confidence in the digital marketplace.

The EAC Secretariat on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, announced the successful completion of a high-level Knowledge Exchange Mission to Geneva, Switzerland, and Belgrade, Serbia, aimed at gathering global best practices to help the region address challenges facing cross-border e-commerce.

Tanzania women’s national football team, Twiga Stars, departed for Morocco today to enter the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), with a high-profile international friendly against Nigeria lined up.

The match is scheduled for July 19 in Casablanca, just a week before the continental tournament kicks off on July 26, and is expected to provide the Tanzanian side with a stern test against one of Africa’s most successful women’s football nations.

According to Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) National Teams Director Almasy Kasongo, the fixture forms part of the team’s final preparations before they begin their Wafcon campaign.

The squad has been holding a residential training camp in Karatu, Arusha Region, where the technical bench focused on improving fitness, tactical discipline and team cohesion ahead of the tournament.

Following the completion of the camp, the team left Tanzania today for Casablanca, where they will continue with the final phase of preparations before the tournament gets underway.

Besides the Nigeria encounter, Twiga Stars could also face either Ghana or Mali in another international friendly before the tournament, subject to confirmation from the respective football associations.

“We are satisfied with the progress the team has made in Karatu. The players have responded well to the training programme, and today they have travelled to Morocco to continue with the final phase of preparations before the tournament begins,” Kasongo said.

He said the coaching staff remains optimistic that the team will be ready to compete against some of the continent’s strongest sides.

“We believe the technical bench has prepared the team well, and we expect the players to give their best and compete strongly against some of Africa’s top teams.

“The friendly matches will give us an opportunity to assess the team’s readiness and make final adjustments before the competition starts,” he said.

Twiga Stars face a difficult task after being drawn in Group B alongside defending champions South Africa, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

Tanzania will begin their campaign against South Africa on July 27 at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca before taking on Burkina Faso on July 31 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Rabat.

Their final group-stage match will be against Ivory Coast on August 4 at the same venue.

The tournament, which runs until August 16, will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams and also serves as an important platform for countries to measure their progress in the rapidly growing women’s game.

For Twiga Stars, the warm-up matches against Nigeria and potentially Ghana or Mali are expected to provide the competitive edge needed before they embark on their quest to make a strong impression at the continental showpiece.

Jerusalem. US Vice President JD Vance said some members of the Israeli government had tried to influence US public opinion to oppose a deal by the US to end the war with Iran, in a podcast episode with host Joe Rogan posted on Wednesday.

The comments echoed earlier criticism of Israeli government policy by Vance, whom many view as a potential future presidential candidate, in a widening public rift between the two countries.

Vance defended a deal reached last month to end the war with Iran, which critics in the US and Israel have slammed for failing to curb Iran’s missile program and providing no clear path to dismantling its nuclear facilities, while constraining Israel in its war with ?Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign,” Vance said.

The vice president said that, while he has “good relationships” with some members of the Israeli government, “there are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely”.

Vance said that many countries, allies and adversaries try to influence American policy and that “it doesn’t bother me that Israel tries to do this, ?it frankly doesn’t even bother me that Russia or some of these other countries do it”. He said it was “just the nature of being a political leader in 2026”.

“What does bother me is when those operations, those influence campaigns, actually affect American political judgment,” said the vice president.

Vance lashed out at Israeli critics of the Iran deal in June, saying President Donald ?Trump is Israel’s only ally, in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in US defense aid the country receives.

Israeli senior officials, speaking anonymously, have said the deal’s terms were bad for Israel because they failed to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear ?and ballistic missile program, a view they say is shared across Israel’s leadership.

The tariffs will cover thousands of products, including sugar, agricultural machinery,

When asked if he thought the US would have engaged in the most recent war with Iran were it not for Israeli influence, Vance said, “yes, ?yes I do.”

“I think the president, separate from any influence from Israel, believes very strongly, and again I agree with this, that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For 11 years, Tanzania’s government has quietly built an argument it has never had to defend in public: that it no longer needs the private bar. Since the 2018 restructuring of the Attorney General’s Chambers, every ministry has had its own state attorneys, reporting through a newly created Solicitor General.

The logic was sound on paper: reduce reliance on external counsel, retain institutional knowledge, save money.

In the last financial year reviewed in Parliament, the Solicitor General’s office reported savings of over Sh643 billion in cases the government did not lose, a genuine achievement.

Tanzania has roughly 8,802 registered advocates on the mainland roll, and a large share, by every account within the profession, are not thriving.

The state, historically the largest buyer of legal services, has spent over a decade shifting demand in house. State attorneys, however capable, are stretched across dockets from land disputes to sovereign negotiations, often without the specialist depth a private market builds through repetition.

The result is not a cheaper legal system, but a government that increasingly reaches outside Tanzania once a matter is complex enough to matter, while the private bar survives on what is left over.

This should concern anyone watching the mega projects moving through the pipeline.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline has generated 7,500 Tanzanian jobs and channelled over TSh1.325 trillion to more than 200 local firms, strong numbers on local content. But look at where they sit: engineering, logistics, construction, supply.

The law is clear on legal services, clearer than on most sectors. The Petroleum (Local Content) Regulations and The Mining (Local Content) Regulations both require a contractor to retain only a Tanzanian legal practitioner or firm.

On paper, Tanzanian lawyers should already lead this work. In practice, transactions are routinely structured with international counsel in the lead and Tanzanian firms doing the research behind them, while the regulator receiving the legal services sub-plan rarely asks whether the law is being followed.

Contrast this with what government did last July. Faced with complaints that foreigners were crowding Tanzanians out of salons, mobile money kiosks and small trade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade acted decisively: fifteen sectors reserved for citizens, a dedicated task force, licences revoked, work permits rejected.

The rule reserving legal work on oil, gas and mining transactions for Tanzanian practitioners has existed since 2018. No comparable task force or enforcement drive has ever been built around it.

The trader today has a functioning enforcement regime behind the law protecting him. The advocate has a regulation and silence.

Part of the reason is that neither side has fought to make the law work. Departments that assembled a task force for salons and mobile money kiosks have never built an equivalent for the legal services sub-plans filed with the Mining Commission and PURA.

The body meant to hold government to that standard has spent much of the last decade absorbed in a different fight.

Since 2017, bar leadership energy has gone disproportionately into confrontation with government over constitutional and political questions, important, but pursued at real cost to enforcing rules already on the books.

A bar association cannot simultaneously be government’s sharpest critic and its most persuasive partner in enforcing space already reserved for its own members. Something must give, and for eleven years, it has been the advocates themselves.

Is this sustainable? I do not believe it is. As Tanzania’s investment pipeline scales from hundreds of millions to tens of billions of dollars, the cost of a hollowed out private bar becomes an investment risk in its own right.

Foreign counsel and their clients already cite thin specialist local capacity as a reason to keep decision making offshore, a self-fulfilling prophecy if ever there was one.

A jurisdiction that wants to be taken seriously for complex capital cannot afford a legal profession that is poor, sidelined and unrepresented where its own resources are negotiated.

The fix is neither mysterious nor costly, because the law already exists. It requires a government willing to enforce local content rules for legal services as seriously as it enforces them for salons, and a bar leadership willing to spend as much energy demanding that enforcement as it spends contesting the state elsewhere.

Tanzania cannot industrialise while leaving the profession meant to write its contracts unenforced and unprotected. The question is not whether change is needed, but how much longer both institutions can afford to wait.