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Dar es Salaam. Undefeated world boxing champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford has agreed to become the patron of Dunda, Tanzania’s professional boxing league, which aims to discover and develop emerging talent in the country.

Crawford attended the launch of the league and the selection trials for boxers seeking places in the competition, which is scheduled to begin later this year in Dar es Salaam.

The league is being organised in collaboration with the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) and radio station Times FM as part of efforts to strengthen the development of the sport and create opportunities for talented boxers to gain recognition locally and internationally.

Crawford, an American boxer who has won world titles across multiple weight divisions, attended the league’s launch in Dar es Salaam on May 25, 2026.

He also took part in the preliminary selection trials held in Dar es Salaam on October 3 and 4, 2026, where hundreds of boxers turned up to showcase their abilities before experienced judges. TPBRC vice-president Jacob Mbuya confirmed that Crawford would serve as the league’s patron when the competition begins later this year.

‘As the patron and international ambassador of Dunda, Crawford is expected to help promote and develop emerging boxing talent,’ Mbuya said, adding that the league was preparing to move into its official competition phase.

He said the selection process had already been completed and that successful candidates would be announced in November, alongside the official start date, competition format and fight schedule.

‘As I said, the boxers who pass the trials will compete in this league.

The aim is to provide regular bouts for local boxers, helping them gain experience, build their records and prepare for higher levels of professional boxing internationally,’ he said.

On Crawford’s role, Mbuya said the organisers believed his experience, achievements and reputation in professional boxing would inspire participants and help them pursue opportunities on the international stage.

Bagamoyo. Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde has urged Tanzanians to pool financial resources and business expertise to tap into the mining sector’s Sh5.1 trillion procurement market, warning that local companies risk missing out on lucrative opportunities if they fail to strengthen their participation in the supply chain.

Mr Mavunde said a significant share of business opportunities in the sector was reportedly concentrated among no more than six companies, calling for more Tanzanian firms to enter the market and supply goods and services to mining operations.

He made the remarks on Saturday, October 17, during the inauguration of a wire mesh manufacturing plant established by Geofields Tanzania Limited in Kerege, Bagamoyo District, Pwani Region.

The plant, which has an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 panels, is expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported mining equipment.

Mr Mavunde said the Government was committed to creating a conducive business environment that would enable local manufacturers to meet the needs of mining companies and compete in regional and international markets. He added that expanding domestic production would help increase Tanzanian companies’ participation in the mining value chain while creating jobs and building technical expertise.

The investment operates under Geofields Underground Support (GUS), a division specialising in ground-support products used in underground mining operations.

Geofields founder and director Denis Dillip said the factory had the capacity to meet the needs of mining operations across Tanzania, with plans to expand production and strengthen the company’s regional presence.

He said the company had already established a branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of its expansion strategy. Mr Dillip said the company had invested in modern manufacturing technology and technical expertise to ensure its products met international quality and safety standards, particularly those required to protect workers in underground mines.

The company has also engaged specialists trained in Australia and China to strengthen technical capabilities, facilitate technology transfer and improve production efficiency.

Mr Dillip credited the Government’s Local Content policies, implemented through the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission, with encouraging investment and expanding the participation of Tanzanian companies in the mining sector.

He cited partnerships with African Underground Mining Services (AUMS) and its Australian partners, Perenti and Barminco, as well as collaboration with Geita Gold Mine, which he described as a major customer and strategic partner.

Geofields currently employs 105 people and plans to create additional jobs as production expands. The investment is also expected to develop specialised technical skills and generate further business opportunities for Tanzanians.

Coast Regional Commissioner Stanislaus Nyongo said the region had 1,768 large and small industries, adding that the new facility would further strengthen its industrial base.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, Ms Subira Mgalu, urged the company to prioritise residents of Kerege when recruiting workers.

Mining Commission chairperson Janeth Reuben Lekashingo said the sector’s success should be measured not only by mineral production but also by the growth of local companies, employment creation, technology transfer and the establishment of domestic industries.

She said these indicators were essential to ensuring that mineral resources contributed to sustainable industrial development and broader economic growth.

Mwanza. Police in Kagera Region are holding 13 officers from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and auxiliary security personnel over the deaths of four men who were transporting charcoal on motorcycles in Muleba District.

The incident occurred at about 4am on October 17, 2026, in Kanyamika Village, Karambi Ward, along the main road linking Muleba and Biharamulo.

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 18, Kagera Regional Police Commander Blasius Chatanda said the officers were on patrol in Ruiga Forest Reserve when they encountered people transporting charcoal on 10 motorcycles.

‘The individuals reportedly refused to be arrested and attempted to disarm the officers, leading to an attack in which four people died,’ the statement said.

According to the statement, the patrol team was travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser and carrying three AK-47 rifles.

The deceased were identified as Osward Yuster, 38, a resident of Ngote; Pius Charles, 40, from Magata; Charles Michael, 35, from Ngote; and Edgar Elias Lukangula, 44, from Butembo.

Mr Chatanda said Lukangula died in the early hours of October 18 while receiving treatment at Kagera Regional Referral Hospital.

The officers named as members of the patrol team were Mituni Haji, 26; Faustin Mboko, 25; Kingmar Mewama, 40; Fluomena France, 28; Erick Muya, 25; Yusuph Kweya, 26; Emmanuel Zabron; Yusto David, 22; Josiah Mahenge, 26; Farouk Mahamudu, 24; Baraka Kabulo, 28; Regan Nikodem, 24; Alanus Chowe, 35; and Andrew Kwiyega, 32, a TFS driver.

The incident also resulted in damage to a government-owned TFS Toyota Land Cruiser, whose windscreen and side windows were smashed.

Police seized 10 motorcycles, 22 sacks of charcoal, five machetes, two hard hats and two coats. They also recovered three AK-47 rifles, five spent cartridges and the damaged Land Cruiser.

Mr Chatanda said police had arrested suspects linked to the incident and were continuing investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.

He urged members of the public to obey the law and refrain from taking the law into their own hands when dealing with police officers or other authorities mandated to enforce it.

‘We urge all citizens to obey the law without being forced to do so and to stop taking the law into their own hands,’ he said.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s disappointing Futsal Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco has exposed the scale of work required to make the country competitive at continental level, with their winless run raising questions about preparation, tactical organisation and the development of the indoor game.

The debutants lost all three Group B matches, suffering an 8-0 defeat to Egypt, a 6-0 loss to Angola and a 4-0 setback against Mozambique. The results left Tanzania without a point or a goal, highlighting the challenge of competing against more experienced futsal nations. Although the results were disappointing, the campaign should be viewed as an important assessment of Tanzania’s readiness for elite futsal rather than simply a sequence of defeats.

The opening match against three-time champions Egypt offered an immediate test of the gap between Tanzania and established continental sides. Egypt scored three times in the first half before adding five more after the break, demonstrating their ability to exploit defensive weaknesses and sustain pressure.

The subsequent defeat to Angola suggested that the challenge extended beyond facing one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses. Angola, runners-up in the previous edition, scored six unanswered goals against Tanzania, underlining the importance of defensive discipline, organisation and the ability to withstand sustained attacks.

The final match against Mozambique presented an opportunity to finish the tournament positively, but the 4-0 defeat confirmed that Tanzania were unable to translate their experience into a competitive result.

The absence of goals is particularly concerning. While defensive improvement is essential, Tanzania must also develop the ability to retain possession under pressure, create scoring opportunities and make better decisions in the attacking third.

Futsal is a fast-paced game played in tight spaces, where poor positioning, slow reactions and misplaced passes can quickly expose a team. Competing effectively requires technical precision, quick transitions and coordinated movement, qualities that need to be developed through regular, high-level competition.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the technical bench must now assess whether the team’s difficulties stemmed primarily from limited international exposure, inadequate preparation, tactical shortcomings or a combination of these factors.

That assessment should inform a structured development programme rather than a short-term response to the tournament’s results. Regular international friendlies, domestic futsal competitions, specialised coaching and youth development would provide a stronger foundation for future campaigns.

The experience also highlights the importance of building a sustainable domestic structure capable of producing players who understand the demands of the indoor game before reaching the international stage.

Tanzania’s qualification for the finals was itself a milestone, but participation alone cannot be the measure of progress. Future success will depend on whether the lessons from Morocco translate into measurable improvements in performance.

The immediate priority is to strengthen defensive organisation, improve technical execution and develop greater attacking confidence. With the right investment and consistent competitive exposure, Tanzania can use this difficult debut as a starting point for long-term growth.

The 2026 campaign has delivered a sobering message: Tanzania have entered Africa’s futsal arena, but closing the gap will require sustained planning, technical development and greater competitiveness at home and abroad.

Dar es Salaam. Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has called on East Africans to embrace the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a historic opportunity to showcase the region to the world, attract investment and create opportunities for young people.

Drogba, who is in Tanzania to promote the continental tournament, expressed excitement over East Africa’s preparations to host the competition for the first time, describing the occasion as an opportunity that extends beyond football.

Tanzania will co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda, bringing together Africa’s leading national teams and supporters in a tournament expected to attract international attention.

The former Ivory Coast captain’s message comes as the three countries prepare to stage one of the continent’s biggest sporting events, with expectations that the competition will boost tourism, stimulate business and strengthen the region’s international profile. For Tanzania, the tournament presents an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to organise major international sporting events while showcasing its tourism attractions, hospitality industry and investment potential. Drogba’s emphasis on opportunities beyond the pitch also highlights the wider economic benefits that can emerge from hosting a competition of this scale.

The challenge, however, will be ensuring that these opportunities translate into lasting benefits for local communities rather than ending with the final whistle.

Drogba’s experience at Chelsea provides a practical example of how the football industry can generate employment outside the playing field.

He has highlighted groundskeeping, equipment maintenance and other support services as areas where young people can acquire skills and build careers.

He has urged young people to look beyond becoming professional footballers or coaches, pointing to the range of jobs required to operate a modern football club and organise major competitions.

His message offers an important perspective for Tanzania as it prepares for AFCON 2027, particularly in developing skills that can support the country’s sports industry long after the tournament.

The private sector also has a role to play. Businesses in hospitality, transport, catering, retail and tourism stand to benefit from increased demand as teams, officials, journalists and supporters travel to the region.

Dar es Salaam. The government plans to increase electricity generation capacity to 8,000 megawatts by 2030 and begin producing 40 million cubic feet of natural gas daily from the Victoria block early next year.

Energy Minister Juma Homera announced the plans on Sunday, October 18, 2026, saying the government was expanding power generation, transmission infrastructure and gas exploration to meet rising demand from households and industries.

‘The expectation is to begin gas production early next year, with 40 million cubic feet a day,’ he said, referring to preparations to drill a production well and install gas-processing equipment in the Victoria block.

He said the additional gas would support industrial investment, electricity generation and manufacturing.

Exploration is continuing in the Wembele, Lindi-Mtwara, western Songo Songo, northern Mnazi Bay and Mtoria blocks. Seismic data collection in the EAS Wembele and Lindi-Mtwara blocks is expected to be completed in December 2026. In Mnazi Bay, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and investor M and P have completed drilling three wells, two for development and one for exploration.

The government also plans to announce newly discovered gas volumes at an event in Msimbati on October 26 and 27 to attract further investment.

Construction of a 35-kilometre gas pipeline from Ntoria to Madimba is 70 percent complete and expected to finish in December.

On electricity, Dr Homera said installed generation capacity had reached 4,646MW, supported by hydropower, natural gas and solar energy, including the 50MW Kishapu solar project.

A further 100MW solar project is under construction at Kishapu, while projects with a combined capacity of 600MW are at various stages of assessment and discussion.

‘By 2030, we must have generation capacity of 8,000 megawatts,’ he said, adding that the target was also reflected in the National Development Vision 2050.

Peak electricity demand has exceeded 2,400MW, driven partly by industrial expansion and new investments.

Transmission projects include the completed Chalinze-Dodoma line. The Iringa-Tunduma-Sumbawanga project is expected to be switched on in November, while the Chalinze-Kinyerezi-Mkuranga line is scheduled to become operational in February 2027.

Dr Homera said Tanzania had sufficient electricity to meet current needs and export power, but was exploring geothermal and additional hydropower sources to diversify generation.

Dar es Salaam. A total of 667,040 candidates are expected to sit Tanzania’s Form Four national examinations from October 19 to November 6, 2026, as the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta) steps up security measures to ensure a safe and fair examination period.

Speaking at a press conference on October 18, Necta Executive Director, Prof Said Ally Mohamed, said preparations had been completed, including the distribution of examination papers, answer booklets and other essential documents to examination centres across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

He also assured candidates, parents and guardians that security arrangements had been put in place, including contingency plans in case El Niño-related rains affect the country during the examination period.

The Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE), will be conducted at 6,265 secondary schools and 802 centres for private candidates.

According to Prof Mohamed, of the 667,040 registered candidates, 644,085 are school candidates, while 22,955 are private candidates.

Girls account for the majority of school candidates, numbering 346,776, equivalent to 53.84 percent, compared with 297,309 boys, or 46.16 percent. Among private candidates, 12,732 are girls, representing 55.47 per cent, while 10,223 are boys, accounting for 44.53 per cent.

The number of registered school candidates has increased by 74,202, or 13.02 percent, compared with 569,883 in 2025.

The increase comes as the country continues to expand access to secondary education, placing greater importance on examination management, adequate facilities and the fair assessment of learners.

Prof Mohamed said the examination was an important assessment of knowledge and skills acquired by candidates during their four years of secondary education.

‘The results of this examination are used to select candidates for Form Five and various professional training fields, including health, agriculture and technical education,’ he said.

Necta said preparations had also been made for candidates with special needs to ensure they could sit the examinations under appropriate conditions.

There are 910 school candidates with special needs. Of these, 455 have low vision, 13 are blind, 98 have hearing impairments, 21 have intellectual disabilities and 323 have physical disabilities.

Among private candidates, 73 have special needs, including 69 with low vision and four who are blind.

The council said candidates who are blind would receive examination papers in Braille, while those with low vision would be provided with enlarged print.

‘Candidates with special needs are also entitled to additional time, in line with Necta guidelines. They are to receive an extra 20 minutes for every hour in Basic Mathematics and 10 minutes for every hour in other subjects,’ he said.

To protect the integrity of the examinations, Necta has directed regional and council examination committees to strengthen security at centres and ensure that all procedures follow the council’s guidelines.

Supervisors have been instructed to perform their duties professionally and impartially, ensuring that every candidate receives a fair opportunity to complete the examination within the allocated time.

School owners and heads have also been warned against interfering with examination supervisors. Necta said it could cancel any examination centre found to have engaged in activities that threaten the security of the examinations.

Candidates have been cautioned against cheating, with the council warning that anyone found involved in examination malpractice would have their results cancelled in accordance with examination regulations.

The council has also appealed to communities to keep unauthorised people away from school premises throughout the examination period to allow candidates to work in a peaceful environment.

Prof Mohamed wished all candidates success and called on education stakeholders, parents and the public to cooperate in ensuring that the examinations are conducted peacefully and without malpractice.

Two Tanzanian nationals have reportedly died while serving in the Russian Armed Forces, raising concerns about the recruitment of young Africans into the Russia-Ukraine war through overseas employment opportunities.

The two men, identified as Mosha Elikunda Elibapiki, 22, and Samimik Samveli Peter, 32, reportedly died in July 2025, according to information published by StopRussianRecruiters.org, a database established by Ukrainian authorities to document foreign nationals recruited into Russia’s military.

The database, launched in May 2026 by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, lists at least 10 Tanzanians who reportedly signed contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

It also records 485 African casualties from different countries linked to the conflict. In September 2022, 37-year-old Tanzanian student Nemes Tarimo was killed while fighting for Russia’s Wagner Group in Ukraine.

He had been imprisoned in January 2021 for what were described as drug-related offences, and was enticed to fight for Russia with a deal for a pardon. His family advised him not to but he insisted on join to ‘free himself’ rather than remain in prison.

The latest disclosures about casualties of African men fighting on behalf of Russia have drawn attention to concerns that some young Africans may be travelling abroad expecting civilian employment, only to find themselves facing military obligations in a foreign war.

Opposition party ACT-Wazalendo has called on the government to establish how its citizens are being recruited and to seek answers through diplomatic channels.

Shangwe Ayo, the party’s Deputy Secretary for Information, Publicity and Public Relations, said Tanzania’s diplomatic relationship with Russia should not prevent authorities from addressing reports of citizens dying in the conflict.

She urged the government to obtain clear information about the reported deaths and investigate whether recruitment agents had used false or misleading job offers to lure Tanzanians abroad.

Ayo also called for public warnings about suspicious overseas employment opportunities, stronger monitoring of recruitment agencies and a system allowing job seekers to verify job offers before travelling.

Fulgence Massawe said that if Tanzanian nationals were recruited through false promises of employment and subsequently exploited in a foreign armed conflict, the circumstances could amount to human trafficking and deceptive recruitment.

‘This is not normal labour migration,’ Massawe said, arguing that exploiting young people’s vulnerability through promises of decent jobs before deploying them into a war could constitute trafficking through fraud, deception and abuse of vulnerability.

He cited Tanzania’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2008 and international instruments ratified by the country as relevant legal frameworks for addressing such cases.

Massawe said the government had a legal and moral responsibility to investigate the reports, establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and pursue accountability where wrongdoing was established.

He also called for consular and legal assistance for Tanzanian nationals who may still be trapped in similar circumstances, alongside support for affected families seeking answers about their relatives.

Massawe further urged authorities to strengthen prevention efforts and public awareness campaigns targeting young people, whom he said were particularly vulnerable to recruitment networks.

The concerns extend beyond Tanzania, with reports from other African countries pointing to similar recruitment patterns involving promises of work in factories, agriculture, hospitality and logistics.

Some job seekers are reportedly presented with military contracts after arriving in Russia, raising concerns about whether all recruits fully understand the terms of the agreements they sign.

In Zimbabwe, authorities have pursued cases involving alleged deceptive recruitment, with nine people reportedly arrested in six human trafficking investigations launched in late March. Those charged reportedly included Russian nationals and local accomplices.

Kenya has also taken action over concerns surrounding overseas labour recruitment, with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua cancelling the licences of 23 recruitment agencies over suspected irregularities.

The developments have necessitated calls for African governments to improve oversight of international recruitment, strengthen public awareness and provide families with clear information about citizens who travel abroad for work.