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Alabuga Start international program is becoming increasingly popular among young people in our country. This initiative offers young women aged 18 to 22 the chance to move to Russia and start building their careers in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

The program description is certainly appealing, but only someone who has actually participated in Alabuga Start can truly describe what relocating to Alabuga is like. Redemptor Cathy spoke exclusively to The Citizen about the challenges of adapting to life in Russia, learning a new language and culture, and discovering the quirks of the local cuisine.

“EARNING, LEARNING, AND GROWING ABROAD — MY STORY WITH ALABUGA START” My name is Redemptor Cathy, I’m 23 years old and I’m from Uganda. I’ve always been curious about how people live in other countries.

I’ve dreamed of making decent money to travel the world someday. But with the average salary in Uganda being about $220 a month, it’s hard to imagine being able to afford a big trip like that.

The opportunity actually found me — I came across the international Alabuga Start program, which advertised a monthly salary of $541. At first, I found it hard to believe that such salaries were real, but after chatting with other participants in a group chat and talking with my HR representative, they convinced me it was true. That’s when I decided to give Catering a try through the program.

I started my career as a kitchen worker at Shokoladnitsa Cafe, where I helped with food preparation, learned to cook Russian dishes, and got to know the menu. After six months, I was promoted to waitress and received a pay raise.

By then, I was already mentoring a new Alabuga Start participant from Nigeria, who had just begun her journey in the Catering field. “RUSSIA’S WINTERS? BREATHTAKING NATURE, THRILLING SPORTS IT’S ALL HERE” I first heard about the Alabuga Start program from my friends, who saw advertisements for it on social media.

I decided to give it a try, so I applied on the website and immediately began learning 100 Russian words from the provided list, since that was required to participate. Not long after, Alabuga’s HR specialists got in touch with me and answered all my questions about the program.

Interestingly, another mandatory step before the Alabuga Start HR interview involved completing a namesake computer game. As my HR supervisor later explained, this business simulation is a proprietary tool developed by the Alabuga SEZ to assess three-dimensional and logical reasoning skills.

Once all my documents were gathered, my medical exam was finished, and I received my visa, Alabuga bought my tickets to Russia. When I first stepped outside in Kazan (the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan), I was amazed I had never seen snow before in Uganda.

Winter in Tatarstan is truly beautiful, and the region offers just as many wonderful winter sports. Last year, I learned to skate and ski for the first time, and this winter, my friends and I joined the biggest snowball fight with the students of Alabuga Polytech.

“THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE HIGHER YOU RISE” It was difficult to get used to new dishes, I had never tried Russian cuisine before. My first encounter with traditional Russian borscht is quite a tale in itself.

I remember being fascinated by this unique dish These days I’ve mastered cooking it myself, and not just borscht – I’ve also learned to make manti, ochpochmak, and rassolnik soup. They’re all classics from both Russian and Tatar culinary traditions.

Of course, the challenges weren’t just about getting used to local ingredients — the cultural differences and language barrier were tough too. At first, Russian felt impossible: everyone spoke so quickly, I struggled to express myself, and I relied on a translator constantly.

That frustration actually pushed me to work harder in my Russian lessons with our teacher Yoanna. Now, I can chat comfortably with native speakers.

My colleagues at Alabuga have been great too — whenever I ask them to practice, they’re happy to help. It’s a win-win: they improve their English while I work on my Russian.

I’m continuing to improve my Russian while also starting to learn Chinese. My friends often ask how I managed to climb the career ladder so quickly.

Honestly, there’s no big secret. It really comes down to working hard, taking your responsibilities seriously, and never skipping those Russian language lessons.

In our line of work, it’s crucial not just to understand Russian well, but to speak it fluently and accurately. I’m definitely not going to stop there.

Now I am 23 years old, I have been working at the Shokoladnitsa Cafe for more than a year, I managed to get my first promotion, I earn more than $800 a month and help my parents. Very soon, a friend from Uganda will fly to me to become a part of Alabuga Start.

If you have any questions about moving to Russia, living there, or about Alabuga Start, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help with anything you want to know. .

Dar es Salaam. After impressing at the Tanzania Vodacom Open, Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, has turned her focus to representing the country at the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled from October 13 to 15, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Kenya.

The high-profile tournament, part of the Sunshine Development Tour, will bring together elite golfers from across the region for three days of intense competition. Registration for the event opened on September 22 and closes on October 6, with players expected to register via golfplus.

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The East Africa Swing is a key stage in the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, offering golfers the chance to gain ranking points, sharpen their skills, and compete on a professional platform that feeds into one of Africa’s premier golf circuits. Madina, who has consistently been Tanzania’s top female golfer, expressed excitement about the upcoming tournament.

“It’s always an honor to represent Tanzania in international tournaments,” she said. “Events like the East Africa Swing help us test our game against top players while also strengthening regional golf ties.

I’m looking forward to giving my best performance in Nairobi.” Over the years, Madina has helped elevate the profile of women’s golf in Tanzania through outstanding performances at events such as the Tanzania Ladies Open, the Geita Open, and the EAC Ladies Challenge Trophy.

Her participation in the Sunshine Development Tour highlights the growing recognition of Tanzanian golfers on the continental stage. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of East Africa’s oldest and most scenic courses, will host the tournament.

Known for its lush fairways and challenging layout, the venue promises an exciting contest as top male and female professionals compete for honors and ranking points. .

Juba. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed the country’s military chief and reinstated his predecessor whom Kiir had sacked three months earlier, state-run television announced.

The moves add to relentless turnover within the ranks of South Sudan’s military and government as Kiir contends with armed conflict and speculation within the country about his eventual succession. Kiir, 74, has led a transitional government in the impoverished and fractured nation since independence from Sudan in 2011. Scheduled elections have twice been postponed and First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir’s main rival during a 2013-2018 civil war, was charged last The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Wednesday that Kiir had appointed Paul Nang Majok to replace Dau Aturjong as the new Chief of Defence Forces, without providing a reason for the decision.

Aturjong was reassigned to be a technical adviser at the defence ministry. In July, Kiir had, without explanation, sacked Majok after seven months in the post and replaced him with Aturjong.

That decision came after renewed fighting in the northeast in which the military was briefly overrun by a militia from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. The government placed Machar under house arrest in March, accusing him of supporting the militia, and he went on trial for treason, murder and crimes against humanity last month.

Machar has denied the allegations. His detention reignited fears of a return to full-blown civil war, with his supporters accusing the government of violating a 2018 peace and power-sharing agreement.

Analysts say that Kiir’s repeated shake-ups of the government and security apparatus are aimed at consolidating his hold on power and keeping various factions satisfied. U.

N. investigators last month accused South Sudanese leaders of “systematic looting” of the nation’s wealth for their personal gain .

She would go on to become a legendary anthropologist and conservationist. She was an advocate for animals–what she referred to as sentient beings.

Her groundbreaking research into the lives of chimpanzees opened the world to a new understanding and empathy towards the wild ecosystem she studied and protected for more than 60 years. She travelled widely, visiting research centres and zoos around the world, calling for the humane treatment of man’s closest relatives.

It all began at Gombe National Park, years before Tanzania gained independence. A 26-year-old British woman chose the unknown jungles as her home.

The British colonial administration in Nairobi was alarmed that one of their young female citizens had chosen an African wilderness as her habitat. Her mother later joined her in Tanzania to calm everyone’s nerves.

With her calm and observant nature, she began to study the primates of Gombe National Park, located along the north-eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The mountainous region is now popular with trekkers who come for its steep valleys, waterfalls, and primate population.

It is Tanzania’s smallest national park but one of the most famous. For 65 years, it has been in the global spotlight since Dr Jane Goodall first set foot on its montane forest reserve.

It was in this very forest that she observed a chimpanzee using a stick, after stripping off its leaves, to catch termites. It was the first recorded instance of an animal other than humans using tools.

She reported this remarkable discovery to Dr Louis Leakey. That marked the opening of a window into the world of primates.

She ventured into a male-dominated field and knew she would have to step on toes, navigate egos, and confront the sexualisation she faced as a woman scientist in the 1960s. She recalled how, during a photoshoot only a few years after settling in Tanzania, a National Geographic photographer focused more on her legs in khaki shorts than on her message about chimpanzee conservation.

Despite such moments, she would later use her fame to raise funds for chimpanzee protection and to amplify her voice for conservation worldwide. Gombe National Park is today a thriving tourism hub.

Accommodation facilities have expanded to serve the growing number of visitors drawn to the reserve. From morning boat rides on Lake Tanganyika to treks through the forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates, visitors describe the experience as unforgettable.

The park’s guides also earn glowing reviews. Though Gombe is known mainly for its chimpanzees, it is also home to baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

The guides are eager to help visitors spot each species during their treks. The long walks are well rewarded.

As the day ends, Gombe offers one of the most stunning sunset views over Lake Tanganyika. The surrounding lodges are impressive, offering spacious rooms and a blend of Tanzanian and international cuisine.

The park also hosts the Gombe Stream Research Centre, operated by the Jane Goodall Institute at Kasekera village. The facility focuses on chimpanzee behavioural studies, long-term ecological research, and population monitoring.

Once an endangered species, the chimpanzee is now among the most studied and closely observed primates in Tanzania. The centre also works with neighbouring communities on conservation outreach programmes.

Jane would spend hours walking alone in the forest, keeping her distance from human contact. She watched the primates closely, studying their way of life and behaviour.

She would later say that observing how chimpanzee mothers cared for their young taught her valuable lessons in raising her own child, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick. Her son grew up in the same wild environment where his mother worked.

Dr Goodall ensured that he was always safe and cared for. Motherhood never slowed her commitment to protecting the primates she had dedicated her life to.

During the AIDS pandemic, when the world was struggling with the virus and scientists were using primates for research, Dr Goodall still travelled to research centres. She advocated for humane treatment of the animals–larger cages, enrichment toys, and more social time among them.

Her approach was unconventional. As she aged, she adapted her advocacy.

She appeared on television and podcasts to reach younger audiences. At 91, she became the oldest-ever guest on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy.

She was relentless, and age never slowed her down. In her final days, she was in California for a speaking engagement.

She had recently co-produced a film titled Howl with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, a fellow environmental and climate activist. Her tireless work as a conservationist helped raise Gombe National Park’s profile on the global stage.

From early visits by Dr Louis Leakey to media and film crews eager to tell her story, all travelled to this remote area. National Geographic was among the first to visit.

Their filmmaker, Hugo van Lawick, would later become Goodall’s husband. The couple shared ten years of marriage and a deep passion for wildlife.

Over the years, other global figures have followed. The humanitarian and actress Angelina Jolie visited Gombe, sharing similar conservation interests.

So did Oprah Winfrey, the American billionaire philanthropist. Several United Nations officials have also toured the park to observe its conservation and development initiatives.

Gombe National Park has firmly established itself as the birthplace of modern chimpanzee research. Since 1960, when the young British researcher began her work there, it has hosted the longest continuous field study of wild animals in history.

The data collected over the past six decades is unmatched. Breakthrough discoveries about tool use, hunting patterns, and social hierarchies among chimpanzee communities have challenged earlier assumptions about humanity’s closest relatives.

Visitors to Gombe National Park enjoy a unique experience. Unlike in open savannah parks, here they can observe wild chimpanzees up close under the watchful guidance of park rangers.

The chimps are habituated to human presence after decades of contact. They rarely show aggression towards visitors.

Access to the park is by boat or dhow from Kigoma, as there are no roads leading directly to the reserve. The isolation adds to its sense of mystery and adventure.

Trekkers often describe the journey as part of the park’s charm. Gombe has become a symbol of conservation, humanity, empathy, and coexistence.

It embodies the principle that all species sharing this planet must learn to live in harmony. Dr Jane Goodall championed this belief with quiet but firm persuasion, urging world leaders to care.

She will be remembered not only as an anthropologist and primatologist but also as a human rights and environmental activist. Her influence extended into the realm of community empowerment.

In the 1980s, she began addressing the challenges facing villagers around Gombe. Poverty and deforestation were widespread.

She realised that for conservation to succeed, the people living near the primate reserve had to be empowered and actively involved. Her institute initiated community-based projects that improved livelihoods while reducing pressure on forest resources.

These efforts bridged the gap between humans and wildlife, demonstrating that conservation and development can coexist. Today, Gombe National Park remains a living testament to her life’s work.

Its forests echo with the calls of chimpanzees that generations of scientists have studied. Each rustle of leaves and each distant cry serves as a reminder of the woman who changed the world’s view of nature.

Dr Jane Goodall’s legacy endures–not only in the scientific data she collected but in the compassion she inspired. Her work continues to guide conservationists, reminding humanity that the fate of the wild is inseparable from our own.

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Yaounde. Cameroonian President Paul Biya is running for an eighth term on Sunday that could keep him in office until he is nearly 100, seeking to overcome frustration with his decades-long rule and a spirited challenge from a former government mouthpiece.

Biya took office in 1982 and has held a tight grip on power ever since, doing away with the presidential term limit in 2008 and winning re-election by comfortable margins. His government has denied claims of ballot stuffing and manipulating the courts to sideline opponents.

Maurice Kamto, Biya’s top challenger in the 2018 election, has been disqualified this time and the remaining contenders have failed to rally around a unity candidate, boosting the president’s victory chances. Biya rarely appears in public, fuelling consistent speculation that he is in poor health.

The government last year banned public discussion of the topic. He has attended one campaign rally this year, on Tuesday in the northern city of Maroua, where he thanked people for their support “despite the false omens, the slander, the fabrications”.

He acknowledged complaints about basic services like roads and electricity in the cocoa and oil-producing country. “I am well aware of the problems that are of concern to you.

I am aware of the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future,” he said. “I can assure you that these problems are not impossible to overcome.

” FORMER SPOKESPERSON BECOMES CHALLENGER The challenger drawing the biggest crowds is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who previously served as employment minister but announced in June that he was defecting. Tchiroma has accused Biya of mismanaging Cameroon’s resource wealth, leaving it dependent on international financial institutions.

“Their failure is everywhere,” he said of the ruling party while campaigning. All Cameroonians are fed up with their management.

” It is unclear whether the energy of Tchiroma’s rallies will translate into votes. In war-hit eastern Congo, nearly 90% of surveyed health facilities were fully out of medicines “One is left with the impression that if this mobilisation is transferred into the ballot box then change is coming,” said Pippie Hugues, a Cameroonian political analyst.

“However, the reverse might be true. We have seen such mobilisation in 2018, and nothing changed.

” Raoul Sumo Tayo, senior researcher with the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies think tank, said Tchiroma might perform well in cities but would struggle in rural areas where the ruling party has a strong turnout operation fuelled by patronage. “The ruling party is likely to be declared the winner of the election,” he said.

“Nevertheless, Tchiroma has demonstrated a strong ability to mobilise support to contest the results.” Twelve candidates are running in the election, and Cameroon does not hold run-offs, meaning the top vote-getter on Sunday wins .

Mwanza. CCM’s presidential candidate and current Head of State, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged to cement the Lake Zone as the country’s commercial heartbeat by strengthening five crucial sectors–agriculture, health, education, energy and transport.

Addressing a rally at Nyamagana grounds in Mwanza as she concluded her campaign trail in the region, President Samia said her government’s vision is to build upon the foundations already laid, with Mwanza as the epicentre of transformation. “In the past five years alone, Mwanza has received approximately Sh5.6 trillion in development projects.

Some have already been completed, while others are nearing completion. This is why progress in Mwanza is visible, and this is why we must continue,” she declared, greeted by thunderous applause.

Health: Bringing specialist services closer President Hassan assured citizens that health remains a top priority. She pointed to major investments in the region’s referral hospitals.

“At Sekou-Toure, we have built a five-storey maternal and child block worth Sh10.1 billion, with 261 beds. This has helped us significantly reduce maternal and child deaths,” she said.

She added that government efforts have ensured hospitals now produce their own oxygen, ending the old practice of transporting gas cylinders from afar. “At Bugando, we invested over Sh9 billion to improve medical facilities, expand the ICU, and build a cancer treatment block.

We have acquired mammogram machines and modern radiotherapy equipment. Cancer patients no longer need to travel to Ocean Road in Dar es Salaam,” she stressed.

The President promised to extend specialised services to islands like Ukerewe so that patients no longer have to cross to Mwanza City for treatment. Education: Skills for the future On education, she highlighted how the government has expanded opportunities through free education and investment in skills training.

“We have built three VETA colleges in Magu, Misungwi and Buchosa to give our young people practical skills for self-employment. We have also constructed a new DIT campus in Ilemela and a campus of the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy in Misungwi.

At Malya in Kwimba, we have improved the sports college with an investment of over Sh34 billion. This is to nurture talent and produce more coaches for the country,” she explained.

Energy: Powering households and businesses The president reassured residents that energy is no longer a challenge, with electricity reaching more villages and emphasis being placed on clean cooking energy. “In the first phase, we subsidised gas cylinders to promote clean cooking, because we know this is a liberation for women.

For areas not yet covered, we will continue offering subsidies and expand distribution,” she said. Transport: Roads, rail and ports She underlined the transformative impact of infrastructure in the Lake Zone.

“The KigongoBusisi Bridge, worth Sh700 billion, is now Tanzania’s longest bridge. It has ended the long ferry delays, connecting communities faster.

The MwanzaIsaka Standard Gauge Railway, a 314km section worth Sh3 trillion, is progressing well. This will link Mwanza to the central corridor and boost trade across the region,” she stated.

She added that the ongoing Sh28 billion Mwanza Airport expansion will turn the city into an international hub, handling 4,000 passengers at once. “Alongside the Sh18 billion Northern Port expansion and the new Sh123 billion modern market in Mwanza, our goal is to make Mwanza the Kariakoo of the Lake Zone,” she said.

She also highlighted government support for small traders, cage fishing investments worth S.1 billion in loans, and projects clearing invasive weeds from Lake Victoria.

“The recently launched MV Mpungu and the soon-to-operate MV Mwanza will strengthen trade with Uganda and Bukoba, restoring Mwanza’s role as the region’s trade hub,” she added. A record of resilience Former CCM Secretary General, Dr Bashiru Ally, told the crowd that President Samia has already proven her strength in times of trial.

“If our country has remained united, if CCM has stayed strong, and if peace and security have prevailed during a time of sudden change, then it is clear we are safe under her guidance,” he said, as supporters waved party flags. He urged Tanzanians to dismiss divisive voices: “These are distractions planned by a few.

Samia is a treasure of experience. I do not doubt that Tanzanians will vote for her to continue leading this country forward.

” Parliamentary candidate for Arusha Urban, Paul Makonda, also rallied youth to stand with Samia. “When the late Magufuli was president, some insulted him day and night.

Now they attack Samia. But where are the youth to defend her achievements? This is the time to rise and protect our leader,” he declared.

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Dodoma/Dar es Salaam. Fresh hope has emerged for Tanzanian pigeon pea farmers as the government engages in talks with India to secure a major market for the crop.

The price of pigeon peas has sharply declined in recent seasons, primarily due to falling international prices driven by abundant supply. Sources indicate that global prices have dropped significantly from $1.60 per kilogram last year to between $0.60 and $0.75 currently.

Despite this decline, Tanzanian farmers benefited last year by earning about 75 percent of the price that pigeon peas fetched in India, which ranged from Sh950 to Sh1,200 per kilogram. However, the latest data from the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange Plc website shows that the prices for pigeon peas in nearly 16 growing regions for September and October 2025 have further plummeted to an average of Sh670 to Sh1,030 per kilogram.

Yesterday, a statement dated Wednesday, October 8, 2025, issued by the Director-General of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), Ms Irene Mlola, showed that there were ongoing talks between Tanzania and India over pigeon pea trade. The Indian market remains a lifeline for Tanzanian pigeon peas; however, the crop is one of the most volatile globally, relying heavily on a single buyer, India.

According to Ms Mlola, discussions between the two sides were initiated during a working visit to New Delhi, where a Tanzanian delegation attended the World Food India 2025 exhibition. She said Tanzania is projected to produce over 400,000 tonnes of pigeon peas this season and that the government is working to secure a reliable market to support farmers and guarantee better returns.

“The negotiations aim to enable India to purchase Tanzania’s pigeon peas directly for its national food reserves, thereby contributing to that country’s food security,” she said, stressing India remains Tanzania’s largest export destination for the crop. “I commend farmers for their continued hard work.

Our country ranks second globally in pigeon pea production, and last season Tanzania exported about 350,000 tonnes of the crop to India,” she said. Tanzania’s High Commissioner to India, Ms Anisa Mbega, said the current talks build on the groundwork laid by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her state visit to India in October 2023. “During the visit, President Samia held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which both leaders strengthened bilateral trade ties,” Ms Mbega was quoted in a statement.

Trade volume between Tanzania and India has since grown, reaching $8.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, according to official data. With the latest engagement, Tanzania hopes not only to ensure better prices for its farmers but also to consolidate long-term trade relations with India in the agricultural sector.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, contained in the 2025/26 Fiscal Year Budget, show that 441,590.56 tonnes of pigeon peas were exported between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. Statistics show the country earned a staggering Sh1.395 trillion in the said seasons: S45.64 billion (2021/22), Sh334.17 billion (2022/23), and Sh615.32 billion (2023/24).

Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Godfrey Malekano, was recently quoted by local media as saying plans were afoot to establish a storage facility to warehouse the crop during global surpluses and sell when demand is high, to mitigate price fluctuations, protect farmers, and avoid being mere price takers. He said India’s recent decision to extend duty-free pigeon pea imports to next March marks a major development in the global pulses market, aimed at addressing domestic supply shortages.

“The recent plunge in pigeon pea prices has affected not only local farmers but also export traders, who are struggling with lower prices in the Indian market, even as TMX quotes remain above Indian levels,” he said. He added that the government was gradually adjusting prices in line with global market trends to prevent traders from exploiting farmers.

“Our focus is on ensuring fair value for producers while responding to international price movements,” he said. Current prices regionally According to the TMX market, the following is the average price range per kilogramme and respective growing regions in brackets for September and October, respectively: Sh910-Sh910 (Tabora); Sh670-Sh670 (Katavi); Sh730-Sh760 (Coast); Sh700-Sh700 (Kigoma); Sh700-Sh770 (Mtwara); Sh680-Sh800 (Lindi); Sh850-Sh860 (Morogoro); Sh680-Sh840 (Ruvuma) and Sh770-Sh800 (Tanga).

Others are: Sh940-Sh940 (Singida); Sh990-Sh1,030 (Arusha); Sh930-Sh970 (Simiyu); Sh960-Sh990 (Manyara); Sh820-Sh840 (Dodoma); Sh710-Sh710 (Mara) and Sh810-Sh810 (Mbeya). Pigeon peas are nutritious, providing high levels of protein, dietary fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

A 100-gramme serving of cooked pigeon peas contains about 203 calories, 39 grammes of carbohydrates, 11 grammes of fibre, and 11 grammes of protein. The seeds are particularly rich in minerals such as copper and manganese, which contribute to cardiovascular health and blood sugar stability.

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Unguja. When President Hussein Ali Mwinyi cut the ribbon to launch Zanzibar’s new electricity stabilisation system last week, the moment symbolised more than just an engineering milestone.

It was also the story of a Tanzanian who left home almost 30 years ago, built a career in the United States, and then returned to prove that the diaspora can deliver strategic projects of national importance. At the heart of the project is Erick Kasalika, an electrical engineer whose company designed and installed the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) stabilisation system that now ensures a more reliable flow of power across the Isles.

The success of the project has been hailed as a turning point for Zanzibar’s energy sector — and for Kasalika, it represents the fulfilment of a personal mission. “This project was about more than stabilizing power,” he says.

“It was about proving that Tanzania’s diaspora can bring home not only resources but also global experience, skills, and networks. A country cannot be built by foreigners alone.

It must be built by its own people.” From Dar es Salaam to Kansas and back Kasalika’s story begins in Dar es Salaam, where he was born, before moving through Tanzania’s renowned schools: Dodoma Amani Primary, Tabora Boys, Kibaha Secondary and Tambaza High.

In the 1990s, like many ambitious young Tanzanians, he left for the United States in search of higher education and professional opportunities. “I trained as an electrical engineer in the U.

S. become professional engineer and began my career at Cessna Aircraft- Textron Company before moving into the American utility industry,” After finished he Graduate School specialised in Power Systems he recalls.

“Eventually, I started my own company, which I have now run for more than 15 years.” But despite a successful career abroad, Kasalika never stopped thinking about Tanzania.

His dream was to return and invest in the infrastructure that he believed would determine the nation’s future. “Whenever I came home, I saw the potential — in energy, in construction, in water systems.

Tanzania has enormous opportunities. What was missing was trust in local and diaspora expertise.

” Struggles breaking through Kasalika’s path back into Tanzania’s infrastructure sector was anything but smooth. Despite his international credentials, he found himself sidelined in favor of large foreign contractors.

“Many of the big projects were awarded to foreign companies. As a local or a diaspora company, it was a challenge to be trusted.

Sometimes people believed a foreigner could do a better job than someone who grew up here,” he says with a sigh. Among the projects that stung were subcontracting roles in mega-initiatives like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.

Local and diaspora firms, he argues, were often given only minor roles while foreign companies took the lead. “I call those experiences my wake-up calls,” he says.

“They showed me how the system worked — and why we need to raise the bar in terms of professionalism, transparency, and persistence. If you give up at the first disappointment, you miss the bigger opportunities.

” Delivering for Zanzibar Persistence eventually paid off. His company secured the contract for the Zanzibar Voltage Stabilization which includes STATCOM, Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR) and Capacitors Banks project in Zanzibar, a sophisticated system that stabilizes the grid and ensures households and businesses receive steady electricity.

For an island economy long plagued by power interruptions, the impact has been immediate. Shops, hotels, and factories now report fewer outages.

Families and Hotels are no longer have to rely as heavily on backup generators. And for Kasalika, the praise from President Hussein Mwinyi at the project’s inauguration was more than symbolic — it was validation.

“This project shows that the diaspora can deliver,” he says proudly. “We bring with us the discipline and exposure of working in highly competitive environments abroad, and we can adapt that knowledge to Tanzania’s needs.

” Lessons for Diaspora investors Kasalika believes his journey holds lessons for other Tanzanians living abroad who dream of contributing to their country’s development. His first lesson is resilience.

“You will face disappointment, but that’s part of business. The important thing is to find the right people to work with and remain open-minded.

You can’t expect everything to work smoothly the first time,” he says. The second lesson is to break out of the “comfort zone” that many diaspora professionals fall into.

“It’s easier to stay in the U.S.

or Europe, where systems work and you feel safe. But if you really want to make a difference — and build something lasting — the opportunities are greater here in Tanzania.

There is more space to innovate and more demand for solutions.” The third lesson is trust in one’s own ability.

“It’s not about color or nationality. It’s about competence.

If you can succeed in the U.S.

or Europe, you can succeed anywhere, including Tanzania. What we need to fight is the mindset that foreigners are always better.

” A call for policy change Beyond individual effort, Kasalika believes the Tanzanian government must do more to embrace diaspora investment. He points to other African countries — Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda — that have built strong frameworks for harnessing the skills and capital of their diaspora communities.

“Sometimes we are made to feel that being diaspora is a bad word, but it isn’t. We are Tanzanians who saw opportunities abroad and now want to bring that experience home.

If doors are opened wider, we can do even more,” he says. He suggests policies that would create more favorable conditions for diaspora businesses: fairer procurement systems, stronger protections for local contractors, and clear incentives for diaspora investors.

“If we can level the playing field, I am confident more Tanzanians abroad will return and invest.” Looking ahead Kasalika is not stopping with Zanzibar.

His company is already engaged in construction projects in Dar es Salaam, and he has his eyes on opportunities in engineering, renewable energy, construction, water systems, and technology. “There are more opportunities to make an impact here than in the U.

S.,” he says confidently.

“And you can build something that truly changes people’s lives.” He dreams of a future where Tanzania no longer depends heavily on foreign companies for its major infrastructure.

Instead, he envisions a vibrant ecosystem where local and diaspora firms drive development. “It’s about restoring pride.

We need to believe that Tanzanians — whether at home or abroad — have the capacity to build this country. That’s what motivates me every day.

” A role model for a new generation As Tanzania charts its path toward middle-income status, stories like Kasalika’s highlight the untapped potential of its diaspora. His success in stabilizing Zanzibar’s electricity grid has already made a tangible difference in people’s lives.

But perhaps his greater contribution is as a role model — proof that Tanzanians abroad can return, invest, and succeed. For young engineers, entrepreneurs, and students studying overseas, his message is simple: Don’t wait for perfect conditions.

Come home, bring your skills, and build something meaningful. As he puts it: “A country cannot be built by foreigners.

It must be built by its own people. And the diaspora is part of that story.

We are ready — if Tanzania is ready for us.” .