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Dar es Salaam. JKT Queens players have dominated the national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, squad that is preparing for two crucial qualification matches for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Ethiopia later this month.

The heavy representation reflects JKT’s growing influence in women’s football following their impressive performances in domestic competitions. Out of the 25 players named by head coach Bakari Shime, 12 are from JKT Tanzania, the highest contribution from any single club.

They are followed by Simba Queens, who have three players called up to the national side. The balance of the squad showcases a mix of both home-based and foreign-based stars who bring a blend of youth, experience, and international exposure to the team.

The squad will be captained by Opa Clement, who plays for Eibar in Spain’s top women’s league. Her leadership and experience are expected to be key as Twiga Stars aim to secure qualification for the continental showpiece.

The team also features several rising stars from the national U-20 side, Tanzanite Queens, who recently eliminated Angola in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Their inclusion marks a significant step in integrating young talent into the senior setup, ensuring continuity and long-term development for Tanzanian women’s football.

Midfielder Diana Lucas, who has been in outstanding form and currently plays professionally in Turkey for Trabzonspor, retains her spot in the team. She will be joined by Mexico-based duo Enekia Kasonga and Julitha Singano of FC Juarez, both of whom add valuable international experience and creativity to the squad.

Other foreign-based players include Hasnath Ubamba of Al Masry in Egypt and Noela Luhala, who plays for Asa Tel Aviv in Israel. He 25-player squad also features local stars such as Najat Abbas, Asha Mrisho, Donisia Misnja, Lidya Maximilian, Ester Maseke, Fumukazi Ally, Christer Bahera, Janeth Pangamwene, Elizabeth Chenge, Stumai Abdallah, Jamila Rajab, and Winifrida Gerald from JKT Tanzania.

From Simba Queens, the selected players are Asha Ramadhan, Fatuma Issa, and Aisha Mnunka. Others in the team include Maimuna Kaimu from Yanga Princess, Nusrat Jaffar from Alliance Girls, and Suzan Adam from Tausi Queens.

Twiga Stars will host Ethiopia on October 22, 2025, in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers before traveling to Addis Ababa for the return leg on October 28, 2025. The aggregate winner over the two matches will earn a spot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will be held in Morocco next year and feature 16 of the continent’s best women’s national teams. .

Beijing. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is “prostituting” himself to foreigners to try and win their favour but his schemes are doomed to fail, China’s government said on Wednesday after he gave an interview lauding U.

S. President Donald Trump.

China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has a special dislike of Lai, saying he is a “separatist” and rebuffing his repeated offers of talks. Lai says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

In an interview released this week with a conservative U.S.

radio show and podcast, Lai said Trump should get the Nobel Peace Prize if he could convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to abandon use of force against Taiwan. Trump and Xi are expected to meet this month at a regional summit in South Korea.

Responding to the interview, where Lai also talked about China’s military threats and increased defence spending, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Lai was “spouting nonsense”, showing his true nature as a manufacturer of crises and destroyer of peace. Since taking office last year, Lai has been “rampantly propagating separatist fallacies”, it said.

Using unusually strong wording, the statement added: “He has engaged in unprincipled foreign pandering and bottomless selling out of Taiwan, squandering the flesh and blood of the people, prostituting himself and throwing in his lot with foreign forces”. There was no immediate response from Taiwan’s government.

The Chinese statement said efforts to seek independence through relying on foreign forces were doomed to fail. “Lai Ching-te and the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces are but ants shaking a tree: they will ultimately be swept into the dustbin of history,” it added.

The statement also comes just two days before Lai gives his key national day speech on Friday. China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, staged a day of war games around the island last year shortly after that same event in what it said was a warning to “separatist acts”.

Lai says that the Republic of China – Taiwan’s formal name – and the People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other”. The Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists.

No peace treaty has ever been signed and neither government officially recognises the other to this day. .

Tanzanian music superstar Diamond Platnumz continues to make international waves as his collaboration with American RandB icon Ciara, the single ‘Low’ has been listed for Grammy consideration by the Recording Academy. The recognition marks yet another global milestone for the Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) founder, who has consistently pushed the boundaries of African pop music on the world stage.

Released earlier this year, ‘Low’ blends Ciara’s signature RandB sound with Diamond Platnumz’s Afro-fusion energy, creating a smooth, danceable track that celebrates love and rhythm. The song was part of Ciara’s Cici’s Prayer EP, which showcased diverse global influences and high-profile collaborations.

While the nomination phase is still underway, being under Grammy consideration is a significant achievement, highlighting Diamond’s growing footprint in the global music industry and his continued crossover appeal. This milestone follows Diamond’s previous international accolades and collaborations with artists like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and Ne-Yo, positioning him as one of Africa’s most recognized musical exports.

Fans and fellow artistes have taken to social media to celebrate the achievement, calling it another proud moment for East African music on the world stage. “From Tandale to the Grammys,” one fan wrote.

“Diamond keeps proving that Bongo Flava can go global.” With ‘Low’ now in the Grammy conversation, Diamond Platnumz cements his reputation as one of Africa’s most influential hitmakers and a driving force in bringing East African sounds to global audiences .

Unguja. The debate over early voting has taken centre stage in Zanzibar’s political landscape as the October 29, 2025 General Election draws closer, with political parties divided on whether the process strengthens or undermines electoral integrity.

This year’s polls will see voters elect the President of Zanzibar, Members of the House of Representatives, Members of Parliament, and councillors. According to the Zanzibar Election Act of 2018, the Isles will hold voting over two days on October 28 and 29, with the first day set aside for early voting.

The law stipulates that the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) will conduct early voting a day before the main election to enable those directly involved in managing the polls, including election officials and security officers, to cast their votes before undertaking official duties. However, while ZEC maintains that early voting is clearly defined in law, the arrangement has divided opinion among political parties, with some hailing it as a practical solution and others denouncing it as a potential avenue for electoral malpractice.

ACTWazalendo opposes early voting The opposition ACTWazalendo party has been one of the most vocal critics of early voting, arguing that the arrangement could be used to manipulate results. Before the campaign season began, ACTWazalendo leaders had strongly objected to the idea and called for amendments to the electoral regulations to abolish the provision.

The party had warned ZEC against proceeding with early voting, insisting it could compromise transparency. However, as ZEC stood firm that it was simply implementing existing law, the party later softened its position, saying it would not boycott the election but would continue to express its dissatisfaction.

Party chairman and presidential candidate, Othman Masoud, has frequently criticised the concept during his campaign rallies, insisting that Zanzibar’s small size does not warrant the need for early voting. “Early voting makes little sense in a small island like ours,” Mr Masoud told supporters at one of his rallies.

“But if the government insists on going ahead, we will be there to accompany those participating and ensure fairness.” He emphasised that the party’s goal was not confrontation, but vigilance to ensure that the process was free from irregularities.

CCM defends legality of early voting The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has dismissed ACTWazalendo’s claims, maintaining that early voting is legally sanctioned and clearly outlined in the Election Act passed by the Zanzibar House of Representatives. The party has cautioned against any efforts by unauthorised individuals to interfere with the process on October 28, warning that such actions could be seen as an attempt to disrupt peace and order.

Speaking during a rally at Kidimni Bumbwini in North Unguja, CCM presidential candidate and Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, reiterated the party’s position that early voting is lawful and should be respected. “I have begun hearing that some people are planning to escort early voters on that day,” said Dr Mwinyi.

“That is a sign of provocation and a threat to peace. The law is clear about who is entitled to vote early.

If anyone asks you to leave your homes that day, let them go alone.” He urged political parties to focus on peaceful campaigning and to respect the electoral laws enacted by the country’s institutions.

ZEC clarifies legal basis ZEC’s Director of Elections, Thabit Idarous Faina, reaffirmed that the Commission was acting strictly within the law and had already issued regulations governing early voting. “The Zanzibar Electoral Commission Act clearly provides for early voting to be held a day before the general election.

The Commission has issued the necessary regulations to ensure the process is conducted transparently and smoothly,” he said. Mr Faina added that ZEC’s preparations were progressing well and that stakeholders had been fully briefed on how the early voting exercise would be conducted.

Other parties weigh in The debate over early voting is not new. In previous election cycles, Agricultural Alliance for Farmers Party (AAFP) chairman, Said Soud Said, had even taken the matter to court, challenging the legality of a two-day voting process.

However, he has since changed his stance, saying the law is clear and that ZEC is merely implementing it. “I have since dropped that position after realising that there is no need for confrontation.

The law provides for early voting, and we must respect it. Those opposing it should understand that they are effectively defying the law,” Mr Soud said.

He added that any effort to remove early voting would require a formal legislative amendment through the House of Representatives, not political pressure. Similarly, National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) presidential candidate, Khamis Faki Mgau, has backed the process, saying that early voting is legitimate and helps facilitate participation among election workers and security officials.

“There is nothing wrong with early voting because it is conducted according to the law. Those who vote early are simply fulfilling their duty,” he said.

ADATADEA presidential candidate, Juma Ali Khatib, echoed similar sentiments, noting that early voting contributes to orderly election management and that opposing it could be driven by “hidden political motives.” He said: “The law allows it, so we should focus on ensuring that it is done fairly and transparently instead of politicising it.

” As the election approaches, the issue continues to dominate political discussions in Zanzibar. Analysts believe the debate reflects broader tensions over electoral trust and governance on the Isles — themes that have shaped Zanzibar’s political history for decades.

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Siha. A Civic United Front (CUF) parliamentary candidate for Siha Constituency in Kilimanjaro Region, Mr Daudi Ntuyehabi, has been killed by residents after being accused of stabbing another man during a dispute.

The incident occurred on the night of October 7, 2025, in Kilingi Village, Siha District, according to Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa. Commander Maigwa said violence erupted after a quarrel involving Mr Ntuyehabi and another young man, Mr Abdul Issah Mohamed, over a financial disagreement while drinking at a local grocery and liquor shop.

During the altercation, Mr Ntuyehabi allegedly stabbed Mr Mohamed in the abdomen, causing his intestines to protrude. Mr Mohamed is currently receiving treatment.

Following the attack, eight individuals have been arrested for taking the law into their own hands and assaulting the candidate, resulting in his death. Those in custody include Hamadi Mohamed, Alphonce Kinyaha, Rizik Amedeus, Frank Lutindi, Shedrack Emanuel, Jeremia Mnkondo, Zainab Elisha, and Issah Mohamed.

Commander Maigwa emphasised that police have escalated investigations into the killing and its circumstances. “The incident occurred around 7:30 a.

m. on October 7, 2025, in Kilingi Sanya Juu Village after the deceased stabbed Mr Abdul Issah Mohamed in the abdomen,” he said.

He explained the alleged stabbing followed an attempt by Mr Mohamed to mediate a disagreement between Mr Ntuyehabi and another man while they were drinking, during which a dispute over money arose. Furthermore, Commander Maigwa condemned the practice of taking the law into one’s own hands, warning that such acts often bring serious consequences for communities.

“The Kilimanjaro Regional Police Force calls on the public to refrain from vigilante actions, as they often cause grave harm, as in this case,” he said. Police are urging anyone with further information about the incident to come forward to assist investigations .

Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russian forces had captured almost 5,000 square km (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025 and that Moscow retained complete strategic initiative on the battlefield.

Russia’s 2025 gains would amount to nearly 1 percent of Ukraine’s land area, and the country controls nearly 20 percent in total. Putin, addressing a meeting with Russian top military commanders on his 73rd birthday, said Ukrainian forces were retreating in all sectors of the front.

He said Kyiv was trying to strike deep into Russian territory, but it would not help it to change the situation in the more than 3 1/2-year-old war. “At this time, the Russian armed forces fully hold the strategic initiative,” Putin told the meeting in northwestern Russia near Russia’s second-largest city of St.

Petersburg, according to a Kremlin transcript. “This year, we have liberated nearly 5,000 square km of territory – 4,900 – and 212 localities.

” Ukrainian forces, he said, “are retreating throughout the line of combat contact, despite attempts at fierce resistance.” Russia’s Defence Ministry on Tuesday reported the capture of two more villages along the front, which Ukraine’s top commander says now extends over 1,250 km (775 miles).

Ukraine’s military in August dismissed Russia’s recent offensives as a failure, with Moscow’s forces failing to capture a single major Ukrainian city this year. Ukrainian accounts say Kyiv’s troops have made gains in the Donetsk region, particularly around Dobropillia, a town near the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also said Ukrainian forces have regained ground in the border Sumy region, where Russia has established a foothold. Russian Army General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of Russia’s armed forces, told the meeting of top commanders that Russian forces were “advancing in practically all directions.

” Ukrainian forces, he said, were focused on slowing the Russian advance. Gerasimov, overall commander of Russia’s war effort, said the heaviest fighting was gripping Pokrovsk and areas towards Dnipropetrovsk.

Moscow’s troops were moving on the key cities of Siversk and Kostyantynivka in the main theatre of the Donetsk region. Gerasimov said they were clearing Ukrainian forces from the city of Kupiansk, under Russian attack for months in Ukraine’s northeast, and were moving forward in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions further south.

They were also progressing in setting up buffer zones in Sumy and Kharkiv regions in the north. In his remarks to the meeting, Putin said Russia’s objectives remained the same as when he launched its “special military operation” in February 2022, saying it was aimed at “demilitarising and denazifying” its smaller neighbour.

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Zanzibar. Family often shapes the path of generations, guiding children towards professions or roles reminiscent of their parents.

Lawyers raise lawyers, doctors raise doctors, and politicians raise politicians. Such has been the case for Mfaume Khamis Hassan, whose political ambitions are deeply rooted in his family’s legacy.

Mr Mfaume, now a contender for Zanzibar’s presidency in the 2025 General Election, hails from a family long involved in politics. Both his late father, Khamis Hassan Kombo, and mother, Miza Silima Khamis, were members of the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), which led the Zanzibar Revolution on January 12, 1964. Although they were not present in Zanzibar during the Revolution, they actively engaged in movements that toppled the Sultan’s regime, paving the way for the People’s Republic of Zanzibar before it united with the Republic of Tanganyika to form Tanzania.

Political engagement also influenced Mr Mfaume’s elder brother, Ali Khamis Hassan, a committed member of the Civic United Front (CUF), who worked on party mobilisation. Growing up in this environment planted the seeds for Mr Mfaume’s eventual political career.

Through him, the family’s activism evolved into leadership ambition, culminating in his bid for Zanzibar’s highest office: President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. Early life and education Mr Mfaume was born on June 16, 1967 at Mnazi Mmoja Referral Hospital, Zanzibar.

He is the seventh child in his family. His education began at Kisiwandui Primary School and continued at Forodhani Primary School.

He later attended Haile Selassie Secondary School in Unguja, Zanzibar, completing his secondary education before embarking on military training. He joined Zanzibar’s Special Anti-Smuggling Unit known in Kiswahili as Kikosi Maalumu cha Kuzuia Magendo (KMKM) under a 15-year contract, serving from 1985 until his voluntary retirement in 2000. Political journey After leaving the military, Mr Mfaume pursued competitive politics rather than follow his parents’ path as loyal party supporters.

In 2002, he joined the National League for Democracy (NLD), quickly rising within the party ranks. Within six months, he was appointed Deputy Secretary-General for mainland Tanzania and later confirmed as Vice-Chairman in Zanzibar.

Following the death of NLD founder Dr Emmanuel Makaidi on October 15, 2015, Mr Mfaume assumed national leadership of the party. The 2025 General Election marks his second bid for Zanzibar’s presidency, having also contested in 2020. He has twice sought parliamentary office for Kiwajuni constituency in 2010 and 2015. Life outside politics Away from the political arena, Mr Mfaume is a farmer and livestock keeper, with experience in fishing and small-scale business.

He is married to three wives and has four children. His presidential campaign focuses on service to the people of Zanzibar, prioritising development, peace, and security.

Key areas include improved healthcare, better education, youth employment, and the elimination of Zanzibar’s marginalisation. Youth employment and social development Mr Mfaume places particular emphasis on youth employment, arguing that work prevents young people from falling prey to crime, substance abuse, and other social vices.

“If a young person has meaningful work, they have direction and income,” he says. “Leaving them idle is equivalent to endangering the nation.

” He promises that under his leadership, every young person in Zanzibar will have access to productive opportunities that generate income, while the government benefits from taxes collected from their economic activity. “This is achievable if Zanzibaris have faith in our vision,” he adds.

Mr Mfaume draws inspiration from Zanzibar’s first President, Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, who mobilised youth into constructive activities to contribute to national development while steering them away from social harm. He intends to emulate this model, ensuring the islands’ youth are fully engaged in advancing Zanzibar’s progress.

Appeal for peace and unity As Zanzibar approaches the 2025 election, Mfaume urges citizens to maintain peace and unity. He calls on them to vote in large numbers and to resist being influenced by demonstrations intended to disrupt the islands’ stability.

“As a soldier, I understand the consequences when peace is disturbed,” he says. His message is clear: leadership is about harnessing the islands’ potential, particularly the energy and talent of young people, while safeguarding peace, development, and the nation’s future.

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Dar es Salaam. The case involving the alleged abduction of former Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba, Mr Humphrey Polepole, is scheduled to come before the High Court in Dar es Salaam today for a preliminary hearing.

The case, filed as a habeas corpus petition, seeks a court order compelling authorities to produce Mr Polepole. His legal team, led by Advocate Peter Kibatala, filed the petition on his behalf under a certificate of urgency.

The respondents in the case are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Attorney General (AG), the Regional Crimes Officer (RCO) and the Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Dar es Salaam. According to a court summons seen by The Citizen and confirmed by Advocate Kibatala, the matter has been scheduled for hearing before High Court Principal, Judge Salma Maghimbi, at the Dar es Salaam sub-registry on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.

m. “The matter has been called before Judge Maghimbi for directions.

Summons have already been issued to all parties,” said Advocate Kibatala. In the urgent petition, Kibatala stated that Mr Polepole was reportedly abducted on the night of October 6, 2025, by individuals believed to be police officers who allegedly stormed his residence in Ununio, Kinondoni District.

The petition claims that Mr Polepole has not been charged in any court and is being unlawfully detained at an undisclosed location, violating his constitutional rights. “The applicant’s welfare requires immediate attention and intervention, including confirmation of his safety and well-being,” reads part of the affidavit supporting the petition.

The legal team is requesting that the court direct the respondents to either release Mr Polepole on bail or formally charge him in a competent court. Advocate Kibatala further noted that Mr Polepole, a Tanzanian citizen, has served in various roles, including District Commissioner for Ubungo and Ambassador to Malawi, Cuba, and other Latin American nations.

He said that Mr Polepole voluntarily resigned from his ambassadorial post earlier this year, citing dissatisfaction with the state of governance in the country. Mr Kibatala’s affidavit states that Mr Polepole had previously expressed fears for his safety due to threats linked to his outspoken political views.

He further alleges that unidentified assailants broke into Mr Polepole’s Ununio residence on the night of October 6 and abducted him. “His brothers, Godfrey and Augustino Polepole, have confirmed the incident publicly through local media reports,” Kibatala stated.

He said that despite widespread concern, none of the respondents have disclosed Mr Polepole’s whereabouts or legal status, raising public anxiety. “I have reason to believe that the fifth respondent, the Dar es Salaam Zonal Police Commander, has knowledge of and authority over the applicant’s detention,” Kibatala asserted.

Reports of Mr Polepole’s abduction began circulating on social media on October 6 through a video clip shared by his brother Augustino, who said that unidentified individuals had raided the former envoy’s home and taken him to an unknown location. .

Jerusalem. A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday that negotiators from his Palestinian militant group and Israel had exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages who would be released should a deal be reached during the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt.

Israel hopes the talks will lead to the release or the recovery of the bodies of the remaining 48 hostages seized during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained since the October 7 attacks, including all women and children.

For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans. Following are some of the most prominent Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

It is not yet clear if any of them will be released: ABDALLAH AL-BARGHOUTI Barghouti was sentenced to 67 life terms in 2004 by an Israeli military court for his involvement in a series of suicide attacks in 2001 and 2002 that killed dozens of Israelis. Barghouti prepared the explosive belts used in the attacks, including one on a Jerusalem Sbarro restaurant in which 15 people were killed, the Israeli army said.

A father of three, he was born in Kuwait in 1972. In 1996, he moved with his family to live in Beit Rima village near Ramallah in the West Bank. IBRAHIM HAMED Hamed, who was handed 54 life terms, was arrested in 2006 in Ramallah.

He is accused by Israel of planning suicide attacks that killed dozens of Israelis. Hamed, who had been on Israel’s wanted list for eight years before his arrest, was the top West Bank commander of the Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing.

He holds a degree in political science from Birzeit University near Ramallah. While he was a fugitive, Israel detained his wife for eight months.

HASSAN SALAMA Born in Gaza’s Khan Younis refugee camp in 1971, Salama was convicted of orchestrating a wave of suicide bombings in Israel in 1996 that killed dozens of Israelis and wounded hundreds more. He was sentenced to 48 life terms in jail.

Salama said the attacks were a response to the assassination of Hamas bombmaker Yahya Ayyash in 1996. Salama was arrested in Hebron in the West Bank later that year. NON-HAMAS FIGURES: MARWAN AL-BARGHOUTI – FATAH A leading member of the Fatah movement that controls the Palestinian Authority, Barghouti is seen as a possible successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He made his name as a leader and organiser in both of the Intifadas, or uprisings, waged by the Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1987. He was arrested in 2002, charged with orchestrating gun ambushes and suicide bombings and sentenced to five life terms in 2004. Fatah officials have said that he set up the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the Fatah armed wing, on the orders of the first PA president, Yasser Arafat. AHMED SAADAT – PFLP Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was accused by Israel of ordering the assassination of Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001. Pursued by Israel, he took shelter at the Ramallah headquarters of Arafat.

Under a deal with the Palestinian Authority in 2002, Saadat stood trial in a Palestinian court and was incarcerated at a Palestinian Authority jail, where he was held under international supervision. The Israeli military seized Saadat in 2006 following the withdrawal of the foreign monitors, and put him on trial in a military court.

The charges against him included involvement in a militant group, weapons dealing and deadly attacks. However, the Justice Ministry decided there was not enough evidence to charge him with Zeevi’s assassination.

He was sentenced to 30 years in jail in 2008. .

Dar es Salaam. On any given day, Kariakoo is a controlled chaos.

Crowded pavements overflow with shoppers, handcart pushers yell for space as they ferry bales of clothes and sacks of rice, and the constant honk of vehicles competes with traders calling out their wares. The market stretches in every direction, a maze of wholesale shops, stalls, and warehouses that fuel the daily life of Tanzania’s commercial capital.

From electronics and textiles to spices, shoes, and household goods, Kariakoo remains the heartbeat of Dar es Salaam’s economy. But in recent years, the city has witnessed the rise of sleek shopping malls, air-conditioned complexes, and satellite business districts.

Places like Mlimani City in Ubungo, with its supermarkets, cinemas, and global brands, have introduced a modern shopping mall culture to Dar. The East Africa Business Centre, also in Ubungo, which was launched recently is trying to capture the wholesale trade with Chinese imports and electronics.

Smaller hubs in Mwenge, Sinza, and Manzese, as well as new neighbourhood mini-malls, have emerged to offer convenience closer to residential areas. Despite this wave of alternatives, Kariakoo’s dominance remains unshaken.

Its appeal stretches far beyond Dar es Salaam, into Tanzania’s hinterland and even across the borders of East and Central Africa. A market built on history Kariakoo’s supremacy cannot be understood without tracing its history.

The area itself takes its name from the “Carrier Corps” — the thousands of African porters recruited by the British during World War I to transport supplies. After the war, the colonial administration designated the area as a trading hub.

In the 1970s, President Julius Nyerere sought to formalize commerce in the bustling but chaotic market by commissioning the construction of the Kariakoo Market Corporation building. Designed by Chinese architects and engineers, the concrete structure with its distinctive honeycomb ventilation remains one of Dar es Salaam’s most recognizable landmarks.

When it opened in 1975, it became the largest covered market in East Africa. “Kariakoo was always more than a marketplace,” explains Martin Mbwana, former chairman of traders’ association.

“It became a symbol of urban growth, a centre of commerce, and an anchor for small traders and entrepreneurs during the ujamaa period. To this day, its reputation as the place where ‘everything is available’ holds true,” he adds.

The hub that never sleeps According to Mr Mbwana, that reputation has only grown over the years. Kariakoo today is not just a market but a vast ecosystem of trade.

Shops open early and often close late at night. Some sections, especially wholesale areas, operate almost round the clock as trucks unload goods destined for towns as far away as Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Kigali in Rwanda.

For traders like Josephine Mboma from Ndola, Zambia, Kariakoo is indispensable as it provides a gateway to manufacturers in other parts of the world. She travels to Dar at least once every two months to purchase bales of clothes, kitchenware, and cosmetics.

“Everything you want, you will find in Kariakoo–cheaper, faster, and in bulk,” she says while negotiating a deal for household goods. “Other places are good for certain products, but for serious business, Kariakoo is unmatched.

” The same sentiment is echoed by Emmanuel Niyonzima, a Burundian trader who deals in textiles. “In Bujumbura, if you ask, ‘Where did this fabric come from?’ the answer is always Kariakoo,” he laughs.

A regional artery Kariakoo’s reach is regional. Traders from Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and even parts of Kenya and Uganda rely on it as a redistribution hub.

For many, Kariakoo provides a cheaper alternative to traveling directly to Dubai, Guangzhou, or Istanbul to source goods. “In Kariakoo, you are essentially accessing the global supply chain,” notes Mr Mbwana “Importers bring in containers through Dar es Salaam port, and Kariakoo acts as the clearing house.

It links the international wholesale market with the informal traders of East and Central Africa. That is why it is irreplaceable.

” On any given evening, lorries and buses loaded with goods depart Kariakoo, bound for Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, or border towns like Tunduma. From there, merchandise filters across frontiers, sustaining livelihoods along the way.

Competition rises And yet, Dar es Salaam has changed. The emergence of new commercial centres has diversified the city’s retail landscape.

Dar es Salaam’s commercial landscape has diversified rapidly over the past two decades, with new centres emerging to complement the city’s traditional markets. When Mlimani City opened its doors in 2007, it introduced modern mall culture to Tanzania, offering urban families not just a place to shop but also a weekend destination for leisure, complete with supermarkets, cinemas, and international brands.

In Ubungo, the East Africa Business Centre carved out a niche as a wholesale hub, attracting traders with its wide selection of electronics and fast-moving consumer goods. Other areas have developed their own specialties.

Mwenge, long known for its roadside artisans, established itself as the go-to destination for crafts and furniture, while Manzese evolved into a bustling marketplace where spare parts and affordable food draw steady crowds. In Sinza and other middle-class neighbourhoods, smaller plazas have sprouted, housing boutiques, pharmacies, and fast-food outlets that cater to the growing demand for convenience closer to residential areas.

Together, these hubs have reshaped the city’s retail ecosystem–broadening options for consumers while redefining the way Dar es Salaam shops and trades. These developments have chipped away at Kariakoo’s monopoly by offering convenience and a more organized shopping experience.

Congestion, limited parking, and the risk of petty crime in Kariakoo have driven some consumers toward these alternatives. Still, analysts argue that the new centres serve different niches rather than directly threatening Kariakoo.

“The alternatives are complementary,” says Mr Mbwana. “The malls cater to lifestyle shopping, while Kariakoo is about scale, bulk, and variety.

Both are necessary for a growing city.” Challenges Kariakoo must confront But Kariakoo’s supremacy is not without strain.

Both traders and shoppers often point to a set of persistent challenges that weigh heavily on the market’s daily operations. Congestion is perhaps the most obvious, with narrow streets perpetually clogged by traffic, handcarts, and crowds of buyers, slowing down both business and transport.

Security is another concern: while the market attracts thousands every day, it is also a hotspot for pickpocketing and occasional scams that discourage some visitors. Regulation and taxation add to the frustrations.

Traders complain of inconsistent enforcement of levies, with some accusing authorities of harassment or unfair practices. On top of this lies a widening modernization gap.

Whereas malls across the city provide air-conditioned order, electronic billing, and card payments, Kariakoo still runs largely on traditional bargaining, manual accounting, and cash transactions. Attempts to address these issues have been made, but progress has been uneven.

Proposals for electronic payment systems, tighter security, and infrastructure upgrades have surfaced several times, yet many of these plans have either stalled or failed to take root. As a result, Kariakoo continues to thrive on its own terms–dynamic and indispensable, but carrying the weight of challenges that remain unresolved.

Why it endures Yet despite these hurdles, Kariakoo endures and thrives. The reasons are both economic and cultural.

First, it remains the cheapest source of goods. Bulk buying and intense competition among traders drive prices down.

Second, it is the widest in variety, whether it is imported electronics, Congolese fabrics, or fresh cassava, Kariakoo has it. Third, it is deeply connected to regional supply chains, serving as a lifeline for small traders in neighbouring countries.

There is also an intangible pull. “Kariakoo is an experience,” says Severine Mushi, the current chairman of the traders’ association.

“You go there not just to buy, but to negotiate, to feel the energy, to see the real economy at work. In a mall you are just a customer.

In Kariakoo, you are part of the hustle.” The road ahead As Dar es Salaam grows into a megacity — with a population projected to surpass 10 million by 2030 — the question is not whether Kariakoo will survive, but how it will adapt.

Urban planners argue that modernization is inevitable if the market is to cope with increasing demand. Others fear that over-regulation could strip Kariakoo of the very dynamism that makes it special.

According to Mr Mushi though Kariakoo may not have the polished glass facades of Mlimani City or the organised parking of the East Africa Business Centre, but its unmatched blend of affordability, variety, and regional reach keeps it firmly on the throne of Tanzania’s commerce. “These are just extensions given the proximity of Kariakoo to all major facilities including the port of Dar es Salaam,” he says.

As he succinctly puts it: “You can build as many malls as you want. Kariakoo is not just a market — it is an institution.

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