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Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has announced at least 173 job vacancies in a major hiring drive that reflects its endeavour to cement a stronger presence both in Africa and beyond.

The airline, which is fully owned by the government of Tanzania, is seeking to recruit new pilots, cabin crew and ground staff as part of its ongoing five-year Corporate Strategic Plan (2022/232026/27). The plan focuses on expanding routes and sustaining the operational gains recorded over the past decade.

According to the job announcement, the openings include 23 captain posts, 45 first officers, 100 cabin crew (including 20 with French and Chinese language proficiency), one accountant and four ramp assistants. Successful candidates will be engaged on a 10-year contract, with terms described as “attractive and competitive”.

The hiring spree comes at a time when ATCL is growing its international footprint. Already, the airline operates routes to Guangzhou in China, Mumbai in India and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, alongside a network of regional and domestic destinations.

The recent addition of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A220-300s to its fleet has positioned the carrier to compete on long-haul routes while boosting passenger comfort. Aviation expert and former pilot Hassan Rweyemamu told The Citizen yesterday that the expansion strategy requires “a new generation of skilled workers” to sustain operations.

“When you buy aircraft and open new routes, the next logical step is building a workforce that can keep the airline competitive. This recruitment shows ATCL is serious about growth, not just at home but in connecting Tanzania with key global markets,” he said.

Why French and Chinese-speaking crew? Among the notable vacancies are positions for French- and Chinese-speaking cabin crew. Analysts say this reflects ATCL’s growing focus on linguistic and cultural diversity in customer service.

“French is vital for routes to West and Central Africa, where it is widely spoken, while Chinese is indispensable for Guangzhou, which has become a lifeline for Tanzanian traders and exporters,” explained Ms Aneth Luhanga, an aviation studies expert at the National Institute of Transport (NIT). “Passengers feel at ease when airlines communicate in their languages.

It’s not just a courtesy, it’s a business strategy that builds trust and loyalty,” she said. With over 170 opportunities, the recruitment drive also highlights ATCL’s role as a key employer in the aviation industry, which has historically struggled with limited absorption of graduates from local institutions.

A transport economist based in Mwanza, Mr Julius Katabale, said the announcement is a morale booster for young Tanzanians pursuing careers in aviation. “Many of our students graduate with world-class skills but face difficulties finding placements.

ATCL’s expansion creates room for them and ensures that institutes like NIT are not just training for export, but also for domestic growth,” he said. Mr Katabale added that the integration of accountants and ground staff in the recruitment shows that “aviation is not just about flying; it’s an ecosystem that provides opportunities across multiple disciplines.

” ATCL’s revival in recent years has been closely tied to the government’s investments in fleet acquisition and infrastructure, including the upgrading of airports across the country. Industry observers argue that beyond transport, the airline is also a flagbearer for Tanzania’s visibility abroad.

“As the national carrier grows, it markets Tanzania to the world,” said Mr Kabale. “Every ATCL plane that lands in a foreign capital is not just carrying passengers; it’s flying the national identity.

Expansion means more tourists, more investors and more recognition of Tanzania as a serious aviation player,” he said. With new jobs on the horizon and more routes expected to be announced, stakeholders see ATCL’s recruitment as a milestone in consolidating its place in the highly competitive airline industry.

For many aspiring aviators, the announcement signals the start of fresh opportunities in a sector often viewed as elite and out of reach. “Employment in aviation has a ripple effect,” Ms Luhanga of NIT noted.

“It uplifts not only individuals but also families and the wider economy.” As ATCL continues to spread its wings, the new hires are expected to be at the heart of the journey ensuring that Tanzania’s skies remain open, competitive and increasingly visible to the rest of the world.

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The war in Gaza has been a catastrophe with few precedents in history. Sixty-five thousand lives lost.

Whole strip reduced to rubble. Israel spending over $60 billion while unleashing devastation that will scar its reputation for years.

For Palestinians, the lesson is brutal but clear: violence is not the answer here. For Israelis, the cost of total victory has been staggering.

Into this wreckage steps Donald Trump with a 20-point peace plan — bold, controversial, and, if implemented, transformative. Here are five takeaways that matter most: 1.

End of the war The plan’s sequencing is designed to stop the carnage immediately: “the war will immediately end” (Point 3), “all hostages will be returned” (4), and 250 Palestinian prisoners released (5). This is not just a ceasefire; it is an answer to the ‘day-after’ question of this war.

Life is better than death, and this plan offers both sides a chance to stop the bleeding and return to normality — whatever that means after such destruction. 2.

Deradicalisation of Gaza The plan envisions Gaza as a “deradicalised terror-free zone” (1). Hamas members who disarm are offered amnesty (6), while militant infrastructure is dismantled (13).

Crucially, point 18 calls for “an interfaith dialogue process, based on values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.” This isn’t cosmetic.

Pew Research (2013) found 89 percent of Palestinians wanted Sharia as the law of the land, with 84 percent (of those who wanted Sharia) supporting stoning for adultery and 66 percent supporting death for apostasy. These numbers show the scale of the ideological challenge.

Deradicalisation means dismantling the culture of martyrdom and replacing it with civic education that promotes pluralism and tolerance. 3.

Governance reset The plan calls for Gaza to be run by a “temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” (9), overseen by an international Board of Peace chaired by Trump and including figures such as Tony Blair. With Hamas dismantled (13) and the Palestinian Authority reforming (19), the alternative is a dangerous vacuum that would invite chaos.

To prevent this, Trump’s plan proposes an international stabilisation force (ISF), with Indonesia already offering to contribute 20,000 troops to secure Gaza during the transition. Blair may be disliked, but his deep regional ties and ability to mobilise Gulf capital and Western donors make him ideal for this role.

This governance reset is the bridge between the collapse of Hamas and the emergence of a reformed Palestinian Authority. Without it, the rest of the plan will collapse.

4. A new prosperous Gaza The plan promises Gaza will be “redeveloped for the benefit of the people” (2), with immediate humanitarian aid (7) and a Trump-led economic development program (10).

A special economic zone with preferential trade access (11) and guarantees of free movement (Point 12) are designed to turn Gaza into a hub of opportunity. The vision is bold: turning Gaza into the Dubai on the Mediterranean.

Billions are already lined up the 2020 Trump Peace to Prosperity Plan had promised $50 billion over 10 years. The idea was ridiculed I think we will get it now.

5. Pathway to statehood The plan explicitly states “Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza” (16), and that “conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” (19).

It also commits the U.S.

to “establish a dialogue to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence” (20). I have long argued that the two-state solution is impractical.

Yet if implemented, this plan ticks enough boxes — demilitarisation, governance reform, economic viability — to reimagine a two-state framework. And paradoxically, that may be a better path toward a durable one-state solution: a single polity where coexistence is not imposed by force but chosen through shared prosperity and mutual security.

Regional buy-in Critics of this plan abound. They question Israel’s intentions, the plan’s clarity, Tony Blair’s involvement, and the demand for Hamas to disarm.

But these are voices that find fault with every solution. What matters is that the plan has received broad international endorsement.

The joint statement from Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt signals that key Arab and Muslim states are ready to underwrite the framework. Their role is pivotal: ensuring compliance (14), deploying stabilisation forces (15), and financing reconstruction (10).

For Israel, this is an opening to normalise ties with the Arab world that is, the expansion of the Abraham Accords. For Palestinians, it’s a chance to rebuild on new foundations.

For the region, it’s an opportunity to transform Gaza from a symbol of perpetual war into a model of prosperity. Hamas’ final role But for this vision to take root, Hamas must now confront reality.

Their October 7 escapade into Israel has proven to be a total disaster. Now they face a final chance to act responsibly: accept the plan and dissolve.

History may yet remember them not only for the destruction it caused, but for the moment they chose to step aside–thus allowing a new Gaza to emerge.Anchored in life, not death.

Charles Makakala is a Technology and Management Consultant based in Dar es Salaam .

Arusha. The Tanzania High Court at the Songea Registry has sentenced three people to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering a bodaboda rider, Mr Fanyeni Adam.

Those convicted are Faraji Liyugana, Said Ponera, and Rashid Fussi, charged with the murder of the deceased, contrary to sections 196 and 197 of the Penal Code. Judge James Karayemaha delivered the verdict on September 29, 2025, a copy of which was later uploaded to the court’s website.

According to the judgment, the killing occurred on January 12, 2023, with the body abandoned in bushland near the Tanesco area in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region. After examining evidence from both prosecution and defence, Judge Karayemaha ruled all three were guilty of murder and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Evidence presented Key evidence included confessions by the second and third accused persons, who admitted involvement in the killing in collusion with the first accused. Court testimony revealed the deceased had been riding a motorcycle with registration MC 162 DPT, owned by Abbasy Gangisa, who entrusted it to witness number 12, Faraji Ngonyani, to operate for business and share profits.

Witness number 12 testified that he had given the motorcycle to Mr Fanyeni Adam (the deceased) for business in exchange for Sh10,000 daily payments. Witness number six said on January 12, 2023, the deceased visited his home with a friend, Mr Yasin Lika, saying they were going to a farm in the Tanesco area to collect a hoe, but did not return that night.

Searches began the next day. Efforts to locate him through witness number 12 proved fruitless until January 14, when witness number nine, Mr Mariju Mwenyeheri, found his body in bushland near his farm.

Police recovered the body with injuries. The motorcycle was missing, except for a mobile phone found at the scene.

Witness number two, SP Cathbet Mnogi, said police were informed of the accused’s identities, friends of Yasin, and the deceased. They later recovered the motorcycle at the home of the first accused, who lived with his fiancee, Ms Ziaba Saidi (witness number three).

Witness number three testified that the first accused told her the motorcycle belonged to a friend who owed him Sh300,000. The friend failed to repay, and the motorcycle was taken to recover the debt. Witness number two said the first accused admitted involvement and named the second and third accused as accomplices, adding they gave him the motorcycle after the killing to sell and share proceeds.

The first accused said his friend, Mr Yasin, asked him to keep the motorcycle on January 24, 2023, but he failed to return it before the police confiscated. He denied naming his coaccused and denied knowing them.

The second accused said he was arrested on January 15, informed of the murder charge, denied writing a confession, and denied knowing the others. The third accused said he was arrested on January 15 at home, informed of the charge, and denied knowing the other accused or writing a confession.

Judge’s ruling Judge Karayemaha said two issues remained: whether the death was unnatural and whether the accused committed it with malice. Evidence, including a medical examination showing a severe head injury, confirmed the death was unnatural.

Although no witness directly saw the accused kill the deceased, possession of the motorcycle after his death linked them to the crime. The judge noted confessions by the second accused, who said they planned to seize the motorcycle with Mr Yasin, Mr Rashid, and Mr Faraji, promising Sh1 million afterward.

They lured the rider to Tanesco, attacked him with a machete and sticks until he died, while Mr Yasin was watching. The third accused admitted waiting along the road to ambush the rider and later attacking him with a stick.

The judge said the confessions by the second and third accused, given voluntarily, were crucial. Weighing all the evidence, the court found all three guilty of murder and sentenced them to death by hanging.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s banking sector is enjoying record profits and strong balance sheets, but economists and private sector leaders are warning that excessive concentration in two institutions could undermine competition, stifle innovation and increase systemic risks.

According to Ernest and Young’s (EY) Tanzania Banking Sub-Sector report for 2024, the country hosts 81 institutions supervised by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), including 44 banking and 37 non-banking institutions. Among the 34 commercial banks, only two (CRDB and NMB) control nearly half of the market share by asset size.

The sector’s total assets rose 14.8 percent to Sh62.1 trillion in 2024. At group level, CRDB closed the year with assets of Sh16.7 trillion and NMB with Sh13.7 trillion, giving them a combined Sh30.4 trillion, or almost 50 percent of the market. Medium-sized banks saw their share shrink to 8.

6 percent, while regional and small lenders clung to just 0.6 percent.

EY’s country leader, Mr Joseph Sheffu, said this concentration reflected the strength of large players but warned it highlighted “the need for innovation and strategic support to bolster the competitiveness of smaller institutions.” For some observers, dominance by the top two banks provides stability.

For others, it risks turning the system into a duopoly with disproportionate influence over lending, deposits and innovation. Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) chief executive officer, Mr Raphael Maganga, said over-reliance on the two largest lenders was a concern.

“Yes, Tanzania risks becoming over-reliant on two big banks, and this will continue in the medium to long term,” he said, pointing to similar experiences in the region. He warned that concentration reduces private sector bargaining power, raises systemic risks, and constrains innovation.

“For TPSF and the broader private sector, it is crucial to advocate for financial sector diversification, fintech inclusion and alternative financing mechanisms,” he said. Mr Maganga urged expansion of venture capital, private equity, collective investment schemes and fintech platforms to complement traditional bank lending.

Uneven fortunes According to the report, the sector’s deposits stood at S1 trillion at the end of 2024 while after tax profit rose by 40.9 percent to close 2024 at Sh2.1 trillion. The level of non-performing loans stood at a historic low of 3.

2 percent. Medium-sized banks saw their share of assets fall from 13.4 percent in 2023 to 8.

6 percent in 2024, partly due to reclassifications such as Equity Bank Tanzania and Citibank Tanzania moving into the large-bank category, alongside a Sh1.3 trillion fall in deposits. Development economist Prof Abel Kinyondo of the University of Dar es Salaam described concentration as “both a shield and a vulnerability.

” Large banks can absorb shocks, he said, but if either CRDB or NMB stumbles, the entire economy feels the impact. For smaller lenders, the reverse is true.

“Bad debts eat directly into their thin profit margins,” Prof Kinyondo said. “They don’t have the buffer that CRDB or NMB enjoys.

” Finance lecturer Dr Tobias Swai added that concentration is also geographic. “Most large banks’ networks are in urban areas,” he said.

“Innovation tends to happen where infrastructure is strongest, while smaller banks follow too late.” He noted that mobile and agent banking are helping narrow the gap, but historical advantages–deep government links and payroll management for public servants–keep the two biggest players far ahead.

Dr Swai suggested regulatory reforms beyond entry capital requirements, such as performance thresholds requiring banks to achieve growth within five to ten years. “This would push smaller banks to scale faster, rather than stagnating,” he said.

Systemic pressures Banking analyst Mr Kelvin Mkwawa said the dominance of the top two banks is already reshaping the market. “Small banks are under liquidity pressure,” he noted.

“They struggle to attract deposits, limiting their ability to lend to SMEs, while the large banks effectively set the cost of credit.” He warned that even minor disruptions at a top-tier bank could have outsized effects.

“A small change in CRDB’s core system disrupted millions across the country. That is the systemic risk concentration creates.

” Mr Mkwawa suggested BoT should monitor loan-to-deposit ratios more closely and encourage collaboration among smaller banks to reach underserved populations. Incentives for SME lending and rural expansion could also help level the playing field.

The EY report reinforced these concerns, noting that large banks operate at far greater efficiency–with cost-to-income ratios of 35.7 percent compared to 67.4 percent for smaller institutions. Meanwhile, collective investment schemes such as UTT AMIS are growing rapidly, with a 44.9 percent compound annual growth rate between 2022 and 2024, compared to bank deposits’ 15.8 percent CAGR.

This suggests savers are beginning to diversify. Consolidation trend Recent mergers and acquisitions are also reshaping the landscape.

Access Bank Group’s takeover of BancABC Tanzania and the consolidation of Kilimanjaro and Tandahimba cooperative banks into the Cooperative Bank of Tanzania in 2024 further entrenched the dominance of major players. BoT has introduced reforms to strengthen resilience, including a shift to interest rate-based monetary policy, maintaining the central bank rate at 6 percent, and amendments to accommodate Islamic finance.

The loan-to-deposit ratio edged up to 92 percent, while return on average equity climbed to 23.6 percent. Still, experts warn that concentration could slow innovation and widen inequalities in a country targeting 6 percent GDP growth in 2025. Regional lessons Tanzania’s challenge is not unique.

In South Africa, the top five banks control around 90 percent of assets. In Nigeria, a handful of large lenders dominate despite dozens of licensed players.

Kenya, by contrast, maintains a more fragmented market, where mid-tier banks continue to play a meaningful role. For Tanzania, the lesson is clear: concentration may signal strength, but without diversification, it could also expose the economy to vulnerabilities.

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Kibaha. In the run-up to Customer Service Week 2025, the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) has extended support to a youth agribusiness group, Wazito Farm Flex, as part of its community outreach initiatives.

The group, which specializes in horticulture, received farming tools, inputs, and pesticides from the bank. In addition, TADB has organized an exposure visit to Zanzibar to enable the young farmers to exchange experiences and learn from peers who have achieved significant progress in the sector.

Wazito Farm Flex is made up of seven university graduates united by a vision to invest in agribusiness. The group was identified and nurtured under the TADB Mikoani program, which focuses on educating farmers–particularly youth and women–about banking services and opening opportunities in agriculture.

To date, the group has employed 20 other youths from their surrounding village, contributing to job creation and local economic development. TADB Senior Customer Service Officer, Faithful Joshua, said this year’s Customer Service Week will be marked under the theme “Mission Possible”, coinciding with the bank’s 10th anniversary.

“In customer service, we don’t only listen to clients, but also to the community, addressing their challenges and needs. Through such initiatives, we are transforming young farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture,” she said.

On her part, TADB Relationship Manager, Irene John, emphasized the uniqueness of the bank compared to other financial institutions. “TADB is different from commercial banks because we focus exclusively on agriculture, offering short, medium, and long-term loans to drive transformative change in the sector,” she said.

The Customer Service Week is celebrated globally every second week of October, with TADB using the occasion to not only highlight its services but also give back to the farming communities it serves. .

Dodoma. The race for Tanzania’s State House is gaining momentum as political parties and their presidential candidates ramp up their campaigns.

With 17 candidates officially in the race, strategies vary: some engage voters directly through rallies across the country, while others seek legal channels to secure their positions on the ballot. Among the contenders is the United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP).

Their presidential candidate, Mr Twalibu Kadege, has distinguished himself with a campaign strategy that focuses less on criticising rivals and more on presenting clear policies. UPDP leaders emphasise that their priority is to persuade citizens with ideas rather than rhetoric.

At a campaign rally in Dodoma, Mr Kadege unveiled three central pillars of his manifesto: land ownership, strict penalties for lawbreakers, and a new approach to public sector salaries. He asserted that his government would not tolerate corruption, abuse of power, or violations of citizens’ rights, warning that those who cross the line would face severe consequences.

Land policy Mr Kadege explained that the UPDP’s land policy is designed to empower Tanzanians economically. Under his plan, every citizen would be entitled to own at least five acres of land, while farmers would qualify for larger allocations based on their capacity.

“If every farmer cultivates their land productively, Tanzania can power its own economy and feed the African continent,” he said. He further promised that any citizen whose land contains mineral resources would have the right to negotiate directly with investors, without government interference.

Additionally, women entrepreneurs would be eligible for interest-free loans of at least Sh5 million, repayable over ten years, to support small-scale businesses. Strict penalties for offenders Mr Kadege outlined a policy he called Tuzo, which involves imposing strong penalties on individuals convicted of corruption, abuse of power, or dereliction of duty.

He proposed a minimum sentence of 50 years for senior officials implicated in grand corruption or rights abuses. “We will not lead a government of embezzlers and lawbreakers,” Mr Kadege said.

“Every wrongdoer will face justice, regardless of their status or rank. Tuzo will apply equally to everyone.

” He cautioned judges and magistrates that under his leadership, the judiciary would be held to strict standards. Biased rulings overturned on appeal, he warned, would lead to immediate consequences, including removal from office.

“A judge or magistrate who repeatedly delivers flawed judgments should know their career will be at risk,” he noted. Mr Kadege expressed his desire for his government to be remembered for fairness in the administration of justice.

“Every citizen deserves their rights, and every criminal deserves their punishment,” he stated. Salaries and accountability The UPDP manifesto also addresses civil service reform.

Mr Kadege promised to set the starting salary for public servants at Sh2.8 million, arguing that well-compensated staff would perform more effectively. However, he coupled this promise with a stern warning: “Any civil servant who misuses their salary or violates professional ethics will also face Tuzo,” he said.

He highlighted regional commissioners as officials who would be closely monitored, insisting that their conduct should set an example for others. Furthermore, he stated that students sponsored to study abroad would be required to return and serve in Tanzania after completing their studies.

Those who refuse, he warned, would face legal action, including the repayment of public funds. Campaign conduct Mr.

Kadege urged political parties to maintain discipline during campaigns, reminding them of the code of conduct agreed upon by the political parties’ council. He criticised candidates who resort to personal attacks, stating that this fuels unnecessary tension.

“I call on the police to take action against politicians who use inflammatory language,” he said. “They must be arrested, taken to court, and receive their Tuzo in prison.

The campaign should be about policies, not insults.” At the Dodoma rally, attended by a group of boda boda riders waving UPDP flags, Mr Kadege emphasised that his approach is about empowering ordinary Tanzanians.

He also pledged that leaders in his government would operate transparently. Instead of hiding behind tinted car windows, public officials would be expected to interact openly with citizens, greeting them publicly and listening to their concerns.

A different message Mr. Kadege, the youngest of six children from Mzee Ibrahim Kadege’s family in the Lindi Region, stated that his candidacy represents a generational shift in Tanzanian politics.

While many parties include land issues in their manifestos, he argued that UPDP’s approach stands out by directly linking land ownership with national wealth creation. He concluded by urging voters to embrace UPDP’s vision.

“Some doubted whether projects like the Standard Gauge Railway could be delivered, but today they are a reality. If Tanzanians trust UPDP with their votes, we will deliver positive change.

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