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Musoma. Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Abdul Mluya has pledged that, if elected President of Tanzania, his first act will be to close the country’s borders to prevent those inside from leaving, saying the move aims to pursue corrupt individuals who have embezzled taxpayers’ money.

However, Mr Mluya did not specify how he intends to prosecute the corrupt, only clarifying that while borders would be sealed, those outside the country would still be allowed to enter. Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at a campaign rally here, Mluya said corruption has forced Tanzanians to endure hardship despite the nation’s vast natural resources.

“People of Mara, and Tanzanians generally, live as though your very birth is a curse. The resources God blessed us with have been turned into a curse by a few.

This will not be tolerated under a DP government. These resources are blessings and must benefit all of us,” he said.

Mr Mluya stated that the first group he will pursue once borders are closed includes those who allowed the importation of substandard fishing nets, which left many citizens, particularly fishermen, impoverished after the nets were seized and burned. “Nets are imported through ports and taxed, then sold to citizens, only for officials to seize and burn them.

The question is, how can the government collect revenue from these nets and then drive innocent citizens into poverty?” he asked. He stressed that in combating corruption, his government would consider no one’s status, saying even former Presidents, Prime Ministers, or senior leaders would be held accountable.

Mr Mluya also pledged that, if elected, his government would demolish Musoma Airport, arguing that its location in the middle of town endangers lives. The site would instead be used to build a university to give Mara residents access to higher education.

He promised a modern airport would be built outside the town to boost the regional economy and ease transport challenges. On pensions, Mr Mluya vowed to abolish the kikokotoo (pension formula) system.

Instead, he pledged to improve civil servants’ welfare before retirement. He explained that every civil servant would be entitled to a modern housing loan, deducted from their salary during service, enabling them to retire with dignity and without the hardships caused by the kikokotoo system.

“We will ensure civil servants work in comfort by improving their welfare. This will boost morale and, in turn, improve efficiency and service delivery,” he added.

Mr Mluya said social services would also be a priority, lamenting that access remains poor despite existing infrastructure. “For example, we are told hospitals have been built, but in reality, these are just buildings without proper services.

Elect me and I will improve delivery so ordinary citizens like myself can access quality healthcare,” he said. DP Mainland Vice-Chairman Chrisant Nyakitita urged all Tanzanians, regardless of party affiliation, to attend campaign rallies of every political party so they can compare policies and make informed decisions on Election Day.

He said campaign meetings are intended to publicise manifestos and policies, and citizens should seize the opportunity without regard to a party’s size. Mr Nyakitita further urged eligible voters to turn out on October 29, 2025, dismissing calls from some quarters urging people to boycott the election.

He emphasised that DP has long championed constitutional reforms, a struggle that cost the party its permanent registration for over nine years, during which its leaders were repeatedly arrested and jailed. “Others may be calling for constitutional reforms today, but we began this struggle long ago.

Our late founder, Reverend Christopher Mtikila, was arrested more than 40 times and served two years in prison. DP is the true pioneer of constitutional reform,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Nyakitita stressed that reforms cannot be achieved if citizens boycott elections, saying leaders capable of delivering them will only emerge through the ballot. “Tanzanians must be cautious of those urging them not to vote.

By doing so, you risk your lives for the next five years, as it allows a few people to elect poor leaders. To solve our challenges, we must vote for competent leaders who will act,” he added.

He reminded citizens that voting is their constitutional right and a means of choosing capable leaders based on manifestos and policies. “I have no doubt our manifesto and policies are superior to those of other parties.

Do not make mistakes, turn out in large numbers to vote for DP so we can deliver meaningful development for our country,” he said. Opening the rally, DP Mara Regional Chairman, Mr Bagaile Konjo, urged Tanzanians to vote for DP to bring progress to the nation.

“The country has problems, citizens have problems, and even our presidential candidate shares your struggles. As our party says, the time for liberation is now.

Do not make mistakes, elect councillors, MPs, and a president from our party,” he said. .

Kilimanjaro. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday launched her election campaign in the Kilimanjaro Region with a strong emphasis on infrastructure, healthcare, water supply and education, pledging to build on her administration’s achievements of the past four years.

Speaking in Same District, President Hassan told residents and party supporters that the government had laid a foundation for nationwide reforms aimed at extending services to rural and underserved communities. She said electrification remained a top priority.

“Our manifesto promised to electrify every village but we have gone further. We have reached hamlets too.

Already, we have brought electricity to half of all hamlets in Tanzania. At our current pace, the whole country will have power within the next year and a half,” she said.

The President also spoke of her early memories of campaigning in Same in 2004, recalling a visit to a rural dispensary where women were giving birth in poor conditions. “Even though I was only a running mate at the time, I made a silent promise to work for change.

Today, I thank God that we have been able to deliver,” she said. She listed six new health centres constructed in Same, three more nearing completion and five dispensaries under construction.

These facilities, she said, form part of wider national healthcare reforms to equip hospitals and health centres with essential medicines, staff and supplies. On maternal health, President Hassan cited recent reports from Pangani District in Tanga Region where no maternal deaths had been recorded for several months.

She said such results reflected the government’s focus on protecting mothers and children. Water access also featured in her address.

She said urban coverage had grown from 64.5 percent in 2020 to 89.5 percent, while rural areas were steadily catching up. She confirmed that phase one of the SameMwangaKorogwe project had been completed, with phase two under preparation to cover the rest of Same and parts of Korogwe.

“Our pledge to the people of Same and to all Tanzanians is to ensure every citizen has access to clean and safe water close to where they live,” she said. On education, the President reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to free schooling, classroom construction, expansion of technical education and investment in infrastructure.

She also promised to continue increasing allocations to TARURA to improve feeder roads and rural connectivity, noting that several roads raised by Same leaders were already on the government’s list of priorities. The President addressed humanwildlife conflict in Kisima, Same Mjini, Stesheni, Joro, Vumari, Ruvu, Bangalana and Makanya wards.

She said a wildlife control centre had been established in Maore Ward and was being equipped with tools and rapid response systems to support farmers and communities affected. Parliamentary candidates joined the rally to share their records and priorities.

Same East CCM parliamentary candidate Anne Kilango-Malecela highlighted the expansion of healthcare, saying the number of health centres had grown from one when she first entered office to four today, with more under construction. She also cited the ongoing construction of the 100-kilometre MkomaziSame road, with 36 kilometres already complete, and pledged to continue lobbying for gravel and tarmac roads in highland areas where ginger farmers face challenges transporting produce.

In Same West, CCM parliamentary candidate David Mathayo outlined projects implemented under the current administration, including a Sh300 billion water initiative and Sh306 billion allocated to related projects. He also pointed to Sh8.7 billion set aside for schools and Sh10.6 billion for rural electrification, with only 110 villages remaining without power.

He promised further work to address humanwildlife conflict and to support compensation schemes for farmers. Both Ms Kilango-Malecela and Dr Mathayo stressed that road infrastructure remained the biggest concern in highland communities where seasonal rains render many routes impassable.

CCM regional leaders used the platform to reinforce the party’s unity. Regional Chairman Patrick Boisafi said the people of Kilimanjaro had benefited from the leadership of President Hassan and called for continued support in the October election.

Former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye, who is overseeing CCM campaigns in the northern zone, said the party had made gains in areas where it had previously struggled. “The people of this region have recognised the changes brought about by CCM, and we are confident that they will turn out in large numbers to vote for us,” he said.

CCM Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro urged voters to back President Hassan, stressing that continuity of leadership was key for sustainable progress. “CCM is committed to ensuring development in every corner of the country, including Kilimanjaro,” she said.

As the campaign season begins in earnest, the President called on citizens to remain united and to evaluate candidates based on their records and capacity to deliver. “With God’s help, and with your support, we will continue to transform this country village by village, ward by ward, and region by region,” she said.

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Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has officially announced that the general elections for the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) will take place on November 29, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.

The announcement was made by TFF Election Committee Vice-Chairman, Advocate Benjamini Kalume, who confirmed that the full election schedule has been finalized and urged all eligible candidates and stakeholders to prepare for the process. The nomination process will run from tomorrow to October 6, 2025. Positions up for election include chairman, vice-chairman, and representatives from various leagues: three from the Mainland Premier League, two from the Championship League, and one from the First League.

Nomination fees are set at Sh200, 000 for candidates vying for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman positions, while other board member candidates are required to pay Sh100, 000. Advocate Kalume clarified that candidates for the top leadership roles must currently hold positions as Chairman or Vice-Chairman in their respective clubs, ensuring that league leadership is composed of individuals with direct experience in team and competition management. The election timeline has been carefully scheduled to ensure transparency.

A preliminary screening of all candidates will take place from October 7 to 9, followed by a period from October 12 to 14 for appeals against approved or disqualified candidates. Candidate interviews are scheduled for October 18 and 19, while the official campaign period will run from October 23 to 28. Advocate Kalume stressed that the TFF Election Committee is committed to conducting elections that are free, fair, and transparent, involving all key football stakeholders.

He urged club leaders and stakeholders to maintain professionalism and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the process. The upcoming elections come after the resignation of former TPLB Chairman, Steven Mguto, in June 2025. Since then, the board has been under the leadership of Acting Chairman Nassoro Idrissa, who will oversee the transition to the newly elected board.

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Dar es Salaam. Presidential candidate Doyo Hassan Doyo of the National League for Democracy (NLD) has identified five major challenges in Geita Region that he says he will address if elected in the October 29 General Election.

Speaking during his campaign tour in Sengerema District at Zamani Bus Terminal and Buseresere Ward yesterday, Mr Doyo said poor roads and high transport costs remain the region’s biggest problems. He also highlighted shortages of medicines and medical equipment in health centres, limited access to clean water, and farmers’ struggles to sell their produce in profitable markets.

“If citizens grant me their mandate, I will ensure farmers can sell their produce in markets that offer fair prices,” Mr Doyo said. “Currently, many are forced to sell in exploitative markets that perpetuate poverty.

If you trust me and vote on October 29, I will ensure farmers receive fair and motivating prices for all their crops.” Mr Doyo criticised the ruling party, CCM, for fixing prices that he says prevent farmers from earning fair returns, describing such policies as a way to keep citizens in poverty.

He also raised broader infrastructure and social service challenges, noting that despite the country’s rich mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and Tanzanite, many citizens still lack access to clean water, health services, and quality roads. On transport, Mr Doyo said operators face high running costs due to poor roads and excessive taxes, limiting business growth.

“These problems have persisted for decades. Citizens are again asked to trust promises that were never fulfilled.

Tanzanians, choose NLD for real development,” he said. Campaign Manager Pogora Ibrahim Pogora urged voters to support Mr Doyo, noting that he had studied the challenges before seeking office.

“It is time for citizens to elect Mr Doyo, a leader committed to addressing the issues he has already researched,” Pogora said. He added that the NLD manifesto focuses on three principles: patriotism, justice, and development–values Mr Doyo promises to uphold if elected.

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Arusha. Four bird species native to Tanzania’s grasslands are in the running for the coveted title of Tanzania Bird of the Year 2026, with voting now open to citizens, the diaspora, tourists and global bird enthusiasts.

The contenders are the Common Ostrich, Red-necked Spurfowl, Kori Bustard and Southern Ground Hornbill. They are competing to succeed the Superb Starling, which currently holds the 2025 title until December.

The campaign, coordinated by Nature Tanzania, is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about bird conservation. Marketing Officer Gaudensia Mariki said students from Manyara Ranch Primary, Tumaini Senior Secondary and Edward Lowassa Secondary School have already voted.

“We also conducted a community campaign at the Makuyuni marketplace to familiarise residents with the voting process and to promote appreciation of birds and environmental protection,” Ms Mariki noted. According to Programme Officer Edwin Kamugisha, the voting exercise began on September 7 and will run for four weeks.

The 2026 winner will be officially announced in December after more than 10,000 votes are tallied both online and in person. Each species brings unique ecological value.

The Kori Bustard is celebrated as a heavyweight grassland ambassador, crucial in controlling insects and dispersing seeds. The Common Ostrich, symbolic of Tanzania’s savanna, contributes to ecological balance but faces threats from habitat loss and illegal hunting.

The Red-necked Spurfowl supports both grasslands and farmlands by dispersing seeds and regulating insect populations, though it is vulnerable to overhunting and habitat destruction. The Southern Ground Hornbill, known for its booming calls and slow breeding cycles, plays an important ecological role but is highly endangered.

Outgoing titleholder, the Superb Starling, with its dazzling plumage and social traits, remains a reminder that even familiar species face growing conservation challenges. Nature Tanzania Director Emmanuel Mgimwa said the Bird of the Year campaign, launched in 2023 with the Secretary Bird as the first winner, seeks to inspire citizens to protect “everyday nature” before it is too late.

“We want Tanzanians to understand that even common species are under threat. This year, we encourage everyone to take part and make their voices count, either face to face or online,” he said.

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London. European rating agency Scope has said that the shutdown of the U.

S. government is another negative for the country’s downgrade-threatened credit score.

Scope, which currently rates the U.S.

‘AA’ with a ‘negative outlook’, said it showed deepening political polarisation in the world’s largest economy and also comes amid mounting worries about President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Federal Reserve. “The administration’s increasingly unconventional policy approach has placed pressure on the long-standing checks and balances of the U.

S. governance system and are seen as credit negative for the U.

S. sovereign rating,” Scope analyst Eiko Sievert said.

He added that the risk of a U.S.

default due to political disputes remained unlikely, but was continuing to increase and would have “a significant impact if it occurred”. Scope tends to face less scrutiny from the U.

S. than the so-called “big 3” rating firms – SandP Global, Fitch and Moody’s – which became the last to strip the U.

S. of its prized triple-A rating earlier this year.

Sievert said that the deeper U.S.

political divisions become, the greater the risk that key policy compromises are not reached by the relevant debt limit deadlines. Despite a $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling agreed as part of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” this year, a further increase is likely to be needed by 2028, Sievert added, given the current “weak fiscal outlook”.

Scope sees Washington’s budget deficit staying around 6% and the U.S.

debt-to-GDP ratio rising to 127 percent in the next five years. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania government is banking on a new documentary to showcase its tourism attractions, infrastructure development and investment opportunities in attempt to position the country at the centre of the global attention.

Called “Tanzania The African Dream,” the film, produced by Penresa in collaboration with CNBC Africa, was recently premiered before government officials, investors, tourism stakeholders, and diplomats in Dar es Salaam, with official launch expected next month. The documentary highlights Tanzania’s tourism, infrastructure, and investment landscape, telling the story of a nation translating vision into reality.

This is the second major documentary which displays Tanzania to the global stage in a period of less than five years. In 2022, Tanzania launched a documentary titled Tanzania The Royal Tour, which showcases tourist attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park on the Mainland, as well as luxury hotels including one located offshore in Pemba, in Zanzibar.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan personally guided viewers through the attractions alongside Peter Greenberg, a renowned journalist and filmmaker from the US television network CNBC. Zanzibar’s Minister for Tourism and Heritage, Mr Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga, told The Citizen on the sideline of the premiering event on September 25, 2025 that the documentary sends a strong message about Tanzania’s development trajectory.

“It’s plenty of information to be shared for everyone to see what is going on in Tanzania,” he said. “The energy is amazing, and the issues highlighted are directly aligned with our national priorities,” he added.

Mr Soraga described the film as a potential turning point in shaping international perceptions of Tanzania. “It will be a game changer for the overall direction we want to take.

We want to showcase what we have,” he said, adding that the pathway through the African Dream is through Tanzania. “Bottom line is Tanzania has really set itself apart–anything is possible here.

” He also pointed to the country’s stability as a strength. “Tanzania has all the ingredients we have stability, peace and unity that make a country both safe and attractive for investors.

” Looking ahead, Mr Soraga emphasised greater youth inclusion in national development. “We are fully capitalised on youth in terms of knowledge and innovation, and I want to see more engagement in decision making,” he said.

The documentary takes viewers across Tanzania’s scenic landscapes and modern infrastructure, including the Tanzanite Bridge, standard gauge railway (SGR), highways, ports, and Zanzibar’s blue economy initiatives. It also highlights clean energy and sustainable development projects.

Government leaders featured in the film linked policies to progress. President Hussein Mwinyi spoke about Zanzibar’s ambition to become a leading tourism hub.

Minister of Minerals Anthony Mavunde underlined mining potential, while the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, showcased cultural and natural assets. The Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, explained how infrastructure attracts capital, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, highlighted clean energy initiatives.

According to Penresa, the project is a celebration of vision, partnership, and storytelling, positioning Tanzania as a nation of untapped potential. The producers also announced a Forbes Africa Tanzania Special Edition to further highlight opportunities.

CNBC Africa will rebroadcast Tanzania The African Dream on Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, giving viewers across the continent another chance to experience Tanzania’s growth story. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s ambition to transition from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status will depend not only on government-led strategies but also on the strength of partnerships that enhance community resilience and unlock people’s potential.

Among the organisations walking alongside the country on this journey is Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), a faith-based humanitarian and development agency that has been part of Tanzania’s story since the 1960s. In her first 100 days as Secretary General of NCA, Anne-Cecilia Kaltenborn chose Tanzania for her first board field visit, underscoring the country’s importance to the organisation’s global strategy.

For her, resilience is the thread tying together livelihoods, health, gender equality, peace, and the environment. “Building a resilient society is kind of the basis for everything,” Kaltenborn said in an interview with The Citizen.

“It’s important for women, youth, and men. And since about 80 percent of the workforce is in agriculture, making this sector more climate-smart and productive will directly support Tanzania’s middle-income ambition.

” Climate-smart agriculture Agriculture remains Tanzania’s economic backbone, employing the majority of its people and contributing around a quarter of GDP. Yet, it is also one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change.

Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and soil degradation threaten not just food security but also rural incomes. NCA has responded by investing in climate-smart agriculture, equipping smallholder farmers with tools to adapt.

In Mvomero, Morogoro, Kaltenborn observed farmers–especially women and youth–shifting to resilient practices such as improved irrigation, drought-resistant seeds, and soil conservation. “Incremental changes toward more climate-resilient agriculture in more and more places will have an effect,” she explained.

“It improves individual families’ lives, and at the same time strengthens the national economy.” The logic is simple: when farmers thrive, Tanzania thrives.

More productive farms mean more stable households, stronger local economies, and greater progress toward national income targets. Health as a foundation of growth While agriculture anchors livelihoods, health determines whether families can participate fully in development.

NCA’s support to Haydom Lutheran Hospital has led to transformative results, most notably a 75 percent reduction in maternal mortality within the first week after giving birth. The impact, Kaltenborn stressed, extends well beyond the hospital’s walls.

“When you can reduce maternal mortality by 75 percent, that makes a difference for the economy,” she said. “Children who lose their mothers have a much more difficult time in school and in life.

Health is also economy, and economy is also health.” This view reflects a broader reality: strong health systems are not just a social good but also a driver of economic resilience.

Families spared from preventable deaths are able to invest in education, build livelihoods, and break intergenerational cycles of poverty. Faith-based partnerships and peacebuilding One of NCA’s defining approaches is working through faith-based organisations, a strategy that taps into deep community trust.

Colton-Born argues that this method is not just about service delivery but also about preventing conflict. “If you have an armed conflict, the gross national product is set back 30 years — an entire generation,” she said.

“Working with churches and mosques ensures dialogue and peace. Dialogue always has results because it creates trust, and trust reduces the willingness for conflict.

” In Mvomero, she witnessed a simple yet powerful moment: Christian and Muslim leaders arriving at a meeting on the same motorcycle. For her, this symbolised the potential of interfaith collaboration to foster unity in a region where diversity is often exploited for division elsewhere.

Gender equality and social transformation Tanzania’s progress toward middle-income prosperity cannot be divorced from the empowerment of women. NCA has made gender justice central to its work, particularly in tackling gender-based violence (GBV).

Through partnerships with religious leaders, NCA has helped shift community attitudes dramatically–from 34 percent to 75 percent zero tolerance for GBV in certain areas. “That is a fabulous result,” Kaltenborn noted.

“And we must never underestimate the effect of women being part of the workforce and having their own economy. It reduces violence and strengthens families.

” She also pointed to ongoing debates around Tanzania’s Marriage Act, which still permits girl-child marriage under certain circumstances. For her, this is an example of where dialogue with faith leaders can drive meaningful legal and cultural change.

Linking environment and jobs Beyond farming and health, NCA is exploring solutions to the growing challenge of waste and environmental degradation. Its ‘Waste for Value’ initiative connects plastic collectors with recycling companies, creating a circular economy that turns trash into livelihoods.

“We were able to see how this project benefits 10,000 households and 20,000 smallholder farmers,” Kaltenborn said. “It creates jobs, protects the environment, and shows how development aid translates into concrete results.

” This approach resonates with Tanzania’s own industrialisation agenda, which seeks to expand manufacturing while safeguarding natural resources. Aid, responsibility, and local ownership With global aid budgets under pressure, questions often arise about whether foreign assistance makes governments complacent.

Kaltenborn acknowledged the tension but emphasised that aid should reinforce, not replace, national responsibility. “It doesn’t have to make governments complacent.

It’s about empowering the partners who want to make a change,” she explained. Despite cutbacks in parts of Europe and the US, she pointed out that 85 percent of Norwegians continue to support development aid, providing NCA with stability.

“We are in it for the long run,” she affirmed. Trade unions as untapped partners Drawing on her background in Norway’s employer’s union, Ms Kaltenborn argued that Tanzanian unions could play a bigger role in development.

In her view, unions are not just about wages and working conditions; they can mobilise communities, spread awareness, and complement humanitarian efforts. This perspective mirrors Norway’s own tradition of dialogue between unions, employers, and government–a model that has underpinned its social and economic resilience.

A holistic web of resilience From farmers adopting new methods in Morogoro, to women accessing safe childbirth in Haydom, to faith leaders riding together in Mvomero, NCA’s work demonstrates the interwoven nature of development. Each initiative may address a specific issue, but together they form a broader ecosystem of resilience.

“Everything is related to everything,” Kaltenborn reflected. “Health is related to the economy.

Women’s participation is related to violence reduction. Dialogue is related to peace and investment.

When you put these pieces together, you get a good spiral of development.” As Tanzania edges closer to its middle-income aspirations, the challenge will be to ensure growth is inclusive and sustainable.

Development partners like NCA bring not only funding but also models of collaboration–working with faith groups, empowering women, engaging youth, and protecting the environment. The organisation’s long history in Tanzania, coupled with Norway’s enduring commitment to aid, suggests that this partnership will continue to play a meaningful role.

For Kaltenborn, the goal is clear: resilient communities that can withstand shocks, seize opportunities, and chart their own future. “Resilience is not just about surviving,” she concluded.

“It’s about thriving.” .

Kilimanjaro. Tanzania heads to the polls on October 29, and despite political tensions during the campaign period, analysts predict a strong voter turnout driven by structural, historical and social factors.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), more than 37.6 million Tanzanians have registered to vote, marking a 26 percent rise from the 2020 election. Analysts say this surge signals growing public interest, especially as most of the voter base is rural.

Over 60 percent of Tanzanians live in villages and peri-urban communities, where voting has traditionally been high. For many, the act of voting goes beyond choosing leaders; it is seen as an affirmation of belonging and recognition in national affairs.

University of Dar es Salaam political analyst Salbinus David noted that while campaign frictions have surfaced, they are unlikely to reduce turnout. “Moments of disagreement and logistical concerns are not unusual in any competitive democracy,” he said.

“What matters is citizens’ readiness to exercise their right to vote, and the data suggests that readiness is very high, especially outside major cities.” INEC reports show that new voter registration far exceeded expectations.

The commission initially targeted 5.58 million new voters but enrolled more than 7.

64 million, 136 percent of the target. Analysts attribute this to civic education campaigns, improved registration access, and rising interest among young and first-time voters.

State University of Zanzibar political scientist Prof Makame Ali Ussi stressed that new voters are spread across the country. “This is not driven by one region but a nationwide mobilisation,” he said.

“Given the structure of political competition, where many councillors and MPs come from the very communities they represent, rural and peri-urban voters have strong incentives to turn up.” He added that elections in Tanzania are as much local events as national ones, since candidates are often embedded in their communities.

“This closeness creates a unique sense of accountability and recognition, which drives higher turnout,” Prof Ussi explained. Women are also expected to play a major role.

INEC data shows that 50.31 percent of registered voters are women, compared to 49.69 percent men. Analysts say this rare gender balance highlights increasing female engagement in politics, driven by grassroots mobilisation to overcome barriers of information and transport.

Still, analysts caution against equating high registration with guaranteed participation. Political fatigue, broken promises, and logistical hurdles could affect turnout on election day.

But experts agree that Tanzania’s electoral culture, particularly in rural areas, has consistently proven resilient. Peace and stability remain at the heart of the national conversation.

Prof Ussi warned, however, that the language of peace should not be used to silence debate. “In a democracy, peace means resolving differences through ballots, not conflict,” he said.

Mr David added that the credibility of institutions will be critical. “As long as citizens believe the process is fair, their vote respected, and their voices heard, they will turn out in large numbers,” he said.

Digital platforms are also shaping the political narrative, especially in cities. But University of Dar es Salaam lecturer Sylvester Kweka warned against overstating their influence.

“Social media reflects a narrow, urban demographic,” he said. “In rural areas, where most Tanzanians live, politics is still conducted face-to-face.

People know their candidates personally and engage directly, and that is what resonates with them.” He cautioned political parties not to rely too heavily on online campaigns.

“Social media can amplify voices, but without strong grassroots mobilisation it risks becoming an echo chamber,” he said. With weeks remaining, the 2025 election is shaping up as a test of Tanzania’s democratic maturity.

Rising voter registration, gender balance, and strong civic culture suggest that turnout could be one of the defining features of the polls. .

By Deus Bugaywa The turquoise waters of Kizimkazi, a historic fishing village on Zanzibar’s southern coast, seem an unlikely cradle for a president. Yet it was here, amidst the rhythms of island life, that Tanzania’s first female Head of State, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was born on January 27, 1960. Tanzania has often defied expectations when it comes to the origins of its leaders, who tend to emerge from unexpected places.

Kizimkazi, modest as it was, would play host to God’s larger plan for Tanzania’s history: producing a leader from a humble background, as was the case with her predecessors. Samia’s journey from this small coastal community to the pinnacle of power in one of Africa’s most significant nations is a story of quiet determination, shattered glass ceilings and the navigation of profound national transition.

Born when Zanzibar was still a sultanate that united with Tanganyika four years later to form Tanzania, her upbringing instilled the values of education and hard work. Her intellect shone early in local schools, setting her on a path beyond the shores of her village.

Her education spanned primary schools in Chwaka (Unguja), Ziwani (Pemba), and Mahonda (Unguja) between 1966 and 1972. She later attended Ng’ambo Secondary School (19731975) and Lumumba Secondary School (1976). After finishing high school in 1977, she joined the civil service as a clerk in the Ministry of Planning and Development, grounding herself in governance from the outset.

Determined to advance, she balanced work and study, earning a Diploma in Public Administration from the Institute of Development Management (IDM) Mzumbe (19831986), followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics from the University of Manchester in 1994. In 2015, she capped her academic journey with an MSc in Community Economic Development through a joint programme between the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University, underscoring a lifelong commitment to learning. Her political career began in 2000 when she joined the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

That same year she was elected to the Zanzibar House of Representatives through Special Seats and appointed Minister for Youth Employment, Women and Children Development by President Amani Abeid Karume, making her the only woman to hold a senior cabinet post at the time. This trailblazing pattern of being the “first woman” would define her career.

Re-elected in 2005, she became Zanzibar’s Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, serving until 2010. Her influence expanded when President Jakaya Kikwete appointed her as Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union Matters), a position she held until 2015. In 2014, she was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly charged with drafting Tanzania’s new constitution, where her consensus-building skills came to the fore. Her national profile rose dramatically in 2015 when CCM presidential candidate John Magufuli selected her as his running mate–the first woman in the party’s history to hold that position.

Their landslide victory made her the country’s first female Vice-President. While Magufuli rarely travelled abroad, Samia became the face of Tanzania on the international stage.

She was re-nominated in 2020, and following another landslide win, began a second term. Fate intervened in March 2021. On the 17th, she announced to the nation the sudden death of President Magufuli.

Two days later, she was sworn in as the sixth President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the country’s first female Head of State. She inherited a complex situation: a nation grappling with Covid-19, strained civic freedoms, and economic uncertainty.

President Samia immediately marked a change in leadership style. Her “quiet diplomacy” emphasised reconciliation, reforms, resilience, and rebuilding–the 4Rs.

She established a scientific task force to guide the Covid-19 response, promoted testing, and was publicly vaccinated. She lifted bans on media outlets, reinstated rights previously curtailed, and overturned the controversial policy barring pregnant schoolgirls from education.

Her authority within CCM was cemented when the party’s National Executive Committee elected her as Chairperson, making her the first woman to lead one of Africa’s oldest and most powerful political movements. From the clerk’s desk in Zanzibar to the highest office in the land, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s rise has been marked by persistence and quiet transformation.

She now governs a nation at a crossroads, balancing reform with political realities, reopening Tanzania to the world while tackling long-standing domestic challenges. The girl from Kizimkazi stands as a symbol of possibility, an embodiment of leadership forged in humility, shaped by resilience, and directed towards change.

Her story is far from over, but its foundations, rooted in the sandy shores of Zanzibar, remain a testament to what determination and vision can achieve. Deus Bugaywa is a political analyst based in Dar es Salaam.

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