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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s sugar producers are projecting a surge in output with a firm commitment to long-term market stability, pledging to maintain sufficient domestic supply while aggressively expanding into regional export markets.

The Tanzania Sugar Producers Association (TSPA) has projected cumulative sugar availability of at least 350,000 tonnes by the end of the 2025/26 season, a robust forecast that the industry believes is more than enough to meet national demand and ensure price control. In an interview with The Citizen, TSPA executive secretary Mr Kennedy Rwehumbiza, said seven active producers–TPC Moshi, Kagera Sugar Limited, Mtibwa Sugar Estate, Kilombero Sugar Company, Bagamoyo Sugar Limited, Manyara Sugar Company and Mkulazi Holding Company–collectively supplied over 340,000 tonnes of brown sugar from May to September 2025. “This figure represents 147 percent of the estimated national demand for the first five months, which stands at approximately 230,000 tonnes.

Compared to the same period last season, this marks a 54 percent increase, underscoring the sector’s robust recovery and operational efficiency,” he said. The production performance, he said, had an immediate stabilising impact on sugar prices which now ranges between Sh2,600 and Sh3,000 per kilogramme.

“With 80 percent of the sugar sold locally, consumers are benefiting from consistent availability and fair pricing. This stability reflects improved coordination across the value chain and a commitment to market responsiveness by producers,” said Mr Rwehumbiza.

On the export front, the industry is making significant strides in regional markets. By mid-October 2025, Tanzania had exported approximately 85,000 tonnes of sugar, generating over $72 million in foreign exchange earnings.

Producers eye to expand exportation of sugar to regional markets of Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda among others. Producers say these exports reflect growing competitiveness and alignment with Tanzania’s industrialization agenda — positioning sugar not only as a food commodity but as a strategic export earner.

The growth is underpinned by aggressive strategic investments from existing and new producers, cementing the sector’s resilience and future capacity. According to TSPA data, Kilombero Sugar Company is moving forward with its ambitious K4 project, which will ultimately add 144,000 tonnes annually.

Once completed, Kilombero’s total output will exceed 270,000 tonnes, making it a cornerstone of the domestic supply chain. Meanwhile, Kagera Sugar Limited is scaling up its operations through major investments in sugarcane cultivation and process optimization.

The company aims to more than double its current output of 140,000 tonnes by the 2029/30 season, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity in rural communities. Other major producers, including Mtibwa, Bagamoyo and Mkulazi, are also investing heavily in their expansion projects to guarantee increased supply and diversification.

Mr Rwehumbiza said this trend of expansion is attracting new capital as the industry has seen the entry of four new players–Golden Sugar, Lake Agro, Mufindi Paper and Eagle-Agrotech –signaling growing investor confidence in the sector’s regulatory environment. “Their emergence reflects growing investor confidence and the effectiveness of government policies in fostering a competitive and sustainable agribusiness environment,” he said.

Beyond raw sugar, Mr Rwehumbiza noted the industry is also evolving into higher-value products, with investments in refining, ethanol and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) which are aligning with TSPA’s strategic vision for a more integrated and sustainable sugar value chain. He said these developments promise to enhance profitability, reduce waste and support Tanzania’s transition to a greener economy.

TSPA underscores that the industry’s success rests on a strong partnership with out-grower farmers and public institutions. Reforms in payment systems, digital monitoring tools and extension support have ensured timely cane delivery and equitable revenue sharing, keeping mills at full operational capacity.

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Dar es Salaam. More than 2,000 startup founders, investors, policymakers and innovation leaders are expected to converge in Dar es Salaam from December 1 to 5, for the 2025 edition of Tanzania Startup Week, as the country positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s innovation landscape.

The five-day event, themed “Positioning Startups for Dira 2050 Unleashing Innovation, Inclusion and Economic Transformation in Africa”, will align Tanzania’s growing startup ecosystem with regional and global markets in support of the nation’s Vision 2050 target of building a $1 trillion economy. This year’s edition marks a strategic partnership between the event organisers and Africa Business Connex, the MICE arm of Africa Business Inc, which joins as co-host.

Tanzania Startup Week 2025 Co-Chairperson Edwin Bruno said the collaboration aims to elevate the event’s programming for a broader continental audience. “We saw an opportunity to leverage their capability in developing well-curated conference content for the African audience and we believe this will amplify the impact of the work we are already doing,” he said.

Mr Bruno added that the opening day will focus on translating Tanzania’s Vision 2050 into actionable strategies for startups and innovators–initiatives he said are vital to driving economic growth and creating jobs for young people. “The day will focus on turning long-term policy frameworks into practical pathways for growth, scaling ventures effectively and expanding employment opportunities for the youth,” he noted.

Africa Business Connex Managing Director and Africa Business Inc Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Ms Lebohang Noruwana-Mkhize, said the event’s timing–coming soon after the G20 Summit in South Africa–was intentional. “We intend to extend the conversations from the Startup20 engagement group into this important event.

This will give Tanzania’s startup ecosystem a platform to engage on the five SU20 priority areas: Foundation and Alliance, Finance and Investment, Inclusion and Sustainability, Market Access and Township and Rural Entrepreneurship,” she said. A high-profile line-up of speakers is expected, including Timpledge.

org CEO Matteo Rizzi, Global Policy House chief HRH Michelle Chivunga, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Skills Audit and Development Prof Varuyayi Mavima, Ghana FinTech and Payments Association President Martin Kwame Awagah, Sahara Ventures CEO Jumanne Mtambalike and Credable Group CEO Nadeem Juma. Mr Bruno said the conference themes and speaker selections were carefully curated to stimulate innovation, inclusion and economic transformation across Africa.

Each day of the week will spotlight key pillars of innovation and growth. Sessions on investment and deal flow will feature a Fintech Futures Roundtable exploring how Africa can tap into the continent’s estimated $3 trillion digital economy.

Other discussions will focus on the role of universities in commercialising research, fostering entrepreneurship and supporting academic startups, alongside panels on smart cities and artificial intelligence. The event will conclude with a gala recognising outstanding ecosystem partners and unveiling the roadmap for Tanzania Startup Week 2026. Launched in 2024, Tanzania Startup Week has become the country’s leading platform for aligning innovation policy, investment capital and market access to drive national economic transformation.

Organisers say the 2025 edition will deepen Pan-African collaboration and accelerate Tanzania’s ambition to build a competitive, inclusive and innovation-driven economy–bringing the country closer to its Vision 2050 goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy. .

Same. As Tanzanians prepare to head to the polls on Wednesday in another historic general election, Retired Prime Minister and First President John Malecela has called on citizens to uphold peace and unity before, during and after voting.

On that day, Tanzanians from the Mainland and Zanzibar will vote for the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Vice President, the President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives. As in past elections, this year’s campaign season has been marked by political tension and intense online debate.

Ahead of the 2025 polls, there have been reports of planned demonstrations on Election Day, while others are mobilising citizens to vote. Competing slogans such as “October We Tick” and “October We Leave” have flooded social media, prompting government, religious and civic leaders to stress the importance of maintaining peace.

The Police Force has warned it will curb any form of crime or disturbance on Election Day. Speaking to elders from Same District, Mr Malecela said no treasure in the world is more valuable than peace.

“There is nothing more valuable in any nation than peace. It determines the country’s development and the welfare of families,” he said.

“Some people are trying to drive us into conflict and chaos, but Tanzanians and their government have always rejected such efforts.” He also urged citizens to continue placing their trust in CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan, citing progress in the economy and development projects under her leadership.

President Samia was endorsed by the CCM National Congress to seek re-election with Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi as her running mate. The 2025 General Election features 18 political parties and 17 presidential candidates, including Samia and Dr Nchimbi (CCM), Salum Jumaa Mwalimu and Devotha Minja (Chaumma), Yustas Rwamugira and Amana Suleiman Mzee (TLP), Abdul Mluya and Sadoun Abrahman Khatib (DP) and Saum Hussein Rashid and Juma Khamisi Faki (UDP), among others.

Mr Malecela said that since before Tanganyika’s independence and the birth of Tanzania, peace had always been the nation’s greatest priority. He urged both citizens and security organs to protect it, condemning individuals promoting voter apathy or planning election-day protests.

“On election day, I urge family heads to wake up early and take their families to vote first. By doing so, we fulfil a key civic duty that helps sustain peace,” he said.

“Your right to be governed lies in electing your leaders. Any Tanzanian who fails to vote has not done justice to their country.

” Why Samia deserves recognition Mr Malecela praised President Samia’s leadership, describing the progress under her tenure as inspiring. He highlighted major projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Dar es Salaam.

He also commended the expansion of tarmacked roads linking regions, construction of health centres and schools and agricultural transformation through subsidies including improved seeds and modern tools. At 91, Mr Malecela recalled his tenure as Prime Minister under the late President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, when the country transitioned to a multiparty system.

“If you get the chance, travel to Dar es Salaam, take the SGR to Dodoma, then return to Same by bus and you will see how much Tanzania has transformed,” he said. He said the 2,115-megawatt JNHPP project had turned part of the Rufiji River basin into a vast water body, a source of national pride.

On the BRT system, he acknowledged challenges but noted government efforts to improve urban transport. “Recently, some hooligans threw stones at BRT buses.

Such behaviour is destructive, not constructive,” he said. He also highlighted improvements in healthcare, noting that Same East Constituency now has more than four health centres compared to one previously.

“When we speak of these achievements, it doesn’t mean President Samia has solved all problems. It means we should appreciate and honour her efforts,” he said.

He called on citizens to act, saying: “The election is near. Let every Tanzanian sing one song: ‘On October 29, what are we doing?’ And the answer should be, ‘We’re ticking.

‘” Addressing youth unemployment Mr Malecela said unemployment is a global challenge, affecting developed and developing nations alike. “Even in the UK and the US, young people face the same challenge.

Here in Africa, it’s similar, only the scale differs,” he said, urging youth to be patient and value progress. He added that Tanzania has made significant strides in development: “We’ve come a long way from deep poverty.

Today, development is visible. Did we once have buses with toilets? No.

Today we do — that’s progress we should celebrate.” The next five years Mr Malecela said Tanzanians’ first duty is to elect the President and MPs, preferably from CCM.

“Once elected, the President will outline her priorities for the first 100 days. She has toured the country listening to citizens’ concerns.

We must give her room to lead,” he said. He predicted that Tanzania will make major strides over the next five years: “God has blessed us with vast resources.

Every region now has gold deposits. Gold has strengthened our economy.

In five years, Tanzania will have advanced further than many of our neighbours.” He concluded that Tanzania is on track to become one of the region’s strongest economies, with no neighbouring country likely to match its pace of growth and development.

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Cairo. African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has marked the end of Prof Benedict Okey Oramah’s tenure as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors with a legacy conference celebrating his decade of leadership and impact on intra-African trade and investment.

The farewell event, held at the Bank’s headquarters in Cairo, brought together more than 2,000 guests, including heads of state and government, former leaders, African and Caribbean dignitaries, business executives, all former Afreximbank Presidents, the President-designate, members of the Board, shareholders, staff, and friends of the Bank. Prof Oramah, who assumed office in September 2015, said he made the promotion of intra-African trade and investment the cornerstone of Afreximbank’s strategy, driven by the conviction that it was the only viable path to Africa’s development and economic emancipation.

“Our philosophy was borne out of the conviction that the only viable path forward for Africa’s development and economic emancipation was one that would aggressively reverse-engineer the colonial strategy of ‘divide and rule’ that had, for decades, pinned Africa and people of African descent down in the dustbin of despair,” he said. He added that Africa’s growth must be driven from within, noting that external interests had historically been “predatory and parasitic, unless engaged from a position of strength and purpose.

” Reflecting on his tenure, Prof Oramah said Afreximbank’s broad interventions had produced tangible results. “We can now point to those things that exist today new institutional arrangements and interventions that have become formidable forces in Africa’s fight towards true self-determination many of which were mere aspirations ten years ago,” he said.

Legacy of growth and innovation During Prof Oramah’s 10-year leadership, Afreximbank’s balance sheet and guarantees grew nearly eight-fold, from $6 billion in 2015 to about $44 billion by September 2025. He spearheaded numerous initiatives addressing the continent’s trade and industrial challenges, positioning Afreximbank as Africa’s leading trade finance institution. Among these were the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), backed by a $3 billion facility, which now operates in 20 countries and enables cross-border trade in local currencies.

The AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established with a $1 billion commitment in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, supports member states to adapt to the new trading regime. Launched in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair has attracted over $170 billion in trade and investment deals across four editions, drawing 180,000 participants.

The Africa Trade Gateway, a digital platform, and Afreximbank Africa Trade Centres are further breaking information barriers and facilitating investment across the continent. The Bank also led efforts to harmonise over 500 standards in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, and automotive industries, while expanding certification and testing centres across Africa.

Through collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and COMESA, Afreximbank launched the African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme, supported by $1 billion in guarantee limits, to ease the movement of goods across borders. Additionally, Afreximbank has supported industrialisation by investing in special economic zones and major projects such as Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, while strengthening socio-economic and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean through CARICOM partnerships.

Under Prof Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank disbursed over US$10 billion to help African economies withstand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a US$2 billion facility to secure vaccines for Africa and the Caribbean. The Bank also launched the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) to overcome logistical barriers in cross-border trade and initiated the African Medical Centre of Excellence to improve access to quality healthcare.

Praise from successor Afreximbank President-designate Dr George Elombi described Prof Oramah as “one of the few in the world the 0.8 per cent who combine vision and execution.

” “Under his leadership, Afreximbank and its partners have built a strong foundation for enhancing intra-African trade and industrial development. He turned decades-old political aspirations into tangible economic gains,” Dr Elombi said.

The legacy conference concluded with tributes from staff, business leaders, political figures, and members of the public whose lives and careers were touched by Prof Oramah’s work. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s soybean sub-sector has received a boost following the signing of a $4.8 million financing agreement that seeks to improve productivity, market access and rural incomes.

The agreement signed between the Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Trust and the Royal Norwegian Embassy intends to revitalise soybean farming through a three-year initiative called Soybean Value Chain Support Project. Under the agreement, the Royal Norwegian Embassy will provide a $2.4 million grant, which will be matched by PASS Trust through its credit guarantee mechanism.

The combined investment will support more than 12,500 farmers in the Ruvuma Region–40 percent of whom are women and youth–by providing access to improved seeds, mechanisation, training and reliable markets, according to a joint statement issued at the weekend. Yields are expected to rise from the current 700 kilogrammes per hectare to more than 3,000 kilogrammes, with household incomes projected to increase by up to 40 percent.

PASS Trust Managing Director Yohane Kaduma described the partnership as a milestone in Tanzania’s agricultural transformation journey. “This collaboration with Norway represents not just financial support but a shared commitment to inclusive and climate-resilient growth.

Through this partnership, we aim to transform Tanzania’s soybean sector into a driver of food security, import substitution, job creation and sustainable rural development,” he added. The project will be implemented through PASS Trust’s Commodity Compact Financing Model, which integrates financial guarantees, technology and structured market linkages to reduce risks in agricultural lending.

The model connects smallholder farmers to processors, aggregators and financial institutions through contract farming and guaranteed offtake arrangements, encouraging banks to lend confidently to the agriculture sector. Representing the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Head of Cooperation Mr Kjetil Schie reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural growth in Tanzania.

“This partnership reflects our shared ambition to make agriculture a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said. “By strengthening nutrition outcomes through soybean production and empowering women and youth to participate actively across the value chain, we help build resilient communities and lasting impact,” he added.

He also emphasized that the project aligns with Norway’s global development priorities, including climate-smart agriculture, digital inclusion and gender equality and encouraged other stakeholders to consider scaling up the Commodity Compact model to strengthen value chains and promote trade and investment collaboration. The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s key agricultural frameworks, including the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP), Agenda 10/30 and the Agriculture Master Plan 2050. It also supports global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, gender equality and climate action.

Climate-smart innovations–such as certified seed systems, soil-friendly mechanisation and digital platforms for real-time market and weather data–will form part of the project’s core implementation strategies. Beyond soybeans, the partnership is seen as a model for future collaborations in other value chains such as sunflower, coffee, horticulture and wheat.

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Mbamba Bay. The government, in collaboration with the Elico Foundation, has handed over a solar-powered fish drying plant worth Sh129.9 million to the Nyasa District Council to help reduce post-harvest losses and boost productivity among small-scale fishers.

The plant, launched at the weekend by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Edwin Mhede, has a drying capacity of between three and five tonnes per day and is expected to improve product quality and incomes for local communities. Dr Mhede said the project forms part of government efforts to address post-harvest losses estimated at between 30 and 40 percent, particularly for sardines during rainy seasons.

“At times sardines get mixed with mud, sand, or rainwater, reducing quality, price, and posing health risks to consumers,” he said. He said that the government is promoting modern, eco-friendly drying technologies to replace traditional wooden racks that could dry only one tonne every two days.

“This new facility can dry up to five tonnes per day, valued at between Sh10.5 million and Sh17.5 million,” he said. Dr Mhede said the ministry would continue investing in fish markets, cold storage facilities, ice plants and processing factories to support the transition from subsistence to commercial fishing.

Local fisher Kasian Mwelang’ombe thanked the government and partners for the support, saying the facility would be especially helpful during rainy seasons. Mbamba Bay fish trader Mese George commended Elico Foundation for introducing the technology, which she said would ease challenges for small-scale traders.

She appealed for access to microloans to empower women in the fish trade. Elico Foundation Board Chairperson Prof Evelyne Mbede said demand for the technology was high, adding that the foundation would seek more funding to expand the initiative.

Ruvuma Acting Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Joel Mbewa, pledged to continue supporting education and supervision to ensure the facility’s sustainability and economic benefits. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has written a new chapter in African football history after four of its clubs qualified for the group stages of the continental club competitions for the 2025 season.

Mainland Premier League giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have booked their spots in the CAF Champions League group stage, while Azam FC and Singida Black Stars have advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. This marks the first time in the country’s football history that four Tanzanian clubs have reached this milestone in a single season.

Yanga secured their qualification after defeating Malawi’s Silver Strikers 21 on aggregate. The reigning Mainland champions put on a dominant display at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, led by goals from Dickson Job and Pacome Zouzoua.

The result sealed their back-to-back qualification for the Champions League group stage, reinforcing their growing stature in African club football. Simba, meanwhile, completed the historic achievement after eliminating Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs.

The Msimbazi Reds, who have consistently been among the continent’s top performers in recent years, confirmed their spot after a strong home performance in Dar es Salaam. In the Confederation Cup, Azam FC made an emphatic statement by thrashing Zanzibar’s KMKM 90 on aggregate, showcasing their attacking strength and tactical discipline.

The Ice Cream Makers will now be making their debut appearance in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup — a major achievement for the Chamazi-based club. Singida Black Stars also made history by reaching the group stage after overcoming Flambeau du Centre of Burundi 42 on aggregate.

The victory reflects the club’s steady progress and growing ambition on the continental stage, despite being one of the youngest sides in the competition. The four teams’ success highlights Tanzania’s rising dominance in regional and continental football.

It also underscores the progress made by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and local clubs in improving professionalism, infrastructure, and competitiveness. Tanzanian football fans will now eagerly await the CAF draw for the group stages, scheduled to take place on November 3 in South Africa.

The draw will determine the next opponents for Yanga, Simba, Azam, and Singida as they look to continue flying the Tanzanian flag high across Africa. .