09th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
APPLE FACES AI, REGULATORY CHALLENGES AS IT WOOS SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
On the regulatory front, courts in the U.S. and Europe are poised to pull down the lucrative walls around Apple’s App Store as even some of the company’s former supporters question whether its fees are justified. These challenges are coming to a head at the same time U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on Apple’s best-selling iPhone. Apple’s shares are down more than 40% since the start of the year, a sharper decline than Google and also lagging the AI-driven gains in Microsoft shares. Apple has launched some of the AI features it promised last year, including a set of writing tools and image-generation tools, but it still relies on partners such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI for some of those capabilities.
Bloomberg has reported that Apple may open up in-house AI models to developers this year. But analysts do not believe Apple yet has what technologists call a “multi-modal” model—that is, one capable of understanding imagery, audio, and language at the same time—that could power a pair of smart glasses, a category that has become a runaway hit for Meta Platforms. Google said last month it would jump back into this category with partners. Such glasses, which are far lighter and cheaper than Apple’s Vision Pro headset, could become useful because they would understand what the user is looking at and could help answer questions about it. While Apple has focused on its USD 3,500 Vision Pro headset, Google and Meta have seized on the smart glasses as a cheaper way to deploy their AI software prowess against Apple in its stronghold of hardware. Meta Ray-Bans all sell for less than USD 400.
10th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
PRESIDENT SAMIA TO RECEIVE DIVIDEND FROM STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to receive what could be a record-breaking sum in dividends and financial contributions from public institutions and companies in which the government holds shares on June 10th. According to the Treasury Registrar, Mr. Nehemiah Mchechu, the government’s non-tax revenue collections for the 2024/25 financial year could reach a historic TZS 1 trillion, pending final tallies. As of last week, some TZS 900 billion had already been collected from approximately 200 institutions and companies under the oversight of the Treasury Registrar. He attributed the sharp rise in collections to enhanced operational efficiency and wide-ranging governance reforms within public entities. This marks a significant increase from the previous financial year, during which the government collected TZS 767.1 billion in non-tax revenue, encompassing dividends, the mandatory 15% contribution from gross revenues, and other statutory levies.
Source: The Citizen
HIGH COURT OF TANZANIA HAS SUSPENDED CHADEMA FROM POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AND USE OF ITS ASSETS
The High Court of Tanzania, under Judge Hamidu Mwanga, has imposed an interim injunction preventing CHADEMA from engaging in political activities or using its party assets. The ruling follows a complaint brought by Zanzibar-based party members, including former Vice-Chair Said Issa Mohamed, who argue that resources are unequally distributed between Zanzibar and the mainland and allege discrimination based on religion, gender, and regional origin.
Filed under Civil Case No. 8323, the petitioners sought court orders to halt CHADEMA’s political operations and block access to party assets. The Court accepted both requests and maintained the injunction until the principal case is heard on June 24th, 2025. CHADEMA’s legal team submitted preliminary objections to the injunction, but these were rejected. Subsequently, the party’s lawyer, Jebra Kambole, withdrew from the case and requested an adjournment, which the court denied. Proceedings continued, and several rulings were made.
Source: The Guardian
TCRA REVIEWING KEY REGULATIONS TO BOOST TELECOM SERVICE DELIVERY
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has amended five key Electronic and Postal Communications Regulations to streamline licensee obligations and enhance the quality of services offered to consumers across the country. The revised regulations, published on TCRA’s official website (www.tcra.go.tz), introduce several notable changes, including a new requirement for licensees to establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with corporate clients or directly connected customers. This measure is expected to strengthen accountability and service consistency across the sector.
Another major reform includes a relaxation of reporting timelines, extending the period for quarterly income statement submissions from 14 to 21 days, thereby easing administrative pressure on licensees. TCRA’s licensing regime covers various categories such as network facilities, network services, application services, and broadcasting content. Under this framework, network facilities licensees are permitted to construct, own, and maintain telecommunications infrastructure. Service providers may offer services using either their own or third-party infrastructure. Application service licensees provide data and content-based services.
TCRA also manages electronic communications resources, including radio frequency spectrum, numbering, and the type-approval of electronic devices. The authority boasts one of the most advanced Type-Approval Laboratories on the continent, with a global reputation for quality testing and certification. According to the January–March 2025 communications sector report issued by TCRA Director General Dr. Jabiri Bakari, the industry has experienced substantial growth across licensing, infrastructure, and usage metrics.
Key highlights include: network facilities licences rose by 26%, from 35 in March 2024 to 44 in March 2025; network services licences increased from 14 to 18; while application services licences climbed from 135 to 144; postal and courier services licences expanded from 134 to 151; type-approval certificates issued soared by 124.5%, from 2,281 to 5,120. In the broadcasting segment, radio stations grew from 231 to 250, and subscription-based TV services rose from 25 to 31, while free-to-air television stations remained at 30 as of March 2025. A notable jump in infrastructure deployment, including new base stations and communication nodes, drove a 35% increase in SIM card registration between September 2023 and March 2025, from TZS 67 million to over TZS 90 million.
Additionally, application service licences played a pivotal role in boosting internet subscriptions by 67%, rising from 29 million in March 2021 to over 49 million in March 2025. The regulatory updates reflect TCRA’s strategic intent to foster a more efficient, responsive, and innovation-friendly telecommunications environment in Tanzania. By balancing regulatory oversight with operational flexibility, the reforms aim to support licensee compliance while ensuring that end users receive reliable and high-quality digital communication services in line with national development goals.
11th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA EMBRACES DIGITAL LEARNING WITH NEW PARTNERSHIP TO TRANSFORM SECONDARY EDUCATION
In a renewed push to modernise learning and ensure no Tanzanian student is left behind, the government has turned to strategic digital innovations, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure successful implementation. A key milestone in this effort is a newly signed three-year agreement between the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and Aspire Educational Technologies from the United Arab Emirates. This collaboration seeks to deliver high-quality, curriculum-aligned digital content for secondary schools across the country—a major step forward in the nation’s digital education journey.
The agreement, signed in Dar es Salaam on June 9th, 2025, aligns with Tanzania’s broader Digital Economy Framework 2021/22–2025/26, which prioritises the integration of digital infrastructure and services into all key sectors, including education. The TIE Director General, Dr. Aneth Komba, said that this partnership with Aspire Educational Technologies is a move to bring high-quality digital content to our secondary schools, ensuring our students gain the digital skills they need to thrive in the 21th century. The initiative is timely. According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), internet penetration in Tanzania has risen to 55% by the end of 2023, with over 33 million internet users, largely driven by mobile broadband.
12th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA TO INTRODUCE MANDATORY TRAVEL INSURANCE TO FOREIGNERS ENTERING THE COUNTRY
Tanzania plans to introduce mandatory travel insurance for foreigners entering the country in a move aimed at enhancing health and safety services for international visitors. Presenting the 2025/26 National Budget, Finance and Planning Minister Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba proposed amendments to the Insurance Act to establish a USD 44 travel insurance fee for all foreign nationals entering Tanzania, similar to a system already in place in Zanzibar.
However, citizens of EAC and SADC member states are exempt from paying the insurance. He said that this insurance will cover travel-related health emergencies, repatriation costs (medical and bodily), accidents, baggage delays, and theft. The insurance will be valid for up to 92 days per visitor. The program will be managed through a public-private partnership involving the government represented by the National Insurance Corporation and private sector players. Revenue-sharing arrangements will be established to ensure operational efficiency.
TANZANIA TO INCREASE PENSION FOR TREASURY-PAID RETIREES BY 150%
Tanzania is set to raise monthly pensions for retirees paid directly by the Treasury by nearly 150%, according to the 2025/26 National Budget. Delivering the budget in Parliament on Thursday, June 12th, 2025, Finance and Planning Minister Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba said the move reflects the Sixth Phase Government’s appreciation of retirees’ significant contributions to national development. Dr. Nchemba announced that in recognition of their service, the government will increase the minimum monthly pension for Treasury-paid retirees from TZS 100,125.90 to TZS 250,125.90, equivalent to a 149.8% increase. This change will take effect starting July 2025.
Source: The Citizen
RELIEFS FOR BODABODA RIDERS AS TANZANIA REDUCES MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION FEE BY 50%
The number of motorcycles used for passenger transport, commonly known as bodaboda, is expected to increase significantly following the government’s decision to cut registration fees by 50%. The move follows proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Safety Regulations aimed at easing the cost burden on small-scale transport operators. Presenting the TZS 56.49 trillion 2025/26 National Budget in Parliament in Dodoma on Thursday, June 12th, 2025, Minister for Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, announced the fee reduction as part of broader reforms to support the informal transport sector. Dr. Nchemba stated that the Government proposes to reduce the registration fee for commercial motorcycles from TZS 340,000 to TZS 170,000 for a period of three years. This fee will be paid only once, at the time of initial registration.
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA REDUCES EXCISE DUTY ON LOCALLY PRODUCED ENERGY DRINKS TO ATTRACT INVESTORS
The Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, has announced a reduction in excise duty on energy drinks produced in Tanzania. The tax will be lowered from TZS 561 per litre to TZS 134.2 per litre. While delivering the Government’s budget speech for the 2025/2026 financial year in Parliament today, Thursday, 12th June 2025, Dr. Mwigulu said that the decision is aimed at reducing production costs for local manufacturers, increasing competitiveness, and encouraging investment in the country. This change is expected to reduce government revenue by TZS 170.2 million.
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA HAS PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE NEW LEVY ON IMPORTED VEHICLES AND INCREASED TAX ON WINNING SPORTS BETTING
The Tanzanian government has proposed to introduce a levy on imported vehicles and heavy machinery in the 2025/26 budget as follows: TZS 50,000 for vehicles with engine capacity of 0cc to 1000cc; TZS 100,000 for vehicles with engine capacity of 1001cc to 1500cc; TZS 150,000 for vehicles with engine capacity of 1501cc to 2500cc; TZS 200,000 for vehicles with an engine capacity of 2501cc and above; and TZS 250,000 for machinery (excavators, bulldozers, forklifts) of headings 84.29 and 84.27.
Also, the Government of Tanzania has announced an increase in the tax levied on winnings from sports betting. Presenting the 2025/26 National Budget in Parliament in Dodoma, Minister for Finance Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba said that 70% of the revenue collected from the increased tax will be allocated to the HIV response fund, while the remaining 30% will go toward supporting health insurance services. In that regard, the Gaming Act, CAP 41, has proposed to be amended to raise the tax on betting winnings from 10% to 15%.
13th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
PRESIDENT SAMIA APPOINTS GEORGE MASAJU AS NEW CHIEF JUSTICE
President Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Court of Appeal Judge George Masaju as the new Chief Justice of Tanzania. Justice Masaju replaces Professor Ibrahim Juma, who has officially retired. According to a statement from the State House released on Friday, 13th June 2025, Justice Masaju will be sworn in on 15th June 2025 at Chamwino State House in Dodoma. Before this appointment, Justice Masaju held several key legal positions, including serving as Attorney General and previously as Legal Advisor to former President Jakaya Kikwete.
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA AND RWANDA SIGN BORDER AGREEMENT TO ADVANCE AU GOVERNMENT GOALS BY 2027
Tanzania and Rwanda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their international border, a key step in implementing the African Union’s resolution to enhance border governance across the continent by 2027. The signing ceremony took place on 12th June 2025 in Ngara, Kagera Region, following the conclusion of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting, which brought together experts from both countries.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Hamdouny Mansour, Director of Survey and Mapping at Tanzania’s Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, and Mr. Abel Buhungu, head of the Rwandan delegation and Rwanda’s Chief of Mission to Sudan. Speaking after the signing, Mr. Mansour underscored that the initiative is crucial for the security, development, and cordial relations between the two nations. Buhungu, on his part, praised the Government of Tanzania for hosting the meeting and for its strong cooperation with the Rwandan delegation. He expressed confidence that the border enhancement efforts would be successfully implemented.
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA REQUIRES ALL CONTRACTUAL MINING FIRMS TO REFINE AT LEAST 20% OF GOLD LOCALLY
The government has announced a major policy shift in the mining sector aimed at boosting local value addition and improving transparency in the gold trade and refining processes. Presenting the 2025/2026 national budget in Parliament yesterday, Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, proposed amendments to Section 59 of the Mining Act, CAP 123, which would require all companies with government contracts to allocate at least 20% of their gold production for domestic smelting, refining, and trading.
At present, this requirement applies only to companies without direct contractual agreements with the government. The proposed amendment seeks to harmonise the legal framework and ensure that firms with government contracts are held to the same standard of local beneficiation. Dr. Nchemba said that this measure will enhance our efforts to build local capacity in mineral processing and increase domestic revenue from the gold value chain. The proposed legislation mandates that affected companies conclude negotiations with the government and amend their existing contracts within 30 days of the Finance Act coming into effect.
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA INTRODUCES NEW TAXES ON PROCESSED FOODS TO FIGHT OBESITY AND INCREASE REVENUE
The government has introduced sweeping new tax measures targeting a range of processed foods deemed unhealthy, as part of efforts to improve public health outcomes and enhance domestic revenue collection. Presenting the 2025/26 national budget in Parliament yesterday, Finance Minister Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba proposed new excise duties on products such as crisps, ice cream, sausages, and margarine, citing mounting concerns over obesity and lifestyle-related diseases. The new tax regime, which applies to both imported and locally produced goods, is expected to generate over TZS 166 billion in additional revenue for the government.
According to the proposals, imported crisps will attract an excise duty of TZS 100 per kilogram, while locally produced versions will be taxed at TZS 50 per kilogram. The Ministry of Finance estimates that this measure could raise TZS 6.47 billion. He said that this is intended to discourage the overconsumption of unhealthy snacks, support local producers, and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. Imported ice cream and edible ice will now be subject to a 10% excise duty, while locally manufactured alternatives will incur a 5% duty. This measure is expected to generate TZS 119.47 billion.
14th Jun 2025
Source: The Citizen
HIGH COURT DISMISSES GWAJIMA’S CHURCH PETITION OVER NAME DISCREPANCY
The High Court has rejected a request by the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, led by Kawe MP Bishop Josephat Gwajima, to block a government decision revoking its registration, citing a name discrepancy as the key reason. The church had sought a temporary injunction under a certificate of urgency, challenging a letter allegedly issued by the Registrar of Civil Societies that annulled its registration. Alternatively, the church sought an order to maintain its operations as they were before the alleged deregistration (status quo ante) while its appeal against the Registrar’s decision was under consideration.
It argued that no official notice of deregistration had been served. However, in a ruling issued on Friday, June 13th, 2025, Judge Juliana Masabo dismissed the application, stating that it was unclear whether the church mentioned in the deregistration letter was indeed the applicant. While the church that filed the case is formally registered as the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, the deregistration letter circulating online referred to the Glory of Christ Church—a materially different name, according to the court. The church, owned by Bishop Gwajima through its Board of Trustees, filed Civil Case No. 13189 of 2025 against the Registrar of Civil Societies (first respondent), the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
