11th May 2026
Source: The Citizen
LEGISLATORS DEMAND RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS TO BOOST CLEAN COOKING
Members of Parliament have stressed that achieving Tanzania’s clean cooking targets will depend on stronger, well-targeted investment in the energy sector, as the country pushes to expand access to safer household energy solutions.
The goal is anchored in the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy (NSCCE 2024–2034), which aims to increase adoption of clean cooking solutions from about 6% to 80% by 2034. Lawmakers noted that while uptake has risen to around 24%, significant investment gaps still remain if the target is to be achieved on time.
They emphasized that funding must directly address energy access, public health risks, and environmental degradation, particularly the heavy reliance on firewood and charcoal. Ministry data cited in 2022 highlighted the severe health impacts of prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels.
The remarks were made during a visit to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and lubricants facilities operated by Oryx Energies Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, Subira Mgalu, acknowledged the company’s contribution to the economy, noting that it generated approximately TZS 1.2 trillion in government revenue between 2021 and 2024.
Source: Daily News
GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING WARD TRIBUNALS
The Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Zainab Katimba, has reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening Ward Tribunals as a key mechanism for resolving community disputes and reducing pressure on formal courts.
She made the remarks in Dodoma during sessions of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, where residents presented various legal grievances. She stressed that accessible justice at the grassroots level remains essential for maintaining social stability and improving dispute resolution efficiency.
During the outreach, a case was presented by Ms. Mariam Imizaga, who reported that her legally owned plot registered under a 2015 title deed was allegedly invaded, with construction activities continuing despite multiple reports to local authorities.
In response, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, particularly Ward Tribunals, as effective tools for handling such disputes quickly, fairly, and amicably at community level.
12th May 2026
Source: The Guardian
TANZANIA, IFAD AGREE ON MAJOR AGRICULTURAL RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP
Tanzania and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have agreed to strengthen cooperation on climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness development, aiming to safeguard farmers and reinforce food security amid growing climate-related pressures.
The commitment was reaffirmed during high-level discussions held in Nairobi between IFAD President Álvaro Lario and Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba. The talks focused on expanding investment in sustainable farming systems, digital agriculture, commercial crop production, and broader climate resilience initiatives.
The engagement comes at a time when prolonged droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns continue to threaten agricultural output and rural livelihoods across the region.
Both sides explored strategies to scale up financing and technical support for smallholder farmers, improve access to modern farming technologies, and strengthen agribusiness value chains to boost productivity and incomes in rural communities.
IFAD reaffirmed its long-term commitment to supporting Tanzania’s development agenda under Vision 2050, with particular emphasis on building resilient and sustainable food systems capable of withstanding climate shocks.
Source: The Guardian
ZANZIBAR LAWMAKERS CALL FOR AMENDMENTS TO ALCOHOL CONTROL LAW
Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives have urged the government to revise the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act No. 6 of 2020, citing enforcement gaps that have contributed to widespread violations in alcohol sales and licensing across the islands.
The concerns were raised during budget discussions on the proposed 2026/2027 estimates for the Ministry responsible for Regional Administration and Special Departments under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
Lawmakers argued that although the law was intended to regulate alcohol distribution and protect public morals, enforcement has remained weak, leading to increased illegal operations.
One legislator, Mr. Jaku Hashim Ayoub, criticized the uncontrolled spread of alcohol outlets, noting that many operators now bypass licensing requirements.
He contrasted this with earlier practices where alcohol sales were limited to designated areas, warning that current trends place bars and liquor shops in residential zones and near public institutions.
Members of the House further warned that these regulatory gaps are undermining social order and cultural values. They called for stronger enforcement mechanisms alongside legislative review to ensure the law reflects current realities and emerging challenges.
Source: Daily News
BOT PUSHES FOR WIDER FINANCIAL ACCESS FOR MSMEs
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has called for expanded access to formal financial services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), citing their central role in job creation and overall economic growth.
The remarks were made by BoT Deputy Governor for Financial Stability and Financial Deepening, Ms. Sauda Msemo, during the opening of a four-day meeting in Arusha of the Global Standards Proportionality Working Group (GSPWG) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Finance Working Group (SMEFWG) under the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).
She noted that MSMEs remain the backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP, but continue to face barriers in accessing affordable and formal financing.
These challenges include high borrowing costs, limited collateral, and financial products that are not well tailored to their needs.
She stressed that improving access to finance is essential for deepening financial inclusion, strengthening entrepreneurship, and increasing productivity across key sectors of the economy.
13th May 2026
Source: The Citizen
CHIEF JUSTICE URGES YOUTH TO TURN TALENT INTO SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Chief Justice George Masaju has called on young Tanzanians to shift focus from relying on limited salaried employment to using their talents, knowledge, and creativity to generate self-employment opportunities.
He advised that instead of spending excessive time searching for formal jobs, young people should embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development as more sustainable pathways to economic independence.
He emphasized that talent-driven self-reliance can contribute meaningfully to both individual livelihoods and national development.
Justice Masaju noted that youth remain one of the country’s most valuable assets for advancing socio-economic and technological transformation.
He encouraged a mindset shift toward entrepreneurship, highlighting that creativity in areas such as arts, science, and innovation can significantly enhance productivity and competitiveness.
He further observed that empowering young people to build their own opportunities can reduce dependency on external economies and strengthen Tanzania’s global position. His remarks come amid ongoing concerns over youth unemployment, reinforcing the need for practical, innovation-based solutions to expand participation in economic growth.
Source: Daily News
LEGAL AID PROJECT BOOSTS RIGHTS AWARENESS IN PEMBA
More than 700 residents in Pemba, including a large number of schoolgirls, have benefited from legal education and human rights awareness through a community outreach programme designed to improve access to justice and strengthen legal literacy.
The initiative, implemented by the Wete Legal Aid Organisation, directly reached 710 beneficiaries, including 663 female students, while an additional 4,800 people were engaged through radio programmes.
Speaking during a public dialogue held at Utaani Secondary School in Wete, WEPO Access to Justice Coordinator, Rashid Hassan Mshamata, said the programme has significantly improved public understanding of legal rights and justice systems.
He explained that the broader goal is to build a society where citizens understand their rights and can assert them in line with the law.
He also cited a case identified during the outreach in which a family had failed to distribute inheritance for over 30 years, with male relatives controlling property at the expense of other rightful heirs highlighting ongoing gaps in legal awareness, particularly in inheritance and gender equality matters.
The programme also included live radio discussions that attracted strong public participation, with at least 146 listeners actively engaging through messages, questions, and contributions on various legal issues.
Source: Daily News
GOVERNMENT IN TALKS OVER SONGO SONGO GAS LICENCE EXTENSION
The Government Negotiation Team (GNT) is in ongoing discussions with Pan African Energy Tanzania regarding a possible extension of the second phase of the natural gas development licence in the Songo Songo Block, as the current licence is set to expire in October 2026.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, informed Parliament that the negotiations have already begun. She was responding to a question from Hasnain Dewji, who sought clarification on gas production capacity and drilling activity at Songo Songo Island.
She explained that the Songo Songo Block currently has 12 wells, with nine drilled by the government through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and three by PAET. The talks, she noted, are intended to ensure continuity of operations, strengthen gas output, and secure long-term national benefits.
On community development, she added that once TPDC allocates funds to local authorities, councils are responsible for distributing resources to villages. She also noted that TPDC has drilled a borehole as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives to support water access in the area.
14th May 2026
Source: The Citizen
LEADERS URGE ACCELERATED REFORMS TO UNLOCK INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
Business leaders and government officials have called for faster implementation of investment reforms, improved business conditions, and accelerated infrastructure development as Tanzania advances toward its long-term development ambitions under Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
The call was made during a monthly engagement dialogue organised by the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, bringing together senior government officials, private sector leaders, and development stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the country’s investment climate and unlocking new economic opportunities.
The meeting was held under the theme “From Policy to Implementation: Unlocking Tanzania’s Investment Opportunity.”
Speaking during the dialogue, Chairman of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania, David Tarimo, reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to supporting national development goals, while stressing that policy consistency and effective execution remain essential for achieving Vision 2050 objectives.
He also highlighted that sustained public–private dialogue is key to identifying practical solutions to investment bottlenecks and strengthening collaboration on national priorities.
Also speaking at the event, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority, Gilead Teri, noted that Tanzania has made meaningful progress in positioning itself as a competitive investment destination, with ongoing reforms expected to further improve investor confidence and economic transformation.
Source: The Guardian
GOVERNMENT EYES CARBON TRADING TO TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE SECTOR
The government has identified carbon trading as a transformative opportunity for Tanzania’s agricultural sector, with the potential to increase productivity while creating additional income streams for farmers.
The remarks were made by the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Hamad Yussuf Masauni, during the launch of the Green Financing Strategy 2025–2027 in Dar es Salaam. The strategy was spearheaded by Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank.
Hon. Masauni emphasised that the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices and agroforestry will enable Tanzanian farmers to participate more effectively in the growing global carbon market.
Through carbon trading, farmers can earn carbon credits based on the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed and stored by trees and soil, effectively turning environmental conservation into an economic asset.
The minister noted that the approach offers a dual benefit by protecting the environment while also improving livelihoods, particularly for smallholder farmers who remain highly vulnerable to climate change.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening digital financial systems and expanding partnerships with specialised lenders to improve farmers’ access to financing, technology, and knowledge required for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable production models.
Source: Daily News
ARUSHA HOSTS EAC TALKS ON REGIONAL TRADE STANDARDS
The East African Community Standards Committee has convened a four-day meeting in Arusha to review progress in implementing regional programmes on standards harmonisation, quality assurance, metrology, and testing systems across member states. The meeting, which began on Tuesday, is also expected to evaluate achievements made so far and develop an implementation roadmap for the 2026/27 financial year.
Speaking during the session, Tanzania Bureau of Standards Acting Director General, David Ndibalema, said the gathering demonstrates the region’s continued commitment to strengthening cooperation through effective quality infrastructure systems.
Mr. Ndibalema noted that harmonising standards across EAC partner states is essential for improving product quality, enhancing trade efficiency, and safeguarding consumer protection within the regional market.
The 28th session, organised by the East African Community Secretariat, has brought together representatives from member states, technical subcommittees, development partners, and both national and international institutions responsible for standards development and harmonisation.
15th May 2026
Source: The Citizen
TANZANIA TO PRESENT $2.85 BILLION INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT GLOBAL FORUM
Tanzania is set to offer investment opportunities worth $2.85 billion to international investors as part of efforts to attract global capital and accelerate the country’s economic growth agenda. The opportunities will be showcased during an international investment forum scheduled for June 1–2, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.
The forum is being organised by Economic and Social Research Foundation and United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority and Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority.
A total of 60 projects under the Tanzania Investment Growth Facility (TIGF) will be presented to investors from 30 countries, with around 70 investors already confirmed to participate in the forum.
The investment portfolio covers several strategic sectors, including tourism infrastructure, renewable energy, transport and logistics, blue economy initiatives, Zanzibar development projects, agro-processing, water infrastructure, and sub-national development projects.
Speaking during a press briefing, Fortunata Songora Makene said Tanzania is well positioned to transform these opportunities into bankable investments.
She noted that strong investor interest is already emerging around an initial group of eight to ten high-priority projects valued collectively at approximately $100 million, which are expected to form the first phase of investment transactions.
Source: The Citizen
GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENS COMPETITION LAWS TO SAFEGUARD CONSUMERS AND INVESTMENT
The government is strengthening Tanzania’s competition laws as part of wider efforts to improve market efficiency, protect consumers, and create a more attractive environment for sustainable investment amid ongoing economic growth.
Officials and regulators say strong competition policies are becoming increasingly important as Tanzania diversifies its economy and deepens integration into regional and global markets.
Speaking at a high-level competition and trade forum in Dar es Salaam, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Aristides Mbwasi, said competition policy has become central to the country’s economic transformation agenda.
Representing the Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith Kapinga, Mr. Mbwasi emphasized that competition policy is no longer a secondary or purely technical issue, but a key pillar of inclusive economic development.
He noted that while Tanzania’s economy continues to expand, it is essential to prevent market concentration that could disadvantage consumers and small businesses.
Source: Daily News
TIRA PUSHES INSURANCE INNOVATION TO EXPAND FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth within the insurance sector as part of efforts to expand insurance access across the country.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the Risk, Resilience and Regulatory (R3) Lab Workshop themed Elevating Insurance Innovation, Baghayo Saqware said innovation is critical to building a modern, inclusive, and technology-driven insurance industry capable of responding to changing economic and social needs.
Dr. Saqware emphasized that collaboration among regulators, insurers, and other stakeholders is essential in developing a more responsive, accessible, and efficient insurance ecosystem.
He encouraged participants to exchange ideas, challenge conventional approaches, and contribute practical solutions that can shape the future of insurance innovation in Tanzania.
According to TIRA, innovation presents a major opportunity to extend insurance services to underserved groups, including low-income households, women, youth, smallholder farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and workers in the informal sector.
