Tanzania Business Insight

𝗨.𝗦. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 November 22 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dar es Salaam United States Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has called for an independent investigation and accountability over the deaths of protesters in Tanzania. The lawmaker voiced concern over the trajectory of the country. "Deeply alarmed by reports out of Tanzania, where a police crackdown on protests has left hundreds dead," Pressley (pictured) said on social media platform X in reaction to a CNN report on Tanzania's deadly protests. "We must have an independent, transparent investigation and accountability." She said the U.S. must always support self-determination and a peaceful democratic process. Pressley (Massachusetts-Democrat) is a member of the informal group known as "The Squad", whose members form a unified front to push for progressive changes. The other original members of "The Squad" are Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week called for a review of bilateral ties between the U.S. and Tanzania following last month's disputed elections and deadly protests. In a bipartisan statement, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the committee respectively, expressed grave concern over the latest political developments in Tanzania. "Tanzania’s continued pivot from the rule of law, reform, and good governance demands a genuine assessment of the U.S. bilateral relationship with Tanzania," they said. The U.S. contributes around $3 billion annually to Tanzania, with $1 billion from aid, and the rest from trade, FDI, and other inflows, according to a recent study by research group REPOA. The senators said Tanzania’s general election on October 29 was marred by state-sponsored political repression, targeted abductions and manipulation. "Tanzania’s election was decided well before October 29th. In response to these less than credible elections, Tanzanians took to the streets to display their deep frustration and anger," said the U.S. lawmakers. European Members of Parliament yesterday urged the European Commission to suspend 150 million euros (about TZS 425 billion) funding to Tanzania over the bloody protests.

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗡𝗚𝗢𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗭 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 November 20, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma President Samia Suluhu Hassan has suggested that foreign NGOs and their local counterparts sponsored the country's deadly Gen Z-styled protests last month. She did not name any names, but said there are reports that the country's youths were paid by NGOs to cause violence. "We are told that the youth were paid money before going into the streets.. where did this money come from?" She said. The president made the remarks at State House in Dodoma while inaugurating a commission of inquiry into the protests. She ordered the probe team to investigate the role of both international and domestic NGOs and opposition leaders in the protests. Samia's accusations echo claims made by President William Ruto in July last year when he issued a stern warning to international organisations for allegedly sponsoring violence in Kenya. Ruto said those sponsoring violence and anarchy in Kenya will not be tolerated and asked international NGOs to explain their role in  protests that rocked some parts of the country and what they were out to gain by sponsoring violence, mayhem and chaos. The U.S.-based NGO Ford Foundation dismissed Ruto's claims that it was sponsoring violence in Kenya.

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 November 19, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dar es Salaam President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed two veteran Tanzanian journalists to her private office at State House to help repair the country's battered image after deadly protests rocked the nation. A statement issued by the Presidency today said Samia has appointed former BBC Swahili Service veteran broadcaster Tido Mhando as her media and communications advisor, a new role at State House. She also named Bakari Machumu, former Managing Director of Nation Media Group's Tanzanian unit, Mwananchi Communications Ltd (MCL), as Director of Presidential Communications. The appointments come just a day after the president publicly admitted that Tanzania's global image had been tarnished by last month's deadly election protests. The Tanzanian government is under intense international scrutiny after Gen-Z protests hit the nation following disputed elections in which Samia was declared the winner with an unprecedented 98% of the vote. Opposition leaders and activists claim thousands of protesters were shot dead by security forces in what they describe as a bloodbath. The government has denied reports of a massacre but is yet to release any official death toll. A commission of inquiry appointed by Samia to investigate the cause of the protests has been rejected by main opposition parties, which are demanding an independent, international probe. 📷 (L to R): Tido Mhando and Bakari Machumu have their work cut out for them.

𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗭𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 "𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁" 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 November 18, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma The government announced today the formation of an eight-member team to investigate last month's deadly election protests. The "independent commission of inquiry" is chaired by former Chief Justice (CJ) Mohamed Chande Othman. Other members of the probe team are ex-CJ Ibrahim Juma, former Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue and retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Said Mwema. Also in the commission of inquiry are former diplomats, ambassadors Radhia Msuya, David Kapya and Lt. Gen. Paul Meela. But the inclusion of former Defence Minister Stergomena Tax as the eighth member of the team raised a few eyebrows from some members of the public who questioned the independence of the inquiry. A statement from State House identified Tax as a former SADC executive secretary, a post she held some years ago, and oddly ommittef mentioning her immediate former position as Minister for Defence and National Service. This means that the election protests occurred under Tax's watch as Defence Minister. "We expect the so-called independent commission of inquiry to invesrigate the conduct of all security and defence organs during the protests. So, how can the former Defence Minister investigate herself?" One Dar es Salaam resident querried.

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VIDEO: Former Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera announces the launch of the Commonwealth-led political reconciliation process in Tanzania.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗶 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗶𝗹 November 17, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, has appointed former Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera, as her special envoy to Tanzania to help kickstart a national dialogue on reconciliation and development after disputed elections triggered deadly protests. Dr Chakwera will arrive in Tanzania tomorrow for a four-day engagement to initiate an inclusive discussion with Tanzanian stakeholders as part of efforts to address issues surrounding the elections and to support the start of a national dialogue on reconciliation and development. During his visit, he will meet with government officials, political party leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, and other national and international stakeholders. The appointment follows the Secretary-General’s recent statement on Tanzania and her keen interest in engaging with the Tanzanian government. Secretary-General Botchwey said: “Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s experience and leadership will be important in supporting constructive dialogue among all stakeholders, and I am confident it will contribute to peace and stability for the people of Tanzania grounded in the Commonwealth’s shared values of inclusion, justice, and accountable governance.” Accepting the appointment, Dr Lazarus Chakwera said: “As an African from a neighbouring country who has followed the situation in Tanzania closely, I am deeply honoured by this invitation to serve as Special Envoy. I accept this assignment and am grateful for the Secretary-General’s confidence." "I am fully committed to supporting inclusive dialogue, which upholds democratic principles and strengthens the rule of law.” Dr Chakwera will be supported by the Assistant Secretary General, Prof. Luis Franceschi. The outcome of the visit will guide the Secretary-General on her decisions and actions on the way forward under her Good Offices role. Tanzania was plunged into unprecedented deadly protests after October 29 elections that left scores of people dead.

𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗴𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 Tanzania police described four CS M68 rounds allegedly found in the illegal possession of U.S. Army officer Charles Ongeta, who has dual American-Kenyan nationalities, as hand grenades. But, according to Grok, CS M68 is a type of non-fatal hand-thrown tear gas grenade. It is specifically a riot control device that releases CS gas (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile), a non-lethal irritant used by law enforcement and military forces to disperse crowds. It functions as a grenade that, when thrown, bursts to disperse the gas, causing temporary effects like eye irritation, coughing, and skin burning to incapacitate targets without permanent harm.

𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟰.𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 November 17, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma The Tanzania Police Force said it has arrested a United States Army sergeant with four hand grenades while attempting to cross into the country from neighbouring Kenya through the Sirari One Stop Border Post. The military man, Charles Onkuri Ongeta (30), who holds dual U.S. and Kenyan citizenships, was arrested yesterday. Police said he was found in illegal possession of four CS M68 hand grenades, whose importation into the country is prohibited. The suspect was in a Toyota Land Cruiser with Kenyan registtation number KDP 502Y. The Tarime Rorya Regional Police Commander's office said it was detaining the suspect for questioning and further investigation.

READ ALL ABOUT IT... National and regional newspapers optimistic about prospects of national healing and political reconciliation after President Samia Suluhu Hassan's address to Parliament yesterday.

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 November 14, 2025 ◾ President adopts motherly tone to nation's Gen Z population ◾Announces a conditional presidential pardon to alleged protesters ◾But the president's speech falls short of answering calls for an independent inquiry, accountability and reparations 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma President Samia Suluhu Hassan acknowledged the deaths of Tanzanians during election day protests by observing a minute's silence in her address to Parliament and adopted a motherly tone to the nation's Gen-Z population. She offered a conditional presidential pardon to some of the hundreds of youths charged with treason over the protests in her speech before Parliament today. The conditional pardon fell short of calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all suspects arrested over the protests. The President also did not address a chorus of calls for an end to abductions and the release of opposition chief Tundu Lissu, who has been incarcerated over treason charges since April this year. Samia announced the formation of a commission of inquiry to investigate the cause of the unprecedented riots. She said findings of the probe team would help inform an upcoming political reconciliation process. She made a direct appeal to Tanzanian youths, akin to a mother speaking to a problem child. "To my children, the youth of Tanzania... you should never allow yourselves to be persuaded to burn your own country," she said. She also pledged to form a new full-fledged Ministry for Youth that will be dedicated to addressing the concerns of young Tanzanians. The president said she was also considering the possibility of appointing youth advisors to her private office at State House. Samia said in her first 100 days after the election, her government will allocate 200 billion shillings for the economic empowerment of youths and women. But despite a few positives in her speech, she did not give any specifics on the government-led commission of inquiry. There have been demands from activists and opposition leaders for the formation of an independent inquiry because the government can not investigate itself. Security forces have been accused of excessive use of force and possibly killing hundreds or thousands of unarmed civilians during the protests. The government has denied allegations of a massacre but has thus far failed to provide an official death toll. It remains to be seen if Samia's speech will kickstart the process of healing, reconciling, and uniting the divided nation after the deadly protests.

Million ❌️ Billion ✅️

𝗨.𝗦. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 November 14, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has called for a review of bilateral ties between the U.S. and Tanzania following last month's disputed elections and deadly protests. In a bipartisan statement, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the committee respectively, expressed grave concern over the latest political developments in Tanzania. "Tanzania’s continued pivot from the rule of law, reform, and good governance demands a genuine assessment of the U.S. bilateral relationship with Tanzania," they said. The U.S. contributes around $3 billion annually to Tanzania, with $1 billion from aid, and the rest from trade, FDI, and other inflows, according to a recent study by research group REPOA. The senators noted that Tanzania’s general election on October 29 was marred by state-sponsored political repression, targeted abductions and manipulation. "Tanzania’s election was decided well before October 29th. In response to these less than credible elections, Tanzanians took to the streets to display their deep frustration and anger," said the U.S. lawmakers. "Unfortunately, instead of heeding calls for reforms and electoral transparency, the government of Tanzania’s heavy handed security response resulted in the death of hundreds and the abduction and imprisonment of many more." The senators said in the joint statement that Tanzania has experienced an unprecedented level of violence over the course of the election. "Internet shutdowns disrupted business operations, limited communications, and left Tanzanian citizens isolated. Tanzania’s ruling party has created an environment of fear that challenges the security of the country and neighboring countries," they said. The lawmakers said U.S.-Tanzania relations have for decades been underpinned by shared democratic values, global security, economic prosperity, and strategic investment. 📷 The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate, Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho) and Ranking Member of the committee, Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire).

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 November 13, 2025 𝘽𝙮 𝙏𝘽𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 Dodoma The appointment of Mwigulu Nchemba as the Prime Minister today all but confirms that Dr Rhimo Nyansaho will be named the new Finance Minister. Nyansaho, a former banker, was appointed Director General of the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF) in May this year. Khamis Mussa Omar, Tanzania's former Ambassador to China, is expected to be named Deputy Minister of Finance, according to the political grapevine here in Dodoma. Nyansaho comes from mainland Tanzania, while Omar is a native of Zanzibar. This is in line with a recent tradition of sharing the minister and deputy minister positions between candidates from both sides of the union in certain ministries. Nyansaho previously worked as Director of Business Development at the Dar es Salaam-based Azania Bank, while Omar is a former Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Finance in Zanzibar. Omar unsuccessfully sought nomination from CCM in 2020 to run as the ruling party's presidential candidate in Zanzibar. 📷 Left to right: Incoming Finance Minister Dr Rhimo Nyansaho and his deputy Khamis Mussa Omar.

𝗭𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗨𝗡 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ❝ We call for an independent, impartial probe into the October 2025 Massacres, spearheaded by the United Nations or the African Union. Let truth’s blaze illuminate every savage act, every command issued, every life extinguished. To clean these wounds, we must seize transitional justice. Truth commissions, reparations for grieving families, and ironclad accountability for the guilty from trigger-pullers to puppet-masters. Impunity dies here, smashing the cycle of abductions and terror that has gripped us. The heads of defence and security forces must resign immediately. Their betrayal is unforgivable, turning protectors into predators, sowing terror where security should reign. ❞ Zitto Kabwe in his ppwerful op-ed in The Chanzo thechanzo.com/2025/11/13/our…

"We demand immediate steps to mend the shredded trust. The unconditional release of all ensnared in politically motivated charges, including our fearless brother Tundu Lissu and every opposition leader, activist, and citizen jailed for truth-telling. This must happen now, no delays, no excuses," Zitto Kabwe. Read more: thechanzo.com/2025/11/13/our…

'𝗠𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀': 𝗭𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲 ❝My heart weeps no, it bleeds as we confront the nightmare that has swallowed our nation whole since the bloody October 29 elections. The air reeks with the cries of the innocent, the ground drenched in the blood of our brothers and sisters, a vicious betrayal that rips apart the very soul of Tanzania. How dare they! The barbaric massacres unleashed by our own security forces in Mwanza, Mbeya, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Songwe have shattered families, razed communities, and plunged our nation into unending grief. Mothers clutch empty arms where laughter once echoed; fathers scour the shadows for stolen loved ones; our vibrant youth, brimming with dreams, now rot in unmarked graves. These abominations – bullets fired into homes, kidnappings under cover of night, savage beatings of peaceful protesters – reek of the darkest tyrannies in our history, spitting on the unity and peace Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, our founding leader, fought so hard to build. ❞ Zitto Kabwe in his op-ed in The Chanzo thechanzo.com/2025/11/13/our…