Browsing: Tanzania

• Since its launch in 2019, PalmPay has evolved into a financial super app that simplifies money transfer and expands access to digital financial services.
• By 2025, the platform manages over 35 million registered users, who conduct up to 15 million transactions daily.
• These users rely on PalmPay for instant cash transfers, credit, savings, insurance, and business tools tailored to power micro, small, and medium enterprises.

PalmPay, a rapidly scaling neobank and fintech platform targeting emerging markets, has been crowned Africa’s fastest-growing financial services firm by the Financial Times in its 2025 ranking of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies. Compiled in partnership with global research firm Statista, the list placed PalmPay second overall among 130 trailblazing businesses, cementing its leadership in the continent’s evolving digital finance segment.

The ranking reflects a remarkable performance trajectory. From 2020 to 2023, PalmPay posted a jaw-dropping annual growth rate (CAGR) of 583.6 per cent, driven by …

• This expansion drive comes on the heels of Hyatt’s impressive 51 per cent rooms growth across Africa in the past two years alone.
• “Last year marked a breakthrough for Hyatt in Africa, and we’re just getting started,” states Stephen Ansell, Managing Director, Hyatt, Middle East and Africa.
• An outstanding feature of the hotel’s African strategy is the dual-brand model—a cost-effective and flexible solution for rapidly urbanizing cities.

As global hospitality brands sharpen their focus on untapped and emerging markets, one name is charting an ambitious course across Africa: Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The US-based multinational is betting big on the continent’s rising middle class, robust travel demand, and burgeoning business corridors—with plans to grow its footprint by a staggering 50 per cent by the end of 2030.

This expansion drive comes on the heels of the business’ impressive 51 per cent rooms growth across Africa in the past two years …

• Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania.
• Blackout came shortly after claim that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died—posted via a hacked account linked to the Tanzania Police Force (TANPOL).
• Earlier, President Suluhu warned activists from Kenya telling them not to “meddle” in her country’s affairs.

On May 20th, 2025, Tanzania’s digital sphere was abruptly silenced — again — for the second time in under 10 months, authorities in the East African country blocked access to X (formerly Twitter), as the ground heats up ahead of the general elections scheduled in October later this year.

According to global internet watchdog, NetBlocks, “Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the president has died, angering the country’s leadership.”

The claim that President Samia Hassan had died …

• In Paris forum, energy chiefs seek an “integrated development of energy systems” on Africa’s resource wealth that balances affordability, sustainability and sovereignty.
• This push comes even as consensus grows that Africa’s energy mix must be as diverse as its development challenges.
• Captains of industry note that governments must move faster, cut through bureaucracy, and treat natural gas not as a waiting game, but as the bridge to affordable, inclusive, and sustainable energy systems.

The question of how to better harness Africa’s resource sustainably has seen industry chiefs from the continent suggest plans that could help different needs at the speed of need. “We don’t have the luxury of time,” declared Energean CEO Mathios Rigas, throwing down a gauntlet to African leaders, investors, and energy players at the closing session of the Invest in African Energy Forum.

Rigas wasn’t merely issuing a plea; he was unveiling a blueprint. A proven model …

• Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa have entered into talks with a view to end a devastating trade war.
• Malawi, South Africa ease trade restrictions as Tanzania lifts retaliation ban on transit goods.
• Countries reaffirm their commitment to strengthening trade, and fostering economic cooperation.

Tanzania and Malawi have finally come to an amicable end to their trade war with authorities in the two countries burying the hatchet after bilateral discussions. The talks resulted in a Simplified Trade Regime Agreement (STRA) that covers South Africa, a regional trade powerhouse that was also caught in the line of fire between the two nations.

In a media communique released at the start of this month, Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bashe said previously instituted restrictions have now been suspended.

He said the two countries have reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening trade, fostering economic cooperation, and resolving what he described as ‘existing issues.’

The …

• Dar es Salaam hosts Egypt-Tanzania Business Conference.
• Trade mission comes in wake of Tanzania-Ethiopia energy pact.
• Trade mission organized by the Egyptian Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers.

In March, Egypt sent powerful business delegation to Tanzania for the inaugural Egypt-Tanzania Business Conference which was held in Dar es Salaam. Ambassador Sherif Ismail, Ambassador of the Arab Republic to Tanzania, inaugurated the event which he termed marked the beginning of a high ranking Egyptian trade mission to the East African country.

“The event was organized by the Egyptian Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers in collaboration with the Export Council for Building Materials, Refractories, and Metallurgical Commodities, and coordinated by the Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS),” the press release issued at the event detailed.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Sherif Ismail cited “strategic importance of the forum in deepening economic and trade relations between Egypt and Tanzania.” Additionally, the …

• Tanzania’s avocado export volume up 74% to 26,826 tonnes in 2023.
• Exports of the super-fruit earned Tanzania $77.3 million in 2023 and projections show the country realized even more last year.
• Analysts say increased demand of the fruit is due to growing number of health conscious consumers.

The appeal of Tanzania’s avocado in key export markets globally is increasing as global demand for the super-fruit grows amid growing number of health conscious consumers. Health benefits of avocado consumption include improving digestion, lowering the risk of depression, and preventing bone loss, experts report and it is this knowledge that is driving global demand.

“Avocado exports from Tanzania have experienced a 74 per cent increase, rising from 15,432 tonnes in 2021 to 26,826 tonnes in 2023,” the latest report from the head of Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi.

Dr. Mkindi made the remarks at the avocado stakeholders’ conference recently in …

• Is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) serving only large but capital-strapped businesses?
• How can startups and SMEs benefit from the continental trade bloc?
• In Tanzania, an alliance of the AfDB and BOAT is set to offer credit guarantee to  SMEs keen on continental trade and expansion.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, second only to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Given it’s size and scope, the AfCFTA has the potential to bolster small business growth across the country and continent, comments economist Prof. Odiop Massaza.

The economics, however, raises a key question; ” Does this facility (AfCFTA) actually help small businesses grow or are the big ventures enjoying the benefits alone?” Prof. Massaza was speaking in a recent exclusive interview with The Exchange following the launch of a credit facility by the  African Development Bank …

• Tanzania is intensifying efforts to shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture by tripling its agriculture budget and investing in new grain storage infrastructure.
• Recently, President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched the construction of 28 rural warehouses and announced plans to boost national grain storage capacity to 3 million tonnes by 2030 to address food insecurity and reduce post-harvest losses.
• With an anticipated bumper maize harvest, Tanzania is also engaging regional trade opportunities while tightening export restrictions to protect local farmers and stabilize prices.

Tanzania has reiterated its commitment to transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. To achieve this ambitious goal, the country is scaling up its agricultural industry and is already anticipating a bumper harvest this season.

In line with this vision, Tanzania has significantly increased the budget for the Ministry of Agriculture. Notably, the ministry’s budget has tripled over the past three years—from 460 billion shillings (US$172 million) in …

• Precision Air, a Tanzanian airline, faces severe financial crisis, including a $26 million UK lawsuit over unpaid aircraft leases, government refusal for a bailout, and investor Kenya Airways reconsidering its stake.
• The airline is technically insolvent, with liabilities exceeding assets, massive losses, and struggles to repay debts, mirroring broader challenges in Africa’s aviation sector.
• Despite CEO optimism about recovery strategies, including cost-cutting and fleet upgrades, the airline’s future remains uncertain amid industry-wide turbulence and skeptical investors.

After years of reported financial problems, Tanzania’s Precision Air is now facing legal action in the UK with reports indicating that the Tanzanian government has rejected a bailout plea, and its key investor, Kenya Airways, is reconsidering its stake.

According to Global Trade Review, Export Development Canada (EDC)—a Canadian export credit agency—is suing Precision Air in the UK High Court over an unsettled debt of nearly $26 million from an aircraft financing agreement. The …