Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on May 13, 2025.
Finland President’s State Visit to Tanzania: Friends We Keep
The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, is expected to pay a state visit to Tanzania from May 14 to 16, 2025. President Stubb last visited Tanzania in 2013 as the Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade.
During his last visit in 2013, by then, Stubb shared about his ‘dignified foreign policy’ approach, and explained what it meant to Europe and countries like Tanzania. It was a policy that balanced realism and fairness. In his remark, Stubb urged Tanzania to brand itself by highlighting the progress it has attained, to change outdated perceptions in Europe and even Asia.
Fast forward to 2025, the European Union itself is adapting to changing realities, as the world becomes more transactional, and doubts over the current rule-based world are in the air, with the new inclination to ‘might is always right’. I have mentioned this because I have listened to some of Stubb’s lectures. If you are an ardent follower of geopolitics, you will enjoy listening and, most importantly, his perspective, which I believe aligns with most of what African countries will advocate for. Most African states want to see a state of international order where fair rules apply, and international laws accepted by all states mean something.
Read the full article here.
Government to Extend Samia Scholarship to Fund Students in Data Science Studies
The government plans to expand the scope of education sponsorship for students who achieve high performance in Advanced Level Secondary School national examinations, enabling them to pursue studies in data science disciplines, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related sciences.
Speaking in Parliament during the presentation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s budget, Minister Adolf Mkenda said the program will be known as Mama Samia Scholarship Extended for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Allied Sciences.
“The aim of the Samia Scholarship Extended program is to produce highly skilled experts in data science who can compete and work anywhere in the world,” said Mkenda, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rombo constituency.
Read the full article here.
INEC Announces Eight New Constituencies, Bringing Total to 272
Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Monday, May 12, 2025, the creation of eight new constituencies and the renaming of twelve existing ones, bringing the total number of constituencies for the upcoming general election to 272.
The process began on February 27 and concluded on March 26, 2025. During this period, INEC reported receiving 34 applications for the division of electoral constituencies and 10 applications for constituency name changes.
Following consultations with stakeholders, INEC made its decisions based on several key factors: the capacity of Parliament, the number of special seat members, the need to ensure that a single constituency is not represented in two different councils, and population thresholds, at least 900,000 people for urban constituencies and 400,000 for rural ones. Read the full article here
Tanzanian Victor Makere Announced as New Visa Country Manager for Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda
In a statement, Visa said Victor will be responsible for driving Visa’s strategic growth, enhancing client relationships, and expanding digital payment solutions across these key markets.
Victor will manage a diverse client portfolio across the four countries, aiming to boost Visa’s strategic value, increase revenue for both clients and Visa, and strengthen executive relationships. He will also set business objectives and lead key projects, including new product and service implementation.
Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager for East Africa at Visa, said the company was “delighted” to welcome Victor to the Visa East Africa leadership team. Read the full article here.
Is Democracy Still Delivering? A Reflection on a Fading Promise
The emerging bold voice of the youth around the globe in political processes, as rights holders demanding actualisation of their rights, besides inclusion, quality services, and employment, demonstrates the dwindling faith most people have held in the promise of democracy.
The evolution of digital communication and activism only makes the world wonder whether there is a new conception of what democracy is, and how it works, or signifying the quiet death of its promise? It appears as though democracy is declining in most countries, seemingly losing its regard as the last bastions of human rights, inclusive political culture and effective governance.
The system appears tarnished, redundant, and, to many, unable to deliver on its fundamental promises. Read the full article here.
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