Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on July 16, 2025.

IMF Estimates About 50,000 Tanzanian Health Workers to Be Affected by USAID Shutdown

The International Monetary Fund’s July 2025 Staff Report on Tanzania’s program indicates that over 20,000 Tanzanians working directly and indirectly in the health sector will be affected by the USAID shutdown. Additionally, 30,000 health workers who received supplemental income through USAID support are also expected to be impacted.

“Most foreign assistance cuts have affected the health sector, both supplies and staff. For instance, USAID employed over 20,000 workers, both directly and indirectly (including CSO and community workers), mostly involved in HIV, malaria, family planning, and child health treatments. Another 30,000 health workers were paid by USAID to carry out additional activities beyond their official duties,” the report reads.

The IMF report highlights that Tanzania was among the largest recipients of USAID support in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving USD 400 million, equivalent to about 0.5 percent of Tanzania’s GDP and accounting for approximately 40 percent of the country’s total health expenditure. The report estimates that around 0.2 percent of GDP per year in high-priority health spending will be affected by the funding cuts.

As part of its initial response to the USAID exit, the Tanzanian government adopted a supplementary budget in the second half of the 2024/25 financial year. According to the Ministry of Health, Tsh 93 billion was allocated to offset the anticipated budget shortfall.

“Through the coordination of the Prime Minister’s Office, we have conducted a comprehensive assessment. We have reviewed what we currently have, what we have ordered, and what we expect to receive. We have already put in place a strategic plan for the short term, medium term, and long term,” Tanzania’s Minister of Health, Jenista Mhagama, told reporters on April 25, 2025, regarding the USAID exit.

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Muhimbili National Hospital–Mloganzila Performs First Minimally Invasive Colon Tumor Surgery Using Local Specialists

Muhimbili National Hospital–Mloganzila (MNH–Mloganzila) has successfully performed, for the first time, a surgery to remove a tumor from the large intestine using a minimally invasive technique known as laparoscopic lower anterior resection, which was conducted by local specialists.

According to a statement released by the hospital, the surgery took approximately two hours, which is significantly shorter compared to traditional open surgery, which typically takes around four hours.

The statement further explains that this new service, now available within Tanzania, offers several benefits to patients: reduced pain after surgery, minimal blood loss, smaller surgical scars, shorter hospital stays, and quicker wound healing times.

Commenting on the procedure, Dr. Richard Mliwa, a specialist in gastrointestinal and liver surgery at MNH–Mloganzila, stated that this advancement was made possible through major investments by the government in medical equipment, healthcare infrastructure, and capacity building for medical professionals. 

“These investments have enabled the hospital to deliver proper and multidisciplinary care to patients using local expertise,” said Dr. Mliwa.

Gwajima Calls for Minimum Reforms and Allowing Tanzania’s Main Opposition Party, CHADEMA, to Participate in the Upcoming Election

Bishop Josephat Gwajima has called on the government and his party, the ruling CCM, to allow for minimal reforms and the participation of the opposition party, CHADEMA, in the upcoming election. Gwajima, who has remained at odds with his party and the government following his press conference on May 24, 2025, and a subsequent church sermon regarding abduction incidents, broke his silence today, July 16, 2025, speaking from an undisclosed location.

“Chama Cha Mapinduzi has more than ten million members, so we have nothing to fear, so I advise that we decide to allow those from CHADEMA to be given minimal reforms—after all, they are just asking for reforms,” Gwajima said.

He continued: “Let us try to identify which reform can be affordable at this moment, and give them a minimal reform, it doesn’t take much time. Let’s give them the reforms they want so we can go into the election with them.”

Gwajima argued that such a move is essential to ensure the legitimacy of power and to maintain calm and unity after the election, rather than having a divided country.

“Whenever you think about political victory, you must also think about winning in a way that will make it easier for you to govern the country and bring development to the people,” Gwajima argued.

“Why should we enter into a game while the person we’re supposed to play with isn’t participating?” Gwajima asked, drawing a comparison between the upcoming election and the rivalry match between Tanzania’s most popular football clubs, Simba and Yanga.

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Foreign Direct Investment in Tanzania Rises to USD 1.7 Billion, Highest in a Decade

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Tanzania increased to USD 1.7 billion, the highest level recorded since 2014. This is according to the 2025 World Investment Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

This marks a 28% rise from the USD 1.3 billion recorded in 2023. The increase is largely attributed to growing investments in infrastructure and the services sector. Tanzania’s total inward FDI stock also grew from USD 19 billion to USD 21 billion.

In the African context, Tanzania ranks as the eleventh largest recipient of FDI. Egypt leads with USD 46.5 billion, followed by Ethiopia with USD 3.9 billion, Côte d’Ivoire with USD 3.8 billion, Mozambique with USD 3.5 billion, Uganda with USD 3.3 billion, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with USD 3.1 billion, South Africa with USD 2.4 billion, Namibia and Senegal with USD 2 billion each, and Guinea with USD 1.8 billion.

Globally, total FDI flows fell by 11% in 2024 to USD 1.5 trillion. Despite this decline, Africa saw FDI inflows increase significantly, from USD 55 billion in 2023 to USD 97 billion in 2024. However, the continent continues to attract the lowest FDI inflows compared to other regions worldwide.

Fate of Lissu’s Petition Against ‘Secret Witnesses’ in False Information Case to Be Decided on August 12

The High Court of Tanzania is expected to deliver its ruling on August 12, 2025, regarding a petition filed by CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu, who is challenging the use of secret prosecution witnesses in his case involving the publication of false information.

Lissu’s Lawyer, Jebra Kambole, speaking outside the High Court premises in Dar es Salaam on June 17, 2025, stated that they had submitted their petition, while the prosecution had filed its defense supporting the use of secret witnesses. The parties now await the court’s decision.

Lissu is asking the High Court to declare that in case number 8606/2025, concerning the alleged publication of false information on June 9, 2025, the Resident Magistrate in Charge at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, Geoffrey Mhini, made a one-sided decision allowing the prosecution to present certain non-police witnesses in secrecy.

“Mr. Lissu was not satisfied with the magistrate’s ruling permitting witnesses to testify without revealing their faces, voices, documents, or names. He told us, his legal team, that he is not willing to have the case conducted in darkness,” said Advocate Kambole.

The prosecution submitted affidavits, one signed by the Attorney General and another by Dar es Salaam Zonal Crime Officer, SACP Faustine Mafwele—arguing that non-police witnesses should testify secretly due to alleged threats to their safety from Lissu’s supporters.

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