Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Debate Ensued Over Reports of Tanzania’s Gold Reserves Sale Plans Amid Aid Cuts and Election Fallout
The Tanzanian government has announced plans to sell a portion of its national gold reserves to finance infrastructure projects, as it confronts a potential suspension of development aid from international partners.
The decision, confirmed by Minister of State in the President’s Office Kitila Mkumbo in late January 2026, comes in the aftermath of a violent government crackdown on youth-led protests, which coincided with the disputed October 29, 2025, presidential election, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.
The move has ignited a nationwide debate about the country’s economic future, its relationship with development partners, and the legitimacy of using strategic reserves to fund development.
While the exact amount to be sold remains undisclosed, the decision reflects the government’s determination to pursue its development agenda despite the international pressure and aid reductions it now faces.
Tanzania’s relationship with gold reserves extends back decades. The Bank of Tanzania first established a gold reserve in 1990, though this practice was discontinued in 2002.
The initiative to rebuild the reserve gained momentum in June 2021, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan signalled the government’s intent by launching a gold refinery in Mwanza. The formal process to re-establish the reserve began in April 2023, when the central bank started purchasing gold, having acquired 400 kilogrammes by that time. Read the full article here.
Uber Exits Tanzania Amidst Regulatory Squeeze and Fierce Competition
Uber, the global ride-hailing behemoth, has officially ended its services in Tanzania as of January 30, 2026, after nearly a decade of operations in the East African country.
The company’s departure, announced in a brief message to its customers, comes after a protracted struggle with a stringent regulatory framework and intense competition from its main rival, Bolt.
While Uber did not provide a detailed explanation for its exit, industry analysts and previous company statements point towards a challenging business environment created by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).
The government body has been assertive in its oversight of the ride-hailing sector, imposing fare caps and commission limits that have squeezed profit margins for operators. This regulatory pressure had previously led Uber to suspend its services in Tanzania from April 2022 to January 2023, a time where its competitor, Bolt, used to gain market ground, including launching motorcycle and tricycle rides.
The regulatory landscape in Tanzania for ride-hailing services is notably more interventionist compared to its East African neighbours. In March 2022, LATRA introduced an order that capped the commission for ride-hailing companies at 15 per cent, a significant reduction from Uber’s previous 25 per cent commission. Read the full article here.
1958 Geita Protests: One of the Sparks That Led to Tanganyika’s Independence
On July 15, 1958, the new Governor of Tanganyika, Richard Gordon Turnbull, was sworn into office in Dar es Salaam. He was famously known as the “Hammer of Mau Mau” because of his heavy‑handed tactics against Mau Mau freedom fighters in Kenya.
Just a week after his arrival, unrest erupted in Geita. From the second week of July 1958, growing dissatisfaction turned into an organized protest, culminating in a march of more than 6,000 residents from Geita to Nyamagana Grounds in Mwanza. Men, women, and children marched and camped at the Nyamagana ground for five days.
The Lake Zone was already a region of political tension. The main issue was resistance to the proposed mixed District Councils. Since 1955, the colonial government had begun establishing District Councils in Tanganyika. Previously, governance had relied on so called Native Authorities, mainly Chiefs. In most cases, Chiefs were selected for their loyalty to the colonial government, and where no suitable candidate existed, one was imposed.
The crisis in Geita intensified with the introduction of the mixed District Council under government restructuring initiative, in which Africans, Europeans, and Asians were to have equal representation in leadership. Government reported to UN that local Chiefs were consulted: “In February 1955, the Chiefs of the Geita District voluntarily agreed to the co-option of seven non-Africans onto the Geita District Council voluntarily.” Read the full article here.
Dira Mtaani: Tanzania’s Youth at a Crossroads—Legitimate Hustle or Illicit Shortcut?
Young Tanzanians are questioning whether they can achieve success through legitimate work, as they grapple with a struggling economy, limited government support, and the allure of quick, illicit gains. A recent youth talk dubbed Dira Mtaani in Dar es Salaam has brought these pressing concerns to the forefront.
In a candid and often raw discussion held in a suburb of Dar es Salaam on January 24, 2026, a group of young Tanzanians voiced their frustrations and aspirations, painting a vivid picture of the economic and social challenges they face.
The talk, the first in a series organised by The Chanzo and sponsored by the European Union Delegation in Tanzania, centred around discussions focusing on the newly launched Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
The conversation, which took place in the Zingiziwa ward of Chanika, revealed a deep-seated scepticism among the youth about the viability of traditional paths to success.
Many expressed a sense of disillusionment with the government’s ability to provide opportunities and support, leading them to consider informal and sometimes illicit activities as their only means of survival and advancement. Read full article here.
Form Four Exam Results Show Continued Improvement Amidst Stubborn Challenges
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) on Saturday, January 31, 2026, announced the results of the 2025 Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE), revealing a national pass rate of 94.98 per cent.
This marks a steady improvement for the third consecutive year, up from 92.37 per cent in 2024 and 89.36 per cent in 2023.
Out of the 555,606 candidates who sat for the examinations in November and December 2025, a total of 526,620 achieved a pass, which includes Divisions I, II, III, and IV.
The results were released by NECTA’s Executive Secretary, Dr Said Mohammed, following their approval by the council’s 170th meeting on January 26, 2026.
The quality of passes has also seen a positive trend, with 46.1 per cent of candidates (255,404 students) attaining the top grades of Division I, II, and III. This is an increase from 43 per cent in 2024 and 37.4 per cent in 2023, representing an 8.7 percentage point improvement in quality over the past two years. Read the full article here.
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