Equity Group spearheaded a high-impact Trade and Investment Mission to Tanzania and Uganda, bringing together investors from across Africa and beyond to explore trade and investment opportunities in the region’s fast-growing markets. The week-long mission, which spanned Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kampala, was designed to promote cross-border trade and investment and strengthen regional value chains under the Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP).

Organized in partnership with Equity Bank Tanzania and Equity Bank Uganda, the mission convened over 50 investors from Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe, including entrepreneurs, private equity firms, development partners, and institutional investors. Delegates participated in panel discussions, B2B networking, government and business forums, and strategic site visits in sectors such as agribusiness, energy, tourism, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing and the Blue Economy.

“This mission is a strategic effort to unlock the enormous potential that exists in Tanzania and Uganda by connecting global capital to local opportunities,” said Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO. “Our goal is to catalyze investment and trade that deliver lasting impact, creating jobs, enhancing value chains, and driving inclusive economic growth.”

In Tanzania, the mission explored opportunities in agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy, ICT, and more. Investors visited key developments in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, where the blue economy and sustainable real estate are drawing rising interest.

“Tanzania is not just an emerging market, it is a rising economic powerhouse,” said Isabela Maganga, Managing Director, Equity Bank (Tanzania) Limited. “This is more than a roadshow; it’s a strategic platform aligning capital with national and continental priorities under AfCFTA. At Equity, we’re proud to help turn potential into progress.”

Government officials echoed the private sector’s enthusiasm.

“Tanzania is open for business, and institutions like Equity Bank are helping accelerate that momentum,” noted James Maziku, Director of Investment Services at the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). “With a supportive investment climate and bold reforms, this initiative is timely and aligned with our national development goals.”

In Zanzibar, leaders praised the bank’s approach to inclusive investment facilitation.

“Equity’s initiative to connect local businesses with global investors is commendable,” said Hon. Omar S. Shaaban, Zanzibar’s Minister of Trade and Industrial Development. “It’s rare to see a financial institution so actively building cross-border investment bridges.”

Hon. Rashid Ali Salim, Deputy Principal Secretary in Zanzibar’s President’s Office, added, “This mission is a gateway for our people to access international markets, especially in tourism and the blue economy. It’s a true example of impactful public-private collaboration.”

The Uganda leg of the mission focused on value addition, manufacturing, and agri-tech, with delegates touring industrial zones and holding discussions with policymakers and entrepreneurs.

“Uganda is emerging as a dynamic investment destination, thanks to its stable economy, rich resources, and reform-oriented environment,” said Gift Shoko, Managing Director, Equity Bank Uganda. “This mission showcases real opportunities to create local value for regional and global markets.”

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) highlighted the importance of such partnerships in shaping a stronger regional economy.

“This mission reflects our readiness to collaborate with the private sector in attracting investment, boosting industrialization, and building resilient economies,” noted a PSFU representative. “Such partnerships are key to unlocking Africa’s next growth frontier.”

The trade mission built on the legacy of successful Equity-led trade and investment missions in recent years, including Kenya-DRC, US-Tanzania, Belgium-DRC-Rwanda, Singapore-Kenya, India-Kenya, South Africa-Kenya, US-Tanzania-Kenya, India-Rwanda-Uganda, and DRC Investors Roadshows. These missions have helped catalyze billions in investment, facilitate new business partnerships, and supported regional trade integration helping to facilitate the Africa Free Continental Trade Area Agreement, of which Equity Group is a signatory. In addition, through a formal partnership with the East African Community (EAC), Equity is actively supporting the creation of a common market by accelerating the implementation of the ARRP.

As part of its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, Equity Group is redirecting liquidity equivalent to 2% of the region’s GDP toward the private sector, targeting critical value chains in agriculture, manufacturing, MSMEs, and infrastructure. The plan aims to reach 100 million people and businesses by 2030 and create up to 50 million jobs across the continent.

Ronny Mulongo, a representative from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) said, “This mission reflects our region’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector in attracting investment, driving industrialization, and building resilient, inclusive economies. Partnerships like these are essential for unlocking Africa’s next phase of growth.”

The Tanzania-Uganda Trade Mission is a continuation of the Group’s commitment to transforming lives and livelihoods by connecting people, capital, and opportunity across Africa.

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Activist Boniface Mwangi was Thursday morning deported from Tanzania by road and dumped in Ukunda in Kwale County.

He was rushed to a Diani hospital for a medical review after preliminary observation indicated he looked injured and frail.

 “We have a picture sent to us showing he is injured and frail. He is okay under medical review,” said a family member.

His family said they were informed he was injured and looked frail.

Earlier, Prime Cabinet Secretary, who is also the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed that Mwangi had been released by authorities in Tanzania.

Mwangi’s release follows mounting public pressure and diplomatic engagement, with Kenyan citizens threatening protests outside the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi.

He had been missing since Monday, when he flew to the East African nation to attend the court hearing of opposition figure Tundu Lissu.

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Tanzanians have today (Wednesday October 28, 2020) taken to the ballot to elect their leaders in yet another general election that has been deemed as a two horse race between incumbent president John Pombe Magufuli of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition party Chadema’s Tundu Lissu.

Magufuli, whose party has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, is seeking a second term in office.

Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt three years ago, returned from Belgium in July where he had undergone rounds of treatment for gunshot wounds, and is the main Magufuli’s challender in this year’s elections.

However, Tundu Lissu has taken to social media to claim that there irregularities have already marred the voting process.

He argued that he had received reports which indicated widespread irregularities in the form of preventing his polling agents from accessing polling stations.

According to Tundu Lissu, stuffed ballot boxes had already been seized in Kawe, Dar-es-Salaam.

He claimed that if the process continues in that manner, there would be a mass democratic action, which he claimed that will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election.

“Voting reports indicate widespread irregularities in the form of preventing our polling agents from accessing polling stations. Stuffed ballot boxes seized in Kawe, Dar. If this continues, mass democratic action will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election,” Tundu Lissu tweeted.

Lissu’s campaign was suspended for seven days after being accused of sedition by the electoral commission. He had reportedly said that Mr Magufuli was planning to rig the elections, but the commission said there were no such attempts.

Earlier on, there were reports of restricted internet access plus the arrest of an opposition leader in the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.

Voters have until 16:00 local time to cast their ballot. Results are expected to be announced within one week.

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Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has ordered public transport to resume normal operations without any adherence to Covid-19 restrictions.

This comes a day after he banned the use of face masks.

Magufuli through a press statement dated May 24 banned wearing of face masks on grounds that they create tension among Tanzania residents, with some closing down their businesses due to fear.

Magufuli allowed Public Service Vehicles to start carrying passengers to maximum as before. He has also ordered all schools to reopen.

He urged Tanzanians to thank God that they had defeated coronavirus pandemic, citing that they should only continue washing their hands since it is just a matter of good hygiene.

Magufuli has said the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals is declining, although the government has not released data on infection rates for many weeks.

The president has repeatedly downplayed the risk of the pandemic, causing alarm among neighbouring African countries and international organisations.

The government has even urged Tanzanians to dedicate three days for thanksgiving this weekend as they say they’re beating the virus.

The main issue is that there’s been no official data on the coronavirus for weeks, and there are concerns that the authorities are trying to downplay the extent of the outbreak.

Doctors and healthcare professionals are afraid to speak out about coronavirus because of a climate of fear.

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A woman is reported to have slaughtered, cooked and eaten her child in Southern Tanzania.

Reports by BBC Swahili indicate that the suspect and her husband have been arrested for interrogation.

Ludewa area councilor Emmanuel Ngalalikwa told BBC Swahili that the woman has admitted committing the cannibalistic act.

Roncliffe Odit, a BBC Swahili reporter confirmed the news on the incident via his twitter account on Thursday evening.

“A woman is reported to have slaughtered, cooked and eaten her child in southern #Tanzania. The suspect & her husband have been arrested for interrogation. Emmanuel Ngalalikwa, #Ludewa area Councillor told the @bbcswahili the woman has admitted committing the cannibalistic act,” he tweeted.

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