Richard E. Mshomba

Jan 7, 2025 | thecitizen.co.tz | Richard E. Mshomba

Tanzania is one of a handful of African countries that fully restricts dual citizenship. However, two months ago, the government “proposed amendments to its law so as to introduce a ‘special status’ to citizens of other countries with Tanzanian roots” (The Citizen, November 11, 2024). The main motivation behind that proposed bill, if not the only one, is to attract investment from, and economic engagement by, the diaspora.

Oct 25, 2024 | democracyinafrica.org | itarian Regimes |Salah Ben Hammou |Nic Cheeseman |Richard E. Mshomba

In September 2024, authorities in Benin detained the country’s former sports minister and a prominent businessman for allegedly plotting a coup against the West African nation’s president, Patrice Talon. Had a putsch materialized, Benin would have joined a growing list of African countries to have experienced a military coup over the past four years.

Sep 20, 2024 | democracyinafrica.org | itarian Regimes |Richard E. Mshomba |Craig Bailie

In my new book (for a discount code see the end of this blog) I provide analysis on how African countries have – or have not – benefited from non-reciprocal trade arrangements with the European Union, the US, and China. I show how, with the right domestic policies, African countries can benefit from these programs. But I also caution countries against overdependence on these arrangements, which are controlled by the preference-giving countries.

Jun 10, 2024 | thecitizen.co.tz | Richard E. Mshomba

Tanzania’s system for issuing certificates and transcripts to graduates needs reform. In Tanzania, when students graduate high school or college, they are not given their certificates (diplomas) immediately. Instead, they are supposed to travel back to the schools and colleges from which they graduated, months or years later, at their own expense, to collect them. For example, my nephew who lives in Arusha had to travel to Iringa where he went to school to collect his diploma.

May 16, 2024 | thecitizen.co.tz | Richard E. Mshomba

If a song was ever to be written and sung as a prelude to the annual presentation of reports by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), the name, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), would, undoubtedly, be the main feature of the chorus. How could it not be, given its notoriety for huge losses? On March 28, 2024, The Citizen reported, “Air Tanzania leads loss-making parastatals despite government investment.” ATCL is not bashful; it also leads as a recipient of government handouts.