Tanzania

Heavy rain and strong winds caused damage and new flooding as Cyclone Hidaya hit the country over the weekend; ferry services between Tanzania's commercial centre, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar island - an international tourist destination - were suspended

The World Bank suspended funding for tourism development in southern Tanzania after allegations of murder, rape and forced relocation

Significant losses due to illegal fishing reached about 15,2 billion Tanzanian shillings (about US$5,9 million) between 2019 and 2023, according to the Controller and Auditor General's latest report

The country welcomed over 1,8 million tourists between 2021 and 2023, with a total revenue of $3,37 billion, now ranking 2nd in Africa for attracting tourists, after Ethiopia, and 3rd in tourism earnings after Morocco and Mauritius

Tanzania is the happiest country in Africa, the third happiest in the world, behind only Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic, a report by the Global mind project conducted among 500,000 people in 71 countries reveals

The World Bank predicts massive population growth for the country within the next 2 decades: Tanzania could reach 140 million people by 2050 from the current 68,8 million

Former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, known for introducing multi-party democracy in his country, has passed away

Authorities have developed a five-year strategy to protect and improve the welfare of people with albinism by providing them with health services, protection of their rights and more inclusiveness in the education process

The shortage of alcohol and the consequent soaring prices have left Zanzibar in severe difficulties at the beginning of the tourist season, with expected deep consequences as the tourist season generates 90% of the archipelago's revenue

UNICEF has pledged to support Tanzania to improve nutrition and thus end child stunting, which refers to a child being too short for his or her age and is the result of chronic or recurring malnutrition

The country will participate, for the first time in its history, in Venice Art Biennale 2024, from 20 April to 24 November; Tanzania pavilion will be hosted in the Fabbrica del Vedere with artists Happy Robert, Naby, Haji Chilonga and Lute Mwakisopile

The Tanzania Railway Corporation has taken delivery of three new electric locomotives and 27 passenger coaches for the new standard gauge railway under construction between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, which will extend to the border with Rwanda

During the New Year festivities, there was a large influx of Tanzanian visitors (around 400) to the Mikumi National Park; according to the Tanzania National Parks Authority, the promotion campaign for wilderness visits was a great success