Josephine Christopher is a senior business journalist for The Citizen and Mwananchi newspapers
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Her itinerary included visits to Mufindi, Mafinga town, and Kalenga, where she addressed thousands of supporters, highlighting her administration’s commitment to uplifting all Tanzanians, particularly those in rural and underserved areas
Iringa. The CCM presidential candidate, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has turned her campaign spotlight on delivering an inclusive economy, pledging reforms and investments to benefit farmers, traders, and ordinary families.
On a whirlwind tour through Tanzania’s southern highlands, the incumbent President wrapped up her stops in Njombe Region with a rally in Makambako constituency before moving into Iringa Region.
Her itinerary included visits to Mufindi, Mafinga town, and Kalenga, where she addressed thousands of supporters, highlighting her administration’s commitment to uplifting all Tanzanians, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
Makambako, described by local CCM parliamentary candidate, Mr Daniel Chongolo, as a vital commercial hub bordering southern and southwestern regions, served as the final Njombe stop.
Mr Chongolo praised recent improvements to the central market and pledged to oversee water projects, district hospitals, roads, and education initiatives if elected.
Addressing a massive crowd on Saturday, September 6, 2025, President Hassan began by thanking attendees for their turnout, interpreting it as a sign of approval: “This gathering is clear evidence that you are satisfied with us, and we thank you.”
“My fellow citizens, we come boldly to ask for your votes based on two things: what we’ve already done for you in Makambako and what we plan to do in the next five years,” said President Hassan.
Responding to Chongolo’s requests on behalf of residents, President Hassan announced maize purchasing centres.
“I want to give you good news that within this month, perhaps starting next week, we’ll open maize buying centres in Njombe Region,” she said, adding: “The exact locations will be decided, but we’ll establish centres within the region.”
This aims to stabilise prices for farmers, ensuring smallholders in this maize-producing area can access fair markets and contribute to national food security.
On a proposed wind power project, she instructed aides to receive the proposal, “Wind power, solar, gas, and our reliable hydropower, all are clean sources. Tanzania leads in clean energy production, so we’re ready to review this proposal and see what’s feasible.”
Addressing the need for a one-stop centre to streamline business in Makambako, President Hassan committed to consideration.
On a dry port request, she assured review, noting that dry ports would enhance logistics for exporters, particularly in agriculture and mining, ensuring remote areas like Makambako are not left behind in global trade.
Entering Iringa Region, President Hassan made brief stops in Mufindi and Mafinga towns, reiterating themes of unity and progress before arriving in Kalenga for a major address and refuting claims that her government favours only the elite.
“Let me debunk the notion that my government is not for the poor… I lead all Tanzanians, not just the vulnerable,” she declared.
“We’re working for low-income Tanzanians so we can all move toward an inclusive economy together,” she added.
Outlining specific plans, she highlighted infrastructure expansions: “In Kalenga district, we’ve planned to add 32km of tarmac roads to the network, along with other essentials like key bridges and dams.”
This would improve connectivity, enabling easier transport of goods and access to markets for rural residents.
On agriculture and water, she announced machinery purchases in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture and Water.
“We’ve bought equipment to build dams in the next term,” she said, noting these would support irrigation for smallholder farmers, boosting yields and resilience against climate challenges.
Throughout the day, President Hassan’s messages wove a narrative of inclusive growth: clean energy for sustainable jobs, better markets for farmers, streamlined business for traders, and infrastructure for connectivity.
