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Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 make up two-thirds of Africa’s population. The number is expected to reach 75% by 2030. They live in an environment of rapid urbanisation, high unemployment rates and poor state services. These are some of the factors that incline young people towards political involvement – as seen in Kenya and Uganda most recently.

As the Kenya example illustrates, youth can use protests, advocacy, or voting to express their citizenship. At its most basic, citizenship is a legal recognition by the state that gives individuals rights and obligations.

But it’s more than that. Citizenship is a multifaceted, malleable identity, one in which citizens are always transforming and becoming through actions that generate a sense of belonging.

We have a combined 90 years of research experience investigating democracy and civil society, health policy and advocacy, and religion and politics in Africa. Our recent book, Africa’s Urban Youth, uses research in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania to answer this question: how do youth understand their citizenship amid challenges (like growing economic inequality and uneven democratic progress) and opportunities to shape the continent’s future?

Drawing from extensive fieldwork in Accra, Kampala and Dar es Salaam, this book investigates how Africa’s urban youth cultivate a sense of citizenship in this challenging environment, and what it means to them to be a “good citizen”.

In interviews and focus group discussions, African youth, activists and community leaders explained how income, religion and gender intertwined with their sense of citizenship and belonging. They crafted a citizenship identity that was rooted in their relationships and obligations to each other and the state.

We found that citizenship is a fluid identity that stretches beyond disappointment, protest, or voting. Despite being portrayed as either disillusioned, manipulated trouble-makers or idealistic agents, youth citizens exhibit a rich identity rooted in social practices. They are not waiting on elders to solve their problems. They look towards the future, while acting on obligations to improve the here and now.

What we found

We conducted 39 focus groups with people aged 18 to 35 in higher- and lower-income neighbourhoods in Accra, Dar es Salaam and Kampala. We also carried out 33 interviews with youth activists, 28 interviews with pastors who work with youth, and five case studies of youth organisations. We wondered: from the vantage point of African youth, what does it mean to be a good citizen? And, how does being a good citizen affect their actions in the local community and country? Do they view good citizenship to be different for men and women?

We paired this qualitative data with Afrobarometer results on youth community involvement and political participation. Our objective was to use the stories, impressions and experiences shared by young people to uncover the nuance and complexity of the patterns found in countrywide survey data.

We found overarching trends when we probed views of “good citizenship”. Although many began with legalistic replies — “a good citizen has an identification card” — most quickly moved to describing citizenship as daily actions within their own spheres of influence.

This citizenship crosses public-private boundaries, revealing itself in the household, market, workplace, classroom, worship space, street and voting booth.

The good citizen: Our respondents repeatedly described citizenship as active. The good citizen cares for a sick co-parishioner, lends a friend money, picks up trash in the community, patrols the neighbourhood at night to thwart thieves (for men) and raises children (for women). The good citizen also shares ideas at community meetings, prays for the nation (for churchgoers), gets an education, starts a business, and/or employs others.

For respondents, these actions helped to “build the nation”, an expression used predominantly by Tanzanian and Ghanaian respondents. This is perhaps due to its use by those countries’ independence leaders, Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah.

Our youth respondents imbued citizenship with a moral tenor. Many asserted that good citizens not only follow the law, but they also greet their neighbours, maintain peace in the community, and, for women, do not drink or stay out late. Tanzanians in particular emphasised these moral themes, as did mainline Christians (even more than Pentecostals). Youth were acutely aware that some elders urged this “future generation” to act appropriately and contribute to communal projects such as work days, while also denying youth status in public spaces.

Voting: Youth in our study spent little time describing good citizenship as voting, advocating or protesting. Ghanaians were slightly more talkative about these activities. Youth across the three countries viewed voting to be an expected, moral action with a social component. This echoed Afrobarometer findings that about 80% of youth do vote (a rate 5-8 percentage points below that of older adults).

They linked advocacy and protesting to their daily struggles and obligations. Protesting unfair economic practices reflected the need for money to help family or neighbours in need, an act of good citizenship. Advocating about domestic violence laws or mental health funding was rooted in personal experiences that pushed some youth to claim rights from the state.

Income: Income matters for how youth define their citizenship. Lower-income youth were more likely to stress community actions and obligations, while higher-income youth emphasised that others, particularly lower-income people, must obey the law.

Perhaps due to Ghana’s higher average income, its youth mentioned specific communal activities less than the broad notion that citizens build the nation. Regardless of income, youth – particularly men – asserted that entrepreneurship and hard work indicated good citizenship.

Coming of age with few state services and free market policies, they had absorbed neoliberal themes espoused by religious and political leaders. Neoliberalism, though, meant that good citizenship seemed unattainable to the unemployed youth who faced significant economic obstacles.

The bottom line

Three years of fieldwork in the three countries revealed that youth citizenship is distinct. Young people speak of specific challenges such as employment, obstacles to political leadership, and marriage expectations. But they are not despondent.

They also stress age-related contributions to building the nation, such as caring for children or doing physical work to improve their neighbourhood.

As youth continue to engage ever more boldly in politics, they will bring their citizenship understandings with them. Their productive and often visionary citizenship efforts reflect the value they place on both public and private actions, as well as their desire to see themselves represented as full citizens of their countries.

Amy S. Patterson, Professor, Department of Politics, Sewanee: The University of the South

Megan Hershey, Professor, Department of Political Science, Whitworth University

Tracy Kuperus, Professor, Department of Politics and Economics, Calvin University

Source: allafrica.com

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By XINHUA

The Horn of Africa would experience below-average rainfall during the October-December season, potentially leading to drought conditions, international agencies warned on Friday.

The agencies, which include the United Nations World Food Programme, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) of the East African bloc of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, said in an alert that climate models have predicted a transition to La Nina conditions during the second half of 2024, which could bring below-average rainfall.

“The greatest impacts are expected in central and southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya,” the institutions said in an alert issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Other countries to be affected are Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, where the second rain season happens in October-December.

Read: EA braces for hunger as floods destroy farms

The first rain season runs from March to May.

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The agencies noted that the below-average rains would lead to “crop failures, deteriorating pastoral conditions, water shortages, atypical livestock movements, increased disease outbreaks, and heightened food insecurity and malnutrition.”

They called on humanitarian partners to engage with local and national governments to support their contingency planning, the implementation of preparedness activities, and the identification of anticipatory actions, to mitigate the impacts of potential below-average rains.

The Horn of Africa has experienced severe drought events in the past, including in 2010/2011, 2016/2017, and 2020/2023, which were characterised by consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, the ICPAC said.

The droughts, exacerbated by higher-than-usual temperatures, have led to severe pasture and water shortages, livestock fatalities, failed cropping seasons, population displacements, rising food prices, worsening human health, and widespread food insecurity and malnutrition among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.

According to the WFP, some 20.4 million people across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, are currently facing high levels of food insecurity and in need of urgent assistance.

Read: Horn of Africa nations to face heatwaves

Acute malnutrition continues to be a major source of concern with estimates indicating that more than 6.2 million children below five years will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2024 in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, out of which 1.7 million will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, added the UN agency.

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Dodoma — For the majority of Tanzanians, except for those who have travelled to Western or Asian nations, hardly have an experience to narrate the comfort of travelling onboard an electric train.

The majority have always taken the conventional train travel from region to region.

For Dar es Salaam residents, they use conventional trains to commute to work as well as to conduct other activities.

For them, the familiar sound of the wheels clattering over the tracks, the occasional jolts and the dense air filled with the aroma of old upholstery were part of their daily routine.

Travelling was somewhat cumbersome and took a long time for passengers to reach their destinations.

No wonder, when the government announced the commencement of a new electric train line service from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro on June 14, this year and extending services to Dodoma on July 25th this year, it became a huge buzz and crowd puller.

The train services were officially launched yesterday by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

President Samia told thousands of Dodoma residents, who thronged Dodoma Station for the official launch of the electric train services, that the dream has finally come true.

She acknowledged the role of her predecessors- the third phase administration President late Benjamin Mkapa, who conceived the idea of coming up with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) electric train services.

ALSO READ: Why SGR service pulls crowd

Dr Samia also saluted the role of the fourth phase President Dr Jakaya Kikwete, whose administration conducted a feasibility study of the project and the late fifth phase President Dr John Magufuli for fully embarking on the execution of the project.

Indeed, the government has made the right decision.

Just at its infant stage, the electric train has ferried close to 200,000 passengers, according to the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General Mr Masanja Kadogosa.

Of those served, a total of 160,000 are passengers who travelled from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and vice-versa, pouring into the TRC coffers a sum of 2.4bn/-, while the Dar-Dom route has already collected a revenue of 744m/- from 28,000 passengers served so far.

Just yesterday, over 2,000 passengers, including a delegation of the president and other top government leaders, traversed to Dodoma from Dar es Salaam.

For the majority, it was both curious and exciting to experience the journey.

On a bright, crisp morning, I was part of the passengers and I arrived at the gleaming new station in Dar es Salaam initially baptised ‘Tanzanite,’ now Magufuli Station.

It is small but elegant both exterior and interior. As passengers stepped onto the platform, the contrast between this new technology and the traditional trains was striking.

Boarding was a breeze; the doors opened effortlessly and I was greeted by a spacious, well-lit interior.

The seats were comfortable, upholstered in soft, modern fabric. I chose a seat by the window and marvelled at how quiet everything was.

There was no clatter of wheels or hissing of steam, just a gentle hum of the electric engine working its magic. As the train pulled away, the ride was incredibly smooth.

I looked out the window and watched the cityscape transform into a blur of colours as the electric train gained momentum.

It quickly had three stopovers at mini stations in Soga, Ruvu and Ngerengere before the comfortable ride proceeded to Morogoro Region main Station now Christened Kikwete Station.

All the way, there were no sudden jolts or sways, just a steady, serene motion that felt almost like gliding through the line.

The electric train was sleek and modern, its shiny exterior reflecting the sunlight in brilliant streaks. Arriving at Dodoma Station, which was officially named after President Samia, was quite a nice experience.

The station itself was pristine, with clean lines and a contemporary design that made it feel almost futuristic. The train arrived at the station with barely a sound just a smooth, silent glide.

As the train pulled away, the ride was incredibly smooth.

I looked out the window and watched the cityscape transform into a blur of colours.

There were no sudden jolts or sways, just a steady, serene motion that felt almost like gliding through the city.

The onboard experience was impressive as well.

Digital screens provided real-time updates on the journey and the air conditioning kept the atmosphere comfortable

Source: allafrica.com

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President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday officially launched the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) electric train services, directing the Tanzania Railway Corporation to integrate it with other sectors to facilitate smooth transportation of goods and services.

At the inaugural event, the Head of State issued key directives to the Ministry of Transport to ensure Tanzanians benefit fully from the new train services.

“This is not just a railway; it is a lifeline that will bring our people closer, enhance trade and spur economic growth,” President Samia said.

ALSO READ: Why SGR service pulls crowd

The flagging-off event in Dar es Salaam yesterday saw President Samia boarding the electric train to Dodoma, with stops at Pugu, Ngerengere and Morogoro to greet citizens. The launch culminated in Dodoma, where she addressed the public.

President Samia urged the TRC board and management to ensure the timely completion of the ongoing railway construction sections, adhering to agreed standards and quality.

She directed the ministry to complete the construction and repair of cargo ships on various lakes before the project ends, facilitating commercial links with sea and lake ports, particularly Victoria and Tanganyika.

The integration of the railway with air transport is crucial. The railway should connect to Terminal III of Julius Nyerere International Airport, allowing goods to move directly onto the railway for easy onward transportation.

“The use of modern ICT systems, including railway security systems, ticketing and passenger tracking, should be prioritised to avoid reverting to manual systems,” she insisted.

The government expects the TRC to commence issuing dividends without requesting subsidies. Separate accounts and accountability systems for SGR and Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) should be maintained to ensure transparency, President Samia directed.

“The TRC must establish a new work culture, implement robust maintenance and safety systems and provide ongoing training for staff in infrastructure management, operations and marketing,” she urged.

President Samia emphasised that the success of the railway depends on the combined efforts of the central government, regions, districts and private sector stakeholders. “We must unite to ensure the railway benefits everyone.”

Support from stakeholders, she said including the African Development Bank (AfDB), has been secured for the remaining sections.

The President acknowledged her predecessors’ contributions to the SGR project, stating that it is now a reality, not just a dream.

President Samia further said in the first phase of the project, sections from Makutupora to Tabora (368 km), Tabora to Isaka (165 km) and Isaka to Mwanza (341 km) are being completed. The second phase involves the ongoing construction of sections from Tabora to Kigoma (506 km) and Uvinza to Musogati (365 km), connecting Tanzania with Burundi and the DRC.

“The SGR project aims to reduce travel time from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma by 60 per cent, from 9 hours to an average of 3 hours and 35 minutes, facilitating commercial and social activities between these major cities,” she said.

She added, “The SGR will reduce road congestion, minimise accidents, improve transportation efficiency and reduce environmental degradation. It will stimulate economic opportunities and boost regional trade within Tanzania and with neighbouring landlinked countries.”

According to her, the whole project, costing 23.3tril/-, requires protection and maintenance by citizens, especially those living along the route, to generate income. There are high expectations for revenue generation and economic growth.

President Samia further directed the Treasury Registrar to establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) with the TRC Board and management.

She said the railway must integrate with other sectors and cargo handling areas are being strengthened.

“Investment in SGR does not mean abandoning MGR, as the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is being revived. The project also includes developing the Dar es Salaam port and dry ports ta Kwala, Ihumwa and Isaka, with plans to connect the railway to several areas,” she said.

President Samia also outlined plans to connect Tanzania’s SGR infrastructure with neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

She highlighted the continent’s infrastructure challenges, noting that poor connectivity is impeding intra-Africa trade.

Dr Samia further said that her administration is prioritising the extension of the SGR network to bridge the gap between East and West Africa via Burundi and the DRC, noting the strategic importance of linking Tanzania’s ports to landlinked neighbouring countries, facilitating the movement of cargo and fuel.

Th Secretary-General of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, in his party and citizens’ greetings, said the President received the construction of this modern train, which had covered 722 kilometres and within his three years of leadership, she facilitated the construction of 1,522 kilometres, exceeding expectations.

“CCM members and Tanzanians, in general, are proud of your excellent leadership and that’s why citizens flock to see you, including the developments you are bringing, as witnessed at the Ngerengere meeting where more than 40 children were lifted and carried on their parents’ shoulders to see you,” Dr Nchimbi said.

On his part, the Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima, said that the region has achieved great success since the SGR began its journeys from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro before extending to Dodoma.

Mr Malima said that many passengers were using the transport from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and continuing their journeys by vehicles, as well as from other regions.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania marked historic milestone in transportation sector with inauguration of Dar es Salaam-Dodoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) route by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, yesterday.

Much has been said about the social and economic impacts of this long-awaited route, which is poised to be a transformative milestone for Tanzania’s transportation sector.

This modern rail link is expected to revolutionise travel within Tanzania by drastically reducing travel times and stimulating economic activities across different regions.

Aligned with Tanzania’s Vision 2025 and CCM’s 2020-2025 Election Manifesto, the government aims to foster a modern, integrated, inclusive and competitive economy supported by industrial growth, economic services and enabling infrastructure.

The party’s manifesto emphasises the importance of strategic infrastructure such as the electric SGR in enabling citizens to carry out their activities efficiently and effectively.

The SGR is prominently featured in the National FiveYear Development Plan spanning from 2021/2022 to 2025/2026, highlighting that its completion will enhance both social and economic activities in the country.

Construction of the railway commenced in 2017 with two segments between Dar es Salaam and Makutupora in the Singida region.

The first segment covers a total of 300 km between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, while the second segment spans 422 km between Morogoro and Makutupora, as outlined in the National FiveYear Development Plan.

Former President Jakaya Kikwete recently praised the initiative, commending President Samia for her dedication to completing the SGR project.

Dr Kikwete, who recently journeyed on the new electric train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, commended the comfort and efficiency of the service, highlighting its substantial reduction in travel time compared to road transportation.

“I am delighted to have experienced this new train service. It offers exceptional comfort. I intentionally opted for train travel to witness the progress we have achieved,” remarked Dr Kikwete.

The efficient Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) service is expected to catalyse regional development by improving connectivity between key economic centers.

ALSO READ: Samia launches historic Dar-Dom electric train services

The enhanced transport infrastructure is projected to attract investments, facilitate trade and provide a more dependable mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.

Moreover, the upgraded rail connectivity has the potential to boost tourism and bolster local economies along the railway corridor.

Dr Kikwete also emphasised the broader economic advantages of the SGR, citing its high capacity for transporting goods and its ability to further stimulate economic activities, particularly upon extension to Mwanza.

In separate interviews with the ‘Daily News’, economists and business analysts praised the electrified train route from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, foreseeing a significant upsurge in business and production in major cities and nationwide.

They praised the government for its dedication to completing the project from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, indicating that the successful completion of this phase bodes well for the timely completion of the remaining phases extending to other parts of the country.

Dr Sylvester Jotta, a business analyst and Lecturer at Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), described the achievement as a dream realized and a source of pride for all Tanzanians.

In an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News,’ Dr Jotta emphasised that turning dreams into reality requires determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort, all of which the government has demonstrated throughout this project.

Dr Jotta highlighted the socio-economic impacts of the modern electric SGR linking Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, noting that it signifies a significant milestone for Tanzania’s infrastructure on both a national and global scale.

By connecting the commercial centre of Dar es Salaam with the administrative capital of Dodoma, the SGR is expected to catalyse increased trade between the two cities, fostering rapid growth and development.

Dr Jotta anticipates that the electric train will expedite the expansion of both cities.

Economist Dr Isaac Safari highlighted that the introduction of the electrified train will drive competition in the transportation sector, impacting bus and aircraft owners who may choose to reduce fares to attract customers and gain market share.

Dr Safari emphasised that the electrified train will play a key role in diversifying the economies of Morogoro, Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, unlocking new investment opportunities such as real estate development, hotels and restaurants catering to travellers.

Additionally, he noted that the fast and affordable modern train will significantly reduce travel time for citizens commuting to and from Dodoma, allowing them to allocate saved hours towards economic productivity.

Dr George Mutalemwa, an expert in planning and development, urged the government to enhance infrastructure in rural areas to stimulate economic activities and foster overall development.

Mr Said Kaoneka, a resident of Kigamboni, foresees that the transportation system will simplify commuting for employees working in Dodoma while their families reside in Dar es Salaam.

For Tanzania, this presents a new driver for economic growth as many expect the project will massively transform the transportation sector by facilitating quicker transportation of goods and people, thereby fostering regional connectivity and economic integration.

Source: allafrica.com

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