Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania National Lottery is set to distribute up to Sh120 billion in prizes throughout 2025, creating over 2,000 jobs across the country.
The announcement was made during a press briefing on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Dar es Salaam, where the new management company, Ithuba from South Africa, was officially introduced.
Ithuba was selected from 10 applicants in May 2024, following a competitive search process that began in July 2022 to identify the operator for Tanzania’s national lottery.
The event was attended by key government officials, including Deputy Minister of Finance, Hamad Hassan Chande, representatives from the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT), and the leadership team from Ithuba.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Ithuba Tanzania, Mr Kelvin Koka, emphasized the profound impact the National Lottery will have on the nation.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tanzania — one that promises to empower individuals, uplift communities, and drive national development,” Koka said, addressing an audience that included media representatives and business stakeholders.
With an initial investment of $20 million (Sh50 billion), Ithuba said it is committed to bringing world-class lottery games to Tanzania.
The games, which will range from exciting draw-based formats to instant-win options, are designed not only to provide life-changing opportunities for players but also to stimulate the local economy.
The National Lottery is set to make a significant impact, with the total prize pool for 2025 expected to reach up to Sh120 billion. This level of prize distribution is expected to be a game-changer, creating new opportunities for thousands of Tanzanians.
“At Ithuba, we’re not just launching a lottery; we’re creating a movement that will transform lives,” Koka added. “This is more than just a game — it’s about giving Tanzanians the chance to change their futures, support local businesses, and contribute to the country’s development.”
The National Lottery will be supervised by the Gaming Board of Tanzania, ensuring fairness, transparency, and integrity in all operations.
According to Ithuba, every ticket purchased will not only contribute to the players’ success but also to community development. 50 percent of the revenue from taxes and commissions will be allocated to support sports activities across the country.
Beyond the direct impact on players, the National Lottery is expected to create significant business opportunities.
Over 2,000 jobs are anticipated to be created in the first year alone, with retail agents projected to earn commissions totaling more than $6.6 million. Retailers and service providers will play a key role in the success of the lottery, benefiting from increased foot traffic and business growth.
Media outlets will also benefit from the National Lottery’s widespread reach. A dedicated advertising budget of $3.5 million will ensure that the lottery’s message reaches households across Tanzania, providing media partners with exclusive content and opportunities to cover winners’ stories and special events.
On the other hand, the Gaming Board of Tanzania will play an essential role in overseeing the lottery’s operations, ensuring that the process remains transparent and fair.
The funds generated by the lottery will go towards supporting sports initiatives, helping foster national pride and promoting healthy living across the country.
Ithuba, which also has a presence in South Africa and Uganda, said the introduction marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to Tanzania. The company has secured an 8-year license to operate the National Lottery, and Koka emphasized that Ithuba’s vision extends beyond the immediate launch.
“We are building a platform that will not only deliver exciting gaming experiences but also contribute to the long-term prosperity of Tanzania,” Koka concluded. “The National Lottery is here for the long haul.”
With life-changing prizes, an accessible platform for ticket purchases, and a focus on local growth, the National Lottery under Ithuba Tanzania is set to leave a lasting impact on the Tanzanian economy and society.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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