University of Dar es Salaam

This study examined the operational challenges faced by print media in Tanzania, with a focus on the Mwananchi and Habari Leo newspapers. The theories of Technological Determinism and Gatekeeping guided it. The study employed a qualitative, case-study design, data were collected through interviews with 29 media professionals, two focus groups, and 70 questionnaires completed by media staff, vendors, readers, and industry experts. The data were thematically analyzed, and the results identified five significant challenges facing print media operation in Tanzania, including: declining journalism quality due to staff layoffs and rushed stories, digital disruption leading to changing consumer behaviour from print to digital, financial constraints caused by decreased circulation, sales, and advertising revenue, an unfriendly media legal framework, and political and business pressures. The study recommends adopting digital technology to improve journalistic standards, increase flexibility, and attract digital consumers. It also advocates for a comprehensive policy review to promote a free, competitive, and sustainable media sector. Specifically, it urges the government to revise restrictive media laws to support the survival, independence, and growth of Tanzanias print media, striking a balance between technological advancements and robust protections for press freedom while maintaining the quality and standards of published news and information.

Evidence of natural infection with Wolbachia and its negative correlation with Plasmodium falciparum among wild malaria vectors has opened new avenues for utilization of Wolbachia in malaria vector control. However, the interaction between Wolbachia and Plasmodium parasites in mosquitoes tends to be species-specific and may show ecological variations. Among the primary malaria vectors in Tanzania, natural Wolbachia infection has only been observed in Anopheles arabiensis, while there is still limited information on Wolbachia natural infection in Anopheles funestus sensu lato, and its interaction with P.falciparum in the mosquito species. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of natural infection and co-infection of Wolbachia and P.falciparum in the An.funestus s.l. in southeastern Tanzania, and characterized the Wolbachia strains detected. The study was conducted in five villages in southeastern Tanzania between March and June 2024. Mosquitoes were collected from 52 households using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps and Prokopack aspirators, followed by morphological identification. Detection of An.funestus sibling species and Wolbachia was performed using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (Wolbachia only). Sanger sequencing was performed as a confirmatory test followed by phylogenetic analysis of the detected Wolbachia strains. P.falciparum sporozoites were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Wolbachia was detected in almost half of all wild An.funestus s.l. tested using the primary PCR (prevalence = 46.5%, N = 400); and more than half when nested PCR approach was used (prevalence = 70.8%, N = 400). Only three mosquitoes carried P.falciparum sporozoites (prevalence = 0.8%, N = 400) and only one showed co-infection with Wolbachia (prevalence = 0.3%, n = 400). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis involving both the 16S rDNA, coxA, and wsp Wolbachia genes showed that the detected strains clustered with Wolbachia supergroup B, specific for Dipterans. Unlike findings from the previous study, this study demonstrates that An.funestus s.l. in southeastern Tanzania are infected with Wolbachia, at a surprisingly high prevalence. This study also provides the first report on Wolbachia-P.falciparum co-infection status in An.funestus s.l. in Tanzania. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the association between native Wolbachia and P.falciparum in wild An.funestus s.l. in southeastern Tanzania.

ABSTRACT This study examined the population genetic structure, connectivity, and demographic history of the mangrove snail, Terebralia palustris, along the coast of Tanzania through mitochondrial COI sequence analysis. Samples were collected from Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Mafia, Pemba, and Unguja. The extraction of genomic DNA was done from muscle tissue using CTAB method and the COI gene was amplified by PCR amplification with the LCO1490 and HCO2198 primer pair. Subsequent analyses of the COI sequences revealed a moderate haplotype diversity and a low nucleotide diversity. Although Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs, were negative but non-significant (p > 0.05), a unimodal mismatch distribution and star-like haplotype network provided stronger evidence for recent demographic expansion in the population of T. palustris. Moderate genetic differentiation among populations was revealed by FST value, indicating substantial gene flow and the likelihood of a single panmictic population. The absence of significant genetic structure supports treating the T. palustris fishery along the Tanzanian coast as a single unit stock. Maintaining habitat quality remains important because healthy, connected habitats facilitate gene flow among sites, helping sustain genetic variation and enhancing the species’ long-term resilience.

The fundamental principles governing wind energy conversion, including the power equation and the Betz limit, are explained to establish a theoretical foundation. The chapter further delineates the key components of modern horizontal- and vertical-axis wind turbines, such as rotor blades, nacelles, and drivetrains, and classifies systems by scale and location. A significant focus is placed on the operations and control of wind turbines and wind farms, covering methods like pitch and yaw control, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), and wake management. Finally, the chapter explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in condition monitoring, contrasting traditional methods with advanced AI techniques like machine learning and deep learning to highlight their benefits in predictive maintenance, fault diagnosis, and overall system reliability. Through this structured examination, the authors aim to present wind energy as a cornerstone of the global transition to sustainable and renewable power sources.

The modern power grid is progressively being released from traditional plants in response to environmental concerns. This is possible due to advanced technologies in managing and controlling renewable energy resources, which enable these to participate in complex power systems. Wind and solar PV power stations are increasingly becoming significant on a global scale, continuously expanding their presence due to their ability to deliver environmentally friendly, sustainable energy. Moreover, integrating renewable energy sources, especially wind power, poses challenges related to management and control. This chapter offers detailed information regarding the requirements of grid codes, as well as the latest monitoring and control strategies that ensure stability, reliability, and the effective operation of wind power system integration. Additionally, it gives some practical worked examples and illustrations to emphasize the necessity for updated policies. The execution of these regulatory frameworks is essential for enabling the effective incorporation of renewable energy into the grid.

A significant logistical challenge inherent to wind energy is that the most abundant and consistent wind resources are frequently situated in remote, inaccessible areas, such as deep offshore locations or isolated plains, far from the urban centers that constitute primary electricity load centers. This geographical disparity necessitates a highly efficient, reliable, and economically viable method for evacuating large volumes of power over extended distances. This task is often proven inadequate for conventional alternating current (AC) transmission systems due to substantial power losses and stability issues.

Global seafood trade contributes significantly to economic development in low- and middle-income countries, yet participation remains uneven. Tanzania’s declining share of global seafood exports reflects broader structural constraints that limit sustainable integration into global markets. Using a gravity model and panel data from 2001 to 2021, this study examines how economic upgrading, demand similarity, and regulatory requirements influence Tanzania’s seafood exports. Results indicate that economic size, product upgrading, and similarity in per capita income between trading partners are associated with higher export volumes, whereas seafood standards, importer population size, and functional upgrading toward downstream value-chain activities are associated with lower trade flows. These findings suggest that alignment between productive capacity and demand compatibility supports exports, while regulatory compliance and coordination challenges constrain participation. Strengthening institutional capacity for standards compliance and targeting upgrading strategies to match with market characteristics are important for enhancing Tanzania’s participation and competitiveness in global seafood value chains.