The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has urged Tanzanians to shift their focus from social media popularity and instead concentrate on the real development gains brought by international visitors to the country, especially in creating opportunities for young people.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam during the visit of former England football star Rio Ferdinand, Makonda said there is a growing tendency among some members of the public to equate success with being featured or mentioned on social media platforms, rather than evaluating the long-term national impact of such engagements.
He said Tanzania should avoid what he described as “competition for online visibility” and instead assess how international partnerships and visits translate into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly youth seeking opportunities in sports and entrepreneurship.
Makonda emphasized that Ferdinand’s visit is not merely a ceremonial or publicity event, but part of a broader effort aimed at strengthening sports development, talent identification, and investment promotion in the country.
He noted that the engagement is expected to create practical pathways for young Tanzanian footballers to access international opportunities.
He further revealed that Ferdinand, through his professional network and technical team, has shown interest in supporting structured talent scouting programs in Tanzania.
These programs are expected to identify promising players and connect them with competitive football systems abroad.
Makonda said even if only one young Tanzanian player succeeds in joining a top international league through this initiative, it would mark a major breakthrough for the country’s sports development agenda.
He added that such outcomes carry far greater value than short-lived online attention or social media trends.
Beyond sports, Makonda noted that the visit is already helping to open new investment conversations.
He said several international stakeholders are beginning to explore opportunities in Tanzania following engagements linked to Ferdinand’s visit, particularly in sports infrastructure, tourism, and urban development.
He also encouraged Tanzanians to continue actively promoting the country’s image globally by showcasing its natural and cultural attractions.
He highlighted landmarks such as Serengeti National Park, describing them as key national assets that continue to position Tanzania as a leading global tourism destination.
According to Makonda, the government remains committed to ensuring that high-profile international visits translate into concrete economic and social benefits rather than temporary publicity moments.
He stressed that sports should be treated as a serious economic sector capable of generating employment, attracting investment, and transforming lives.
On his part, Rio Ferdinand said his experience in Tanzania has gone beyond his expectations, noting that he initially came with a primary focus on football but has since gained a broader understanding of the country’s development progress and long-term vision.
He said he has been impressed by Tanzania’s pace of development, leadership direction, and the country’s potential to nurture world-class sporting talent.
Ferdinand added that Tanzania presents strong opportunities for both sports development and international investment partnerships.
His visit is expected to continue with further engagements involving sports stakeholders, talent development programs, and discussions on long-term collaboration frameworks aimed at supporting young athletes and strengthening the sports industry in Tanzania.
