DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 15 -- WE must be reminded that corruption often arrives quietly, wearing the friendly face of “chai,” “kitu kidogo,” or “lets sort this out.” It rarely bangs on the door; it knocks softly, smiles politely and asks for a small favour. Yet this polite visitor has an expensive appetite, and Tanzania has been paying the bill for far too long.

At its core, corruption is not just about envelopes slipped across desks. It is about stolen time, stolen trust and stolen opportunity. When a citizen must pay to receive a service already funded by their taxes, the state is robbed twice.

When a business bribes its way to a contract, merit is dismissed, innovation is punished and honest competitor...