EDB Chairman Mazahir Dewji Visits Arusha Jamaat

EDB Chairman Mazahir Dewji Leads Strategic Ground Engagement with Arusha Jamaat, Signalling a New Era of Collaborative Economic Development

The Economic Development Board (EDB) is ushering in a new phase of strategic, forward-looking engagement across Jamaats, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mazahir Dewji. With a clear focus on long-term impact, structured collaboration, and grassroots understanding, the Board is redefining how economic development is approached within the community. 

The EDB stands out as a uniquely positioned body, comprising carefully selected members from across five countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Mozambique. This cross-regional representation brings together diverse expertise, market insights, and professional experience, enabling the Board to offer well-rounded, practical, and globally informed perspectives. It reflects a deliberate move towards inclusivity, depth, and strategic thinking in addressing economic challenges. 

At the core of the Chairman’s leadership is a clear principle: meaningful solutions begin with genuine understanding. With this in mind, the Chairman has initiated direct engagement with Jamaats, prioritising on-ground interaction to better understand real challenges, strengths, and opportunities. 

As part of this initiative, the Chairman visited Arusha Jamaat, one of the first Jamaats to be engaged under this approach, while on a business trip. The visit was not symbolic, but intentional: to listen, to assess, and to begin building a strong, working relationship rooted in trust and collaboration. 

The Chairman was particularly encouraged by the presence of the full leadership of Arusha Jamaat Managing Committee and Arusha Economic Team Lead at the meeting, rather than limited representation. This demonstrated a strong internal alignment within Arusha Jamaat and reflected a serious commitment towards addressing economic matters collectively. It set the tone for what proved to be a highly productive and forward-looking engagement. 

Discussions centred on understanding the key economic challenges faced by the Jamaat, including access to financing and structural limitations in business support. In response, the Chairman proposed practical and solution-oriented approaches, particularly around financing frameworks, while the Board committed to further exploring scalable initiatives to expand access to opportunities and support systems. 

“Our priority is clear, understand first, then act with precision. Sustainable impact comes from building strong foundations, not short-term interventions,” said Chairman Mazahir Dewji. 

The Chairman also outlined the Board’s strategic direction, focused not on reinventing systems, but on strengthening coordination, enhancing collaboration, and enabling Jamaats to reach the grassroots more effectively and efficiently. 

He further commended Arusha Jamaat for its active participation in a recent China business delegation, where two members from Arusha had joined the delegation, marking their first visit to China, and gained valuable exposure to international markets and business opportunities. 

He acknowledged the Jamaat’s role in sharing such opportunities at the grassroots level and emphasised the Board’s commitment to expanding similar initiatives. 

“We want to move from limited participation to wider inclusion, creating opportunities that reach many, not just a few,” he added. 

The engagement reinforced the Board’s strategic direction, focusing on coordination and collaboration rather than duplication. By working closely with Jamaats, the EDB aims to strengthen existing structures and improve the efficiency of outreach at the grassroots level. 

Arusha Jamaat leadership expressed strong support for this approach, committing to close collaboration with the Board to address challenges and unlock economic potential within the community. 

This visit marks the beginning of a broader engagement strategy, with the Chairman set to connect with Jamaats across regions through both in-person visits and virtual sessions. With a clear focus on long-term impact, regional collaboration, and execution-driven strategies, the Economic Development Board is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and resilient economic future across the community. 

Secretariat

Economic Development Board

15^th June 2026