Songea: A Hidden Gem for Community Growth and Remigration

🌍 Why Songea?

Songea, a peaceful and growing town in southern Tanzania, offers clean air, a friendly atmosphere, and a calm lifestyle. With improved roads, a domestic airport, and expanding educational and health services, Songea is becoming increasingly accessible and liveable. 

Whether you're a family looking to settle, a professional seeking purpose, or someone ready to return to a simpler life, Songea offers a welcoming environment rooted in community values and faith.

🕌 The Shia Ithna-Asheri Community in Songea

The Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat in Songea comprises around 26 families and is known for its unity and activity. The Jamaat runs a nursery school with over 90 children, providing quality education anchored in Islamic values. 

Nearby, the Bilal Mission Centre includes a mosque, madrasah, and pre-Hawza classes. Plans are underway to expand the centre further. The community is open-hearted and ready to support new families who wish to settle in Songea. 

🏠 Commercial Project

To support future growth, the Jamaat has launched a major construction project near the mosque. The ground floor shops are expected to be completed by September 2025. 

These commercial units will not only generate income for the Jamaat but also create business opportunities for community members. This initiative marks a significant step in building a stronger and more sustainable future for the community. 

📈 Opportunities in Songea 

🛒 Business & Work

Songea’s economy is diversifying. While farming remains strong especially in relation to maize, beans, tobacco, cashew nuts, and tea—new opportunities are emerging in:

• Retail and wholesale

• Warehousing and transport

• Construction

• Small-scale industries and services

The upcoming Jamaat commercial spaces are ideal for members looking to start or expand their businesses.

🎓 Education

Songea is home to respected institutions including:

• Songea Boys’ and Girls’ Secondary Schools

• Teacher training and nursing colleges

• A local university campus

There is high demand for teachers, tutors, and education administrators, making this a promising field for community members with education backgrounds.

🏥 Health Services

The town offers government hospitals, health centres, and pharmacies, with common conditions like malaria managed easily. For advanced treatment, people may still travel to Dar es Salaam or other cities. 

However, there is strong potential for investment in private clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic services which could be ideal for medical professionals or healthcare investors. 

🚧 Infrastructure and Connectivity

Songea is well-linked by tarmac roads to Mtwara and Makambako and is served by a domestic airport with flights to Dar es Salaam. Electricity, water, and mobile networks are widely available, though internet infrastructure is still improving. 

With the Mtwara Development Corridor close by, regional trade and logistics are expected to thrive. 

🌿 Lifestyle in Songea

Songea offers a peaceful, affordable, and family-friendly lifestyle. Living costs such as housing, food, transport are low. The town is clean, green, and surrounded by natural beauty, including:

• Matogoro Hills

• Maji Moto hot springs

• Ruvuma River and nearby wildlife reserves

The people are warm and the environment is safe which is ideal for raising a family or embracing a slower, more meaningful life.

🤝 A Call to the Community

Songea is more than just a town. It’s a growing opportunity for our community to thrive, reconnect, and contribute. With land, business space, and community support readily available, now is the perfect time to consider Songea for settlement, investment, or re-rooting.

The AFED Economic Development Board encourages families, professionals, and entrepreneurs to explore Songea as a destination for reverse migration. With dedicated financial grants and hands-on support, we are here to guide those ready to build a new chapter in this promising southern town.

Invest in Tomorrow – Build in Songea

Whether you're a young entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or a family seeking peace and purpose—Songea welcomes you. Let’s reconnect with our roots and shape a vibrant future together.

Secretariat

AFED Economic Development Board

18^th July 2025