TEDxZanzibar

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Abdulhamid Mzee

  Young Leader, Entrepreneur & Corporate Host

  At 29, Abdulhamid Mzee is a standout figure in youth leadership in Zanzibar, dedicated to fostering positive change. In 2023, he served as President of the Tanzania Model United Nations, where his exceptional leadership drove unprecedented engagement. During his tenure, he prioritized inclusivity, ensuring young voices from diverse backgrounds were heard while providing a vibrant platform for discussing global solutions. Beyond the Model UN, Abdulhamid is the Co-Founder and Program Director of Zanchangemakers, an organization born from a USAID-funded Ideathon.Under his guidance, the organization secured the Outstanding Youth in Education award at the 2022 Zanzibar Youth Awards. He received the Youth Leadership Honor at the Extraordinary Youth Awards. Abdulhamid remains a beacon of hope, striving to cultivate a generation of proactive and innovative young leaders across Zanzibar.

• Ally Jape

  Entrepreneur, Experiences Host and Content Creator.

  Ally Jape is an entrepreneur and content creator from Zanzibar working in the travel and tourism industry. With over 11 years of experience, Ally has worked in various roles across the tourism sector, from being a tour guide to a tourism teacher. He has created the most reputable online walking tour products in Zanzibar and is the founder of Unlock Afrika Expeditions, a company that creates travel and lifestyle experiences through different brands. As a content creator, he has led creative roles as a producer for Africa’s Business Heroes, a flagship entrepreneurship program founded by the Jack Ma Foundation and supported by Alibaba Philanthropy. He has also collaborated with international creators, organizations, and media outlets, including CNN and Globo TV, one of the largest television networks in Latin America. Ally has shared his expertise as a panelist at a World Bank educational session titled “Culture, Tourism, and the New Narrative on the Continent.”

• Dr. Mohamed Zahir

  Dr. Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed, BSc, MSc, PhD, is a Molecular Geneticist, Biomedical Scientist, and Genetic Counseling Practitioner

  Dr. Mohamed is dedicated to advancing genomic medicine in Africa. He earned his BSc in Biotechnology (Manipal University, India), MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (University of Groningen, Netherlands), and PhD in Medical Genetics (University Medical Center Groningen), Pg Dip in Genetic counseling (Indian Institute of Medical Genetics) . His research spans next-generation sequencing for genetic disease diagnosis (Onco-, Cardio- and Neuro-), CRISPR-based therapies for Sickle Cell Disease, pharmacogenomics, antimicrobial resistance, and rare disease diagnostics. Lecturer and Research Scientist at MUHAS, Research Fellow with the Sickle Cell Programme, and co-founded General of the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization.He co-founded the African Genetic Counseling Association, chairs the Young Investigators Forum of AfSHG, and leads training for the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative. A Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow (2025) and past Glocal Postdoctoral Fellow (UCSF–MUHAS).

• Farhiya Elmy

  Award-winning Aquatic Scientist & Marine Conservationist

  Farhiya Elmy is an award-winning aquatic scientist and marine conservationist dedicated to transforming coastal communities across Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania. With expertise in coral reef restoration and sustainable aquaculture, she champions community-led initiatives. Her impact is widely recognized; she is a designated Ocean Champion under WIOMSA and has featured prominently in media outlets like Clouds TV and TBC for her advocacy in ocean preservation. Currently, Farhiya serves as a Consultant Officer at Lattice Africa, where she coordinates the Women & Youth Economic Empowerment in Fisheries programme. Her leadership extends to founding SeaBlue Innovators, a social enterprise creating seaweed-based solutions for food security. Beyond policy and business, Farhiya actively changes narratives on the ground. Through initiatives like Mashujaa wa Pwani, she trains coastal women in scuba diving and reef monitoring, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

• Jacqueline Lawrence

  Visionary Serial Entrepreneur and Award-Winning Media Leader

  Jacqueline Lawrence is a visionary serial entrepreneur and award-winning media leader dedicated to building self-sufficient and sustainable societies. As the Director of Highlands FM Radio in Mbeya, Southern Tanzania, she has pioneered the use of media as a tool for development, transforming how rural and semi-urban communities access information, resources, and opportunities. A 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, a Vital Voices Alumni, and winner of the 2024 Women SME Leaders Awards for Africa, Asia, and Europe, Jacqueline’s leadership has been recognized both locally and globally. In 2025, she was named among the 100 Tanzanian Changemakers, cementing her influence as one of the country’s most impactful voices. Through her media house, she champions behavioral change, promotes inclusive development, and amplifies marginalized voices. Jacqueline embodies the power of African women’s leadership in shaping sustainable futures.

• Khafsa Mohammed

  MBA, Banking Expert

  Khafsa Othman Mohammed is a Tanzanian banking expert and rising leader who holds a master's degree in business administration. She brings together academic achievement and over seven years of experience in retail and private banking. Khafsa is dedicated to creating inclusive financial systems, enhancing financial literacy, and empowering women to fulfill their potential. As a 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders, she has shared her transformative leadership experiences on an international stage. Additionally, as a graduate of the UONGOZI Institute’s Women in Leadership Programme, she plays an active role in developing the next generation of African leaders. With her knowledge, commitment, and vision, Khafsa is committed to driving positive change and inspiring innovation, leadership, and social impact throughout Tanzania and beyond.

• Nyanzula Nangale

  Abstract Artist, Author, & Wellness Advocate

  Nyanzula Monica Nangale is a Tanzanian abstract artist, author, and wellness advocate whose work bridges creativity, spirituality, and African identity. Her art, rooted in symbolism and ancestral philosophy, reflects themes of motherhood, transformation, and liberation. She has exhibited her Art works at galleries and is the Co-Founder and Director at DIMA Space Africa, a creative agency based in Dar es salaam. Her debut book, Finding the Meaning of Life, available now in bookstores across Tanzania, explores personal development, mental health themes, Ubuntu, spirituality, healing, identity, and reclaiming indigenous practices for modern living. Beyond her art practice, Nyanzula is the founder of Healthy Minds Tanzania, an NGO that promotes mental wellness through creative expression. With over 10 years of professional experience in Corporate banking, Nyanzula bridges the worlds of art, wellness, business and leadership.

• Taleeb Jussab

  Attorney, Entrepreneur, & Thought Leader

  Taleeb Jussab is an attorney, entrepreneur, and thought leader dedicated to empowering ideas, communities, and cultures through creativity and strategy. Based in Zanzibar, Taleeb co-founded Inner-Works Consultants, a legal and business advisory firm that has guided over 300 investors in establishing ventures with clarity, compliance, and confidence. His expertise spans corporate law, governance, and strategic foresight, with a track record of shaping policy and advocacy through his leadership roles at the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors, where he served as Director, Board Member, and Company Secretary. Beyond law, Taleeb is the Founder of Dielite Media & Sports with his brothers, a platform uplifting artists and athletes while producing cultural experiences that define Zanzibar’s creative identity. He also leads Techstars Startup Week Zanzibar, an annual event uniting startups, creatives, and investors to exchange ideas and accelerate innovation.