What Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation does

Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BMMF) is a Tanzanian non-profit Trust established in 2006 by the late President Benjamin William Mkapa, with the President of Zanzibar serving as Settlor. The foundation operates as a health systems strengthening organisation with a primary focus on Human Resources for Health (HRH), running three flagship programmatic lines: the Mkapa Fellows Program for professional health worker deployment, Community Health Worker training and support, and a scholarship pipeline for health-profession students. Its work has reached more than 33 million Tanzanians, deployed 18,119 health workers, and trained 10,615 community health workers across all 26 regions of the country, supported by a headquarters in Dar es Salaam and six regional offices.

The foundation has built a portfolio of digital and medical-device products intended to extend the reach and quality of frontline care. These include CHAID, a mobile application supporting community health workers in field decision-making; Mkanda Salama, a device targeting postpartum hemorrhage; and Vishkwambi tablets. Underpinning the work is a network of partnerships with the Government of Tanzania's health system and a donor consortium that has historically included Irish Aid, USAID, the Global Fund, the Embassy of Japan, WHO, and WFP, with new partners such as NBC and Miracle Feet added more recently.

BMMF's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial, with cumulative partnership value of approximately 260 billion TZS over 17 years. The foundation is pursuing deliberate revenue diversification through two structures: the BMMF Endowment Fund, launched in July 2021 and grown beyond 1.8 billion TZS in assets, and Imara Horizon Company Limited, a wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary established in 2016. The Fourth Strategic Business Plan covering 2024-2030 carries a 211 billion TZS budget and repositions the foundation around expanded thematic areas including climate-health and technological advancement, with a new Board of Trustees appointed in September 2024 to oversee execution.

Name

Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation

Legal name

Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation

Website

https://mkapafoundation.or.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation is a Tanzanian non-profit Trust established in 2006 that strengthens health systems through health worker deployment, community health worker training, and scholarships, serving underserved populations across all 26 regions of Tanzania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health and Health Workforce Development

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Workforce Development & Capacity-Building (HLAJAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Health Systems Strengthening & Global Health Technical Assistance (BPADAEAH), Global Health Financing Mechanisms (HLAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Health workforce development
• Community health programs
• Maternal child health
• Health systems strengthening
• Community health workers

Headquarters

HQ city

Dar Es Salaam

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donor Funding and Development Partnerships: Primary revenue stream from international development partners including Irish Aid, USAID, Global Fund, and other bilateral donors who fund specific health programs such as the Mkapa Fellows Program, CHW deployments, and health systems strengthening initiatives.
2. Endowment Fund: BMF established an Endowment Fund launched in July 2021 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to provide stable, ongoing financial support. The fund surpassed 1.8 billion shillings by August 2023 through pledges and cash contributions from endowers. Interest income supports interventions per Endowment Fund Guidelines.
3. Imara Horizon Company (IHC) - Business Arm: IHC is a subsidiary entity incorporated in 2016 that creates health sector solutions including real estate services (Benjamin Mkapa Health Plaza), innovation, training, research and development, medical equipment and supplies, and general supplies. Provides commercial revenue to support foundation sustainability.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Strategic partnerships with private sector companies such as NBC (National Bank of Commerce) for scholarship programs supporting maternal health through nurse midwifery training. Cost-sharing arrangements where partners co-fund specific health initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BMF is a non-profit foundation that strengthens Tanzania's healthcare system by recruiting and deploying healthcare workers to underserved areas, training and equipping Community Health Workers (CHWs), providing scholarships to medical and nursing students, constructing health infrastructure (staff houses and surgical theatres), and developing digital health tools. It supplements the Government of Tanzania's health efforts through partnerships with international donors, the Ministry of Health, TAMISEMI, and private sector partners, with sustainability supported by an Endowment Fund and the Imara Horizon Company subsidiary.

Product overview

The Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BMF) operates as a non-profit healthcare organization offering a portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include the Mkapa Fellows Program providing health workforce support, Community Health Worker programs with digital tools like CHAID mobile application and Vishkwambi tablets for data collection, the Mkapa Legacy Summit series, and the NBC-Mkapa Fellows Scholarship Program. BMF also operates through its subsidiary Imara Horizon Company Limited, which owns the Benjamin Mkapa Health Plaza and provides health sector business solutions including medical equipment, training, and real estate services. The foundation's Fourth Strategic Business Plan (2024-2030) guides its integrated approach to strengthening Tanzania's healthcare systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mkapa Fellows Program: A program focused on enhancing national capacities to sustain community-based programs, with over 180 health professionals recruited and trained, 30 new health facilities built, and support to over 1,700 health workers in five years.
• Mkapa Legacy Summit
• Mkapa Legacy Initiative

Products and services

• Mkapa Fellows Program A health workforce program focused on enhancing national capacities to sustain community-based programs aligned with national sustainability strategies for community health. Supports HRH optimization, climate change integration, and gender mainstreaming interventions for healthcare workers deployed to underserved facilities.
• NBC-Mkapa Fellows Scholarship Program Cost-sharing partnership between NBC and BMF providing 100 scholarships for registered nurses to enhance midwifery skills. The 2-year scholarship covers diploma-level training in midwifery for nurses from Morogoro and Mwanza regions, supporting maternal health outcomes.
• Community Health Worker Equipment Distribution Program Program providing essential work tools, equipment, and digital devices to Community Health Workers across Tanzania to strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, funded by Global Fund, Irish Aid, and other partners.
• WFP-BMF Nutrition and Economic Empowerment Programme Partnership programme with World Food Programme supporting nutrition and economic empowerment activities in Zanzibar, including VHND Guideline development, community health worker engagement, and seaweed value chain empowerment for women.
• Imara Horizon Company Limited (IHC) Wholly-owned subsidiary providing business solutions within the health sector including real estate services (Benjamin Mkapa Health Plaza), innovation, training, research and development, medical equipment and supplies, and general supplies.
• Ponseti Method Clubfoot Training Clinical training programme for health professionals in the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment, covering casting, basic and advanced interventions, and tenotomy. Over 50 health professionals trained through partnership with Miracle Feet.
• Benjamin Mkapa Health Plaza Health facility and real estate development built at Kawe in Dar es Salaam by Imara Horizon Company. Houses the BMF headquarters and provides healthcare services to the community.
• Climate-Health Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials Information, education, and communication materials developed to support climate resilient health practices, including posters for health facilities, schools, and community settings, alongside audio awareness materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16% increase in health facility deliveries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and flagship.

• World Health Organization (WHO)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Co-sponsored Mental Health Symposium marking World Mental Health Day. WHO representative Dr. Zabulon Yoti participated, emphasizing 'No health without mental health' and calling for prioritization at district, regional, and national levels.
• World Food Programme (WFP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2023MOU signed for Nutrition and Economic Empowerment Activities in Zanzibar. Project benefits 2 districts in 2 regions, reaching 80 shehias. Includes VHND Guideline development, community health worker engagement, and women economic empowerment through seaweed farming value chain development.
• National Bank of Commerce (NBC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2023NBC-Mkapa Fellows Scholarship Program provides 100 scholarships for registered nurses to enhance midwifery skills. The 2-year scholarship covers diploma-level training in Midwifery for nurses from Morogoro and Mwanza regions. Cost-sharing partnership supporting maternal health outcomes.
• President H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu HassanflagshipOthers · 14 July 2021Officially launched BMF Endowment Fund on July 14, 2021, providing highest-level governmental endorsement. Has expressed continued support for Mkapa Foundation initiatives and directed ministries to prioritize Mkapa Fellows for government employment.
• Imara Horizon Company (IHC)coreOthers · 1 January 2016Subsidiary entity incorporated under Companies Act 2002, registered at BRELA. Business arm for health sector solutions including real estate services, innovation, training, R&D, medical equipment and supplies. Built Benjamin Mkapa Health Plaza at Kawe in Dar es Salaam. Key sustainability mechanism for foundation.
• Miracle FeetsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for clubfoot training using Ponseti method. Over 50 health professionals from Mbeya, Dodoma, and Mwanza trained in casting, basic and advanced interventions, and tenotomy. Collaboration with Ministry of Health and Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration, and Local Authorities.
• Ministry of Health TanzaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for all health programs. BMF contributes to development and review of national health policies and guidelines. Joint implementation of HRH initiatives, CHW programs, and public health emergency response. Led delegation to 3rd International CHW Symposium in Monrovia.
• Zanzibar Maisha Bora FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementer for WFP Nutrition and Economic Empowerment project in Zanzibar. Foundation established by First Lady of Zanzibar. CEO Dr. Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro sits on the board.
• UNFPAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerShowcased Midwifery Simulation Training program at Mkapa Legacy Summit 2024 including Mama Birthie, Mama Natalie, Neo Natalie simulators. Supports Portable Mobile Learning System (PLMS) reaching over 10,000 health workers in 45 implementation sites.
• Sahara VenturessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology innovation company co-facilitated Mkapa Legacy Health Innovation Award selection process. Sahara Accelerator program supported 11 health innovators competing to pitch ideas for improving service delivery and saving lives.
• H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali MwinyiflagshipOthersPresident of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary Council, serves as Settlor of BMF. Presided over inauguration of new Board of Trustees in December 2024. Hosted annual partners luncheon and provides ongoing governance oversight.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Both a major BMF funder and a structural counterpart in global health financing. Operates the pooled-financing model that BMF's Endowment Fund and HRH financing work aspire to complement at a national scale.

Broad incumbents

• Jhpiego: Affiliated with Johns Hopkins, Jhpiego focuses on maternal/child health, midwifery training, and HRH in Tanzania — directly comparable to BMF's NBC-Mkapa Fellows scholarship and CHW programs.
• PATH: Global health NGO with established Tanzania presence focused on health systems, maternal/child health, and digital health innovations. Comparable in scope to BMF but operating across many more countries with a much larger budget.
• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF): Major HIV/AIDS and maternal/child health funder-implementer with significant Tanzania operations. Shares BMF's HIV/TB/malaria and RMNCAH focus, and a similar reliance on USAID and Global Fund financing.

Direct peers

• Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS): Tanzanian NGO working on HIV, TB, RMNCAH and health systems strengthening with significant CDC/PEPFAR funding. Direct overlap with BMF in disease focus, donor mix, and government partnership model.
• Management and Development for Health (MDH): Tanzania-based NGO focused on HIV/AIDS, TB, and health systems strengthening, with deep PEPFAR/CDC funding ties. Another BMF trustee has MDH on their CV; the two organizations work in overlapping disease and HRH domains.
• AMREF Health Africa: Africa's largest health NGO, headquartered in Nairobi with extensive Tanzania operations. AMREF runs similar community health worker deployment, health workforce training, and maternal/child health programs funded by bilateral donors — making it the closest functional peer to BMF.
• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Operates in Tanzania on HIV, TB, malaria and health workforce programs; one of BMF's own trustees previously led CHAI's HIV/AIDS Initiative. CHAI shares BMF's model of partnering with government to scale health workforce and access interventions.

Emerging players

• Last Mile Health: Specialist in community health worker programs in sub-Saharan Africa, with comparable digital tools (similar to BMF's CHAID app). Operates in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and other markets adjacent to BMF's Tanzania footprint.

Regional players

• Ifakara Health Institute: Tanzania-based health research and implementation organization focused on health systems, malaria, and maternal/child health. Comparable mission and geography, with deeper research orientation and overlapping donor base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mkapafoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BenjaminWilliamMkapaFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/benjamin-william-mkapa-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/mkapafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation