Mikoko Development Foundation

What Mikoko Development Foundation does

Mikoko Development Foundation (MDF) is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization founded in 2006 (originally as NAELEVA, rebranded to its current form in 2019) operating environmental conservation, youth education, and community empowerment programs across all 26 regions of mainland Tanzania. It delivers activities through a tiered hierarchy of national, regional, and district coordinators spanning 172 districts, supplemented by school-based programming in 1,562+ schools, nature campsites, and three Mangrove Nature Conservation Center (MNCC) training academies in Mbweni (Dar es Salaam), Tanga, and Mtwara. Since 2006, MDF reports cumulative outputs of 1 million+ trees planted, 228,685+ mangroves planted, 1,106+ hectares of forest restored, 151,678+ children and youth empowered, 1,719+ teachers trained, and 32+ environmental camps coordinated. Registered under the NGO Act #24 of 2002 (Reg. No. ooNGO/R/0933) and holding Tanzania Revenue Authority certification, MDF operates as a donation-dependent non-profit governed by a Board chaired by Dr. Silvia Ruambo, with founder Olais Raphael as Executive Director and co-founder Barnaba Buhombe leading community services and partnerships.

The organization's portfolio comprises four core program lines: the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (MRP) targeting 1 million mangroves from 2024–2030 along Tanzania's coast; the Green Mission Project (GMP) targeting 1 million trees from 2023–2029 across Bahi, Mkuranga, Kaliua, and Busega districts; the Young Environmental Scientist (YES) Program, a STREAMS curriculum framework (Science, Technology, Research/Robotics, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Sports) spanning nursery through university with a badge-and-award structure; and the ICT Project providing digital-skills training. Supporting these is a small digital infrastructure stack: the Impact Wallet platform for corporate ESG data tracking aligned with IFC-PS, TNFD, TCFD, and GRI-RS reporting frameworks; the Mikoko Online Management System (MOMS) for youth registration and educational activity tracking; the Mikoko Shop e-commerce storefront for branded merchandise; and the Mikoko Volunteers platform for corporate and individual volunteer engagement.

MDF generates revenue through a hybrid non-profit model combining individual donations, corporate CSR/ESG partnerships, program fees, and membership dues. Individual donor packages tier from $50 (Mikoko Individual Donor) to $3,600 (Mikoko Grand Climate Actor); corporate Green Partner status requires $4,320 for 800 impact units; international youth camps charge $700 per participant; and mangrove restoration packages range from TZS 12.5M (Mangrove Planter, planting 15,000 mangroves across 13.5 Ha) to TZS 500M (Grand Project Donor, planting 166,667 mangroves across 180.02 Ha with main sponsor banner rights). The organization states that 90% of donations flow to tree-planting and restoration programs, with 10% to administration. Major partnership anchors include Vodacom Tanzania Foundation (since 2022), Heidelberg Cement (Twiga Cement) through the Quarry Life Award, WWF Tanzania, KCB Bank, Tanzania Forest Services Agency, Rotary Club of Mikocheni, and Bird Life International.

Name

Mikoko Development Foundation

Legal name

Mikoko Development Foundation

Website

https://mikoko.or.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mikoko Development Foundation is a Tanzanian NGO operating mangrove and tree-planting, youth environmental education, and community empowerment programs across all 26 regions of mainland Tanzania, funded through corporate CSR partnerships, individual donations, and digital ESG tracking platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Youth Education Services

NAICS

Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Education, Skills & Workforce Development Aid Programs (BPADABAE)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation programs
• Mangrove rehabilitation services
• Youth environmental education
• Tree planting initiatives
• Corporate ESG partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Dar Es Salaam

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals purchasing tree planting, mangrove restoration, and general program support. Individual donor packages range from $50 (Mikoko Individual Donor) to $3,600 (Mikoko Grand Climate Actor).
2. Corporate Sponsorships & CSR Programs: Corporate partnerships aligned with CSR and ESG goals, including project sponsorship, event sponsorship, and Impact Planting Partnerships. Green Partner status requires purchase of 800 Impact Units ($4,320).
3. Program Fees: Fees for youth programs including ICT Boot Camp, Nature & Environmental Youth Camps, and educational activities. International camps charge $700 USD per participant.
4. Membership Fees: Voluntary membership with three types: Founder Members, Ordinary Members, and Honorary Members, each with specific rights and obligations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mikoko Development Foundation delivers environmental conservation, youth education, and community empowerment programs across all 26 regions of Tanzania. Its core offerings include mangrove restoration, mass tree planting, a STREAMS-based youth education curriculum (YES Program), ICT/digital-skills training, eco-tourism camps, and ESG-aligned corporate partnership programs. Supporting these are the Impact Wallet platform for transparent donation tracking and the Mikoko Online Management System for program administration.

Product overview

Mikoko Development Foundation offers a portfolio of interconnected environmental conservation, youth education, and community empowerment programs. The core offerings include the Young Environmental Scientist (YES) Program for youth education, the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (MRP) and Green Mission Project (GMP) for reforestation, the ICT Project for digital skills training, and Mikoko Nature Conservation Center (MNCC) as an educational facility. Supporting platforms include Mikoko Impact Wallet for ESG tracking and donations, Mikoko Shop for merchandise sales, and Mikoko Nature Campsites and Mikoko Volunteers for experiential learning and community engagement. These programs operate across 26 regions of Tanzania through a network of regional and district coordinators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Environmental Scientist (YES) Program: Youth empowerment program focused on Science, Technology, Research/Robotics, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Sports (STREAMS) education
• Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (MRP)
• Green Mission Project (GMP)
• Mikoko Nature Conservation Center (MNCC)
• Mikoko Volunteers

Products and services

• Young Environmental Scientist (YES) Program A systematic youth program delivering knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Research/Robotics, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Sports (STREAMS) through hands-on environmental education activities, badges, and awards for students from nursery to university level in Tanzania.
• Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (MRP) A five-year project (2024-2030) aimed at planting 1 million mangrove trees along Tanzania's coastal regions to combat climate change, protect marine biodiversity, and support local communities through income-generating activities.
• Green Mission Project (GMP) A reforestation initiative targeting 1 million trees over 2023-2029, including tree nurseries, seed banks, cookstove programs, and community greening efforts in Bahi, Mkuranga, Kaliua, and Busega districts of Tanzania.
• ICT Project A National Volunteer ICT Program offering training in web design, digital marketing, and computer skills to youth through boot camps, with the goal of creating self-employment opportunities in marginalized communities across Tanzania.
• Mangrove Nature Conservation Center (MNCC) A nature conservation center located in Mbweni, Dar es Salaam with satellite locations in Tanga and Mtwara, offering environmental education programs, nature camps, marine activities, and community-based conservation initiatives.
• Mikoko Nature Campsites Nature camping programs including day camps, overnight camps, and adventure activities for youth aged 5-26, featuring environmental education, STEAM activities, and leadership development at various locations in Tanzania.
• Mikoko Volunteers A program connecting corporate volunteers with local community projects in environmental conservation, youth education, and community development, including international volunteer placements and community philanthropy initiatives.
• Mikoko Impact Wallet A digital platform for corporates to track ESG impact data aligned with IFC-PS, TNFD, TCFD, and GRI-RS standards, allowing purchase of impact units for tree planting and community livelihood support.
• Mikoko Shop An online store selling Mikoko-branded merchandise including youth gears, educational materials, and nature-related products, with proceeds supporting tree planting and mangrove rehabilitation.
• Sustainable Education in Tanzania (SET) Educational programs supporting schools with extracurricular activities, teacher training, and hands-on learning modules aligned with environmental and science curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 228,685+ mangroves and 1 million+ trees planted since 2006
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vodacom Tanzania FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Strategic partnership for digital content distribution and corporate volunteer programs. Vodacom supports MDF's ICT initiatives and environmental conservation projects through funding and technical resources.
• Twiga Cement (Heidelberg Cement Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Quarry Life Award program supporting biodiversity and environmental education. Twiga Cement hosts rehabilitation projects at their quarry sites for youth education.
• WWF TanzaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on youth environmental camps and conservation initiatives. WWF Tanzania partnered with MDF for Nature & Environmental Youth Competition training 20+ peer leaders.
• Nabaki Afrika LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Quarry Life Award program supporting biodiversity conservation and environmental education activities in Tanzania.
• Heidelberg CementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Quarry Life Award program, supporting biodiversity conservation and youth environmental education through the international competition framework.
• Bird Life InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in biodiversity conservation initiatives supporting environmental education and species protection awareness.
• Rotary Club of MikochenicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService organization partner supporting community biodiversity initiatives and environmental conservation programs through volunteer engagement and resources.
• Open University of TanzaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for Quarry Life Award program, supporting environmental education and research activities for university students.
• KCB BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting MDF's environmental and youth empowerment initiatives through funding and promotional partnerships.
• Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner supporting National Nature & Environmental Youth Camp and tree planting initiatives across Tanzania.
• Quarry Life AwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational biodiversity competition program that MDF implements in Tanzania, connecting community with biodiversity through youth education and conservation activities at quarry sites.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wetlands International: Global NGO dedicated to wetland and mangrove conservation, with active East Africa programs; highly comparable to MDF's Mangrove Rehabilitation Project on technical scope and corporate-funding model.
• Farm Africa: East Africa-focused NGO combining sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, and environmental restoration with farmer and community training — closely parallel to MDF's sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods work.
• Jane Goodall Institute (Tanzania): Roots & Shoots and Tanzania programs focus on youth-led environmental and community conservation, directly paralleling MDF's YES Program and STREAMS framework. MDF's founder was explicitly inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall, making this both a programmatic and ideological peer.
• WWF Tanzania: Tanzania country office of the World Wide Fund for Nature; an existing strategic partner of MDF that runs community-based conservation, youth engagement, and habitat restoration programs in overlapping geographies, making it the closest direct peer in conservation mandate and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental NGOs with active coastal resilience and forest restoration portfolios in East Africa, including nature-based solutions programs that overlap with MDF's mangrove and tree-planting work.
• Conservation International: Global environmental NGO operating major blue carbon, mangrove, and community conservation programs across Africa; competes for the same corporate ESG funding pool and could absorb or partner with MDF on coastal Tanzania initiatives.
• Fauna & Flora International: International conservation NGO with established Tanzania partnerships on coastal ecosystem and species protection; comparable to MDF on biodiversity and mangrove mandates but with deeper institutional funding.
• Greenpeace Africa: Pan-African environmental advocacy and field program operator in Tanzania addressing deforestation, climate, and youth engagement — overlapping with MDF on community mobilization and donor demographic.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation NGO with deep Tanzania presence focused on habitat protection, community livelihoods, and enterprise development around conservation — overlapping MDF's mangrove/forest restoration and community economic empowerment mandate at a larger scale.

Regional players

• VI Agroforestry: East Africa-focused sustainable land use and agroforestry NGO operating primarily in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda; overlaps directly with MDF's Green Mission Project tree-planting and community greening model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/mdftz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCux8NUkw6HOOQ-gx8NlXSWw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/mdftz
• Instagraminstagram.com/mdftz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mikoko-development-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mikoko Development Foundation