Tanzania is not a postcard, but one of the countries of the future

From Kilimanjaro to the Zanzibar islands, a land suspended between social challenges, extraordinary biodiversity and hope. A future yet to be written, also by planting trees.

There’s a country in East Africa that for many remains just a postcard: the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro, elephants in the Serengeti, the white beaches of Zanzibar. Yet Tanzania is so much more. It’s a mosaic of peoples, languages and cultures; a young nation as a state, but ancient as the cradle of humankind; a poor country, yet full of surprising energy. A place that, like Treedom, we want to keep telling stories about and supporting: by planting trees, yes, but also by cultivating hope.

Tanzania officially came into being only in 1964, from the union of Tanganyika (the mainland) and Zanzibar (the spice-scented archipelago). But its roots run much deeper: here, in the Olduvai Gorge, fossil remains of hominids who lived over two million years ago have been found, proving that these lands witnessed the first steps of humanity.

After centuries of local kingdoms and sultanates, European colonialism changed its course: first as a German colony at the end of the 19th century, then as a British protectorate after the First World War. Independence arrived in the 1960s, led by Julius Nyerere, the founding father who tried to build a national identity based on unity (ujamaa, meaning “extended family” in Swahili) and social solidarity.

Today, Tanzania remains one of Africa’s most politically stable countries, although its democracy is far from perfect and poverty is still widespread.

The challenge of growing while staying true to oneself

With over 65 million inhabitants and one of the highest population growth rates on the continent, Tanzania is demographically young too: the average age is just over 18. A multi-ethnic society (more than 120 different groups) that has found in Swahili a shared language and identity.

The economy remains fragile and largely dependent on agriculture, which employs more than two-thirds of the workforce, and on tourism, drawn by national parks and Zanzibar. In recent years, mining (especially gold and tanzanite, a precious gemstone found only here) and telecommunications have gained momentum, but the biggest challenge is to reduce inequalities and create jobs for millions of young people.

A breathtaking nature that must be protected

Tanzania holds some of the world’s most extraordinary biodiversity: from the lions and giraffes of the Serengeti to the chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park, from the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean to the tropical forests of the Udzungwa Mountains. Over a third of the national territory is protected by reserves or parks.

Yet this wealth is under pressure: deforestation, poaching and climate change threaten unique habitats and species. Some areas, such as farmland around Kilimanjaro, are experiencing increasingly frequent droughts that severely affect rural communities.

The climate in Tanzania varies greatly: tropical heat on the coast and in Zanzibar, cooler on the plateaus and temperate in the mountains. But everywhere, the effects of global warming are felt, making the rainy seasons more unstable and unpredictable.

Planting trees to grow together

In this context comes Treedom’s work: planting trees in Tanzania doesn’t just mean offsetting CO₂. It means helping local farming communities diversify their income, protect soil from erosion, shade crops and create more resilient rural micro-economies.

The trees chosen by Treedom are species useful to communities (fruit trees, food plants or lightweight timber species) grown without affecting the biodiversity of protected natural areas. It’s a concrete gesture that unites circular economy, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Looking ahead with hope (and concrete actions)

Tanzania is a poor country, yes: per capita income remains among the lowest in the world, many rural areas lack access to essential services, and economic growth risks being uneven. But it’s also a country full of life: young, creative, dynamic.

From the vibrant bongo flava music scene to colourful markets, from agricultural cooperatives to digital startups, there’s an energy that tells of a desire for change without losing the connection to one’s roots.

The future is unwritten: there are huge obstacles, but also many hands eager to build it. Ours too.

Planting a tree in Tanzania isn’t just growing a trunk and leaves: it’s an act that weaves together past, present and future. It’s a green thread linking the hands of those who plant today, the shade it will give tomorrow, and the life it will continue to create.

Because the beauty of this country isn’t only in its breathtaking landscapes, but also in the sprouts that break through after the rain, in the smiles of children running among those trees, in the fruits that will feed a family.

So let’s plant these trees together. Because the earth wasn’t given to us by our fathers, but loaned to us by our children.