Ms. Nesia Mahenge

Ms. Nesia Mahenge is a distinguished international development strategist and transformative systems leader with over 20 years of experience shaping inclusive development diplomacy and sustainable transformation across education, health, youth development, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate change, peacebuilding, agriculture, and livelihoods, fostering resilient systems that respond to complex global development challenges.

Her leadership bridges policy innovation, governance, development science and diplomacy, sustainability and social transformation across Africa and the Global South, shaping multi-sector reforms aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. She drives results through strategic partnerships with governments, international organizations, private sector and development agencies.

She plays a leading role in Science Diplomacy to advance global health for the UN Pact for the Future during United Nations General Assembly. She provides strategic advisory as Chief Programme Advisor on Disability Inclusion and Diplomacy with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, a leading intergovernmental policy integration and cooperation across 9 member states countries in Africa.

Nesia has been appointed as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, School of Economics, where she is advancing evidence-based governance, inclusive research, policy innovation and sustainable economic development.

Acting Country Director and Director of Programmes and Business Development at the British Council, Acting Director of Programmes and Senior Programme Manager at Population Services International, Project and Finance Manager at Muhimbili University, Marketing Executive at Toyota Tanzania Ltd, Risk and Compliance Analyst at National Bank of Commerce and Tanzania Commission for AIDs.

Education and professional certification

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Economic Policy and Corporate Strategy from the University of Maastricht, Netherlands.
  • Bachelor of Commerce and Management, Finance and Banking from the University of Dar es Salaam.

Certificates and diplomas

  • Diploma in Sustainable Development, ESG, Leadership and Management, Swedish Institute, Sweden.
  • Diploma in Leadership and Public Engagement, USAID and MasterCard Foundation in collaboration with Kenyatta University
  • Diploma in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Organization Development, Research and Capacity Development, INTRAC, UK, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan
  • Diploma in Professional Strategic Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing, CIM Academy, London, UK.
  • Honorary Diploma and Leadership Award in International Development, Crans Montana, Brussels, Belgium.
  • School of Public Health in Boston, USA in collaboration with Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland and IS Global Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Spain.
  • Certificate in International Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.

Board Experience and other Advisory Networks

  • Secretariat Member, National Secretariat Committee for the establishment and operationalization of National Basket Fund for NGOs in Tanzania, Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups (2025 – todate)
  • Executive Convocation Committee Member, University of Dar es Salaam (May 2024 to date).
  • Board Director at Women in Management Africa (April 2022 – August 2024).
  • Chairperson, National Taskforce for the development of the National Strategy for NGOs Sustainability in Tanzania, Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups (2021 – 2023)
  • International NGOs Group, Acting Representative (2021 – 2022).
  • Chairperson, Steering Committee, Civil Society Organization Network in Tanzania (2021 – todate).
  • UN Women, Africa Women Leaders Network, Governance and Leadership Committee Member (2020 – todate).
  • Advisor for Policy, Governance and Programme Management, SickleInAfrica, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (2020 – todate).
  • Board Vice Chairperson and Board Director, Audit and Risk Committee Member at Foundation for Civil Society (2016 – 2023)..
  • Board Vice-Chairperson and Board Member, Women in Business (2016-2017).
  • Founding Member and Chapter Chairperson, Obama Young Africa Leaders Initiative Alumni Chapter (2015-2017).