ZAINAB ANSELL HONOURED AT THE 100 AFRICA MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS AWARDS IN KIGALI

Zainab Ansell, widely known as Mama Zara, has received a Certificate of Honor at the 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Awards 2026, held on 25 September 2026 at M Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. The recognition celebrates her leadership, influence and longstanding contribution to Africa’s development through tourism, entrepreneurship, community empowerment and responsible business.

The honor represents another important milestone in Mama Zara’s remarkable journey as a Tanzanian entrepreneur and humanitarian whose work has grown far beyond building successful businesses. For decades, she has demonstrated how tourism can become a powerful vehicle for creating employment, empowering communities, supporting conservation and showcasing Africa positively to the world.

 

Mama Zara’s influence beyond tourism and hospitality.

Through Zara Tanzania Charity, she has continued to channel tourism's success into initiatives that directly benefit local communities. The organization supports programs in education, women’s empowerment, youth development, environmental conservation and community welfare. Its work includes supporting children and schools, creating opportunities for women, promoting environmental responsibility and helping communities develop more sustainable livelihoods.

This balance between business growth and social responsibility has become one of the defining features of Mama Zara’s leadership. Her journey demonstrates that a successful tourism industry can generate benefits beyond the traveler experience by supporting local employment, protecting natural resources and creating opportunities for people living within tourism destinations.

Receiving the Certificate of Honor at the 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Awards therefore represents more than an individual achievement. It recognizes a wider story built over decades — one involving employees, communities, travelers, partners and organizations that have grown alongside her vision.

The Kigali recognition also places Tanzanian tourism and entrepreneurship on an important continental platform alongside African leaders and changemakers from different sectors whose work is contributing to the continent’s development.

For Zara Tanzania Adventures, ZITA and Zara Tanzania Charity, the honor is a proud reflection of the values that continue to guide their work: responsible leadership, sustainable tourism, community empowerment and creating opportunities through African enterprise.

From building tourism businesses that connect Tanzania with the world to supporting communities through charitable initiatives, Mama Zara’s journey continues to demonstrate the potential of tourism when commercial success is combined with purpose.

Her Certificate of Honor at the 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Awards 2026 is both a celebration of what has already been achieved and an encouragement to continue creating positive impact across Tanzania and Africa.