CEOrt hits Silver Jubilee with excellence in promoting ethical leadership

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Chief Executive Officers Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) has been commended for its significant contribution to promoting ethical and accountable leadership in the country through its CEO Apprenticeship Programme (CAP), which aims to prepare the next generation of leaders for top executive roles in the private sector.

Established in 2019 with the endorsement of the Prime Minister’s Office, the programme was designed to bridge the leadership gap in the country, where expatriates historically filled many senior positions. Through CAP, talented Tanzanian professionals have received in-depth training in global leadership, ethical work practices, and accountability.

Speaking at a ceremony to congratulate 20 graduates from the fifth cohort of the programme, held in Dar es Salaam today, September 2, 2025,  at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro Hotel, The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uongozi Institute who is also a former Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue,  praised CEOrt for launching such a unique initiative that has played a key role in the country’s leadership development.

“What touches me most about this programme is that one of the core responsibilities of the institution I lead is to develop and nurture ethical and patriotic leaders – particularly in the public sector. As CAP focuses on cultivating top leaders in the private sector, we are doing the same in the public sector. Our collaboration through CAP, therefore, continues to bear fruit for the nation,” said Ambassador Sefue.

David Tarimo, Chairman of CEOrt, said that as CEOrt marks its 25th Anniversary, CAP’s five-year milestone stands as proof of what can be achieved when the private and public sectors work hand in hand to secure the future of leadership in Tanzania in diverse sectors such as finance, technology, health, and industry.

“Through CAP, over 90 graduates have received high-quality leadership training. More than 30 per cent of these graduates are already holding top executive roles in both the public and private sectors, including women. We continue to ensure that each year, at least 25 per cent of participants are women,” said Mr. Tarimo.

Mr. David Nchimbi, Chairman of the NMB Bank Board, noted that the programme is a timely solution to the long-standing challenge of the shortage of senior leaders with competence, strategic vision, and the ability to effectively manage institutions.

“Many institutions in the country have had leadership gaps, and CAP is helping to build a strong local leadership foundation that understands Tanzania’s context and can compete globally,” said Mr. Nchimbi.

Mr. Simon Shayo, Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti, stated that private sector growth cannot be achieved without strong ethical leadership. He emphasised that economic success requires leaders who value integrity and the well-being of society as a whole.

Santina Benson, CEO of CEOrt, said that the CAP programme aims to develop creative, ethical, and visionary leaders capable of delivering transformational results in the institutions they serve.

“Through this training, CAP is nurturing a new generation of leaders with the capacity to drive change,” said Ms. Benson.

Graduates of the programme also shared how they had benefited. Nguvu Kamando, Vodacom Tanzania Plc Business Director, described CAP as a powerful game-changer program. “ The quality of the facilitators and mentors gives you the tools to become a better leader,” he said.

Anitha Raymos, General Manager at Silent Ocean, had this to say: “I learned that women can lead with both strength and empathy-and that both are essential.

During the event, several institutions and individuals who contributed significantly to the programme’s success were honoured with awards. Among those recognised were Derm Group, Bakhresa Group, CRDB Bank, NMB Bank, Mr. Carl Wagner from Strathmore Global, and Mr. Roger Boniface from Edisim.

The CAP programme was designed to bridge the gap between today’s leadership and the next generation of leaders across various institutions.

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