Mpungwe as unique, outstanding diplomat-cum-businessperson
Tanzania is renowned all over the world for having produced outstanding diplomats. They have selflessly served the world and many of them have received awards and honours for a job well-done. To succeed in both a diplomatic career and in business, and at the same time endlessly continue serving the country in different capacities requires a unique personality of which Ami Ramadhan Mpungwe is endowed with.
In 1994 he was appointed the first Tanzanian High Commissioner to South Africa. He is a unique diplomat who has profoundly benefitted Tanzania. He was the brain behind the first link between the free South Africa and Tanzania after the collapse of apartheid in 1994. A lot of investors flooded Tanzania through his hands.
He was the icon of peace in Rwanda and tirelessly worked day and night during Rwandan peace negotiations until a peace agreement was signed in Arusha. It was not a simple task in the world of diplomacy since peace negotiation tasks all over the world have never been simple at all. Maybe very few people know how Mpungwe almost lost his life during a peace transition in Namibia. Renowned Namibian freedom fighter Anthony Lwobosk was assassinated a few minutes before he had dinner with Mpungwe, and a few other freedom fighters.
The assassination was a turning point in the history of Namibia. But most importantly, it portrayed the diplomat as a hardnosed person who was never deterred from taking risky, but noble tasks of ensuring peace through negotiations.
A book can be written about the involvement of Mpungwe in peace processes and the fruits of his wisdom towards the freedom struggle of Southern African countries’ independence and his close ties with then South African President Nelson Mandela, and first Namibian President Sam Nuyoma.
This made Mpungwe one of the few high commissioners who would visit Mandela without making any appointments. He was Mandela’s trusted comrade from whom he always sought for consultation especially on African issues, and in 1999 South African President Mbeki decorated him with the Order of Good Hope, South Africa’s highest award granted to foreign citizens for his distinguishes service to the liberation of South Africa, economic integration in Southern Africa (SADC) and for promoting closer ties between South Africa and Tanzania.
It is good to be a high commissioner and enjoy all the privileges accorded to one, but Mpungwe served and honourably retired before his time to join business in 1999. It should be noted that it is a rare choice especially among diplomats. But because of his negotiation skills, the corporate world received him as an asset. He successfully ran Tanzanite One, the only Tanzanian company to have ever been listed in London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Beyond his tenure at Tanzanite One, Mpungwe has served as a director on numerous corporate boards, establishing himself as one of Tanzania’s most sought-after international business consultants. During his time as Chairperson of the Rural Energy Authority (REA), he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to bringing electricity to rural communities—a mission currently spearheaded by his successor, Maj-Gen (rtd) Jacob Gideon Kingu.
However, Mpungwe’s professional accolades only tell half the story. What truly defines him as an inspirational citizen is his profound humility. Despite his high standing, he remains remarkably approachable; he often drives himself and never misses an opportunity to exchange greetings or share a conversation with people from all walks of life. This genuine connection is why his employees view him more as a friend than a distant executive.
In an interview at his Oyster Bay office, the welcoming Mpungwe—dressed casually in a green shirt and blue jeans—shared his journey with Who’s Who Tanzania. He reflected on his transition from a distinguished diplomatic career to the private sector and offered guidance to young Tanzanians navigating a global economy he describes as "the life of the elephant and the flea", an allusion to Charles Handy’s philosophy. He also emphasised the critical role of the mining sector and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in revolutionising service delivery across the nation, showcasing a vision that balances corporate success with social progress. Excerpts:
QUESTION (Q): Your Excellency, readers of Who’s Who Tanzania would like to know who Ambassador Ami Mpungwe is.
ANSWER (A): Well (while smiling) that protocol (your Excellency) disappeared 13 years ago. Like most people of my generation, I was born of a humble background, and was raised in a rural setting. My father was a school teacher. Although teachers were the rural elite at the time, I didn’t have some of the luxuries my children enjoy. I would walk a long distance to and from school and went through hell, especially during the rainy season. But the good thing about that period was that my parents were strict disciplinarians and that’s why we have managed to succeed. After my advanced level, I studied political science at the University of Dar es Salaam after which I was offered a job in Foreign Service.
Q: While many young Tanzanians prioritise the security of a steady pay-check, you chose to retire from a prestigious diplomatic career at just 48. What inspired such a bold move at the peak of your service?
A: Three things made me retire. One is that I felt I was burnt out, having joined the diplomatic service at a youthful age. I also felt I had reached the pinnacle of my career. I played an active role in South Africa, Namibia, and many other struggles in the region. I also did a lot towards promoting investment and tourism in Tanzania. So surely, I thought I had done enough for my country. This is not to say I woke up one morning, and said I was retiring, no, I prepared myself for some time. Knowing that I could be appointed to some company boards. I studied an MBA Executive course at the University of Pretoria, when I was High Commissioner to South Africa. I also did a course in ICT.
Q: As a person in the corporate world, what are some of the investment opportunities young Tanzanians have at their disposal?
A: Tanzania offers a wealth of untapped investment opportunities. Currently, our mining activities represent only a small fraction of the nation's vast mineral potential—a trend mirrored across East Africa. Beyond minerals, sectors such as tourism, livestock, and agriculture hold immense promise, though they are often overlooked by educated African youth.
Geographically, Tanzania serves as a critical gateway; it is the only member that shares direct borders with the following East African Community (EAC) nations: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi [during this interview the following nations were not members of the EAC: South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Somalia]. This strategic position, coupled with our membership in SADC, provides investors with unparalleled market access. The success of our 1998 mining reforms, which propelled Tanzania to become Africa's third-largest producer within just five years, is a testament to this enduring potential.
East Africa is home to abundant mineral deposits, yet realising this potential requires a unified focus on the economic front. While our national borders were established in the 1930s and 1940s, these political lines do not dictate the region's underlying geology. The same mineral-rich formations found in Tanzania extend seamlessly into Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, presenting a significant opportunity for cross-border geological cooperation and investment.
Q: Are you suggesting that mining is the primary driver for the future of the Tanzanian and East African economies?
A: To a significant degree, yes. However, for that potential to be fully realised, we must adopt the strategies used by Europe and China: transitioning from fragmented, centralised economies toward a fully integrated common market.
Q: As the CEO of Tanzanite One, do you think mining companies have done enough towards the socioeconomic growth of the communities where you get these valuable Tanzanite stones?
A: Beyond their primary operations, mining companies in Tanzania are deeply integrated into corporate social responsibility (CSR), driving both direct and indirect growth in agriculture, commerce, and tourism. These firms invest heavily in essential infrastructure—building roads, schools, and dispensaries, while ensuring access to clean water and creating sustainable employment. While these initiatives are often regulatory requirements for the sector to function, their impact on community welfare is frequently greater than members of the public recognise. However, the sector is far from easy; it is a capital-intensive field requiring high-level expertise and long-term commitment. Despite the reality that many companies operate at a loss for years before seeing returns, their commitment to investing in Tanzania's future remains steadfast.
Q: You are currently Chairperson of Rural Electrification Authority (REA). What is your take on PPP in Tanzania towards service delivery?
A: There is a critical need for synergy between the public and private sectors. By leveraging PPPs, we can accelerate development and institutionalise social responsibility. The private sector excels at resource optimisation and rapid decision-making—areas, where the public sector often faces bureaucratic hurdles. For our state enterprises to thrive, they require the same dynamic leadership found in the commercial world. The energy sector illustrates this perfectly: while state efforts achieved only a 2.2 per cent growth rate since independence, the integration of PPPs has propelled that figure to 7 per cent in just four years, demonstrating the transformative power of shared investment.
Q: Ambassador, who are some of the personalities that have influenced you in life?
A: The first is my father. As I said earlier, he was a strict disciplinarian. After being a teacher, he attended many conferences in different countries. When he returned home, he had these revolutionary ideas he would talk about, and that’s what kept us wanting to succeed. In my professional career I have Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, and others.
Regionally, I have people like Thambo Mbeki. In business, you hear of the success stories of Reginald Mengi, and many more people have had an impact on my life.
Q: What are the things young Tanzanians need to learn from people of your generation?
A: The young generation has less to learn from what I like calling the age of “baby boomers” (referring to the generation born in the 1950s after World War I) I would say we are examples not to follow.
We lived in an era where students were paid to study and the state guaranteed employment. Today, that reality has shifted; young Tanzanians must be innovative. Our education system requires a fundamental transformation—evolving from a factory for job seekers into a catalyst for job creators. Young professionals, like yourselves, possess immense potential to leverage specialised knowledge, such as linguistics, into entrepreneurial ventures.
In his book, The Elephant and the Flea, Charles Handy uses a powerful analogy: the elephant represents the government or large corporations, while the fleas represent individual citizens and small enterprises. Handy suggests that in the modern world, the flea must move independently of the elephant to thrive. The core message is clear: the future generation must look beyond the security of a pay-check and venture into business. As I have always maintained, in Tanzania, opportunities for those willing to innovate are truly unlimited.
Q: Ambassador, what do you consider to be your personal achievements?
A: What I have done for this country can make up a booklet (smiling). I take as my greatest achievement the fact that I created a perception that you don’t have to work for the government or a big organisation to succeed. Opportunities are opening up, take them as they come.
Q: Do you have any regrets in life, Your Excellency?
A: Well, only one thing I regret is that the generation of the “baby boomers” has not passed on the history of the events to the new generation. My generation and your generation disconnect. We have gone through a lot of experiences. Most of the changes you see in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa took place in the 1950s and in the 1960s. It is difficult to have a generation without history. Take, for example, reasons for the headquarters of SADC to be situated in Botswana, a country that wasn’t a member of frontline states at the time.
All members of the frontline states were comfortable with Arusha in Tanzania. But Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in his wisdom told them it was not a good idea for Tanzania to host such a (baby) organisation. The British would kill it. So, he asked Sir Selse to host the baby. Some of these experiences we have gone through, historians will search in vain to explain. We don’t have a culture of passing on the history to the next generation and that is my biggest regret.
