Said Katensi is the CEO and founder of Friends of Lake Tanganyika (FOLT), our trusted planting partner in Kigoma, Tanzania.
Kigoma, located in the western part of Tanzania, is a region that borders the stunning Lake Tanganyika. This unique area is where nature and community intersect, and one individual has played an extraordinary role in preserving this delicate balance: Mr. Said Katensi.
With a bachelor's degree in natural resource conservation from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Said has dedicated his life to advocating for sustainable practices, ending hunger and eradicating extreme poverty. His deep connection to the land and passion for uplifting local communities drive him to design solutions that enhance both environmental health and social well-being.
One of Said’s most ambitious goals is to protect Lake Tanganyika basin from unsustainable agricultural and fisher practices. By offering local communities alternative sources of income—such as the production of eco-friendly charcoal briquettes—and providing environmental education through workshops, FOLT is fostering a future where both people and the environment can thrive. “Empowering communities is at the heart of what we do,” Said emphasizes. “When farmers understand the benefits of a productive tree, they will take care of it and build a connection to their land.”
Under Said’s leadership, FOLT has planted over one million trees in the last three years, directly benefiting more than 500 families. They’ve also initiated projects focused on clean energy and mangrove restoration, addressing both environmental degradation and social challenges.
In a recent conversation, Said shared an interesting insight when we asked him about the significance of agroforestry for the farmers. “In our lands, we do not practice monoculture; we have always cultivated diverse crops and trees. Agroforestry is part of our indigenous wisdom.” This dedication to community involvement, empowerment, and indigenous knowledge makes Said a remarkable leader.
As PoD’s first official planting partner, Said’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his vision is clear: to create lasting, positive change by transforming innovative ideas into action. FOLT plans to expand their initiatives further by introducing more eco-friendly projects and enhancing community training programs.
At Planting on Demand, we are thrilled to collaborate with Said, learn from his experiences, and share his knowledge with our members and readers. If you’re eager to support FOLT and the communities they uplift, stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the ground, and consider subscribing to us!
Planting on Demand offers a transparent & fun tree-planting service for our members. We plant 25 agroforestry trees monthly per subscriber, paying the planting partner USD 0.90 per tree. If that amount exceeds the cost, partners will invest the surplus in other climate positive projects like solar panels or improved cookstoves. Subscribe today to join live planting sessions with our partners in India, Tanzania, or Timor-Leste, and connect with planters and fellow subscribers via Zoom. Your support keeps us going—thank you!
