By The Respondent Reporter
Good nutrition is not just vital for individual health it is a powerful driver of economic growth and productivity in Tanzania.
Recent efforts in Mbeya City demonstrate how improved nutrition can build a healthier, more capable workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen local economies.
A well-nourished population, especially from early childhood, develops stronger cognitive abilities and physical stamina, which translates into better school performance and greater employability.
This equips Tanzania’s future workforce with the skills and resilience needed to support industries, entrepreneurship, and innovation key pillars for economic transformation.
On the contrary, malnutrition and diet-related illnesses impose heavy economic burdens through lost working days, high medical expenses, and premature deaths.
By promoting balanced diets and diverse food consumption, communities can reduce these costs and redirect resources towards education, business development, and infrastructure.
Despite Mbeya’s abundant fresh produce, malnutrition remains a silent crisis. According to Ms. Elizabeth Thobias, Executive Director of the WeCare Foundation, “The problem is not food availability, but a lack of knowledge about healthy, balanced diets and how to apply them daily.”
Undernutrition continues to stunt growth among children under five, while adults face rising rates of diabetes and hypertension linked to poor eating habits.
To address this, WeCare Foundation, in partnership with HELVETAS under the Inclusive Cities for Nutrition (IC4N) project, launched the innovative “Lishe Yangu Kesho Yangu, Mbeya Kijani Afya Imara” campaign—meaning “My Nutrition, My Future; Green Mbeya, Strong Health.”
This initiative used digital platforms, primarily WhatsApp, to reach urban residents with nutrition education in an accessible and flexible format.
From June to mid-July 2025, the campaign enrolled 3,489 participants in interactive WhatsApp groups, where expert nutritionists, health workers, and disease specialists delivered weekly lessons on food groups, meal planning, food preparation, and child feeding practices.
Local politicians, journalists, and community leaders also contributed by addressing policy issues and raising public awareness.
The campaign’s reach extended beyond digital media; three local radio stations Bomba FM, Mbeya FM, and Baraka FM aired nutrition segments, reaching over 336,000 listeners.
In total, more than 339,000 people engaged with the campaign through various channels, sparking important conversations on healthy eating habits.
Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Mr. Malisa, lauded the initiative as “a great innovation using digital platforms to spread vital health information.”
He urged that, if successful, this model should be expanded to other regions facing similar challenges.
Mbeya City nutritionist, Ms. Itika Festo, highlighted the campaign’s focus on transforming knowledge into practice, encouraging residents to adopt healthier diets.
She noted that participants valued the direct interaction with experts and the flexibility of learning at their own pace.
HELVTAS Senior Project Officer explained that the campaign forms part of a broader urban food systems collaboration between Mbeya and Zurich, aimed at empowering urban consumers to demand and consume healthier, more diverse diets.
Good nutrition reduces the prevalence of costly diseases and improves workforce productivity. Healthier families are more financially stable and better able to support local economies.
Communities that invest in diverse, nutrient-rich crops also open new market opportunities, increasing rural incomes and strengthening food systems.
This approach aligns with Tanzania’s national priorities to build a resilient, skilled workforce and foster sustainable economic development.
The Mbeya digital nutrition campaign is a pioneering example of leveraging technology and community engagement to tackle hidden health challenges.
As Tanzania strives to secure its future through human capital development, such initiatives provide a scalable blueprint to ensure nutrition drives not only health but also economic prosperity.