More than 80 business leaders, diplomats and golfers from across Africa gathered in Zanzibar for the CEO Golf Tournament 2026, an event that brought corporate networking and sport together.
Held at Sea Cliff Golf Course on September 26, the tournament attracted participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria.
Vodacom Tanzania Plc was the main sponsor of the event, which provided an informal setting for executives from different sectors to interact, exchange ideas and explore potential business connections.
Kenyan golfers Thomas Mwangi and Caroline Muigai emerged as the overall winners in the men's and women's categories respectively.
Mwangi scored 40 points to win the men's title, while Muigai collected 41 points to top the women's competition. The tournament was played over 18 holes under the Stableford format.
In Division A, Patrick O’Rourke finished first, followed by Ernest Sengeu with 31 points.
Thagaran Govender won Division B with 39 points, while Gregory Eayrs took second place with 38 points.
Abbas Simkoko emerged winner of Division C with 40 points, followed by Vodacom Business Chief Marketing and Enablement Officer Joseph Sayi, who scored 37 points.
In the women's category, Salome Gakere finished first with 36 points, while Vicky Elias took second place with 35 points after winning on countback against Maryanne Mugo.
Speaking during the tournament, Vodacom Business Director Nguvu Kamando said the event provided an opportunity for business leaders to meet beyond conventional corporate engagements.
“Golf is not only a sport, but also a platform that brings people, ideas and opportunities together,” Mr Kamando said.
He said interactions between executives from different sectors could help create relationships that support future business cooperation.
Mr Kamando also said sporting events involving international participants could contribute to Zanzibar's efforts to promote tourism and attract business visitors.
“We are proud to be part of efforts to promote Zanzibar as a destination for business, tourism and sports,” he said.
The tournament also gave Vodacom an opportunity to engage with corporate leaders on the role of technology and digital services in improving business operations.
As businesses increasingly depend on digital connectivity, such engagements provide companies with opportunities to understand changing customer needs and discuss potential technology solutions.
The participation of golfers from several African countries also added a regional dimension to the event, bringing together business networks from markets with growing commercial links with Tanzania.
For Zanzibar, the tournament offered another platform for showcasing the islands to international visitors while combining sport, business networking and tourism.
The CEO Golf Tournament is among events that have increasingly used sport as a means of bringing together corporate executives and other stakeholders outside formal business meetings.