How Karimjee family shaped Tanzania over two centuries

Dar es Salaam. The Karimjee family, one of Tanzania’s most prominent and enduring business families, has marked 200 years of residence in the country, celebrating a legacy that spans commerce, philanthropy and national history.

The milestone was commemorated at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam, a location of deep historical and national significance.The building, constructed and donated by the family in 1955, once served as Tanzania’s national parliament and remains a key symbol of their enduring contribution.

Speaking during the event, Yusuf Karimjee welcomed guests and emphasised the importance of the venue in Tanzania’s history.

“I can think of no better setting to mark this occasion than this historic building, its gardens of huge and cultural significance,” he said, urging attendees to enjoy the evening, which featured live music and a digital painting created to capture the occasion.

Reflecting on the family’s journey, Executive Director of the Karimjee Group, Rishad Karimjee, recounted the origins of their presence in Tanzania.

“Our story began on the streets of Zanzibar, where our ancestor, Jivanjee Budhabhoy, arrived on a dhow from Kutch, Mandvi, in India in 1825. With courage and vision, he laid the foundation for what became one of Tanzania's longest-standing enterprises,” he said.

The family has remained a constant presence through various eras of Tanzanian history; colonialism, independence, the socialism era, and liberal market reforms.

“No matter how far we've come, and how much we've grown, our roots and our heart remain firmly planted here in Tanzania,” Mr Rishad noted.

Mr Saleem Karimjee provided historical insight into the family’s involvement in Tanzania’s once-thriving sisal sector.

“Although my family is best known today for automobiles, sisal was our most important enterprise from the 1950s to the 1970s. We cultivated about 50,000 hectares and employed tens of thousands of people,” he said.

He explained that the decline of sisal mirrored shifts in national economic policies, but he expressed confidence in its future. “Sisal will become a valuable global technology again. Tanzania must get ready for it—and we must also prepare for it,” he remarked.

The family’s relationship with Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation was highlighted by Yusuf Karimjee, who recalled its unexpected beginnings.

“Our partnership began in 1965 with a diverted shipment of Toyota vehicles. From that moment, a commercial relationship was born—one that is now 60 years strong,” he said.

Mr Yusuf credited the longevity of this partnership to shared values of integrity and commitment, and extended gratitude to Toyota executives who flew in for the anniversary.

Chairman of the Karimjee Board, Arif Karimjee, underscored the family’s deep generational ties to Tanzanian history.

“We were already in our third generation when the Germans arrived, and in our sixth generation by the time Mwalimu Julius Nyerere led the country to independence,” he said.

He also paid tribute to Abdulkarim Y.A. Karimjee, a family patriarch who served as Mayor of Dar es Salaam and the first Speaker of Parliament after independence, when Karimjee Hall became the national assembly.

“Few could disagree that Karimjee Hall is our greatest gift to this nation. But through the Karimjee Foundation, our work continues in education, health and social development,” said Arif.

The event itself was the culmination of extensive planning, as noted by Jasmine Karimjee, a member of the Karimjee Owners Council.

“It’s taken over 12 months, more than 2,000 Zoom calls, and the dedication of over 100 employees and partners to make this week possible,” she said, thanking the team that coordinated the logistics.

The 200th anniversary brought together business partners, senior government officials, international delegates and members of the extended Karimjee family, many of whom travelled from across the globe.

The celebration served not only as a look back on the family's achievements, but also as a reflection on their continued role in shaping Tanzania’s economic and civic landscape.