ABSA PARTNERS WITH WWF TO PLANT 1,300 TREES IN KISARAWE TO PROTECT CRITICAL WATER CATCHMENT AREAS

Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Aron Luhanga (left), Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Customer Experience and Digital Services, Mr. Samuel Mkuyu (centre), and Kisarawe District Forest Conservator, Mr. Baraka Mtewa, plant trees during a World Environment Day celebration at Pugu Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve in Kisarawe District, Coast Region. Absa Bank Tanzania, in partnership with WWF, planted 1,300 trees as part of the environmental conservation initiative.

Absa Bank Tanzania Citizenship and Events Manager, Ms. Abigail Lukuvi (left), and WWF Head of Finance and Administration, Mr. Manyerere Wajama, plant trees during World Environment Day activities at Pugu Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve in Kisarawe District, Coast Region.

Kisarawe, Tanzania; 12 June 2026 – Absa Bank Tanzania, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), led a large-scale tree planting initiative in Kisarawe District, planting 1,300 trees Pugu Kazimzumbwi - a vital water catchment area that supports the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) supply to Temeke Municipality.

The initiative brought together key stakeholders including the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board, Kisarawe District Council, and Absa Bank Tanzania colleagues, all united by a shared commitment to protecting Tanzania’s natural ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience.

This activity forms part of Absa’s broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda and reflects the bank’s citizenship commitment “To be a force for good,” as well as its purpose of “Empowering Africa's tomorrow together… one story at a time.”

Speaking at the event, Aron Luhanga, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Absa Bank Tanzania, emphasized the importance of collective action: 

“This initiative is more than just planting trees - it is about securing the future of our communities and ensuring sustainable access to water resources. At Absa, we believe that ‘Your story matters,’ and today we are investing in a story of environmental protection, resilience, and shared responsibility. Through partnerships like this with WWF and government stakeholders, we continue to live our purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, one story at a time.”

 

Sam Mkuyu, Director of Customer Experience and Digital Services, and the bank’s Executive Sponsor for ESG, highlighted the strategic importance of sustainability:

“Our ESG agenda is central to how we operate as a bank. This tree planting activity demonstrates our role as a responsible corporate citizen committed to being a force for good. By protecting critical water catchment areas like Kisarawe, we are not only addressing climate change but also supporting communities that depend on these resources. For us sustainability is not a choice - it is a responsibility we proudly embrace.”

In support of the initiative, Manyerere Wajama, Head of Finance at WWF, speaking on behalf of the WWF Tanzania Country Director, stated:

“Today’s tree planting activity at Pugu Forest Reserve reflects our shared commitment to restoring Tanzania’s natural ecosystems and building resilience to climate change. Pugu is one of the country’s important coastal forests, providing critical biodiversity, water catchment, and ecosystem services that support both people and nature. Through restoration efforts such as this, we are investing in healthier landscapes and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

WWF Tanzania is proud to partner with Absa Bank in advancing environmental stewardship through practical action. Achieving Tanzania’s restoration and conservation goals requires strong partnerships between the private sector, government, communities, and civil society. Together, we can scale up solutions that not only restore forests but also contribute to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.”

The half-day activity included remarks from representatives of TFS, Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board, and Kisarawe District Council, followed by a hands-on tree planting exercise and media engagement sessions.

Earlier, Absa employees mobilized enthusiastically for the initiative, demonstrating the bank’s strong internal culture of sustainability and volunteerism. Colleagues gathered from early morning to travel to Kisarawe, equipped with planting gear and a shared commitment to leaving a lasting environmental impact.

Absa Bank Tanzania is committed to delivering exceptional financial services while driving sustainable development through impactful partnerships and community initiatives. Guided by its purpose “Empowering Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time,” the bank continues to champion environmental conservation, social progress, and economic inclusion across the country.