NCBA BANK PLANTS 5,000 TREES TO RESTORE MPIJI RIVERBANK IN BUNJU B, DAR ES SALAAM

NCBA Bank Acting Managing Director, Alex Mziray.

25 April 2025 - In a bold demonstration of corporate environmental responsibility, NCBA Bank Tanzania led a major tree-planting initiative along River Mpiji in Bunju B, Dar es Salaam. The campaign involved the planting of 5,000 trees and was attended by the Bank’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Alex Mziray, alongside regional government officials, community leaders and environmental stakeholders.

River Mpiji, a key waterway in Kinondoni District, has for years suffered from environmental degradation caused by deforestation, waste dumping, informal settlement growth, and unchecked urban expansion. The result has been eroded riverbanks, reduced water quality, and compromised biodiversity. Recognizing the ecological urgency, NCBA Bank took a proactive step with this intervention to help rehabilitate the river’s fragile ecosystem and safeguard it for future generations.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mziray emphasized that the Bank’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond rhetoric:

“We believe in acting with purpose. By planting these 5,000 trees, we are helping to rebuild a critical water ecosystem, fortify community resilience, and underscore the role the private sector must play in climate action. It is not enough to talk about sustainability we must live it.”

The initiative aligns with NCBA’s broader environmental goal of planting over 10,000 trees nationwide by the end of 2025, a target the Bank is steadily pursuing. Prior campaigns have already seen trees planted in Zanzibar, Arusha, Mwanza, and Dar es Salaam’s Jangwani area, each designed to address different ecological needs coastal erosion, urban green cover, and hospital-area beautification and resilience.

The planting in Bunju B included indigenous and climate-resilient species chosen specifically for their ability to stabilize soil, absorb excess water, and support the native flora and fauna. Experts on-site also trained volunteers on how to care for the trees after planting, ensuring the effort results in long-term survival and growth.

What set this campaign apart was the deep community involvement. Over 300 participants, including schoolchildren, local residents, and environmental clubs, were actively involved in the day’s activities. “This is not just an event. It is a movement,” said one community elder. “We now feel responsible for protecting this river.”

This initiative further underscores NCBA Bank Tanzania’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land). It also reflects the Bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities embedded across its operations and corporate citizenship programs.

In conclusion, Mr. Mziray noted:

“Today we have planted more than trees we have planted hope, accountability, and a vision for a greener Tanzania. We urge other businesses to join us in transforming words into action. Together, we can leave a legacy of resilience, beauty, and balance.”

As the newly planted saplings begin to take root along River Mpiji, their growth will symbolize the power of collective action and the potential for businesses and communities to come together for the planet.