Faraja Nyalandu
Tribute
Between improving the state of education in Tanzania through Shule Direct, running the country's first innovation hub exclusively for women entrepreneurs and raising three children with her husband Lazaro, Faraja Nyalandu has programmed both digital platforms and family values with careful intentionality. We honour the curriculum digitized for millions and the life lessons personalized for her three kids, the educational access expanded nationally and the learning opportunities created within family adventures. We see the mother who shows that true leadership begins with serving those entrusted to our care.
Profile
Faraja Nyalandu is a social entrepreneur and education advocate, renowned for her innovative contributions to digital learning in Africa. In 2013, she founded Shule Direct, a social enterprise that digitizes national curricula and leverages technology to enhance learning outcomes for children and youth. Under her leadership, Shule Direct has developed comprehensive web and mobile educational platforms, providing curriculum-based content across multiple subjects to millions of in-school and out-of-school youth. The organization also established Ndoto Hub, Tanzania’s first innovation hub exclusively for women entrepreneurs, focusing on their personal and professional development. Faraja’s dedication to education extends to her roles as the Teaching and Learning Thematic Lead for the Regional Educational Learning Initiative (RELI), where she focuses on teachers’ professional development, and as an elected Chairperson for the Tanzania Education Network, the official national education CSOs network. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, having served on the Global Future Council for Education, Gender, and Work. In recognition of her impactful work, Faraja was appointed as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2020 and has received accolades such as the Leading Woman in Technology in Africa award and inclusion in Africa Youth Awards’ 100 Most Influential Young Africans. Faraja holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights and Migration, reflecting her strong legal background. She is married to Lazaro Nyalandu, a former Tanzanian Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, and together they have three children.