Kigamboni Municipality is situated along the coast of the Indian Ocean, and it is one of the five municipal councils of Dar es Salaam City, one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Owing to its proximity to the city centre, the Kigamboni area is also rapidly transforming.
The area faces high mangrove depletion rates due to the harvesting of wood for firewood, charcoal, and construction materials. This degradation has significantly weakened the natural coastal buffer, increasing the area’s vulnerability to coastal erosion and flooding—especially during storms and periods of heavy rainfall.
To address these threats, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) focus on protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring local ecosystems to effectively address societal challenges. In Kigamboni, these initiatives leverage healthy coastal environments to protect communities from the impacts of climate change while boosting local economies. The core components of Kigamboni NbS include:
1- Mangrove ecosystem restoration: Replanting native mangrove forests along degraded coastlines to build thick, natural barriers that absorb wave energy and stabilise shoreline sediments;
2- Alternative sustainable livelihoods: Introducing climate-resilient economic activities, such as sustainable beekeeping in mangrove forests and eco-friendly aquaculture and gardening along the road and in the homestead, to reduce overreliance on wild marine resources;
3- Community-led conservation: Engaging local residents directly in monitoring and managing natural resources, ensuring long-term environmental protection and economic benefits.
In parallel, the hub is working with key stakeholders to replicate and scale up existing examples of community-led mangrove restoration already active in the area. This effort includes the co-development of funding proposals, such as one being prepared for submission to the Tanzania Forest Fund, aimed at supporting mangrove restoration and expanding sustainable beekeeping activities. These initiatives contribute to ecosystem-based adaptation, enhancing the resilience of both coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
Interventions to date:
- Technical support for the plantation of 150,000 mangrove trees on an area of 250 acres in Mjimwema and Vijibweni.
- 330 low-cost beehives installed within the mangrove area.
- 76 community members trained on beekeeping and mangrove restoration and conservation.
- 4,000 kilograms of honey produced annually by the community members and sold.
Expected benefits:
- 150 community members’ livelihoods enhanced and economic resilience built, including capacity building in managing community projects.
- Establishment of mangrove nursery and replanting of 30000 mangrove trees; wind protection, increase of beehives; and control of coastal erosion.
- 600 beehives to be installed that will increase honey production to 12,000 kilograms annually; increase employment and income diversification, especially for the youth and women.
- Installation of a low-cost weather station and bee-queen production centre for enhanced NBS and related livelihoods.
Hub coordinator and main implementer of interventions:
Ardhi University
Kigamboni District Hub, Tanzania
Kigamboni, Tanzania
- Region: South Eastern Africa
- Climate: Tropical wet-dry or Savanna (Aw)
- Main meteorological hazards: Storm tides and coastal erosion
- Nature-based solutions supported: Mangrove conservation, beekeeping, and seaweed farming
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Intervention: Community engagement and capacity building for replication and establishment of NbS.
Kigamboni District Hub, Tanzania
- Region: South Eastern Africa
- Climate: Tropical wet-dry or Savanna (Aw)
- Main meteorological hazards: Storm tides and coastal erosion
- Nature-based solutions supported: Mangrove conservation, beekeeping, and seaweed farming
-
Intervention: Community engagement and capacity building for replication and establishment of NbS.