Table of Contents
The Mo Dewji Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed “Mo” Dewji, has teamed up with nutrition company Kerry Group and two universities to train the next generation of leaders in food and nutrition.
The initiative, called the Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program, brings together the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). It will provide full scholarships and yearlong professional training aimed at building expertise in food science, biotechnology and related fields.
The program will launch in October 2025 with an inaugural class of 40 graduates. Each participant will complete 12 months of combined academic study and industry training, according to a joint statement released Wednesday.
Blending classroom and industry training
The curriculum includes coursework in food science, nutrition and safety standards, alongside industry-led modules in product development, quality control and sustainable food processing.
Students will also work directly with experts in laboratories to learn international best practices in taste and nutrition. To deepen workplace experience, the scholarship includes a four-month industry placement with Kerry, Dewji’s MeTL Group and other food sector partners in Tanzania and the wider region.
“This program is an important step in preparing the next generation of African leaders in food and nutrition,” said Jad Neaime, general manager for Kerry Africa and the Middle East. “The partnership reflects our shared commitment to skills development, innovation and opportunity for young Tanzanians.”
Imran Sherali, executive director of the Mo Dewji Foundation, said the initiative builds on the foundation’s mission to create opportunities that lead to employability and long-term impact. “Together with Kerry, UDSM and SUA, we are proud to empower young Tanzanians to shape the future of the food industry,” he said.
Building on a broader philanthropic mission
Founded in 2014, the Mo Dewji Foundation focuses on education, health, and water access as part of its effort to reduce poverty and improve opportunity across Tanzania. Its work also extends beyond the country, with programs in Africa, the U.S., and the U.K.
In August, the foundation partnered with the Kym Rapier Foundation to fund free cataract surgeries and community eye camps across Tanzania. Dewji, who serves as chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, has a net worth of $2.2 billion, according to Forbes. He is also the chief executive of MeTL Group, one of Tanzania’s largest industrial conglomerates.
