Dr. Sophia Ndibalema: a pioneer of Corporate Social Responsibility for a better Tanzania

By Zamda George, CMU

As the world celebrates the International Women’s Day and month, we honour women who have dedicated their expertise for social service. Dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is Dr. Sophia Alphonce Ndibalema who views CSR not as just an academic field, but a personal calling. 

A strategic communication expert, consultant and researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr. Ndibalema has dedicated her career to CSR where her deepest passion remains ensuring that businesses give back to society in meaningful and sustainable ways.

"CSR was with me before I came to academia. To me, it is beyond a field of study, it is a way of life. Giving is what I love to do, and I feel fulfilled when I create change, no matter how small”, explains Dr. Ndibalema.

Her academic journey reflects this passion. Her PhD in Management from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom focused on CSR in the mining sector, examining the dynamics of power, community involvement and policy gaps. 

“During the initial stages of my PhD research, I believed that mining companies were not giving enough to the communities they affected. I thought they were only there to take from Africa. But through my research, I realized CSR is complex. If done right, it can bring real impact”, she affirms.

Her findings revealed that although CSR policies existed, communities remained passive recipients rather than active participants. 

"Decisions were being made by government officials rather than the people most affected. I am working on a paper that have a proposition of having a communication framework that allows communities to have a voice”, she emphasizes.

Advocating for a National CSR Policy

Dr. Ndibalema’s work goes beyond academia. She is at the forefront of advocating for a National Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, which will ensure CSR is not an afterthought but a core component of business operations across all sectors.

"In Tanzania, we only have a CSR policy for the mining sector. But every business—no matter how big or small—has a role to play in giving back to the community," she explains.

She adds that a national policy will provide a structured framework for businesses to contribute to societal development while ensuring ethical and sustainable practices.

She outlines the far-reaching benefits of a CSR policy including aligning CSR with national development goals to ensure companies balance profitability with social impact and ensuring transparency and accountability in philanthropic contributions and preventing misuse of CSR funds. 

The policy will also help in directing corporate resources to essential sectors such as education, healthcare and poverty alleviation. This will strengthening public-private partnerships by addressing large-scale societal challenges and enhancing corporate reputation, which builds consumer trust and long-term goodwill.

“With increased global and domestic investors, we need this policy in place to create a culture of responsible business”, she asserts.

A childhood rooted in giving

Dr. Ndibalema’s passion for CSR is deeply personal. Growing up in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, a bustling and economically diverse area in Dar es Salaam, she developed a strong sense of social responsibility. 

"I always felt privileged and wanted to share what I had. I would give clothes, school supplies and even share my meals with neighbours”, she recalls.

Her late father, Dr. Ndibalema Alphonce, a former UDSM don and strong advocate of education, played a crucial role in shaping her drive for success. "When I was about 13 or 14, my father took me to a supermarket while we were living in New Zealand”.

She reminisces, “My father told me, ‘You should study hard so that you will be independent. Women who are financially dependent on men often cannot make their own choices.’ That five-minute conversation changed my life. It became my driving force”.

Her mother, a retired professor at the Open University of Tanzania, set an incredibly high bar. "She was my role model. Intelligent, accomplished, yet graceful. My dad would always say, ‘She is my queen, more beautiful than any Miss Tanzania’. I was a tomboy, growing up with four brothers, so my mom tried hard to make me more ladylike”, Dr. Ndibalema recalls joyfully.

A support from the men in her life

Despite being the only girl among four brothers, Dr. Ndibalema never felt side-lined. Instead, she received unwavering support from the men in her family, a testament to the importance of engaging men in gender equality.

"My brothers treated me as their equal. And later, my husband became my biggest pillar of support," she shares. 

"When I went abroad for my PhD, he did not just let me go alone—he came with me, along with our three young kids. He put his career on hold so that I could focus on mine. That kind of support is rare, and I will always be grateful”, she explains intensely.

Her experience aligns with the philosophy of the ‘MenEngage’, a global network that promotes male involvement in gender equality. “It cannot be a women’s fight alone. Men need to be involved, and I have seen that in my own life”.

Shaping CSR and Public Relations future, leaving a legacy of impact

As an academic at the University of Dar es Salaam's School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising – in the first batch of this programme at UDSM (2004-2007), Dr. Ndibalema is committed to fostering the next generation of CSR leaders.

"I have contributed to the development of an independent CSR course in our curriculum for both undergraduate and master's levels. We need to create professionals who understand the ethics and impact of CSR—not just as an obligation, but as a philosophy of giving back”, she firmly argues.

She has also been instrumental in formalizing the Public Relations profession in Tanzania through the establishment of the Public Relations Society of Tanzania (PRST). 

"I was there from the beginning, serving as the first vice president. Supporting the profession wholeheartedly will ensure it gains the respect and impact it deserves."

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ Dr. Ndibalema’s story is a powerful reminder that real inclusion comes from action—ensuring policies, businesses, and individuals all play a role in social development.

"CSR is about more than just corporate donations. It is about impact. It is about making sure businesses integrate social responsibility into their core operations. And as individuals, it is about making small changes that can transform lives”, she emphasizes. 

With her unwavering dedication, Dr. Sophia Ndibalema is not only shaping the future of CSR in Tanzania but also proving that when academia, business and personal passion align, real change is inevitable.