Faraja Nyalandu

Born and raised in Tanzania, Faraja is a resourceful social entrepreneur passionate about developing cutting-edge social and educational programs that empower youth and children. With over 15 years of experience in engaging young people, she has dedicated her professional career and personal life to empowering them to achieve their full potential. In 2013, she established Shule Direct, a thriving organization providing comprehensive web and mobile educational platforms offering learning content across multiple subjects to over a million in- and out-of-school youth. The enterprise now hosts Tanzania’s 1st start-up incubator for young women entrepreneurs for their personal and professional development and developing a digital platform for young entrepreneurs to learn, network, and grow their businesses.

She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network after serving on the Global Future Council for Education, Gender, and Work. Faraja is a Teaching and Learning Thematic Lead for the Regional Educational Learning Initiative (RELI) where she focuses on teachers’ pre and in-service professional development. An education enthusiast, she has also served on the Board of Ubongo Learning, READ, and as a technical adviser for Institutions for Inclusive Development.

In 2020, the World Economic Forum appointed her as a Young Global Leader. Prior to that, she has been recognized as a Leading Woman in Technology in Africa, Tanzania Leadership Awards’ Hall of Fame Woman of the Year Award, and a System Innovator by Segal Family Foundation.