We aim to make Dar es Salaam’s beaches accessible to all in our community.
Art by Vanessa Manning, Lafayette College '26
About
When Zakayo Zakaria, CoastClean’s founder, returned from his doctoral fellowship in economics at the University of California at Berkeley in 2023, he brought a piece of his trip back with him. On the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day in 2023, he participated in helping rid Sonoma County’s shore and waterways of trash and debris.
Upon returning to Dar es Salaam, he sought to organize similar efforts for Msasani Beach, a popular destination for locals, tourists, and businesses. CoastClean Tanzania was established in April 2025 to promote environmental stewardship in conjunction with economic growth and urban development.
Our motto, “Fukwe Zetu, Wajibu Wetu,” which translates to “Our Coast, Our Responsibility,” aims to promote environmental awareness by showcasing the importance of communal stewardship. The foundation of this organization is the youth, often those without stable housing, who are otherwise subject to excessive police force if caught loitering. CoastClean Tanzania is aimed at providing food, housing, and a stable social outlet for these bright and spirited individuals. The youth’s work has already attracted the attention of the municipal government, which has offered to pay the youth for their work. Our impact as major environmental stakeholders of the beach has also been recognized by local businesses and our donors across the globe.
Our Mission
CoastClean was established with two outcomes in mind: (1) ensuring Dar es Salaam’s beaches maintain their environmental integrity and accessibility for all community members, and (2) providing resources and care to the hardworking youth who care for these beaches.
Dar es Salaam’s Msasani Beach is a popular destination for leisure and business. However, rising levels of pollution create piles of litter, chemical waste, and washed-up debris that interfere with operations along the beach.
In addition to preserving Msasani’s city-beach aesthetic, CoastClean’s conservation work has significant benefits for the environment and local communities. Litter on the sand and in the water creates significant hazards for marine life, threatening the area's biodiversity. CoastClean Tanzania’s solution is to equip young people with the tools, knowledge, and support to act.