About Us
DICOTA is an independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization, duly registered as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) in the state of Minnesota
Our Mission
To enhance the economic, health, and social well being of Tanzanians in America and at home.
Our History
In September 2008, 30 Tanzanian diaspora gathered in Houston, Texas to discuss the possibility of starting a Diaspora Organization of Tanzanians living in the United States of America. The gathering ─ which was also attended by the former Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States, Mr. Ombeni Sefue, along with a delegation of dignitaries from Tanzania’s public and private sector ─ affirmed the need for a united and strengthened diaspora to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices to catalyze meaningful and positive change for a better diaspora and Tanzania. The organization under the name of Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America was then established.
Since its inception, DICOTA has served the diaspora for the past 14 years, by connecting and facilitating networking among diaspora within America and beyond, furnishing diaspora with key information from the public and private sector, advocating for a better enabling environment for the engagement of diaspora in social and economic development of our nation, and implementing community social impact projects in America and Tanzania.
Governance
DICOTA is led by a seven member Executive Committee and is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees. All positions are selected through an election process engaging all members. First elections for both seats were conducted in May 2011.
OUR WORK
Through our tagline “Connect, Empower, and Inspire”, we collaborate with US-based Tanzania diaspora community organizations, non-government organizations and forprofit companies, as well as partner with Tanzanian-based government and private institutions to power progress for diaspora and Tanzania.
DICOTA has several programs, including our signature DICOTA Convention, Mobilize4Health Forums, Young Scholars Leadership Award, Community Outreach projects, Advocacy for Better Collaborative Engagements of Diaspora in the social economic development of Tanzania (ABC of Diaspora). Also, DICOTA is working on new initiatives to foster diaspora engagement in financial capital investments beyond remittances (Diaspora Fi) and bolstering the tourism industry in Tanzania.
