Company Personnel

Jonathan Godfrey Sangau

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Jonathan Godfrey Sangau is the visionary founder and President of Royal Agri Company Limited, a community-driven agricultural enterprise headquartered in Morogoro, Tanzania. Since establishing the company in November 2014, Godfrey has led its growth into a respected provider of agricultural consulting, training, research, and innovative system installations that serve farmers, livestock keepers, and agribusinesses across Tanzania.

With over a decade of experience in the agricultural value chain, Godfrey is deeply committed to improving productivity, sustainability, and resilience in rural communities. His leadership has steered Royal Agri into sectors including horticulture, seed production, renewable energy, and irrigation infrastructure, with a focus on practical solutions like greenhouse design, drip irrigation, solar drying systems, and groundwater surveys.

Known for his strategic thinking and people-centered approach, Godfrey has built strong partnerships with local and international stakeholders, aligning technical innovation with grassroots empowerment. His hands-on knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to inclusive development continue to shape the future of agriculture in Tanzania and beyond.

Jonas Godfrey Sangau

Co-Founder

Jonas Godfrey Sangau is an accomplished leader in agricultural development, with a rich background in animal production and agribusiness extension. He combines strong technical expertise with over a decade of hands-on experience in both the public and private sectors, where he has consistently demonstrated a talent for strategy, implementation, and grassroots impact.

As Vice President of Royal Agri Company Limited, Jonathan provides visionary leadership in steering operational strategies, strengthening farmer outreach systems, and scaling agronomic training initiatives that drive productivity and sustainability. His leadership is grounded in deep field experience and a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing smallholder farmers across Tanzania.

Prior to joining Royal Agri, Jonathan held key positions at institutions such as Minjingu Phosphate Company and Kibo Seeds, where he led regional programs in fertilizer distribution, farmer education, and rural market development across Singida, Manyara, Dodoma, and Kilimanjaro regions.

He is also the Co-Founder and Director of Twins Agrovet and General Supply, a growing enterprise dedicated to equipping farmers with reliable agricultural inputs, extension services, and business linkages. His dual leadership roles reflect his deep commitment to agricultural transformation at both strategic and community levels.

Known for his collaborative leadership style, Jonathan inspires teams, partners, and farming communities alike with his passion for innovation, rural empowerment, and sustainable agriculture. His work continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of agribusiness in Tanzania.

Dr. Paulo John Lyimo

Operations Manager

Dr. Paulo Lyimo is a seasoned forestry and climate change expert with over a decade of experience in academic research, ecosystem management, and national climate initiatives. He holds a Ph.D. in Forestry and Climate Change, an M.Sc. in Ecosystem Science and Management, and a B.Sc. in Forestry—all from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

As the Operations Manager at Royal Agri Company Limited, Dr. Lyimo supports the company’s mission to advance sustainable agriculture through system design, environmental stewardship, and climate-smart practices. His scientific background brings a strong climate resilience perspective to Royal Agri’s work with farmers and communities.

Alongside his role at Royal Agri, he serves as the Acting Director of Measurement, Verification and Research at the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC) and is a Lecturer in the Department of Ecosystems and Conservation at SUA. His research spans biodiversity conservation, forest ecology, carbon monitoring, and climate change mitigation. He has contributed to numerous national and international projects, peer-reviewed publications, and consultancies focused on Tanzania’s ecological future.

Dr. Lyimo’s unique blend of academic expertise and practical leadership makes him an essential figure in driving innovation and environmental responsibility within Tanzania’s agricultural landscape.

Serijo John Mlasu

General Manager

Serijo John Mlasu is a seasoned business development and project management expert with deep expertise in entrepreneurship and agricultural value chains. He holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum Development, Entrepreneurship & Innovation and a University Teaching Qualification Certificate from Vrije University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Additionally, he earned an MBA in Corporate Management from Mzumbe University and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Economics) from the University of Iringa.

As General Manager at Royal Agri Company Limited, Mr. Mlasu oversees the company’s strategic marketing, entrepreneurship, and business development initiatives, driving innovation and capacity building across agricultural value chains such as tomatoes, onions, sunflower, and “mama lishe.” He provides critical technical guidance to entrepreneurs and innovators, empowering marginalized communities in Tanzania’s Njombe, Rukwa, and Mbeya regions.

His leadership portfolio includes managing projects that identify economic activities and develop business ecosystems in local councils. He expertly coordinates business plan competitions utilizing social media and radio, and conducts training on modern entrepreneurship methodologies, including Lean Model Canvas, Business Model Canvas, Human-Centered Design, and customer value strategies.

Mr. Mlasu’s impact extends to mentoring and coaching numerous startups, organizing business pitching events, and fostering collaborations with financial institutions. He has played a key role in USAID-funded programs such as Kilimo Tija-IP4HA and Feed the Future, training hundreds of women and youth entrepreneurs across Tanzania’s Southern Highlands and Zanzibar.

He also spearheaded EU-funded projects like AGRI-CONNECT and COSTEC-funded youth entrepreneurship initiatives, contributing to the launch of multiple successful startups. Beyond Royal Agri, Serijo is a co-founder of the Kiota Innovation Hub, the Bachelor of Applied Marketing and Entrepreneurship (BAME) program, and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Iringa. In 2020, he served as the Iringa Regional Innovation Ecosystem Coordinator, demonstrating his commitment to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems and sustainable agricultural development.

Hosiana Aniny Muro

Accountant

Hosiana Aniny Muro is a dynamic finance and tax professional with a solid background in accounting, compliance, and financial reporting. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Tax Management from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam.

Currently serving as Accountant at Royal Agri Company Limited, Hosiana is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring tax compliance, preparing budgets, and supporting internal controls to maintain financial integrity. Her role includes handling VAT, PAYE, corporate tax filings, payroll processing, and financial data analysis.

Prior to joining Royal Agri, Hosiana served as Chief Accountant at Twins Agrovet and General Supply, where she led the development and implementation of accounting systems, managed reconciliations, and ensured compliance with tax regulations. Her hands-on experience in corporate tax and financial systems has equipped her with strong analytical and organizational skills.

With over two years of practical experience, Hosiana is recognized for her precision, integrity, and commitment to excellence. She was awarded Best Employee of the Year (2024/2025) for her exceptional leadership and positive impact on team performance. Her expertise extends to advanced use of Excel and accounting software, making her a valuable asset in financial management and reporting.

Bertha Simon

Environmentalist

Bertha Simon is an environmental development specialist with over 15 years of experience in community mobilization, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Currently serving as Environmentalist at Royal Agri Company Limited, Bertha applies her expertise to promote sustainable agricultural practices, climate adaptation strategies, and environmental stewardship within the company’s projects and community engagements.

Before joining Royal Agri, Bertha was Team Leader at Twins Agri Development Initiatives in Kiteto District, where she led livelihoods and economic empowerment programs. She also worked with CARE International Tanzania as a Community Mobilization Officer for the WE-RISE project and as a Field Officer under the global EPWS initiative in partnership with WWF. Her skills include farmer training, village savings and loan (VSL) group formation, land use planning, market linkage development, and climate change adaptation.

Passionate about grassroots transformation, Bertha is recognized for bridging community efforts with national-level strategies, collaborating closely with ministries, research institutions, and NGOs. She is a proud member of Jumuiya ya Maridhiano Tanzania and continues to champion rural development and environmental sustainability across Tanzania.

Lugina Mads Riziki

Monitoring and Evaluation Expert

Lugina Mads Riziki is a seasoned Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) professional with over a decade of experience managing data-driven development projects across Tanzania. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Dodoma and a Bachelor’s degree in Management of Social Development from Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy.

Currently, Lugina serves as the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert at Royal Agri Company Limited, where she leads the design and implementation of M&E systems to ensure effective tracking of project performance, impact assessment, and evidence-based decision-making to enhance agricultural and community development initiatives.

Prior to joining Royal Agri, Lugina worked as a MEAL Coordinator at World Vision Tanzania under the AHADI Project, focusing on results-based planning, data analysis, and learning initiatives to improve the wellbeing of marginalized adolescent girls. Her experience with organizations such as Pact, Africare, and World Vision’s ENRICH & ENCORE projects has strengthened her expertise in sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and community capacity building.

Fluent in SPSS, ODK, DHIS2, and logical frameworks, Lugina is known for transforming complex data into actionable insights that improve impact, accountability, and sustainability. She combines strategic precision with a passion for inclusive development in all her work.

Boniphace Dickson

Agronomist

Boniphace Dickson is an accomplished agronomist and agricultural business leader with extensive experience in seed production, agrochemicals, pest management, and technical operations across Tanzania and the East African region. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Currently, Boniphace serves as an Agronomist at Royal Agri Company Limited, where he applies his expertise to support sustainable agricultural practices, improve crop production, and provide technical guidance to farmers and agribusiness stakeholders. His role involves advancing seed quality, pest management strategies, and enhancing agricultural productivity within the company’s projects and services.

Prior to joining Royal Agri, Boniphace held leadership roles including Country Head of Sales and Operations at FarmCare Company Limited, where he oversaw business development and strategic planning in seed and agricultural input supply. He also led technical and field operations at Epinav Agricultural Solutions and was Country Seeds & Agrochemicals Head at Export Trading Group (ETG) Inputs Limited. Earlier in his career, he gained valuable experience at Syngenta Tanzania and Kilombero Sugar Company (Illovo), specializing in sugarcane production, pest and fertilizer management, and quality assurance.

Boniphace is recognized for his strategic vision, leadership skills, and ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, commercial farms, government bodies, and farmer groups. He is fluent in English and Swahili and adept at managing multicultural teams with proficiency in industry-relevant software.

Zainabu Sadiki Rajabu

Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist

Zainabu Sadiki Rajabu is an experienced agriculture and agribusiness specialist dedicated to transforming the livelihoods of marginalized smallholder farmers and communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sokoine University of Agriculture and brings strong skills in business development, technical support, and problem-solving.

At Royal Agri Company Limited, Zainabu applies her expertise to support farmers and agribusinesses through customized business solutions, training, and capacity building. She is passionate about empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhancing market access and value chain development.

Prior to joining Royal Agri, Zainabu served as a Youth Engagement Officer and Business Information Centre Operator at the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) in Manyara. There, she supervised project teams, facilitated business registration and training, and successfully linked pulses producers to markets and regulatory agencies. She has trained over 250 SMEs on business planning, record keeping, and marketing techniques.

Zainabu is skilled in SME development, customer relationship management, product specification, and business analysis. Fluent in both English and Swahili, she combines practical field experience with strategic business development skills to foster sustainable agricultural growth.

Lewis Kusolwa

Nutritionist

Lewis Kusolwa is a dedicated nutritionist committed to improving community health and wellbeing through better nutrition practices and education. With a strong background in nutritional science and community health promotion, Lewis focuses on supporting agricultural initiatives that enhance the nutritional value of food and promote healthy diets.

At Royal Agri Company Limited, Lewis works closely with farmers, agribusinesses, and local communities to integrate nutrition-sensitive approaches into agricultural production and food systems. He provides expert guidance on food security, dietary diversity, and nutrition education to empower individuals and families to make informed food choices.

Lewis’s approach combines scientific knowledge with practical strategies to address malnutrition, improve maternal and child health, and support sustainable livelihoods. He is passionate about fostering collaborations between agricultural development and public health sectors to create lasting impacts on nutrition outcomes.