Wallace Karia has been serving as the President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) since 2017, succeeding Jamal Malinzi. Born in 1963 in Dar es Salaam, Karia pursued a career in accounting and public administration, earning a degree in accounting in 1990 and a master’s degree in 1994.

Before entering football administration, he held key positions in public service, including Chief Accountant at Morogoro Regional Government, Executive Director at Mvomero District Council, and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office. His extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, and financial management laid the foundation for his transformative leadership in Tanzanian football.

Under Karia’s leadership, TFF has achieved significant milestones:

• • >> Strengthening Domestic Football: Improving league organization, club infrastructure, and refereeing standards to enhance professionalism across all levels.

• • >> Youth and Women Development: Launching grassroots programs and academies, including the Tanzania Soccer Academy (TSA), to nurture young talent and promote gender inclusivity.

• • >> International Representation: Elected President of CECAFA in 2019, and serving on the CAF Executive Committee, representing East and Central Africa in continental football governance.

• >> National Team Progress: Supporting the growth of the Taifa Stars (Men) and Twiga Stars (Women), ensuring competitive participation in African tournaments and regional competitions.

President Karia often emphasizes the importance of vision, integrity, and national pride in football. In his own words:

“Football is more than a game in Tanzania; it is a tool to unite our communities, inspire our youth, and showcase our talent to the world.”

“Our mission is to build a system where talent is nurtured, professionalism is prioritized, and our national teams make Tanzania proud at every level.”

His tenure is characterized by a commitment to transparent governance, strategic development, and sustainable growth, with a focus on building a football ecosystem that empowers players, officials, and communities alike.

“We aim to leave a legacy where football in Tanzania is recognized not only for its passion but for its professionalism, competitiveness, and inclusivity.”

We manage the NBC Premier League, lower divisions, youth and women’s football, as well as national teams including the men’s team Taifa Stars, women’s team Twiga Stars, and youth squads such as Serengeti Boys (U-17) and Ngorongoro Heroes (U-20).

Our mission is to promote excellence in football through talent development, fair competition, infrastructure improvement, and international participation. TFF is dedicated to making football not only a sport but also a unifying force and a source of national pride for Tanzania.