Our story
From Tanzanian roots, to trees.
The Tree Crowd was founded by Mustansir Amijee. Mustansir grew up in Tanzania and the issues facing its rural communities are close to his heart. His father and grandfather both had links with farming.
Now living and working in London, Mustansir saw a growing demand for great quality organic and vegan goods, many of which could be grown in his home country. He set about bridging the two worlds – joining up farmers with a market for their produce and connecting food lovers with single-origin ethical foods with an overarching mission to combat deforestation in Africa
Mustansir wanted to create the world’s first tree planting programme centred on organic crops. The idea of The Tree Crowd is to complete the circle by establishing a market too.
It starts with trees and ends with great products. The Tree Crowd is a way for everyone to benefit, because that’s how to make it sustainable.
Meet the team
Mustansir
Amijee – Founder
Mustansir has a passion for combating deforestation and supporting farmers. He has experience in impact and ESG investing in agriculture & forestry sectors in Africa. Mustansir is also passionate about supporting SMEs and women empowerment.
Emily Penny,
Head of Brand
Emily is a brand strategist and writer who works with positive impact brands. She brings a wealth of experience of working with consumer brands and charities. Emily helps us tell the Tree Crowd story overseeing content, communications
and design.
Yahya Mbailwa – Project
Supervisor
Yahya oversees our projects in Tanzania focused on traceability and co-ordination with our partners. He has significant experience in forestry particularly seed production and nursery activities. Yahya is a farmer himself and is passionate about growing tree crops.
Alice Bianchini, Social Media & Operations Lead
Alice is responsible for our social media and operations. Alice was born and raised in Italy and has recently moved to the UK. She enjoys being creative and artistic. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, exploring, and going for long walks by the sea and countryside.
Mansuetus Mashelle, Cacau Lead – Morogoro, Tanzania
Manseutus is an organic Supply Chain Manager at Tanzania’s leading supplier of organic cacau, coffee and other commodities. We work with Manseutus to improve the cacau supply-chain including the planting of high quality cacau seedlings and other opportunities.
Bashir Hassan, Coffee Lead – Kilimanjaro Region
Bashir is an Operations Manager at one of the largest commercial coffee farms in Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. He has significant experience in managing the coffee supply chain from growing, processing and distribution. Bashir is passionate about the opportunity of growing coffee sustainably while protecting the natural rainforest systems in the region.
Alban Lutambi, Avocado Lead – Tanzanian Highlands
Alban owns the Mufindi avocado farm and also owns multiple lodges overlooking the Ruaha national park. He is passionate about conservation. The Mufindi region is famous for growing tea and has suffered greatly from deforestation. Alban cares deeply about agriculture and the opportunity it offers small-scale farmers.
Ali Baro, Spices Lead – Zanzibar, Tanzania
Ali leads the Zanzibar Spices & Heritage Centre that works in conjunction with Zanzibar Organic Spice Growers to promote spices grown by small-holder farmers. Ali also operates spice tours for tourists to promote the heritage of Zanzibar spices.
