How late billionaire rescued Tanzania during the 1970s fuel crisis

Dodoma. Prominent Tanzanian businessman and philanthropist Mustafa Sabodo passed away on Saturday at his Masaki home in Dar es Salaam at the age of 82.

Born in Lindi in 1942, Sabodo was a self-made entrepreneur whose business acumen led to the founding of the Sabodo Group, a conglomerate with interests in construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The group operates across Tanzania, India, France, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Sabodo's legacy extends beyond his business achievements.

He was a staunch patriot who famously intervened during Tanzania's oil crisis in the 1970s. In the 1970s, Tanzania and other countries in the world faced a shortage of fuel, a situation that forced the government to restrict cars from operating on Sundays, while on Saturdays they could operate until 2pm.

That situation forced Sabodo, who was a close friend of then-President Julius Nyerere, to ask permission from the president to personally travel to meet with the then Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, to appeal for fuel to rescue the country from the crisis.

In his past interview with the media, Sabodo said that he believed that Khomeini would listen to him. As such, the government allowed him and he travelled with former National Assembly Speaker, Chief Adam Sapi Mkwawa.

"I am Khoja, a Shia Muslim, and Khomeini is also of the same group. When I met him, I told him about the suffering of Tanzania due to the fuel shortage, and that among those affected are many Shia Muslims."

"I told him Tanzania is a good country without discrimination, and President Nyerere is a good man. Even his Prime Minister is Rashid Kawawa and the Minister of Minerals and Energy Anoor Kassam are good men. I went on my knees at his feet crying, begging him to provide our country with oil, and he agreed,” Sabodo said.

However, Khomeini insisted that government officials should be the ones to receive the fuel and not Sabodo.

"I returned to Tanzania and informed the father of the nation, and he told Kawawa and John Malecela, and it was agreed upon. We went to Iran again, this time with the Minister of Finance, Cleopa Msuya, Anoor Kassam for Oil and Transportation, and Peter Noni representing the Bank of Tanzania, along with Adam Sapi Mkwawa," he said.

Sabodo said when they met, the leader, Khomeini provided Tanzania with oil worth $80,000.

Additionally, during that trip Sabodo advised Khomeini to open an Iranian embassy in Tanzania, and he agreed. He also did the same for Zambia. As a result, Tanzania opened an embassy in Iran too.

Sabodo's generosity touched various sectors of Tanzanian society.

Although, he was a member of ruling party CCM, Sabodo was a supporter of various political parties, donating funds to both the CCM and the opposition Chadema party.

He also actively funded community initiatives, including educational projects and infrastructure.

Sabodo's philanthropic efforts included significant contributions to the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, the Mtwara College of Education, and the Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital.

He was also a patron of the Khoja Shia-aheri project. In 2016, Sabodo pledged a $5 billion investment in Dodoma, contingent on the government's relocation of the capital there.

This audacious move reflected his belief in fulfilling the vision of Tanzania's founding president, Mwalimu Nyerere.

Mustafa Sabodo's death leaves a void in Tanzania. He was a respected figure who combined business success with a deep commitment to social progress.

His dedication to his country and his fellow citizens will be remembered for years to come.

Sabodo is survived by his wife, four children, and grandchildren.