Dr Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro is strengthening Tanzania’s health system through her leadership at the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation.
Dr Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro has become a recognisable figure in Tanzania’s public health landscape, largely through her role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BMF). Her work with the foundation places her at the centre of efforts to strengthen health systems and improve access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas of the country.
The Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BWF) was established to advance the vision of the late President Benjamin William Mkapa, with a particular focus on improving healthcare delivery and access. Mkondya-Senkoro became the foundation’s founding CEO and has since overseen its strategic direction and expansion.
Mkondya-Senkoro’s career is grounded in clinical and public health training. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH), qualifications that have shaped her approach to health system development. Hubert Kairuki Memorial University has also awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon. DSc), in recognition of her service and contributions to the health sector.
Before joining BMF, she worked across several areas of Tanzania’s health sector, gaining experience in policy implementation, human resources for health (HRH), and programme delivery. Her early work exposed her to long-standing national challenges, including shortages of skilled health workers, high maternal and child mortality rates, and the persistent burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Under her leadership, BMF has implemented a wide range of initiatives focused on health workforce development, service delivery improvement, and community-level health support. Public reports indicate that the foundation has completed over 35 health-related projects to date, covering areas such as reproductive, maternal, and child health, infectious diseases, and emergency health responses. These projects have reached millions of Tanzanians nationwide, including communities with historically limited access to health services.
One of the foundation’s key areas of work has been addressing shortages in health personnel. Through training programmes, scholarships, and capacity-building efforts, BMF has contributed to the development of a more robust and better-equipped health workforce. The foundation has also been involved in supporting the government with human resources strategies and initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare systems.
Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro is also involved in wider sector governance. She serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Muhimbili National Hospital – Mloganzila, one of Tanzania’s leading national referral hospitals. Her position reflects her broader engagement in health sector management and her involvement in discussions around system efficiency, workforce planning, and service delivery improvements further reinforces her expertise.
Her work at BMF has also intersected with national policy processes, particularly in areas relating to human resources for health and health financing. While her role is not directly governmental, the foundation’s programme experiences have informed policy dialogues and contributed to national strategic frameworks.
Impact and continuing priorities
Publicly available information suggests that the foundation’s programmes have reached a significant portion of the population. Some reports estimate that more than 30 million Tanzanians have benefited from various interventions over the years.
Ultimately, Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro has emphasised the importance of sustaining progress through continued investment in digital health innovations, cross-sector collaboration, and stronger community engagement. These priorities reflect broader shifts in health system reform across Africa, where digital tools, data management, and community-driven models of care are becoming increasingly central to the reform process.
