Our Story
Most Saw Challenges. We Saw Possibility
Rishen Patel · Founder & CEO
Founder's Message
A Note from Our Founder
Tanzania has always been more than a location to me, it is home, inspiration, and calling. I grew up here, left to build experience in the United States, and returned with one ambition: to build something extraordinary that reflects the true potential of this remarkable nation.
Delaware Investments was born in 2021 from that ambition. Not to replicate what exists elsewhere in the world, but to create something that has never existed here before, luxury that is genuinely Tanzanian in soul, and genuinely world-class in standard.
Every project we have undertaken, every partnership we have forged, and every community we have served is part of a single vision: a Tanzania that leads Africa, in hospitality, in industry, and in humanity.
I am deeply grateful to every partner, investor, and team member who has believed in this vision. The best is still ahead of us.
Rishen Patel
Founder & CEO, Delaware Investments Limited
Tanzania Context
The World Is Discovering Tanzania
Tanzania is one of Africa's most stable, fastest-growing, and naturally endowed nations. With over 5.36 million tourists visiting in 2024 alone and tourism generating approximately USD 4 billion in annual revenue, the opportunity is vast, and it is still largely untapped.
Tourism accounts for 17.2% of Tanzania's GDP. The Serengeti draws over 589,000 visitors per year. Zanzibar surpassed its international tourist targets by 2024. And agriculture remains the backbone of the national economy, contributing approximately 65% to GDP and employing the majority of Tanzanians.
We are not chasing this opportunity. We are building the infrastructure that will define it for generations.
5.36M
Tourists visited Tanzania in 2024
USD 4B
in tourism revenue generated
17.2%
of GDP from tourism
According to TANZANIAINVEST Site
589K
visitors to Serengeti in 2024
Who We Are
Built on Vision. Driven by Purpose.
We believe extraordinary destinations are rarely found on the easiest path. They are discovered through vision, patience, and a willingness to see opportunity where others see complexity.
From the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, Delaware creates destinations, industries, and community initiatives designed to generate lasting value for generations to come.
Our work is guided by a simple belief: that world-class development should strengthen communities, elevate destinations, and leave every place better than we found it.
Core Values
What We Stand For
Sustainability
We build with the land, not against it. Solar energy, plastic-free operations, farm-to-table sourcing, and partnerships with local artisans are not marketing statements; they are the foundation of how we work.
Quality
We partner only with the world's finest hospitality brands because our guests, our investors, and our country deserve nothing less. From the architecture of our lodges to the training of our staff, quality is non-negotiable.
Shared Prosperity
Every development should create opportunity beyond its boundaries. Through employment, education, healthcare, and community partnerships, we ensure that growth is shared by the people who help make it possible.
The Right Partners.
For the Right Projects.
Delaware Investments aligns with institutions that share our standards, our ambition, and our commitment to excellence. From Marriott International to the agencies that steward Tanzania's wilderness, and the local communities at its heart. Within the next 18 months, the foundation for our next chapter of expansion is being laid.
Trusted Alliances
Strategic Reach
5+
Institutional & community partners across East Africa
Our Partners