Francis "Chichi" Saanane
IT Consultant — Tanzania
If it's a technology problem, I can fix it — and if it needs managing long term, I'll take care of that too.
Sixteen years in IT, from running ISP network operations to leading HubNet Tanzania's managed services and consulting practice. Whether it's a network that won't behave, a server that needs rebuilding, a Linux system that needs tuning, or a business that needs its entire IT function looked after — that's the work. The automation and AI tools are part of the toolkit now, but the job is still the same: keep technology working, and make it work better.
The person behind the work
I'm Francis — most people call me Chichi. I started out as a network engineer in 2010, working the backbone of ISP infrastructure in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Over time that grew into running HubNet Tanzania, where I've spent the past decade leading managed IT services and consulting for businesses across Tanzania.
My background is hands-on — routing and switching, server infrastructure, cloud migrations, security — but what I actually spend most of my time on is understanding what a business is trying to do and figuring out how technology can get out of the way and let them do it. These days that increasingly includes building automation workflows with n8n and LLM integrations, which is an area I'm genuinely excited about.
I hold a BSc in Business Information Technology from the University of Greenwich, and certifications including PMP, CCNA, CCIP, and CISA. I'm based in Dar es Salaam and splitting time with a commercial farming project in Pwani — which means I work well remotely and across time zones.
Connect on LinkedInWhatever your business needs from IT
Full IT outsourcing, hands-on support, or anything in between.
Managed IT & Outsourced IT Department
For businesses that need a complete IT function without hiring in-house — I become your IT department. Helpdesk, systems management, vendor relationships, strategy, all of it covered on a retainer basis.
Systems Administration
Day-to-day management of your servers, Linux and Windows environments, user accounts, backups, and keeping systems running reliably and securely.
Infrastructure, Cloud & Networking
Design, deployment, and ongoing management of networks, servers, and cloud environments — on-premise or hosted, built to hold up under real load.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
Firewalls, access controls, and the audit and policy work that keeps you compliant and harder to breach.
IT Strategy & Governance
Help making the right technology decisions — investments, policy, risk, and ICT planning that actually matches how your business works.
Project & Programme Management
PMP-led delivery for infrastructure and transformation projects, from scoping through to handover and training.
AI & Workflow Automation
Practical automation built with n8n and LLM integrations — cutting manual work instead of adding more tools to manage.
Team Leadership & Training
Building and mentoring technical teams, and end-user training to make sure the technology you invest in actually gets used properly.
Recent projects
A mix of completed deliveries and AI automation work still in progress — labeled honestly either way.
Food Delivery Platform, Dar es Salaam
CompletedBuilt an automated outbound calling platform so vendor notifications run themselves — IVR, IP-PBX, and a REST API tying it together.
Real Estate Firm, Dar es Salaam
CompletedModernized the IT backbone: redundant Active Directory, a move off legacy file shares to SharePoint, and tighter firewall configuration and audit readiness.
Fintech Company, Dar es Salaam
CompletedCompute and network upgrade for a fintech data centre — new chassis, roughly 500TB of added storage, and a virtualization environment refresh.
Logistics & Trucking Company, Dar es Salaam
In ProgressBuilding an automation that pulls live GPS data from the fleet, writes an AI-generated performance summary, and emails it out — so reporting stops being a manual chore.
Automotive Services Company, Dar es Salaam
In ProgressWorking through a digital operations discovery for a garage management system that wasn't being used to its potential, with a phased roadmap to fix that.
International NGO, Tanzania
CompletedNationwide ICT assessment across partner institutions, looking at where better digital collaboration could actually help the work.
Where I've worked
Outside IT, I'm developing an agribusiness in Pwani Region — commercial pineapple farming, agrotourism and campsite in progress.
Have an infrastructure or automation problem worth solving?
I take on a limited number of consulting engagements at a time — reach out and let's talk about what you're trying to fix.