Akilimali was born in Nakapanya village in south Tanzania in 1977. He is one of three brothers who are now currently panting in Tanzania (Issa Issa and Ajaba Issa). He was received in Dar es Salaam by his granfather Salum Mussa (mzee Lumumba) on 27th June 1996 while he was taught by Abasi Mbuka. Since then he is painting at the Cooperative. Now he lives in Mbagala in Dr es Salaam with his wife and one child. He is frustrated over the situtaion in Tingatinga Cooperative. The painters reproduced the paintings and then the price does not generate enough salary. He would like to see more creativity.