If you end up taking a gap semester, I highly recommend spending time in Dar es Salaam. It's a great city, tons of people everywhere, lots to see and do. The population explosion[0] and median age of ~19 (compared to ~39 in the US) gives it a vibrancy and dynamism that is hard to find in the West.

There would be challenging moments during your stay of course, but if you play your cards right and talk with the right people, you'll get a sense of what's in play there and how you might be able to contribute should you choose to return to the region.

[0] https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dar-es-salaam...