GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FOR VISION 2050

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue empowering women to fully participate in Tanzania's economic development through entrepreneurship, trade, and industry.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith Kapinga, by the Rector of the College of Business Education (CBE), Prof. Edda Tandi Lwoga, at the 5th Top 50 Young Women Entrepreneurs Awards ceremony on September 19, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, it was emphasized that women are a crucial pillar in achieving the National Development Vision 2050.

Hon. Kapinga congratulated the organizers of the awards and noted that over the past four years, 178 young women entrepreneurs have been recognized, with 13 more women receiving awards this year. She highlighted that their success demonstrates that when women are given opportunities, capital, and market access, they can contribute significantly to the nation's economic growth.

Additionally, Hon. Kapinga's speech stressed the importance of women leveraging opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing product quality, adopting digital technologies, and participating in local and international trade fairs to help expand markets and boost the competitiveness of Tanzanian goods.

Furthermore, the speech noted that the Government continues to implement the policy allocating 30% of public procurement tenders to women and youth, under which contracts worth over 28 billion Tanzanian shillings have been awarded. Additionally, 200 billion Tanzanian shillings have been allocated through the Women and Youth Loan Fund to support business growth and sustainable job creation.

Concluding the speech on behalf of Hon. Kapinga, Prof. Lwoga urged women entrepreneurs to utilize existing opportunities to expand their businesses and become investors, employers, and leaders in the private sector.

On her part, Prof. Lwoga called on the stakeholders to pursue further business education at CBE, noting that the college offers programs directly aimed at business management, employability, and self-employment.