Nuru Michael, in her late twenties, enjoys her participation in the first cohort of trainees at Mwanza city’s first open digital innovation hub, thanks to Enabel’s collaboration with Ennovate Ventures and the government.

“I’m excited to get an opportunity to participate in a guided learning about digital business; I’ll study digital marketing. I’m eager to learn and prove that girls can do what they need with technology. My success will prove to other girls that they can be good in technology as well,” she said.

With funding from the European Union, Enabel provided Ennovate Ventures, a business development company, a grant to run a two year initiative to empower youth’s as competitive entrepreneurs in the digital ecosystems.

The upbeat tone reflected on the Senior Mwanza Regional economist Patrick Karangwa, who officially launched the lab on behalf of the Regional Commissioner on 15 October 2024.

“We hope that this centre will help facilitating advancement of personal growth for youth and their families. Technology is critical for development.  Our youth need technology skills because Tanzania must benefits from integrating in international markets,” said Patrick Karangwa.

This is the first open digital innovation lab in Mwanza, giving youth access to internet, online courses that aim to make them tech savvy to take on challenges of the digital economy.

Tanzania’s urban population, currently estimated at 30% of its overall population is expected to reach 50% around 2040. While the cities in Tanzania offer opportunities for job creation, innovation and inclusion the promises is tainted with low level of professionalization of business, limited access to technology, lack of financial literacy among other limitations.

“Through Ennovate Ventures, Enabel supports effort to transform youth into technology savvy entrepreneurs. Youth entrepreneurs, especially girls, face challenges including capital, business ideas, and markets. One of the solutions harness mobile technology for business,” said Thomas Ekaruwa, TVET Advisor with the INCLU-CITIES project.

The two year project, INCLU-CITIES  is part of  the European Union's bigger program, dubbed SASA , that intends to create wealth and enhance the quality of life for people  – in particular women and youth – of the cities of Mwanza, Tanga and Pemba through improving  conservation of the environment and creating decent jobs. 

It is expected that by the end of the project a particular number of youths, like Nuru, in Mwanza will have valuable skills to the labour market and many more will be capable to venture on their own as business persons.