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From Dreamful Welder to the Winner of Tanzania National Skills Competition 2026
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 15/10/2026
After completing primary education in 2017, his father took him to a welding workshop in Tanga to learn and grow. That is how Abdalah Mhando was set on a pathway to pursue a skill. After a couple of months, trusting he had learned enough and, hoping that the youngster would soon earn his own living, his dad sent him to an uncle in Dar es Salaam. In Dar es Salaam things did not pan out as expected. Abdallah returned to Tanga to look for jobs. His notable turn down was a sisal plantation. “The manager told me, you have some skill and effort, but you lack all credentials,” said Abdallah. The rejection hurt, but he did not dishearten him. A commissioned study through EU funded INCLU-CITIES project in Tanga, Mwanza and Pemba confirmed that hundreds of thousands of youths who often struggle to land decent jobs partly because employers required a set of skills that most job seekers do not even know they lacked. Abdallah’s pivotal moment came in 2025 with the announcement of sponsored opportunities to learn welding and metal fabrication at Vocational Education Training Authority (VETA) Tanga. Funded by the European Union and implemented by Enabel Tanzania, the training opportunities sought to equip youth with skills that prepared them for the demands of the job market. His fervent driven personality found a welcoming space in the well-equipped workshops and tutors. He participated in almost all classes, and stood out as one always ready to practice, ask questions and consult tutors. No wonder, when VETA Tanga picked learners from the welding class to participate in the skills competition at regional level, Abdallah was on the list. Among twelve competitors from different technical training centers, Abdallah came on top of the list of five that qualified from the regional competition to compete nationally. “It was unbelievable. My tutor called me to travel to the regional competition while I was in practical training at a factory in Tanga. I was sometimes nervous. It was my first ever competition,” he said. He said he learned a lot during the competition. Confidence, consulting with new people— equals and superiors— timed tasks and more important reading drawings and interpreting them fast and executing. He focused on sharpening his skills to interpret technical drawings into an items. In Tanga in August 2026, Abdallah secured top position in welding and metal fabrication in the national skills competition. “I’m grateful to Enabel and VETA for offering the learning opportunities that have supported me to develop my skills and show my capacity,” said Abdallah. The training under INCLU-CITIES has been designed to equip learners with technical and non-technical skills for the job market as employees or owners of small businesses. ends
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A New Skill Sets Anna on a Pathway to Self-Employment
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 15/10/2026
Anna Sanga did not want to stay idle after completing lower secondary school in Tanga. She pestered her parents to support her learn a trade that she can earn her own living. Youth aged 15—34 years old make 34 percent of Tanzania’s population according to official population census 2022. Many youth struggle to find decent jobs or run profitable enterprises because of mismatch in their qualifications and skills needed in the job market. Girls face a particularly more difficult situation because of gender stereotypes that exclude them from technical trades considered male. With funding from the European Union, Enabel Tanzania implements the Inclusive Green and Smart Cities (INCLU-CITIES) project in Mwanza, Pemba and Tanga. The project strengthens vocational training institutions, facilitates their linkage with employers, and promotes digital and green businesses in different value chains. With special emphasis on bringing girls in ‘traditionally’ male trades, INCLU-CITIES partnered with Vocational Education Training Authority (Kipawa) to deliver phone repair classes in Mwanza and Tanga. Anna’s father, a phone repairer too, heard it and nudged her daughter to go register. “I was worried as I went at VETA Tanga to register. I knew it is going to be all boys and men,” says the 21-year-old. And so, it was. She was relieved that in a class of 36 learners; she was among the three girls. Intervention INCLU-CITIES focuses on urban areas to support Tanzania’s government efforts to develop business opportunities, skilled jobs and resilient to dynamics of climate and environment changes. It is estimated that by 2050 more than half of the population of Tanzania will be living in urban areas. Vibrant businesses, skilled workforce and green investment will contribute to building liveable and inclusive cities. Anna found the phone repair classes at VETA useful. Theory and practical sessions helped the knowledge settle in. To facilitate transition from vocational training to jobs, INCLU-CITIES project coordinate collaboration between training institutions and employers. To sustain this collaboration beyond the project lifetime, a structure called Skills Development Platforms (SDPs) has been formed to bring together employers, training providers and other stakeholders. Their dialogues results in tweaking training programmes to suit labour market needs and increase employment opportunities for graduates. For Anna’s case, this linkage took her to phone repair master craft on 14th Avenue in Tanga town. Master crafts are well positioned to support apprentices with techniques and nuances they may not attain at campus classes and workshops. “Technical work is only part of what a successful phone repair craft person should know. I spend a lot of time guarding my apprentices on keys skills like confidence, customer care, and legal issues related to our trade,” says Hussein. He has been in phone repair trade for nearly 20 years. “Fundi Hussein has taught me that the first quality I must have is confidence. If you doubt your capacity to problem solving you will fail to diagnose and address issues a client brings,” says Anna. After spending time at VETA and now as apprentice at Hussein’s phone repair shop, she has gained confidence in diagnosing issues in phones and thinking about solutions. Content with her choice of trade, Anna is looking forward to opening her own shop to repair phone and sell phone accessories. Overall achievement VETA Kipawa,the only formal vocational training institution offering phone repair classes in Tanzania registered a total of 72 youth for classes delivered in Tanga and Mwanza in December 2025 to February 2026. Anna is among more than 600 youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who have completed work readiness program and acquired skills that increase their chances of securing employment and self-employment opportunities. They learned cage fish farming, gas welding, electricity, sewage, motorcycle repair, and phone repair. Ends
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Bee keeping is no longer for men only
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 15/10/2026
Dainess Issa Ali, a fourth child in her family of four girls and four boys, grew up in an extended family home with uncles and aunties and other siblings. She loved honey and always knew bee keeping and harvesting honey is preoccupation of grown older men. Youth, especially girls in Kigoma region in Tanzania, live with gender realities that confine their choices of study and livelihood trades. Her perspective changed when she registered at the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute (MATI)-Mubondo to learn bee keeping and value addition to agricultural crops. Organised with technical and financial support from Enabel Tanzania’s Wezesha Binti project the work readiness training sought to enable girls take advantage of the economic opportunities available in Kasulu district in Kigoma—a regional abundantly endowed with fertile soils and swathes of forested land. “I learned a lot about gender and was amazed how our tutors insisted that girls can manage a hive farm just as men. It was unimaginable at first, but I was happy how they helped me understand and practice,” Said Dainess MATI-Mubondo taught her modern ways to set up and manage an apiary and, processing honey to get multiple products. Besides that,Dainess joined Young Beekeepers Group, an organization of 16 members she formed with fellow learners at MATI who came from Kidyama. News of a group of 15 young girls and one young man engaged in bee keeping and honey processing business raised eyebrows in their village. Culturally bee keeping and honey selling is done by aged men in Kidyama and in Kigoma generally. While at MATI-Mubondo, youth learned gender equality, opening their eyes about economic, social and cultural opportunities available to both male and females. With Young Beekeepers, gender is no longer a block. Wezesha Binti project provided the group a start- up capital of 30 hives, protective gear and other bee keeping supplies, The college allocated a forest area to the group for five years to enable them to establish and manage their apiary. Now, contrary to her perspective before Enabel support, Dainess has five hives on her own, apart from the 30 hives that Enabel gave the group to set up their apiary. With her group their plan is to increase their production capacity to 500 hives and move their apiary to their own piece of land by 2030.
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Kundi Salum’s journey from a stressful youth to decent job
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 15/10/2026
Back in 2022, Kundi Salum and her family had considered learning a skilled trade at the Kigoma centre of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), but the costs were too high for her aunt who had been taking care of the young lady after her parents passed away. Kigoma region’s population is dominated by a youth workforce. However, many young people—particularly girls and young women—remain poorly positioned to benefit from economic opportunities that continue to grow in Kigoma. High training costs, persistent gender stereotypes, inadequate gender-responsive facilities, weak links between training institutions and employers, and limited access to workplace experience restrict their participation in vocational education and their transition into decent employment. Kundi’s path changed in 2025 when she joined food processing course at VETA Kigoma through the facilitation of Wezesha Binti Project. With support from the Belgian government, the Wezesha Binti project strengthens the transition from training to work by facilitating linkages between TVET institutions linkages and employers. In Kigoma town, Third Man Limited, a honey processing and marketing company famously known as Upendo honey is one of private sector collaborators in the Wezesha Binti’s TVET program. “We found that Wezesha Binti mission to empower girls with skills and decent jobs and businesses matches with our objectives as a company,” says, Byela Bandio, a Human Resource Officer at Third Man Limited. As part of the memorandum of understanding between Enabel and VETA, doors were open for learners like Kundi to gain the much-needed experience. “At Upendo honey I learned how to live like an employee, how to interact with people at a place of work, how to contribute to a team,” says Kundi. On top of providing space for VETA’s students to gain practical experience, Upendo Honey offered to employ some, based on the company’s requirements. Kundi was one of the three girls who received a call to report for work at Upendo Honey a couple of months after completing their field attachment. Employers that collaborate with VETA and Enabel through Wezesha Binti benefit with meeting youth that are hardworking and malleable therefore can be trained to fit in their environment. “Without this collaboration probably, we would not have been able to meet some of these young girls who are excellent staff and very good people,” says Byela. Upendo honey did not require additional interview for the youth because they already observed their work ethic during their practical attachment. Kundi's experience reflects the broader impact of the Wezesha Binti Project in supporting young women to transition from training to decent employment. A total of 300 graduates (204 women and 96 men) has secured decent employment through partnerships with public and private sector employers, including Third Man Limited (Upendo Honey), Kasulu Sugar Company, and other industries. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to get a job at Upendo Honey. I have a salary, I have NSSF, and I have medical insurance. Our factory is far from restaurants, but our employer provides lunch for us. I feel valued.” Her story demonstrates how partnerships between TVET institutions and employers can create sustainable employment opportunities for young women in Kigoma. ends
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Building partnerships that connect skilled youth to jobs
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 10/07/2026
A graduation ceremony is usually a celebration of certificates and academic achievement. At the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) Kasulu Centre in Tanzania's Kigoma Region, however, the audience told a different story. Alongside proud parents and government leaders sat employers from local industries, ready not only to applaud graduates but also to recruit them. It was an uncommon but encouraging sight—a clear sign that collaboration between training institutions, government and the private sector is transforming how young people transition from learning to work. The event showcased the results of the Wezesha Binti Project, implemented by Enabel and funded by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beyond celebrating project achievements, it demonstrated how sustained partnerships can address one of the biggest challenges facing youth employment programmes: ensuring that training leads to real opportunities. Turning skills into jobs Across Africa, many young people complete vocational training only to discover that employers are looking for different skills, while businesses struggle to find qualified workers. This mismatch between training and labour market needs remains one of the key drivers of youth unemployment, particularly for young women who often face additional social and economic barriers. Rather than treating vocational training as a standalone intervention, the Wezesha Binti Project invests in building relationships among local government authorities, vocational training providers and employers. Together, they identified occupations with growing demand, created opportunities for workplace learning, and ensured that employers became active partners in preparing young people for employment. "Our role has been to bring everyone around the same table," explains Christine Rwankote, Project Manager for Wezesha Binti. "We have worked with private companies to create industrial attachment opportunities, while engaging government and employers to support internships and employment pathways for graduates." A region of growing opportunity Kigoma is rapidly emerging as an economic gateway in western Tanzania. Its strategic location bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the ongoing Standard Gauge Railway project, is creating new opportunities in transport, logistics, construction and manufacturing. The region hosts more than 1,100 industries, most of them micro and small enterprises, alongside a growing number of medium-sized businesses. These developments are increasing demand for skilled workers who are ready to contribute. Recognising this opportunity, the Enabel, through the Wezesha Binti project, works to align vocational training with local labour market needs. Young people received technical training alongside work readiness and life skills that employers consistently identify as essential, including communication, teamwork, and professionalism and problem-solving. Dreams realised through partnership For graduates like Renatha Augustino, the programme has opened doors that once seemed impossible. After completing lower secondary school, financial circumstances prevented her from continuing her education. While she earned an income by styling hair, her real passion was motor vehicle mechanics—a career choice many people questioned because she was a young woman. Today, Renatha proudly holds skills in both professions. "I now have two professions," she says with a smile. "I can style hair, repair vehicles and even drive them. The confidence I have gained is something I never imagined." Her classmate Jackline Paschal shares a similar story. After leaving school following pregnancy, she supported herself through tailoring while apprenticing at a local garage whenever time allowed. Formal vocational training gave her the technical skills and nationally recognised qualifications needed to pursue her ambition with confidence. Their stories illustrate how opportunity expands when training is matched with employer engagement and practical workplace experience. Employers become partners The graduation ceremony reflected just how far these partnerships have developed. This was evident not only in the participation of employers but also in the results achieved through the collaboration. The numbers behind the collaboration are equally encouraging. In June 2026, 104 trainees—75 women and 29 men—graduated from VETA Kasulu after completing six months of training in motor vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing, and batik and soap making. The project also supported 32 employees from Kasulu Sugar Company to obtain nationally recognised RPL certification, strengthening both individual career prospects and company productivity. As one of the project's industry partners, Kasulu Sugar celebrated not only the graduation of trainees but also the certification of its employee’s success of employees who completed the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, receiving nationally recognised certification as plant operators. The company also announced that it would retain all five motor vehicle mechanics trainees who had completed industrial attachment at the company, together with two plumbing graduates. "We are proud to be part of this collaboration," said the company's Human Resources Manager. "Our employees gained formal certification while we provided trainees with practical workplace experience. Both the company and the learners have benefited." Government leaders also pledged continued support. Speaking during the ceremony, the Kasulu District Commissioner committed to prioritising skilled youth entrepreneur groups for district economic empowerment loans, recognising that access to finance is another important step towards sustainable livelihoods. The project also facilitated pathways for 50 graduates to access employment opportunities for graduates linked to the Standard Gauge Railway project, while previous internship partnerships with Upendo Honey have already resulted in graduates securing permanent positions after demonstrating strong workplace performance. Lessons for youth employment programmes By engaging employers during programme design, aligning training with labour market demand, investing in workplace learning and maintaining strong collaboration with government and training institutions, young people are far more likely to make a successful transition into employment or entrepreneurship. The graduation at VETA Kasulu was therefore more than an end-of-course celebration. It demonstrated how collaboration between government, vocational training institutions and employers can help young people move more quickly from training into employment or entrepreneurship. As Kigoma's economy continues to grow, strengthening these partnerships will remain essential in ensuring that more young people acquire the skills, experience and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods. ends
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From Kigoma to the Nation: Enabel's Teacher Training Initiative Set to Benefit Thousands of Educators and Learners across Tanzania
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 10/07/2026
When Rozalia Alfred Mtawala from Mkongoro Secondary School in Kigoma logged onto Tanzania's online teacher learning platform, MEWAKA, she gained access to training materials that would soon reach far beyond her classroom. More importantly, she became part of a chain of change that is reshaping how teaching happens across the country. "Now that I have learned and joined the MEWAKA platform, I can continue updating myself and I will definitely share this opportunity with teachers who have not been able to access the training," she says. Rozalia is among more than 500 teachers from 25 secondary schools in Kigoma Region who have benefited from pedagogical training supported by Enabel Tanzania through the Wezesha Binti Project. What distinguishes this initiative from typical one-off training programs is its design for scale and sustainability. The lessons learned in Kigoma are now embedded in a national system that is fundamentally changing how teachers teach across Tanzania. How Change Spreads Through a System Kigoma has long faced educational challenges that reflect broader systemic issues in the region. A shortage of teachers, limited capacity in teaching methodologies, English language skills, and ICT proficiency have contributed to low performance in national examinations. The shortage of computers, electricity, and internet connectivity has further limited access to modern teaching resources. For girls, these barriers are compounded by social and cultural factors that disrupt their education. In some areas, one out of every three students who begin lower secondary education does not complete it. The Enabel addressed these challenges by investing in teacher capacity building, but with a critical difference: the training was designed to be shared. Teachers learned practical, learner-centered teaching approaches that could be adapted to their contexts and passed on to colleagues. This created the conditions for systemic change rather than isolated improvement. When teachers like Datius Rwehumbiza and Elifuraha Singo completed the training, they didn't simply apply new methods in their own classrooms. They became advocates for change within their schools and networks. "I believe the methods we learned will be a catalyst for solving the teaching challenges we have in schools," says Elifuraha. "Many teachers still use teacher-centered methods. This training has enabled us to understand how to use learner-centered approaches effectively." This is how systemic change begins: through teachers who experience better methods and actively share them with colleagues. From Regional Initiative to National Infrastructure The real multiplication of impact came through institutional partnership. Enabel Tanzania collaborated with the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and the School of Education Development at the University of Dar es Salaam to formalize and scale the training modules. The pedagogical approaches developed and tested in Kigoma were documented, refined, and integrated into TIE's online library. This transformation from a regional project to a national resource marks a critical shift. Teachers across Tanzania now have access to the same high-quality training materials that were piloted in Kigoma, accessible through MEWAKA. "This collaboration is evidence of the joint efforts by TIE, the University of Dar es Salaam, and Enabel to contribute to improving the quality of education in Tanzania," says Angela Kabatabaro, Deputy Director General of TIE. The infrastructure for access has been carefully designed to reach teachers where they are. Through a partnership with Airtel, teachers can access the platform and browse learning materials without consuming mobile data via a zero-rating package. This removes a significant barrier for educators in resource-constrained areas. Systemic Change Accelerated by Curriculum Reform The timing of this initiative aligns with a critical moment in Tanzania's education system. The launch of the new 2025 curriculum represents a formal shift away from traditional lecture-based teaching toward learner-centered approaches that emphasize active participation and critical thinking. The modules developed through the Wezesha Binti Project directly support this transition. They cover Life Skills and Health Education for Adolescents, Gender-Responsive Pedagogy, Environmental and Climate Change Education, and learner-centered methodologies. Rather than teachers struggling to implement a new curriculum without guidance, they now have access to proven approaches and practical strategies. Datius Rwehumbiza describes the platform's value: "I will use MEWAKA to continue updating my knowledge. It is a useful platform for a serious teacher to refresh skills and get new ideas that improve classroom delivery." The convergence of teacher training, institutional infrastructure, and curriculum reform creates the conditions for systemic change. Teachers are not being asked to change in isolation; they are being equipped with tools, resources, and peer networks that make the change sustainable.Extending Change beyond the Classroom The project's impact extends beyond teachers. For the first time, more than 70 non-teaching staff, including school nurses, counselors, and security personnel, participated in training on values education and life skills. This whole-school approach recognizes that systemic change requires all school staff to understand and support learner-centered practices. These staff members play a critical role in student wellbeing and are often the first to identify vulnerable learners who need support. By including them in the training, the project ensures that the shift toward learner-centered approaches is embedded across the entire school system. A Model for Scaling Educational Change What began as an intervention to improve education outcomes in Kigoma has evolved into a model for how systemic change can be achieved in education systems. The key elements are clear: invest in teacher capacity building, design for sharing and peer- learning, formalize successful approaches through institutional partnerships, align with broader system reforms, and remove barriers to access.By supporting the development of professional learning modules and making them freely accessible through TIE's online library, Enabel and its partners have created infrastructure for change that extends far beyond the initial 25 schools in Kigoma. The lessons learned in one region are now shaping how thousands of teachers teach across Tanzania, with the potential to reach millions of learners. The ripple effect of this initiative will continue to expand as more teachers access the platform, adapt the methods to their contexts, and share them with colleagues. This is how systemic change takes hold: not through mandates, but through teachers equipped with better tools, supported by institutional infrastructure, and connected to a network of peers doing the same work. ends
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The penetration of "Jambo Asali" to global market: The Expansion story of Musiba Paul Kitema.
Deogratius KIMENA | 09/06/2026
Musiba P. Kitema is not just selling honey; he is exporting the liquid gold of Tanzania. As the leader of International Bees (Jambo Asali), Musiba has spent the last three years transforming a local operation into a globally recognized enterprise. By bridging the gap between 2,000 smallholder beekeepers and the sophisticated markets of the Europe, UAE, and China, he has placed Tanzanian honey on the world stage with unprecedented authority. Breaking Barriers: From Tabora to the Saudi Food Show: The turning point for Jambo Asali came with strategic international exposure. Supported by the BEVAC project, Musiba’s participation in the 2025 Saudi Food Show served as the gateway to the Middle East (Dubai), Europe, and beyond. The event resulted in long-term contracts with major honey companies in Dubai, Kosovo, and Albania. Musiba has already successfully exported two shipping containers (36 tonnes) of premium honey to these partners. This scale was made possible by BEVAC’s investment in beekeeping cooperatives, providing the high-level handling equipment and collection centers necessary to meet rigorous international quality standards. The Digital Revolution: Traceability and Trust: In the high-end European market, quality is expected, but traceability is required. Musiba leveraged his Internal Management System (IMS) knowledge to build a cutting-edge traceability platform. "Our new traceability system has changed the game. By proving the origin and purity of every drop, we have secured partners in the Netherlands and Germany who pay a premium price of $9 to $12 per kg." This premium pricing does not just stay at the top; it flows back to the 2,000 smallholder beekeepers. Protecting the National Brand: Musiba is a vocal advocate for the Tanzania Honey Trademark. He views this as a critical weapon against international fraud, ensuring that the marginalized reputation of Tanzanian honey is restored and protected on the world stage. With his eyes set on full-scale penetration into UK and China, Musiba is currently finalizing the highest levels of international quality certifications (HACCP and Organic). His vision is clear: to ensure that the "Jambo Asali" label becomes a global synonym for purity, ethics, and Tanzanian excellence.
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From Stitches to Solutions: The Transformation story of Felista Exavel’s Tailoring business.
Deogratius KIMENA | 09/06/2026
For years, Felista’s world was defined by the delicate patterns of women’s gowns and the steady rhythm of her sewing machine in Urambo. As a mother of 6 children, her business was more than a trade; it was the lifeline that kept her family afloat and her eldest in secondary school. But in 2023, a single introduction changed the trajectory of her life. The Catalyst of Change: When District Beekeeping Officer Mr. Shadrack Yomba introduced Felista to the BEVAC project, he didn't just offer her a training program; he offered her a niche that would redefine her craftsmanship. Felista traveled to VETA Tabora for an intensive two-week course, pivoting from traditional fashion to the technical, high stakes world of protective beekeeping suits. Building an Empire in Urambo: Felista didn’t just learn a new skill; she built a workforce. Upon returning, she mentored two fellow tailors and three assistants, transforming her small workshop into a specialized production hub. By January 2025, the results were undeniable: from making normal women gown for TZS 5,000 to making Beekeeping suit Worthing TZS 15,000-35,000. By the start of 2025, Felista and her team had produced and sold 230 suits, generating a staggering income of 10,000,000 Tsh. This success catapulted her into a new role: she is no longer just a tailor, but a strategic supplier, sourcing raw materials directly from manufacturers in Arusha to supply other artisans in the region. Empowerment: The impact of this evolution extends far beyond the walls of her shop because now: 1. The surge in income has secured a future for her child, who is now pursuing higher education at college. 2. With her profits, Felista invested in two high-capacity sewing machines and expanded her team, creating local employment opportunities. 3. The technical skills gained from the BEVAC project gave her the confidence to master menswear, a market she had never previously explored, further boosting her revenue. "The beekeeping suit is more than a product; it is the engine of my business. It has allowed me to dream bigger, produce more, and provide a better life for my family." Felista.
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Fakhi’s Harvest: The Quiet Revolution in Tongoni
Proscovia GREGORY | 28/05/2026
For years, vegetable farming in Tongoni was a struggle. It was backbreaking work with low rewards, and most people in the area wouldn't touch it. Fakhi Juma Fakhi was one of the few who stuck with it, but even he was barely scraping by. He was growing watermelons, but his harvests were small; only four to five tons per acre. “I was struggling,” Fakhi says. “But things started to change when I started working with the IncluCities project.”A Shift in StrategyThe project, supported by Enabel and the European Union, didn’t just hand out money; it changed how farmers like Fakhi viewed their work. They stopped working as isolated individuals and started acting like business owners.Fakhi became a lead farmer, a role that turned him into a coach for his neighbors. He realized that the biggest problems weren't just the seeds or the soil; they were the lack of organization and the high cost of fuel.From Diesel to SunlightThe transformation started with a solar-powered pump. For Fakhi, it was a game-changer. It slashed his irrigation costs by 80 percent, moving him away from expensive, noisy diesel pumps that ate into his slim profit margins. But his greatest success wasn't in his own garden; it was in the way he pulled his community together. Fakhi organized over 80 farmers into a production block. By pooling their harvest, they were no longer small-time growers begging for a price; they became a collective force. They started negotiating directly with large-scale buyers in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, securing contracts that were previously impossible to reach.More Than Just a HarvestThe numbers tell a remarkable story. Yields have jumped from four tons per acre to as high as 25 tons. More importantly, the mindset in Tongoni has shifted. Where there were once fewer than ten discouraged farmers, there are now over 80 people investing their time and money into the soil. They are even using their savings to install their own solar pumps, investing in a future that now feels secure.future that now feels secure.Fakhi’s journey is about more than just watermelons and peppers. It is about how one person, armed with the right tools and a bit of organization, can turn a dying trade into a thriving business.
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LEONIDIA LOI KABI – FROM PRISON TO NEW HOPE
Proscovia GREGORY | 28/05/2026
Leonidia Loi Kabi, a 55-year-old woman and a small-scale entrepreneur specializing in herbal products, is a powerful example of how access to legal aid and rehabilitation can restore dignity and rebuild lives. Before her incarceration, Leonidia lived a modest but meaningful life with her husband, Mr. Peter Kabi. Both had children from previous relationships, and together they worked hard to build a stable home and provide for their blended family. Leonidia served nine years in prison before being released in 2025. Her life took an unexpected and painful turn in 2012, when law enforcement officers conducted a search at her home and discovered government trophies that had been secretly hidden there. Although Leonidia had no knowledge of their existence, she and her husband were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of government trophies, a serious criminal offense in Tanzania. The legal journey that followed was long, complex, and emotionally draining. Initially, they were released on bail, but in October 2016, Leonidia was re-arrested and held in custody as the case dragged on. In 2017, after years of a protracted and challenging legal process, both she and her husband were convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. This judgment was a life-shattering moment for Leonidia and her family. Her imprisonment not only separated her from her loved ones but also left their children without parental care, causing severe emotional and economic strain on the household. What began as an ordinary day quickly turned into a long and painful chapter of her life. Once imprisoned, Leonidia faced not only the emotional burden of incarceration but also the uncertainty of her future. However, her life began to change when she was introduced to vocational training and rehabilitation programs offered in prison. Determined not to allow her situation to define her permanently, Leonidia enrolled in tailoring and bag-making courses. She showed exceptional talent in making women’s handbags and travel bags, and through these skills, she was able to earn an income. Through hard work and commitment, Leonidia successfully completed her training and was awarded a Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) certificate. This qualification gave her a sense of purpose and a tangible skill she could rely on after her release. Her journey inside prison was not only about learning skills but also about rediscovering her strength, self-worth, and determination. A crucial turning point in Leonidia’s story came when she received legal aid from paralegals. These paralegals enhanced her with knowledge on justice and legal representation which facilitated her self-representation. With their dedicated support, Leonidia gained legal awareness, regained confidence, and eventually secured an early release before completing her full sentence. Today, Leonidia is a free woman and a living example of resilience and transformation. She acknowledges that prison was a painful and challenging chapter in her life, but it also gave her courage, discipline, and practical skills. She now uses her tailoring skills to earn a living, support her family, and rebuild the stability she once lost over nine years past. More importantly, Leonidia has become a voice of encouragement in her community. She openly speaks about the importance of legal awareness, discipline, and making wise choices. Her story reflects the transformative power of legal aid, rehabilitation, and access to skills development, especially for women in vulnerable situations. Leonidia’s journey demonstrates that incarceration does not have to be the end of a person’s life story. With access to justice, compassion, and opportunity, people can rebuild their lives, restore their dignity, and contribute positively to society. Her transformation is not only a personal victory but also an inspiring testimony of the impact of legal empowerment programs.
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Digital Balozi(Ambassador) Supports 100 small businesses in Pemba
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 20/05/2026
With support from Enabel, Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Tanzania is building a vibrant network of Digital Balozi (Ambassadors) who are reshaping how youth and women entrepreneurs in Tanga, Mwanza, and Pemba Island run their businesses. Problem Many youth and women entrepreneurs in Pemba already have strong vocational skills, such as baking and food processing, but continue to face a gap in digital skills needed to grow and promote their businesses effectively. As a result, their visibility is often limited to walk-in customers, restricting their access to a wider market. Meiya was actively engaged with the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) and running my own business. “While I had experience supporting the growth of other businesses as well as my own, I still faced a major gap in my digital skills, which limited my ability to scale and fully leverage modern tools for business growth,” she says. Scrolling on Instagram, she learned about the opportunity of learning digital skills and helping others through the DOT programme under the EU-funded Inclu-cities project. Intervention Meiya participated in a 10-day Trainer of Trainers (ToT) that equipped her with practical skills in digital business, financial literacy, facilitation, and climate action, strengthening her capacity to support and empower others effectively. Impact From July to December 2025, she teamed up with her fellow Digital Balozi, Nassor in their community in Wete, Pemba where they trained over 100 youth and women entrepreneurs, equipping them with essential skills in digital business and financial literacy. Through the WhatsApp groups she established during the training sessions, she remains engaged in supporting entrepreneurs, providing ongoing guidance, and facilitating the practical application of the digital business skills they learned. Even after her tenure as Digital Balozi ended in December 2025, Meiya Musa continues to support small entrepreneurs in Wete to leverage modern digital tools to grow their businesses. “I continue to introduce myself as a Digital Balozi and remain actively engaged in supporting entrepreneurs who reach out for guidance and assistance,” says Meiya. Reflecting on her own growth, she notes that the experience significantly strengthened her mindset, confidence, and leadership skills. This highlights how the programme not only benefits the entrepreneurs trained but also transforms the ambassadors themselves. Ends
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Through Enabel project a factory engineer supports creation of jobs in vegetable farming
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 18/05/2026
“After working with the Inclu-cities project I see impact among members of the farmers' groups. Many farmers have now dug their own deep wells, and those who can afford it have installed solar pumps. All this because they saw the benefits on my farm,” said James Kapalata. Seeking to complement his salary with a business he can manage, the industrial chemical engineer, at Tanga Cement, found land in Kange and started growing vegetables. Kapalata invested some money in a borehole, but endured high diesel costs to water his plants. Many vegetable growers around him fared worse, struggling with uncoordinated marketing, access to knowledge and farming input and weather hazards. The Urban Challenge Tanga, has arable land and is strategically placed near vegetable hungry markets—Dar es Salaam, Northern zone towns and neighboring Kenya. But, rain seasonality, lack of market data, high input costs, less coordinated linkages held off farmers from growing vegetable commercially. Enabel Tanzania implements the INCLU-CITIES project (2024–2026) with funding from the European Union. The project aims to stimulate job creation and economic welfare by providing entrepreneurs with the tools needed to thrive in a modern economy. The Shift In Tanzania, Enabel implements the INCLU-CITIES in collaboration with different partners. RIKOLTO, a Belgian organisation focusing on improving climate-smart agriculture and food security through profitable farm businesses. Under the Inclu-cities projects, RIKOLTO collaborated with Tanga City to implement the Tanga sustainable food programme. Starting in May 2024, the project rolled out the Agribusiness Cluster (ABC) model that connected farmers, agribusiness SMEs, service providers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders to jointly improve productivity, market access, value addition, and competitiveness in a specific value chain. James Kapalata was one five lead farmers empowered to facilitate farmers' access to business development services, input supply linkages, financial literacy, and market connections. As farm Coach Kapalata got training and a solar-powered pump to fit on his borehole. In this role, he has organized nearly 60 farmers in two groups, linked them to agri-input companies such as ACSEN Agriscience, a sustainable farming company, and Rijk Zwaan, a fruit and vegetable breeding company, to mention some. These companies recognized the informed demand for better inputs and brought improved seeds, pesticide technologies, and knowledge to grow vegetables. Farmers in Kange ward's priority crops are tomato, watermelon, and pepper. Farmers’ collaboration in farming blocks created demand for agri-input suppliers on the one hand.On the other part farmers were capable of augmenting their production capacity, attracting buyers and negotiating with leverage with vegetable buyers in Tanga and Dar es Salaam. Specifically, Kapalata facilitated: successfully negotiations with the sole pepper buyer in Tanga for better prices ·a sale contract with another pepper buyer from Bagamoyo, more than 200 kilometres from Tanga Cityaccess to finance for farmers in Kange ward Scaling for the Future Apart from digging wells of their own, more farmers have entered in the block farming collaboration, seeing that it augments their productivity, their negotiating power and attracts big buyers. "With continued collaboration with our local extension officers, we are confident that agriculture will be sustainable. This is because extension officers understand the challenges faced by farmers in their areas." ends
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Enabel project turns fortunes and the future of vegetable growers in Tanga, Tanzania
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 18/05/2026
Fakhi Juma Fakhi is among less than ten vegetable growers in Tongoni ward in Tanga Cityl that endured vegetable growing when it was least attractive to most farmers in the sub urbans. Thanks to his engagement with the Inclu-cities project, implemented by Enabel Tanzania, with funding from the European Union, his fortune and future is set on a bright path. “I was growing watermelons before this project, but my productivity was low, just four to five tons per acre. But, now I and other farmers in Tongoni ward range between 18 to 15 tons per acre,” says Fakhi. The Urban Challenge Tanga, has arable land and is strategically placed near vegetable hungry markets—Dar es Salaam, Northern zone towns and neighboring Kenya. But, rain seasonality, lack of uncoordinated marketing, high input costs, and weak linkages held off farmers from growing vegetable commercially. Enabel Tanzania intervened through the EU funded INCLU-CITIES project (2024–2026), to support a sustainable and economically viable food system in Tanga. The project aims to stimulate job creation and economic welfare by providing entrepreneurs with the tools needed to thrive. Turning a dislike to a favorite INCLUCITIES, working through RIKOLTO, collaborated with Tanga municipal, in Tanga sustainable food programme. RIKOLTO rolled out the agribusiness Cluster (ABC) model that connected farmers, agribusiness SMEs, service providers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders to jointly improve productivity, market access, value addition, and competitiveness in a specific value chain. Fakhi, was one five lead farmers empowered to facilitate farmers access to business development services, input supply linkages, financial literacy, and market connections. As a Coach Fakhi got training and a solar powered pump for his bore hole. He organized more than 80 farmers in groups and invited agri-input companies that brought improved seeds, pesticides technologies and knowledge to grow vegetables. Priority crops to growers in Tongoni ward are leafy vegetables, tomato and watermelon. With farmers collaborating as production block, they have been able to negotiate for assured buyers in Zanzibar, Tanga and Dar es Salaam. The solar powered pump lowered Fakhi’s operational cost for irrigation by 80 percent. Knowledge in permaculture—mixed planting to organically suppress pests, and he has used his skills to develop a business plan and, has influenced more than 70 farmers in Tongoni. He facilitated: successfully negotiations with the water melons buyer in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam a sale contract with another pepper buyer from Bagamoyo access to finance for farmers Scaling for the Future While barely ten farmers grew vegetable two years ago, today, more than 80 farmers invest their money and time to grow vegetable in Tongoni ward. Together they form a block that negotiates supply deals with their combined capacity. For instance a weekly order for 5 tons of watermelons to a buyer in Dar es Salaam was shared among them. Farmers in Tongoni ward, are among the beneficiaries of Tzs 110m (USD 42,348) worthy of loans from commercial banks and the City of Tanga small business loan window. As a result of engagement with the project, Fakhi enjoys a four-fold increase in water melon yield from 4 tons to maximus of 25 tons per acre, he and his fellow farmers in Tongoni have an assurance of supplying large buyers because of augmenting capacity and coordinated marketing. Mindset change—now vegetable growing is considered a commercial undertaking-from less than 10, now more than 80 growers invest in vegetable farming. Some have managed to save some money and fitted their boreholes with solar pumps, replacing expensive diesel pumps. ends
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Building Smarter Infrastructure: Rethinking Sustainability Across Borders
Proscovia GREGORY | 07/05/2026
What does it take to build infrastructure that is not only functional but sustainable, efficient, and fit for the future? This strategic question drove Enabel's recent East Africa Infrastructure Hub workshop in Kigoma, Tanzania, held from March 10 to 12, 2026. Bringing together 30 colleagues from Belgium, Uganda, DRC Congo, Rwanda, Mozambique and Burundi. The event provided a space for practical reflection, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving to improve infrastructure delivery. The workshop revealed a critical insight: infrastructure must no longer be treated as a purely technical or construction-focused function. To deliver long-term value, it must be understood as a strategic intervention at the intersection of sustainability, service delivery, economic opportunity, and institutional capacity.Sustainability emerged as the strongest priority across discussions and participant surveys. However, participants were clear that sustainable practices must move from aspiration to operational reality. This requires the systematic adoption of EDGE certification for all buildings, greater use of tools to compare materials, and stronger capacity in sustainable construction practices. Importantly, the conversation is shifting beyond minimizing negative impacts to actively improving local ecosystems and communities. Infrastructure can be designed not only to reduce harm but to regenerate landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen social resilience. This regenerative approach positions the InfraHub for the next level of ambition. Crucially, infrastructure expertise must be integrated at the earliest stages of project formulation, including human resources planning and programme design, rather than entering the conversation only during construction.Equally important is the need to transition toward more holistic operational models. Infrastructure delivery must expand beyond engineering to encompass legal, financial, and business considerations, such as public-private partnerships and climate finance. Social and participatory approaches, alongside diverse expertise and local partners, are essential for creating systemic and multidisciplinary delivery models that respond to increasingly complex realities. Procurement emerged as a central challenge. While fundamental to infrastructure delivery, significant gaps remain in country-level understanding of these processes. Participants called for targeted training, stronger onboarding, and a collaborative approach to improve both compliance and efficiency. Building local capacity and strengthening national systems, including certification mechanisms for sustainable materials, is equally vital for ensuring long-term ownership and impact beyond project timelines.Communication also surfaced as a strategic requirement, not simply a visibility need. Participants stressed the importance of improving how infrastructure is communicated both internally and externally, positioning it as a development tool with measurable social, economic, and environmental value. This must be coupled with enhanced day-to-day coordination between teams and countries. The workshop reinforced the value of practical, experience-based learning and cross-country collaboration. The East Africa Infrastructure Hub is increasingly recognized not just as an exchange platform but as a mechanism for project development and collective problem-solving. Participants highlighted strong interest in sharing practical lessons across contexts and called for stronger collaboration on areas such as grants, sustainability, and implementation models.Yet translating these priorities into structured actions requires stronger ownership and follow-through, particularly regarding communication strategies and alignment with broader Enabel objectives like corridor development. The challenge now is not identifying what matters, but building the systems and accountability to act on it. What emerged from the workshop is a clearer direction for how Enabel can approach infrastructure differently: more integrated in design, more practical in implementation, more collaborative across countries, and more deliberate in building sustainability into decisions from the start. If infrastructure is to remain a meaningful driver of development, it must be shaped with greater intention. This workshop marked an important step in that direction.
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Youth Digital Ambassadors facilitate digital inclusion for Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania
Mkama MWIJARUBI | 22/12/2025
The entrepreneurship ecosystem in Tanzania is rapidly growing. In 2021 the Global Innovation Index 2021, ranked Tanzania as the 5th innovation ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa by, exemplified by a rapidly increasing number of start-ups and hubs. However, limited tools, skills and resources hold these developments from trickling down to small and medium enterprises and fuel growth. Many enterprises still only hope to make use of the digital tools. An assessment by Westerwelle Start-up Haus, a digital skills organisation in Tanzania, found that more than 80 percent face business-related skills challenges such as managing finances, sales and marketing to acquire new customers, and setting business goals. The same assessment found that businesses had technical digital skills challenges learning new digital skills, improving quality, and using digital tools. The major reasons behind the skill gap lack of programs that support entrepreneurs to digitalize and insufficient support for the local ecosystem of digital experts and creatives that empower SMEs with digitalization. The analysis of Mwanza shows there is a big gap for digital upskilling for entrepreneurs so that they may utilize digital tools and opportunities to grow their businesses. The entrepreneurs also need upskilling on business topics to better understand their financial and operational management and acquire new customers. Solution Under SASA, a program funded by the European Union in Tanzania, Enabel enlisted the partnership of Digital Opportunity Trust, Ennovate Ventures and Westerwelle Start-up Haus to fill the gap by developing program that support entrepreneurs to digitize, and upskill them in business topics that facilite their familiarity with digital tools. Ennovate Ventures worked in Mwanza, while Digital Opportunity Trust and Westerwelle Start-up Haus are working in Pemba and Mwanza. Each partner had a particular focus and method. Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) focused on developing youth as digital ambassadors (Balozis in Kiswahili), with confidence and knowledge in digital skills, business digitization and market linkages. Overall the Digital Balozi’s will impact at least 300 young women and men, aged 18 to 35 years who own and operate micro and small businesses in their communities in transforming and scaling their enterprises through digital and green innovation in Mwanza, Pemba, and Tanga. Inclu-cities project digital program put youth at the centre of community change by equipping youth and women entrepreneurs who run micro or small businesses in Mwanza, Tanga, and Pemba with basic digital, green, and financial literacy skills. After their training, the first batch of digital ambassadors (Balozis) was contracted in September 2025 and has since been working in Mwanza, Tanga and Pemba. The Balozis linked with SASA program coordinators and other Inclu-cities project implementing partners in Tanga, Pemba and Mwanza Digital skills focused on could be data management and interpretation, digital communications including design, digital marketing, application design, basic SME cybersecurity awareness etc. Interlinked green skills could be skills related to the circular economy such as hardware reparations, recycling and solar or other types of green power. Targeting Youth (aged 18 to 35 years old) and women entrepreneurs operating micro or small businesses, the Balozi, recruited trainees through local networks of INCLU-CTIES implementing partners and local governments in Mwanza, Tanga and Pemba. “Cross partnerships with co-implementers of INCLU-CITIES is key to building an ecosystem of support and cross pollinating the impact of the program,” said Enabel Tanzania Digital Expert, Joachim Mangilima. The 10 Digital Balozi have been deployed in their respective regions where they work as pairs in program delivery. facilitation, digital business, financial literacy, 21st century and Green Skills. Deep local partnership Starting at the LGA level, digital balozis have been linked with different organisations that support their role. In Mwanza, John Christopher and Anna Paul, the pair of Digital Ambassadors secured space to run the training at the premises of the local government, at the American Corner auditorium in a famous shopping mall. Another premise was made available at a community youth centre—Fadhili Teens. Partnerships with private sector actors and local organisations — including TWCC, ZEEA, ZNCC, UMATI Pemba, Gift of Hope, PYD, Nyasaka Local Government Office, American Corner, and Fadhili Teens — played a pivotal role in mobilisation, access to facilities, and strengthening delivery. In Pemba, the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), UMATI, a youth health organisation and a community group, Gift of Hope, offered space in their premises for the youngsters to conduct classes. “We are very flexible in terms of spaces we use for our trainings,” says John Christopher, Digital Balozi in Mwanza. He and his fellow Anna Paul, have conducted classes at posh American Corner, the government office in Nyasaka community and at a space offered by a mosque. These partnerships have enabled Digital Balozis to establish strong community linkages and deliver interventions more effectively. Private sector actors and ecosystem partners such as Tanzania Women’s Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), have been actively involved in supporting training delivery and shaping tools and methodologies that align with market needs. Trainees came because they needed the knowledge and skills. No one received any facilitation or even communing fare to participate in the trainings. As of the first week of December 2025 ten digital balozi had a total of 220 participants are actively taking part in the training sessions 173 females and 47 males. Female participants represented 78% of the total, aligning strongly with DOT’s gender inclusion model, which aims for a 70:30 female-to-male ratio. Consolata Tedeo Peter, a youth entrepreneur, selling hair extensions and spices is one of the DOT trainees in Mwanza. The training on digital business and online marketing made a difference to her hair extensions and spices business online and on location. She confesses that she have reached more clients through WhatsApp, Instagram and Tiktok and Facebook. “Initially, I posted occasionally on Whatsapp only. I used to just upload a post without detailed planning and purpose. But, now using the knowledge I learned in this training my viewers on Instagram for instance, have increased from 1000 to 6000,” she says. Instead of just posting, now Consolata plans the information that she wants to share, and she added scheduled tutorials to educate people about how they can benefit from products that she sells. “As my business is gradually growing, I’m no longer pressured to apply for jobs,” she says curtly. She completed her undergraduate training in Education three years ago. Ends
