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Thirty-one women entrepreneurs from Mbeya on Tuesday concluded 13-weeks of specialized training in business and entrepreneurship funded by the U.S. government through its Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program. Mbeya is a city located in south-west Tanzania, Africa
The women were applauded and urged to continue with their revenue-generating activities during a graduation ceremony attended by Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania Dr. Tulia Ackson, Mbeya District Commissioner Dr Rashid Mohammed Chuachua, Vice Chancellor of Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) Prof. Aloyce Mvuma, and many other distinguished guests. Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Embassy was Ambassador Donald Wright.
AWE is a global initiative of the U.S. government seeking to promote women’s economic empowerment with the goal of helping 50 million women worldwide fulfil their economic potential. AWE is committed to providing women with the knowledge, networks, and access they need to turn their ideas into reality.
Speaking to the graduates during the ceremony, Ambassador Wright described the impact of the training that AWE provides. “The thirteen weeks of training you received as part of this program gave you the practical skills to create sustainable businesses and a network of mentors and like-minded entrepreneurs in the United States,” he said.
He further added that empowering women economically is the fastest way to change society. “Women have a strong multiplier effect on the wider community because when women succeed, they are more likely to invest their earnings into their families and their communities, paying for things like their children’s education and health care. The economic benefits of your accomplishments support future generations. Your creativity is already having an impact on the society and the economy of Tanzania,” he said.
The Mbeya cohort is the sixth group of women to participate in AWE. The first group of 20 women graduated on September 9, 2019, in Dar es Salaam. The second group of 25 women entrepreneurs from Iringa completed their program on December 16, 2020. The third group of 17 entrepreneurs from Zanzibar graduated on June 28, 2021. The fourth group of 32 entrepreneurs from Mwanza graduated on November 8, 2021, and the fifth group of 31 entrepreneurs from Dodoma graduated on June 6, 2022.
Through a partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), entrepreneurs participating in the AWE program are eligible for additional seed funds from USADF ranging up to $25,000 to expand their businesses.
The U.S. Embassy partners with Selfina to implement the AWE program in Tanzania. Founded in 2002 by Dr Victoria Kisyombe, Selfina is a pioneer of micro-credit in Tanzania through micro-leasing with particular attention to widows and young girls. In the past 19 years, SELFINA has economically empowered more than 31,000 women through an active revolving fund. Over 300,000 lives have been impacted through the benefits accrued. Women are now owners of their own businesses and more than 150,000 jobs have been created.
