Deputy Minister Kisuo crowns top student innovators

DAR ES SALAAM: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Labour, Employment and Relations, Rahma Kisuo, presided over the grand finale of the NBC Essay Challenge and NBC Business Idea Competition, national initiatives aimed at secondary school students to promote innovation, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial skills among Tanzania’s youth.

The competitions were organized by NBC Bank in collaboration with the Government and development partners yesterday in Dar es Salaam. It brought together key stakeholders from the education sector, including senior government officials, educators, parents, and NBC Bank executives led by Chief Operating Officer Ms. Alelio Lowassa, alongside Dar es Salaam Regional Education Officer Mr. Gift Kyando.

In the NBC Business Idea Competition, Alyah Abdulmajid Ali, a Form Five student from Shaaban Robert Secondary School, emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize of 10m/- and academic books. The second position was awarded to Moses William Tieng’o, a Form Six student from Ilboru Secondary School, who received 3m/-, while Wilfred Charles Sengata from Kibaha Secondary School secured third place with 2m/-.

Maryam Khatibu Tahiru from JKU Secondary School in Zanzibar placed fourth and received 1m/-. The fifth position went to Mariam Jackson Athumani, a Form Six student from Tambaza Secondary School.

In the essay writing category, Medard Mussa Elikana, a Form Three student from Tabora Secondary School, was declared the overall winner and received a cash prize from NBC Bank. Yasmin Omar Hussein from Zanzibar Commercial Secondary School emerged as the top winner in Zanzibar.

Other students recognized with cash prizes and books included Shrifra Elisha Mwinuka from Busekelo Secondary School, Anne Samwel Jacob from St Ann’s Seminary, Herman Sadiki Asumwisye from Azania Secondary School, Gloria James Mallya and Alice Kheri Mwaluko from St Ann’s Seminary, and Jonathael John Sarwat from Mzumbe Secondary School.

The competitions were launched in May last year by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, with the goal of engaging more than one million students from public and private secondary schools across the country.

The initiative seeks to promote innovation, research, and bold thinking among young people while strengthening financial literacy and encouraging practical entrepreneurship skills. It was implemented in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the publishing and distribution firm APE Network.

Speaking at the event, Ms Kisuo commended all participants, especially those who reached the top 15, and praised NBC Bank for creating a platform that enables students to showcase creativity and economic potential.

She emphasized that the Government would continue supporting such initiatives as they prepare a generation that understands economic fundamentals, including business innovation, financial discipline, and effective use of financial institutions.

Delivering remarks on behalf of NBC Bank Managing Director Mr. Theobald Sabi, Ms. Lowassa stated that the competitions were designed to equip students with strong entrepreneurial foundations.

She noted that participants gain essential skills such as developing innovative ideas, crafting viable strategies, and maintaining financial discipline. She added that the strong participation and success of the inaugural edition have encouraged NBC Bank to expand the initiative in future.

Teachers and students praised the program for enhancing creativity, financial understanding, and self-reliance among youth.