TANZANIA: IT is a long-standing tradition for many people to travel during the end of the year to visit relatives in their villages.
These trips, often seen as simple gestures of exchanging greetings and well-wishes for Christmas and the New Year, take people to various corners of the country.
However, from an entrepreneurial perspective, this period presents a unique opportunity for individuals to approach the end of the year with a business-minded approach.
Farmers offer their produce to city dwellers who travel to the villages like tycoons, plucking ripe tomatoes from market stalls with the ease of seasoned negotiators no haggling, no pleading, just a swift, decisive nod.
Butchers wield their knives with expert precision, slicing through meat as easily as crisp new banknotes change hands.
The village trading centres hum with life and anyone who passes through can’t help but wear their finest clothes, as if to match the festive energy that fills the air. It’s the vibrant pulse of an end-of-year celebration brought to life.
Recently, in the same spirit, the Kagera region organised the ‘Ijuka Omuka Festival’, a celebration whose name translates loosely to “Remember Home.” The festival’s objective was not only to showcase the investment and business opportunities, as well as tourist attractions, within the region but also to reintroduce Kagera’s rich traditions to both locals and those who may have lost touch with their heritage.
At its core, the festival served as a reminder for people to regularly reconnect with their roots and visit their hometowns.
The festival’s message extends far beyond the residents of Kagera or those born in the region. It serves as a compelling call to all Tanzanians, including those in the diaspora, to return home, invest in their communities and contribute to the nation’s shared development.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko who graced the festival called on Tanzanians to always visit their hometowns and villages and engage in both social and economic activities to boost development in the country.
This move was echoed by social and business analysts who shared their opinions saying end -of -the year celebrations must be a blessing to each other.
In an interview with SUNDAY NEWS a lecturer at the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie explained on how end-of-year travel contributes significantly to economic growth.
He explained that when people travel from larger cities to their villages, it helps stimulate the local economy by improving the circulation of money in rural areas.
“Small shop owners in villages rely heavily on income from visitors during this time,” Dr Loisulie said.
He added: “For many entrepreneurs, the end-of-year period is a peak time for business activity. By purchasing goods in rural areas instead of urban centres, travelers directly support local businesses and contribute to the economic growth of these communities.”
One of transporters, Samson Maliki said end-ofyear holiday trips have been contributing to the economy in various sectors, including transportation, where bus companies are forced to increase their trips to various regions in order to carry more passengers.
He said the passengers make purchases at roadside markets while traveling to their rural homes, thereby helping to strengthen the economy of various communities.
Dr Sophia Ndibalema, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, also stressed the importance of fostering a culture of buying from village stores during this period.
“We should encourage people to buy groceries and other necessities in rural areas,” Dr Ndibalema explained.
“This not only helps local businesses thrive but also strengthens the local economy. The tradition of shopping in our villages should be embraced, instead of buying everything in cities,” she explained.
Echoing the sentiments, Slyvanus Shao, a resident of Arusha, shared how Kilimanjaro natives, in particular, make a point of returning home during the festive season.
He said the significant economic impact their presence has on the villages. “Business booms in villages during this time, even church collections improve, which supports various community projects, including charitable initiatives. It’s important for people to remember their roots and contribute to improving conditions in their hometowns.”
For Ms Anamary Joel, a resident of Dar es Salaam, the return of people to rural areas, especially during the festive season, injects muchneeded purchasing power into the local economy.
She highlighted the benefits for small-scale traders, farmers and service providers. “Boda-boda riders in rural areas also make good money during the end-of-year season as they transport people between villages to visit relatives,” she said.
She added: “End-of-year celebrations are not just about festivities; they play a crucial role in driving economic, social and cultural development in rural communities.”
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Mr Abrahim Mbuga, a resident of Morogoro, emphasised how the influx of visitors from urban areas benefits small businesses in rural regions.
“My father runs a small shop in Kilombero, Morogoro and he always earns more during December compared to other months. The increase in visitors directly boosts business in our community,” he said.
