Govt injects 1.3tri/- in four years to empower small entrepreneurs

KILIMANJARO: THE government has provided more than 1.3tri/- in the four years of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership through the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) to empower small entrepreneurs across the country.

The statement was made over the weekend by NEEC Facilitation and Investment Officer, Mr Samwel Shikono, during a special workshop held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, further saying that it was aimed at enhancing investment activities to improve livelihoods and boost the national economy.

Aimed at raising awareness on investment opportunities for Secretariat officials and local government officers, he added: “This facilitation has benefitted entrepreneurs in 13 regions, through which a total of 94 industries have been established by local investors,” he said.

In his presentation, NEEC Business and Development Facilitation Manager, Mr Siraji Nalikame, said government studies had revealed lack of capital as the biggest challenge facing small entrepreneurs in their business activities.

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“Based on these findings, the government designed a plan to empower citizens through 75 empowerment funds coordinated by NEEC,” he explained.

He listed some of the funds as the Youth Development Fund, the Women’s Empowerment Fund, the Fund for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, the Education Empowerment Fund and the Agricultural Empowerment Fund, in addition to a fund for supporting local investors to establish small industries.

“The government’s objective is to enable Tanzanians to invest and take ownership of their economy. By creating these funds, it has built citizens’ capacity to implement various projects, including major investments, which improve lives and the national economy overall. When citizens live better, the economy also grows,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Isiaka Msuya, expressed appreciation to NEEC for enabling him to expand his investment in education.

“I was a teacher before deciding to venture into education investment by establishing schools. After engaging with NEEC, I managed to take great strides in developing my projects, which align with government efforts to strengthen the education sector,” said Mr Msuya, Director of Amani Hills English Medium School and Furahini Youth Secondary School.

He encouraged other Tanzanians to seize opportunities made available through NEEC to grow their businesses.