‘Mwanamke Shujaa’ hits ground running in Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR: A precious opportunity for women food vendors in Zanzibar to grow their businesses and develop their skills has opened up thanks to a partnership between Coca-Cola Kwanza, the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation and Oryx Gas Tanzania.

The economic inclusion programme, called Mwanamke Shujaa, was launched at the Hotel Verde Zanzibar, where the partnership was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Coca-Cola Kwanza, ZEEA and the Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation.

Women food vendors, especially in Unguja and Pemba, are invited to apply to join the programme by visiting the offices of Coca-Cola Kwanza, ZEEA, Oryx gas or Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation to fill in the application forms.

Participants will receive training and mentorship, supported by the ZEEA, as well as tools of the trade, including a gas stove, gas cylinder, cooler, and crate of soft drinks, kitchen clothing and a table.

 

 

Coca-Cola Kwanza ltd Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability Salum Nassor (center), Executive Director of the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency, Juma Burhan (left) and Director General of the Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Mr. Ramadhani Bukini (right) sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of partnership to give opportunity for women food vendors in Zanzibar to grow their businesses and develop their skills through economic inclusion programme, called Mwanamke Shujaa. Witnessing (those standing) are The Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Mr. Mudrick Soragha (center), Commissioner for Public and Private Partnership Bill Kiwia (left) and Ussy Khamis the Secretary for Council for people living with Disability Zanzibar.

Last year Coca-Cola Kwanza, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, empowered a total of 1,700 women through the Mwanamke Shujaa programme with training covering key areas like bookkeeping, customer care, stress management and capital growth.

Coca-Cola Kwanza Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Mr. Salum Nassor said the company was committed to empowering women entrepreneurs and making a tangible difference in their lives.

“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain. Opportunity is more than just money, it’s about a better future for people and their communities everywhere on the African continent,” said Nassor.

“We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too.

Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability.

Most of all, we are all Africans and are part of our communities.

“This is why we have made economic inclusion one of the pillars of our sustainability strategy.

“When we grow our business the right way, not just the easy way, we help create inclusive growth opportunities for our communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders, for a better shared future.”

He said Coca-Cola Kwanza’s entrepreneurship programme focus on initiatives that provide women and youth with the opportunity to take an existing business to a higher level of operation.

“The success of these programme will be defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock sustainable earning potential, and improve skills, and business knowledge for our target groups, resulting in access to economic opportunities.

“Whether donating money, our time or our expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously,” said Nassor.

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