ZEEA told to reach entrepreneurs, address challenges

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR Minister for Youth, Employment and Empowerment, Mr Shaaban Ali Othman, has directed the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) to take its services directly to entrepreneurs at their places of business and address their challenges without waiting for senior government leaders to identify them during official visits.

Mr Othman issued the directive while closing the ‘Fahari ya Zanzibar Exhibition 2026’ at Mnazimmoja Grounds, saying institutions responsible for supporting entrepreneurs should identify challenges early and resolve them.

“It is embarrassing for a senior government leader to visit an area of implementation and encounter problems facing citizens that we have the capacity to solve,” he said.

The minister said ZEEA should ensure that opportunities for loans, business education and other empowerment services reached citizens in practical and timely.

He directed the agency to immediately begin visiting entrepreneurs in their areas of operation after the exhibition, listen to their concerns and find solutions.

“Once we conclude this festival, we must go and visit traders in their areas of operation. Everyone here has a place where they conduct their business, and that is where we should go,” he said.

Mr Shaaban said the government, under President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, had created a conducive environment for entrepreneurs, including establishing institutions to support economic empowerment.

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He said the responsibility now rested with relevant institutions to ensure such opportunities reached citizens and improved their livelihoods.

Mr Shaaban also directed ZEEA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the exhibition, from its launch to conclusion, to identify achievements and challenges and use the findings to improve future editions.

ZEEA Executive Director Juma Burhan Mohamed said the exhibition, held under the theme “Our Products, Our Pride,” provided entrepreneurs, women and young people with a platform to showcase products, talents and innovations.

He said the event also enabled wananchi to seek markets and establish business relationships. Mr Mohamed said genuine economic empowerment went beyond capital, noting that entrepreneurs also needed knowledge, technology, productive skills and access to markets.

TanTrade Deputy Director in Zanzibar, Fred Liundi said the exhibition enabled the authority to interact with producers, entrepreneurs and the public, listen to their challenges and guide them towards available services and opportunities.

He pledged continued cooperation among TanTrade, the government of Zanzibar, ZEEA and other stakeholders to improve the business environment and connect entrepreneurs with markets.

Mr Liundi also urged wananchi to support locally produced goods to strengthen domestic businesses and promote economic development.