BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
-ZANZIBAR
THE Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have united more than 350 women in Zanzibar, for the Economic Empowerment of Women Conference. This significant convention coincided with the global celebration of International Women’s Day, a testament to the commitment to advancing women’s economic participation.
Under the theme “Invest in Women for Sustainable Development,” the conference spearheaded by TWCC and TMA aims to catalyse economic empowerment by providing women with invaluable insights into trade opportunities, fostering knowledge exchange, celebrating women leaders in business, and nurturing emerging talents through mentoring programmes.
The guest of honour, Hon. Hemed Suleiman Abdullah, Second Vice President of Zanzibar underscored the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. “Zanzibar is dedicated to ensuring women’s full participation in economic activities,” he affirmed, citing initiatives such as the establishment of the Institute for Economic Empowerment and the formulation of the Blue Economy Policy.
Ms. Mwajuma Hamza, CEO of TWCC, emphasised the collaborative effort, stating “In partnership with TradeMark Africa and other stakeholders, this conference serves as a critical platform to equip women with the tools and networks necessary to thrive in trade and commerce.”
TradeMark Africa, a champion of Aid-for-Trade initiatives since 2010, reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment with a substantial investment of over $3 million in Tanzania over the past seven years. Mr. Elibariki Shammy, Country Director of TMA, announced an additional investment of $1.5 million to support 12,000 women entrepreneurs across Zanzibar and the mainland.
“TradeMark Africa’s engagement extends beyond financial support,” Mr. Shammy highlighted. “We are actively collaborating with government bodies and institutions to enhance trade infrastructure, streamline regulatory processes, and foster a conducive business environment for women.”
TWCC National Chairperson, Ms. Mercy Sila, commended the government’s support and reiterated TWCC’s mission to empower women across Tanzania.
“Through collaborative efforts with the government and other stakeholders, TWCC has transformed the lives of thousands of women, enabling them to succeed in business and contribute to national development,” she remarked.
In closing, Ms. Tatu Seleiman, TWCC Zanzibar Chairperson, emphasised the transformative potential of the Blue Economy in empowering women and driving inclusive growth.
The Economic Empowerment of Women Conference underscores a collective commitment to advancing gender equality and economic prosperity in Tanzania, setting the stage for women to thrive in trade and commerce.
