Aga Khan Foundation details achievements of the project

Dar es Salaam. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tanzania yesterday detailed some of the achievements attained within three years of the empowerment programme regarding youth employment, community microfinance and the provision of capital to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The programme was a result of the Aga Khan Foundation in collaboration with the European Union (EU) as a response to the impact of Covid-19.

Briefing the media yesterday, Mr Simon Meigero, projects manager of the AKF, said that the project was implemented in various regions, in collaboration with development stakeholders, where it has strengthened the education and self-employment capacity of young people and women's groups.

"Those are the major areas in which this programme was based, but today we have gathered here to see the best way to improve other projects and programmes that will target those areas in the future," he explained further.

He said that many young people have not had methods to make them self-employed, even for deposit and loan groups, especially in rural areas.

"This programme was aimed at increasing capital for young people, but also their ability to manage themselves once they take a loan. If they fail to use it in the end, the business itself dies," said Mr Meigaro.

The manager said that the issue of education, especially for businesses, has been a big challenge, since the education provided does not help them become self-employed, so the institution will continue to provide education. "Many saving and borrowing groups (Vicoba) have been borrowing, but the money is not returned. The education and support given after Covid-19 have enabled many groups to be able to run themselves in business," he said.

The Registrar of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Ms Vickness Mayao, said the move has benefited many people, some of whom have reached the point of starting a business.

She said the government has been looking at special groups only, but AKF, by collaborating with development stakeholders, has been able to achieve this due to the enabling environment that has been set.

"It is a big step that the government supports, development stakeholders through AKF to come up with this programme after Covid-19, it has helped many people increase their understanding of the issue of business," said Ms Mayao.

For his part, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Empowerment Council, Ms Beng'i Issa, said the government was reviewing the education policy, which will consider the whole issue of entrepreneurial skills.