MWE Correspondent
Zanzibar’s Mtambwe constituency representative and Minister for Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, Dr Mohammed Ali Suleiman, has provided business capital to 70 women entrepreneurs and urged residents to establish and formally register business groups to improve their access to loans, financial assistance and other economic opportunities.
Dr Mohammed handed over the capital on October 28, 2026, in Uondwe Village, Mtambwe Constituency, as part of efforts to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, expand small businesses and improve household incomes.
He said many financial institutions provide loans, equipment and other forms of support through organised groups rather than individuals, making it important for entrepreneurs to establish, strengthen and register their groups officially.
“I urge you to strengthen your existing groups or establish new ones if you do not have them, because we intend to bring experts to help improve your skills and management,” Dr Mohammed said.
He added that formal registration would make it easier for entrepreneurs to access financing and support programmes offered by financial institutions and other development partners.
Recognising the challenges women face in securing sufficient capital to establish and expand businesses, Dr Mohammed said he had decided to provide the beneficiaries with three times the amount they had requested. The additional support, he explained, was intended to give them a stronger financial foundation for growing their enterprises.
He urged the women to use the funds for their intended business activities, including expanding existing operations, increasing production and improving their income, rather than diverting the money to personal consumption.
“Even if the amount is small, use it for the purpose of improving your economic circumstances so that we can overcome poverty,” he said.
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The initiative highlights the importance of access to capital in supporting small-scale entrepreneurship, particularly among women who may face difficulties obtaining loans because of limited collateral, irregular income or insufficient business records.
With adequate financing and business management skills, women-led enterprises can contribute to household financial stability, create employment and strengthen economic activity within local communities.
However, the long-term impact of such support also depends on responsible financial management, access to markets, reliable business networks and continued training. Organising entrepreneurs into registered groups can help them share experience, improve record-keeping and develop the capacity needed to qualify for larger financing opportunities.
Mtambwe Councillor Suhaila Omar Hamad welcomed the engagement and called on the constituency representative to continue visiting residents regularly to identify their challenges and address them in a timely manner.
The Sheha of Mtambwe North Shehia, Shufaa Assaa Muumbwa, pledged cooperation with Dr Mohammed in carrying out his constituency and government responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Mtambwe Constituency ACT-Wazalendo Party Chairman Hamad Sharif Khatib urged residents, regardless of their political affiliations, to communicate their concerns to their representative so that the challenges facing the community could be followed up and addressed.
“If we remain silent while our community faces challenges, we will not be doing justice to our own community,” Khatib said.
Dr Mohammed is conducting a constituency tour aimed at engaging directly with residents, exchanging views, identifying local development challenges and seeking possible solutions.
The distribution of business capital forms part of broader efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen household livelihoods in Mtambwe. For the beneficiaries, the immediate priority will be to invest the funds productively, build sustainable businesses and use organised groups to access further opportunities for training, financing and market development.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether the capital helps women expand their enterprises, increase their earnings and establish businesses capable of supporting their families and contributing to the local economy.
