On centre-stage: Some enterprising women entrepreneurs from “The Green Land”
#WomenEntrepreneursTanzania #SheLeads #EmpowerHer #TanzaniaBusiness
Tanzania is witnessing a remarkable transformation in its entrepreneurial landscape – with women playing a crucial role in driving innovation & economic growth. Despite facing societal and financial barriers, women entrepreneurs from Tanzania, which is known as the “Brain of Africa (Bongo)” or “The Green Land” – are breaking through limitations and making significant strides in various industries, including agriculture, technology & sustainable enterprises. Their resilience, creativity & leadership are reshaping the business ecosystem, contributing to job creation and economic empowerment.
Recognizing the immense potential of women in business, the Tanzanian government and organizations like the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) have launched initiatives to provide training, financial support & networking opportunities. These efforts are geared toward fostering an inclusive business environment – where women can access resources and also scale their ventures.
Leading with Innovation: Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs Shaping Tanzania’s Future
From pioneering agribusiness solutions to leading tech startups – Tanzanian women entrepreneurs are indeed, proving that gender is no barrier to success. However, frankly speaking, more support is needed to bridge financial & educational gaps, ensuring that women-led enterprises thrive in a competitive market.
Here, we highlight some inspiring women entrepreneurs in Tanzania – showcasing their journeys, challenges & the impact they are making in their communities and beyond.
Their success stories serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and the bright
future of women-led businesses in Tanzania.
> Hellen Dausen, Founder, Nuya’s Essence
Hellen Dausen is the Founder and Owner of Nuya’s Essence, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This skincare business was founded in 2013 and aims to help women find readily available skincare products – for daily use to enhance healthy living, relaxation & rejuvenation. In fact, she is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and business leader.
Nuya’s Essence manufactures all-natural skincare products for women (of all skin types and skin concerns). And, interestingly, their raw materials are sourced from women-led smallholder farmers in Zanzibar Island, Tanzania mainland, and across Africa. Nuya’s Essence also trains & mentors young women who are currently running a business or aspire to so in the future.
Her resilience, hard work, and determination have brought Nuya’s Essence local and international recognition. She was listed by Forbes Africa 30 under 30 in 2016 as the most promising entrepreneur to watch in Africa.
> Zainab Dakik, Co-Founder, Maternia
Zainab Dakik is a Tanzania-born impact entrepreneur who is on a mission, aiming to reduce the rate of stillbirths. She is actually a Tanzania-born expert on emerging markets, with a particular focus on production and logistics. She is the Co-Founder of Maternia – an organization led entirely by women, aiming to reduce the rate of stillbirths- through an innovative low-tech, low-cost medical device.
Tracing her background, she possesses valuable experience through working in refugee camps, conducting research & managing distribution channels too. By actively engaging with Maternia’s beneficiaries on-site, she is trying to foster stronger connections, to better understand and address their needs.
> Hadija Jabiri, Founder, GBRI Business Solutions
Hadija Jabiri, Founder and MD of GBRI Business Solutions is an agripreneur empowering smallholder farmers in Tanzania. GBRI Business Solutions is on a mission to be a leading horticultural company in Tanzania.
She can be described as an entrepreneur, committed to making agricultural production a sustainable and profitable business through empowering smallholder farmers. Besides, she is an IVLP alumnae and holder of multiple awards and nominations for her work and business which is making a real difference in people’s lives!!
> Diana Mbogo, Founder & MD, Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd
Diana Mbogo is an award-winning Tanzanian renewable energy entrepreneur. She is Founder & MD of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited, a Tanzanian renewable energy company specializing in solar and wind energy technologies Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd is a fast-growing renewable energy company in Tanzania that specializes in discovering untapped markets in different industries & sectors. The company develops customized innovative business solutions by understanding the challenges, exploring solutions alongside customers/beneficiaries, and taking careful, studied action – to craft sustainable energy solutions.
Founded in 2016 she managed to grow the company – from ideation stage to a fast- growing and award-winning renewable energy company in Africa.
> Theddy Ladislaus, Founder & Managing Partner of Untold Global Ltd
Theddy Ladislaus, an impact driven business builder in Tanzania is the Founder & Managing Partner of Untold Global Limited, a pan-African group with interests in Healthcare, Agriculture, ICT and Strategic Communication.
She has creatively known for having devised high impact business & governance strategies aimed at solving socio-economic issues in a number of markets and communities.
She is a leader with a long track record – which goes back to her teenage years, where she served as the youngest member of the parliament in 2014 under the 4th President of the United Republic of Tanzania!! Her passion for policy and governance have earned her a place on the global stage, where she had participated in the formation and development of governance strategies in the youth sector.
> Lilian Makoi, Co-Founder & CEO of MipangoApp
Lilian Makoi is a prominent entrepreneur in Tanzania who is passionate about improving lives through technology. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of MipangoApp, the Founder of Jamii Africa, and the Co-Founder of Stripesnsigns & FroKid Technologies.
She is known as a Serial Entrepreneur, who is focusing on technology and the opportunities it has in improving the lives of especially the mass population in Africa. Many awards have come her way too. She has received multiple local and international awards for being highly innovative and creating solutions with regional impact. She was named Most Innovative Woman in Technology by The World Economic Forum 2016 amongst other accolades.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
Poonam Sinha
