Cuso International

Published purpose

The project aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to secure contracts for the provision of goods and services to businesses working in the agricultural, mining and gas sectors in Tanzania, with attention to the additional challenges faced by women-led SMEs. Focusing on four regions (Lindi, Mtwara, Lake Victoria and Iringa/Njombe), the project seeks to create 2,500 new jobs and to ensure more market-driven and gender-responsive business development services to SMEs by selected institutions, benefitting up to 1,760 SMEs. Project activities include: (1) providing experts to offer hands-on coaching and mentoring to SMEs; (2) establishing mentoring relationships between Canadian/international firms and 40 Tanzanian SMEs to increase understanding and application of good business practices; (3) supplying innovative technological inputs to 50 competitively selected Tanzanian SMEs to increase productivity; (4) assessing the financial readiness of 160 SMEs and facilitating linkages to potential investors and financial institutions; (5) conducting analyses on cultural and social barriers for women to grow their businesses; and (6) providing training and mentoring to local partners on how to deliver market-driven and gender-responsive business development services to SMEs. The project is implemented by Cuso International in partnership with VSO-Tanzania and works with three Tanzanian organizations: the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce, Small Industries Development Organization, and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture.