Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada

Published purpose

The project aims to increase the performance of small businesses and entrepreneurs in three regions in Tanzania to help them meet the growing need for goods and services in the mining, gas and agricultural sectors. Weak supply value chains, unattractive debt finance terms and conditions, and a lack of understanding of market needs and opportunities mean that under-capitalized small businesses and entrepreneurs are missing opportunities to contribute to and benefit from rapid economic growth in Tanzania. The project works with key local private sector partners to address these gaps and strengthen business competencies, increase access to productive and financial resources, and improve the business environment in which they operate. The project is expected to accelerate business growth, and thereby contribute to increased incomes, job creation and poverty reduction. Project activities include: (1) improving access and quality of business development services and technologies for 10,000 entrepreneurs (including women entrepreneurs), and 250 small businesses; (2) building market alliances for 2,500 entrepreneurs and 100 small businesses to improve business cooperation and value chain productivity; and (3) increasing access to innovative financial products such as business plan challenge grants (grants that are paid only if the beneficiary organization is able to raise additional funds from other sources) for 80 small businesses and 60 entrepreneur alliances.