Dodoma, August 18, 2025 - The State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment by pledging new initiatives to support women’s groups under the Wanawake na Samia organization in Dodoma.
During a graduation ceremony held at VETA College in Dodoma, STAMICO’s Chief Executive Officer, CPA(T) Dr. Venance Mwasse, announced that the corporation will provide motorbikes with cargo attachments, locally known as Guta, to women’s groups.
The vehicles will be used for distributing Rafiki Briquettes, a clean energy product manufactured by STAMICO.
He also promised to prioritize women’s groups in providing services within STAMICO projects, particularly in the supply of meals to workers at the Rafiki Briquettes plant currently under construction in Dodoma.
The graduation event celebrated women trained through the Wanawake na Samia initiative, sponsored by VETA, to acquire practical skills in various fields. These women are also the key distributors of Rafiki Briquettes across the country.
The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde (MP), as the guest of honor, accompanied by Dodoma Regional Commissioner Hon. Rosemary Senyamule, the Director General of VETA, CPA(T) Anthony Kasore, and other senior government officials.
In his speech, Dr. Mwasse expressed his gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for authorizing free training for women through VETA under the Wanawake na Samia initiative.
He commended VETA for offering practical, hands-on training that equips women with knowledge and skills to strengthen their economic prospects.
“Our vision is to empower women with tools and opportunities to transform their livelihoods,” Dr. Mwasse said.
VETA Director General CPA(T) Anthony Kasore congratulated the graduates, urging them to put their new skills into practice to create better income opportunities.
He also invited more women to take advantage of VETA’s free training programs under the Wanawake na Samia umbrella.
Regional Commissioner Senyamule thanked VETA for extending training opportunities to women and applauded Dr. Mwasse for his leadership and dedication to women’s empowerment.
She acknowledged STAMICO’s role in granting women nationwide agency rights to distribute Rafiki Briquettes, noting that the initiative is helping women establish themselves as entrepreneurs while supporting the government’s clean energy agenda.
Guest of honor, Minister of Minerals Hon. Anthony Mavunde, expressed appreciation to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for enabling women across the country to access free training through VETA.
He commended Dr. Mwasse for fulfilling his promise of equipping all Wanawake na Samia groups with storage containers and cargo motorbikes for distributing Rafiki Briquettes.
He further pledged government support to STAMICO’s clean energy mission.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and the Rural Energy Agency (REA), he said, the Ministry of Minerals will back efforts to introduce improved stoves at Dodoma’s livestock markets, ensuring meat roasters transition from charcoal to clean energy briquettes.
“This is about more than just training; it is about transforming lives and supporting women to become economic drivers in their communities,” Minister Mavunde emphasized.
The event highlighted STAMICO’s growing role not only as a mining entity but also as a driver of social and economic empowerment, with clean energy at the center of its agenda.