The 20th anniversary celebrations of Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) painted a vivid picture of a long journey defined by resilience, ambition, and tangible progress in advancing women’s economic empowerment a seed planted two decades ago now flourishing into a thriving ecosystem of opportunity .
Speaking on March 28, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, highlighted the government’s continued commitment to creating an enabling environment for women to take a leading role in economic development.
She pointed to key policy and operational measures, including the allocation of 30 percent of public procurement tenders to special groups women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
According to Minister Kapinga, this initiative is more than just a policy statistic; it represents an open gateway for women to actively participate in government tenders, increase their income, and transform small enterprises into engines of employment and community prosperity.
Over the past 20 years, TWCC has steadily positioned itself as a powerful platform for empowering women economically.
Through its efforts, women have gained not only access to markets but also networks, visibility, and the confidence to expand beyond local boundaries into regional and global trade.
Minister Kapinga emphasized that TWCC’s impact is clearly reflected in the growing participation of women and youth in opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Since 2022, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan was appointed champion for women and youth inclusion in the continental market, these groups have collectively generated sales exceeding TZS 9 billion proof that ambition can indeed translate into measurable economic outcomes.
In addition, the government recently implemented a TZS 200 billion loan program aimed at supporting women and youth entrepreneurs.
This initiative seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship, expand employment opportunities, and enhance the contribution of these groups to the national economy.
On her part, TWCC President, Mercy Sila, commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for strengthening the business environment in Tanzania.
She noted that the President’s leadership has opened new pathways for women to participate more actively in economic activities, with TWCC continuing to serve as a bridge connecting ambition with opportunity.
Overall, the anniversary is not merely a reflection of the past 20 years, but a forward-looking compass one that signals a future where women remain a central driving force in Tanzania’s economic transformation .
