Airtel Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women, with a strong focus on small-scale food vendors commonly known as mama lishe.
Speaking on April 25, 2026 behalf of the Director of Airtel Money, Jemima Masimba, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Airtel Tanzania, addressed stakeholders during the third season of the Empowering Mama Lishe initiative held at Ubungo Plaza.
The event brought together government representatives, development partners, and women entrepreneurs, including Ms. Zainab Abdallah Issa, Special Seats Member of Parliament (Youth).
Masimba said Airtel Money continues to develop tools that support safe saving and easier transactions for small businesses. She highlighted the role of Lipa Namba, noting that it allows women entrepreneurs to receive payments digitally and store earnings securely.
She explained that digital transaction records are also helping women build financial credibility, which is key for accessing microcredit.
“We understand that many women entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing formal credit due to lack of collateral. Through Lipa Namba, transaction history can now serve as a form of financial credibility, allowing users to qualify for microloans based on their cash flow,” she said.
Masimba added that Airtel’s wide agent network ensures financial services are available within communities, reducing travel costs and improving access to digital financial tools.
She also pointed to Airtel Tanzania’s investment in skills development through its partnership with the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) under the VSOMO platform, which offers vocational courses including culinary training.
“Economic empowerment goes beyond access to finance. It also requires knowledge and skills,” she said. “We encourage women and youth to take advantage of these learning opportunities to strengthen their businesses.”
The event highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in supporting Tanzania’s inclusive growth agenda. Organisers commended Airtel Money for its sponsorship and continued support to grassroots entrepreneurs.
Participants shared testimonies on how the initiative has changed their livelihoods.
Joyce Mmasi of Bucha Catering Group said the programme helped women move from individual struggles to organised group businesses, supported by initial supplies that enabled them to start operations.
“We were scattered, each struggling on our own, until Sarrah Ngoma brought us together,” she said.
She added that later support, including gas cylinders, improved working conditions and reduced reliance on charcoal and firewood.
“We moved away from charcoal and firewood. The gas support has made our work easier and more professional,” she said.
Mmasi said the group now secures catering contracts for events, showing clear business growth.
Another beneficiary, Amina Abdallah of Stakishari Group, said the initiative transformed her life, helping her build a home and support her child’s education.
“As you know, I am a widow, but through this mama lishe business, I have managed to build a room on my plot and support my child’s education,” she said.
She added that members support each other during challenges, strengthening resilience within the group.
Ms. Zainab Abdallah Issa called for stronger integration of mama lishe into formal economic systems, urging training on government procurement processes to enable access to public tenders.
She highlighted her personal upbringing in a household engaged in food vending and said the sector has strong potential to reduce poverty if properly supported.
“I will ensure experts from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority come forward to train and connect these women to the system,” she said.
She also encouraged women to formalise their businesses and access government empowerment funds, noting that many remain unaware of available opportunities.
Masimba encouraged women to adopt disciplined saving habits using Airtel Money digital tools, noting that cash handling often leads to uncontrolled spending.
She highlighted Airtel Vikoba as a digital savings solution that enables small daily contributions for business growth.
“Airtel Money provides a secure e-wallet and investment solutions like Airtel Vikoba,” she said.
She also addressed fraud concerns, noting ongoing customer education through SMS alerts on safe usage.
“Using Lipa Namba for transactions is safer and removes the need to handle cash,” she said.
The event brought together policymakers, private sector actors, and grassroots entrepreneurs, underscoring growing efforts to formalise the mama lishe sector and strengthen its role in Tanzania’s inclusive economic growth.
