Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has hailed the growing role of women in shaping Tanzania’s economy, saying they now stand at the centre of business activity and national development.
Speaking on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Conference and Investment and Trade Exhibition held at the Four Seasons Hotel Arusha, Dr Nchemba said more than half of SMEs in the country are owned by women, underlining their influence in driving economic growth.
He said the trend reflects a broader shift in the structure of the economy, where women are increasingly taking leadership in entrepreneurship and wealth creation at both household and national levels.
Dr Nchemba stressed that building an inclusive economy remains key to sustaining peace and social cohesion, noting that shared prosperity strengthens unity across communities.
He said the government is determined to ensure that all groups, including women and youth, are fully integrated into economic opportunities.
He linked the country’s long-term ambitions to the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, saying its success will depend on stronger partnerships between the private sector and the State.
Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, he said, the private sector will continue to be a central pillar in advancing Tanzania’s economic agenda.
The Prime Minister also revealed that the government is considering establishing a dedicated financing facility for university graduates to support their business ideas, a move aimed at unlocking youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
At the same time, policy reforms are being reviewed to allow the use of movable assets, including academic certificates, as collateral to improve access to credit.
On infrastructure, Dr Nchemba urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of improved transport systems such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Tanzania and the TAZARA Railway.
He said the networks are opening up regional and international markets through key trade routes, including the Northern and Central Corridors, easing the movement of goods to destinations such as Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.
Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Pius Chaya, used the platform to commend President Samia’s leadership, saying it has strengthened institutional capacity and improved the execution of development priorities.
