Absa Bank, in partnership with the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, has launched a capacity-building initiative to empower women entrepreneurs across Tanzania. The programme aims to help women business owners gain the skills, knowledge and resources needed to grow and sustain their enterprises.
The initiative comes at a time when many women entrepreneurs in Tanzania continue to face barriers such as limited access to finance, insufficient business training and fewer networking opportunities. These challenges often restrict the growth of women-led businesses and limit their participation in the formal economy.
Through the partnership, Absa and TPSF aim to create a stronger support system for women-owned enterprises. The programme will provide training in financial literacy, business management, marketing strategies and access to capital.
Participants will also receive mentorship from experienced business leaders and gain access to networking platforms. These opportunities are expected to help women entrepreneurs connect with markets, investors and partners that can support business growth.
Women entrepreneurs play an important role in Tanzania’s economic development by contributing to job creation, household income and community resilience. However, many still operate small-scale businesses with limited growth potential because of financial, social and institutional barriers.
The collaboration between Absa and TPSF seeks to address these challenges through practical business development support. Absa brings experience in financial inclusion, while TPSF contributes its private sector advocacy and enterprise development expertise.
The programme is expected to reach hundreds of women entrepreneurs across different regions of Tanzania. Participants will be selected based on business potential, commitment to growth and ability to apply the knowledge gained through the training.
The initiative will support women-led businesses across sectors such as agriculture, retail, manufacturing and services. By working across multiple sectors, the programme aims to strengthen women’s participation in different parts of Tanzania’s economy.
The programme also aligns with Tanzania’s national development priorities and wider commitments to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Supporting women entrepreneurs can help promote inclusive growth and reduce barriers to business ownership.
Absa and TPSF plan to monitor the impact of the initiative and use feedback to improve future phases. Their commitment to long-term support reflects the need for sustained investment in women’s entrepreneurship.
Overall, the Absa-TPSF partnership represents an important step toward closing the gender gap in Tanzania’s business sector. By combining training, mentorship, financial knowledge and networking support, the initiative can help women entrepreneurs build stronger, more competitive and sustainable businesses.
