In early September 2025, youth entrepreneurs in Tanzania reached an important milestone in their journey of growth and resilience. On September 9 in Morogoro and September 12 in Dar es Salaam, Her Initiative, in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust and Mastercard Foundation, hosted Business Development Service (BDS) events under the Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future Project.
These gatherings marked the final stamp of a two-month Digital Business Program, a moment to celebrate young entrepreneurs’ commitment to learning while also linking them to the wider ecosystem of opportunities that will shape their futures.
Why This Event Was Important
For two months, youth peers immersed themselves in digital and business skills training gaining knowledge on entrepreneurship, digital tools, and strategies to strengthen their small enterprises. The BDS events in Morogoro and Dar es Salaam became the closing chapter of this phase, offering three powerful opportunities:
- Recognition – Awarding certificates to youth peers who completed the program, affirming their hard work and growth.
- Exposure – Connecting youth to Business Development Service providers who introduced practical ways to grow their enterprises.
- Opportunity – Creating a platform to showcase their businesses, test their pitching skills, and network with partners who can propel them further.
Highlights from Morogoro (Sept 9, 2025)
The Morogoro event brought together over 200 youth peers who had successfully completed the program and several Business Development Service providers, including 9 organizations from Morogoro.
- SIDO shed light on the importance of legal compliance and business registration, giving clarity on how formalization adds long-term value.
- Regional NGOs registrar from the Government introduced the opportunities available in the government such as the 442 loans which are normally available in the local municipalities of each regions, these loans are for women and people living with disabilities helping them to have more capital for their businesses and also create groups that would enable them to help each other and maintain their businesses well.
- Youth peers proudly showcased their businesses from food products to local innovations demonstrating the diversity of ideas thriving in their communities.
Highlights from Dar es Salaam (Sept 12, 2025)
At Azura Event Hall in Kawe, 421 youth peers and 14 host organizations filled the room with energy and optimism.
- BRELLA emphasized how registering a business protects a brand, secures credibility, and unlocks financial opportunities.
- CRDB Bank, through their IMBEJU program, showcased tailored loans for small enterprises, especially supporting women-led businesses.
- The business exhibitions were a standout moment, with youth peers presenting solar-powered solutions, bakeries, beauty products, and more. For many, it was their first public pitch, an empowering leap into real-world entrepreneurship.
- The ceremony ended with certificates awarded, a graduation cake cut, and celebrations that marked both achievement and new beginnings.
The Deeper Impact
These events were not just ceremonies. They were turning points.
- For the youth – they walked away with certificates that validate two months of commitment, but more importantly, with confidence, networks, and new knowledge.
- For communities – they witnessed local innovators stepping up, ready to contribute to economic resilience.
- For institutions – it was a reminder of the untapped potential in young entrepreneurs and the critical role partnerships play in unlocking it.
As one peer shared in Dar, “Now I understand why registering my business is important. I used to see it as unnecessary, but today I see it as protection and opportunity.”
The Business Development Service events in Morogoro and Dar es Salaam were just the beginning. As the first cohort of Going Beyond Project Phase 2, they set the tone for what is to come, more young people gaining skills, building businesses, and stepping into their futures with confidence. With more cohorts ahead, the ripple effect will only grow, reaching more communities and creating a stronger generation of youth-led enterprises across Tanzania.