Across the Mwanza region in Tanzania, families face the daily realities of poverty, limited access to capital, and limited opportunities for sustainable income generation. In many rural communities, households rely on seasonal farming and small, informal businesses that are vulnerable to crop failure, rising costs, and limited financial knowledge.
Through Emmanuel International Tanzania’s Entrepreneurship Project, communities are gaining practical tools, financial skills, and renewed hope for the future.
Responding to a Growing Need
The Entrepreneurship Project was developed after local leaders, churches, and community members identified increasing levels of poverty in the Mwanza region, especially in rural areas. Many aspiring entrepreneurs lacked access to financial education, affordable loans, and sustainable savings systems.
The project began in villages on Ukerewe Island and has since expanded into the Misungwi and Sengerema districts. The program works closely with partner churches and local communities to help participants establish village-based savings and loan groups known as VICOBA (Village Community Banks) and provide entrepreneurship training and spiritual encouragement.
The project focuses especially on economically disadvantaged households, including women, small-scale farmers, fishers, and informal business owners looking for ways to improve their livelihoods.
Training and Savings Groups
Participants receive training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, record keeping, and small business management. Afterwards, they are organized into VICOBA groups to contribute savings, purchase shares, and access small loans from community-managed funds.
Unlike predatory lending systems with extremely high interest rates, these savings groups provide a locally managed and sustainable alternative, while empowering communities to support one another.
Success in 2025
Here is a picture of a woman with her small business.
The project introduced digital record-keeping tools like the Dream Save application to strengthen transparency and improve VICOBA management.
- Four new entrepreneurship groups with 115 members mobilized
- 123 direct beneficiaries participated in entrepreneurship seminars
- 9 rural community groups benefited from VICOBA savings and loans
- Women entrepreneurs participated in hands-on business mentorship training
- More than TZS 22.8 million was contributed through community savings and credit activities
Partnership
Partner churches play a vital role in the project by mobilizing groups, mentoring participants, and encouraging accountability. Local government leaders have also supported the initiative’s expansion.
Beyond economic impact, the project helps to restore dignity and confidence among participants. Families are increasingly able to meet household needs, grow small businesses, and reduce dependence on exploitative lenders.
The benefits even extend beyond direct participants. Increased household income positively affects children, spouses, and entire communities, because local businesses make goods and services more accessible within villages.
Spiritual Growth
In addition to business training, the project includes spiritual development programs through Bible distribution and discipleship support. During the reporting period, 114 Bibles were distributed to church members to support spiritual growth and encourage faith in communities.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Loan repayments remain difficult for some groups, and certain communities continue to struggle with long-standing financial practices and limited business experience.
In response, the project team has adapted its approach by:
- Increasing mentorship and follow-up visits
- Providing more practical business coaching
- Strengthening accountability systems
- Expanding community-based savings models
- Working with church leadership to address governance concerns
- Encouraging greater use of locally generated capital through VICOBA groups
These changes have already helped to strengthen participation and improve group sustainability.
Looking Ahead
As the project expands, the team hopes to continue increasing entrepreneurship training and strengthening community-owned savings systems across the region.
- Expanding VICOBA training to more groups
- Increasing mentorship and monitoring support
- Improving access to small business capital
- Strengthening partnerships with churches and local authorities
- Continuing Bible distribution and spiritual formation activities
- Supporting long-term sustainability through revolving loan funds
The Entrepreneurship Project is more than an economic initiative. It helps families build resilience, create opportunities, and experience spiritual transformation. Your prayers and support are helping communities in the Mwanza region build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen local churches, and create hope.
Would you like to support this project? Donate to our Support Staff and Admin in Tanzania
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.