Fahari Festival: A show case to up lifting local economy

From 20- 27 th September this year, the Dimani area west of Unguja Island will be abuzz with activities and celebrations as Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) hosts its second Fahari Festival. This follows a two-year success on its mission of attracting investment and creating various opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Isles.

Thus, this annual event will showcase the significant progress made by the agency in empowering the local economy. It will provide valuable resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs while at the same time fostering a vibrant business environment in Zanzibar.

ZEEA, a government agency, which commenced in 2022, aims at establishing an enabling environment for economic empowerment of citizens so as to increase productivity, production, efficiency and marketing of the products of entrepreneurs and businessmen in Zanzibar.

It promotes socio-economic status of Zanzibaris through the provision and utilization of existing economic opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship culture and capabilities and drive economic growth and empowerment in Zanzibar.

Moreover, it focuses on creating opportunities for local communities through various programs designed to provide training, financial support and market access.

The Director of Finance, Mr. Kassim Haji Mrisho, says for the past two years, ZEEA has achieved a lot in the areas of access to finance, training and market reach.

“There has been a stride in empowering and businesses development since the inception of ZEEA two years ago,” he says and add that the agency has so far provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies which enables them to secure funding and financial services essential for business growth.

According Mrisho, ZEEA has launched several key initiatives that have significantly contributed to the economic empowerment of Zanzibar. “Through micro-loans and grants, ZEEA has provided much-needed financial support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. These funds have enabled many to start and expand their ventures, thereby driving economic growth,” he says.

On the side of credit program, Mrisho says ZEEA is revolving loan funds initiated from the agency, “Mboga na Matunda”, interest from long term deposits, the Local Government Authority and IMF funds.

Between 2019-2023, the agency had disbursed out Sh.15,868,284,039/- as loans to 24,247 business persons, entrepreneurs and local investors where 11,735 are female and 12,512 males.

These loans has resulted in the development of various other projects like motorbike businesses, dubbed as “bodaboda,” carpentry, timber businesses, agriculture, wholesale and retail stores, as well as cosmetic products businesses.

According to the Director of Marketing and Event Manager, Asha Nassib Salum, the agency offers a range of training programs covering business management, vocational skills and financial literacy.

These programs, she says aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen fields.

“The impact of ZEEA’s initiatives on local communities has been profound. Many entrepreneurs have been able to turn their ideas into successful businesses with the support of the agency,” Ms. Salum says.

The agency has also managed to train 1,713 persons on entrepreneurship skills in Unguja and Pemba between 2019-2023. She says a special program has also been conducted on bee keeping training benefitting at least 753 persons, with 473 being female and 280 of them males.

“Under this program, honey processing centres have been constructed at Kizimbani Unguja and Pujini Pemba and all trainees have been provided with bee keeping tools,” she says.

Ms Salum points out that the Zanzibar Technology and Business Incubation Centre (ZTBI) at Mbweni and Barefoot College at Kibokwa are used to equip the youth and women with theoretical and practical trainings.

These incubation centres, she says prepare the youths on how best to implement their ideas, and provides short theoretical and practical training for entrepreneurs on ICT, tourism and agribusiness.

Through the ZTBI centre, 485 entrepreneurs have been trained between 2019 and 2023. The Barefoot College on the other hand provided training on solar energy and livelihood life skills to women, youth and among the vulnerable groups.

The team at the college, workshop closely with local authority (Shehas) in their respective areas of administration which helps them to identify trainees and implement community support programmes. Currently, she says the College has managed to train 24 women on solar energy, 17 on tailoring and 128 on bee keeping.

By facilitating market access, ZEEA helps local businesses reach new customers and expand their market presence. This includes organizing trade fairs, providing marketing support, and assisting with export processes.

Market programs have been done by supporting entrepreneurs to participate in different national and international exhibitions. According to her, between 2019-2022, about 246 entrepreneurs have been supported to participate in various exhibition including Fumba exhibition and Mwanza in Tanzania Mainland.

ZEEA has also been conducting business plan competition to enable young entrepreneurs to advertise their business ideas so as to secure support from different donors and development partners.

For instance, between 2019-2020, at least 30 youths participated in business plan competition where by 10 among them have succeeded to sell their business ideas. Also, various trainings on marketing, packaging and formalization of the product have been conducted.

She says the agency emphasizes on the importance of networking and collaboration while at the same time organizing events and platforms that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, fostering partnerships that drive innovation and growth.

According to the agency’s head of Public Relations Mr. Hakeem Kimara, the exhibition will feature entrepreneurs who have benefited from the agency and those who received loans, training as well as market connections.

The Fahari Festival is expected to kick off with a significant round table discussion, featuring Ministers from four key ministries focusing on market opportunities for Zanzibar products, with a special emphasis on tourism and the Blue Economy. He says over 100 stakeholders are expected to join this engaging conversation covering on economic empowerment, tourism, and the blue economy.

Each session will be designed to provide valuable insights and foster meaningful dialogue, helping to shape the future of Zanzibar’s economy.

According to him, the event will also see the participation of over 50 exhibitors from East Africa coupled with training being conducted by public and private institutions, including financial, insurance, and real estate companies.

“There will be training sessions from banks, insurance and real estate companies which will provide valuable insights into finance, production, marketing, and insurance strategies and an extensive platform for showcasing and networking,” he says.

Mr. Kimara says the event will also have daily panel discussions featuring industry experts, focusing on various aspects of economic empowerment, tourism, and the blue economy and will end with product innovation competitions where the winner with the best entrepreneur talent will be recognized.

This year’s event will also create platforms for entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a wider audience from East Africa thereby helping their businesses gain visibility and tap into new market opportunities in the region while at the same time cementing partnerships between local and international entities to enhance business opportunities and resources.

The Fahari Festival is set to be a grand celebration of ZEEA’s achievements and the resilience of the Zanzibari people. The event will enable entrepreneurs and business owners to enhance their skills and knowledge, empowering them to succeed in their respective fields.

It will also culminate with the much-anticipated announcement of winners in the product and innovation competitions showcasing the best of Zanzibar’s entrepreneurial talent, highlighting innovative products and ideas.

The winner will receive well-deserved recognition and support, further encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship within the community.

Other activities in the event program include: exhibitions highlighting successful projects and businesses supported by ZEEA, opportunities for local businesses to showcase their products to potential buyers and investors, sessions designed to foster connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders and celebrations of Zanzibari culture through music, dance, and art, emphasizing the rich heritage and creativity of the island.

ZEEA’s second Fahari Festival therefore is not just a celebration of past achievements, but a testament to the potential of economic empowerment of the Isles.