Unleashed Africa Social Enterprises Acting Board Chairperson, Ms. Ngianasia Minja (second right), presents a certificate to Ms. Esther Kolimba, a graduand of the four-month AVODA Blue Tanzania entrepreneurship program, during a function held in Dar es Salaam. The program aims to strengthen Tanzania’s business landscape through world-class strategy, operational excellence, and faith-based leadership principles. Looking on from left are Avoda Group Founder and CEO, Mr. Jun Shiomitsu, and Avoda Uganda Country Director, Mr. Joshua Agonya.
By Peter Mgongo | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The AVODA Blue Tanzania Program has celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of entrepreneurs, marking a major milestone in developing globally competitive and ethically grounded business leaders in the country. The ceremony held in Dar es Salaam recently, bringing together government leaders, business executives, investors, and development partners.
Launched earlier this year, AVODA Blue Tanzania is a four-month, execution-focused entrepreneurship program adapted from the Cambridge MBA and contextualized for African markets, the program aims to strengthen Tanzania’s business landscape through world-class strategy, operational excellence, and faith-based leadership principles.
Cohort 1 brought together founders from sectors including technology, food production, logistics, fashion, education, real estate advisory, and social enterprise. Over the past four months, participants completed intensive training sessions, virtual modules, one-on-one diagnostics, and practical assignments applied directly to their businesses.
Guest of Honor, Mr. Jason Ndanguzi who was representing the ICT Commission’s Director General, Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga, underscored the importance of entrepreneurship in advancing the country’s digital economy.
“This moment aligns with Tanzania’s broader vision, as a nation, we are accelerating the Digital Economy Framework, strengthening our ICT Policy, and preparing our people and enterprises for a knowledge-based, technology-enabled future. For the ICT Commission, this program demonstrates exactly the kind of capacity-building that Tanzania needs as we transition into a digital era."
“Across global innovation economies, one pattern is clear; countries rise not because they have ideas, but because they have capable founders. Founders with strategic discipline. Founders who understand technology. Founders who lead with integrity. Founders who build enterprises that last. Avoda Blue is among the few programs in Tanzania addressing this with such depth, rigor, and intentionality”, he noted.
The ICT guru added; “As the ICT Commission, we stand ready to deepen collaboration with programs that strengthen digital capability, prepare entrepreneurs for scale, integrate emerging technologies, and support the creation of sustainable businesses. Tanzania’s rise depends on entrepreneurs who are ready to build boldly, adapt quickly, and innovate continuously."
“To our graduates, today marks your transition into a new identity, you are no longer simply business owners, you are architects of Tanzania’s digital and economic future. Over the last four months, you have engaged with operational frameworks, financial discipline, AI tools, product refinement, Kingdom leadership principles, and investor readiness, this kind of preparation is rare in our market, and deeply necessary”, added Mr. Ndanguzi.
Earlier the Unleashed Africa CEO, Ms. Khalila Mbowe said her social ventures reaffirms its national commitment to building world-class programs that equip Tanzania’s youth, founders, and industry leaders with the skills, networks, and mindsets needed to build high-performing, future-ready enterprises
“For too long, many African entrepreneurs including many of us have operated from the back benches of business excellence, that era must be history, across our brands; from RiseUp, to JUU’s creative economy work, to The Space and its flagship Nipe Dili program, Unleashed Africa has been steadily constructing a holistic empowerment ecosystem where young people can access opportunities, develop 21st-century skills, secure business support, and deepen their leadership potential”, said Ms. Khalila.
Avoda Group Founder and CEO Jun Shiomitsu expressed deep appreciation to Unleashed Africa for being the first organization in Tanzania to believe in and partner with the AVODA mission. He noted that although expanding the program beyond Uganda was initially considered difficult, the team’s prayers and the strong Christian entrepreneurial ecosystem helped pave the way. He added that their relationship with Unleashed Africa is already bearing visible fruit, demonstrating the powerful work taking place in Tanzania.
“To the graduates; first of all, you believed in us. Now, as you graduate, it is our turn to believe in you, to ensure that your businesses find the customers they need and the capital they require. It is our turn now to place our trust in you. I am confident that your businesses will achieve great things, truly great things, and I stand firmly by that confidence. Christian connections around the world have already seen and experienced our services. By graduating from Avoda, you are being planted into a massive global ecosystem, in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, among people who share your faith and who want to see you succeed,” he said.
One of the graduands, Engineer Regina Fumbuka from Multi Genius Africa, an organization working to make mathematics more appealing and easier to teach said, the Avoda program has helped her learn how to become a good leader, build effective business systems, manage a business, and maintain proper financial records. She added that the program has enabled her to progress from one level to another in her entrepreneurial journey.
Three awards were presented during the ceremony; the Exceptional Performance Award, Business Growth Excellence Award, and Servant Leadership Award. Graduates also showcased their businesses, growth milestones, and investment or partnership needs through a three-minute pitch session.
Unleashed Africa Social Enterprises Acting Board Chairperson, Ms. Ngianasia Minja (second right), presents a certificate to Mr. Alexander Rwiza, a graduand of the four-month AVODA Blue Tanzania entrepreneurship program, during a function held in Dar es Salaam recently. The program aims to strengthen Tanzania’s business landscape through world-class strategy, operational excellence, and faith-based leadership principles. Looking on from left are Avoda Group Founder and CEO, Mr. Jun Shiomitsu, and Avoda Uganda Country Director, Mr. Joshua Agonya.
Unleashed Africa Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Khalila Mbowe (right), moderates a panel discussion during the four-month AVODA Blue Tanzania entrepreneurship program graduation, adapted from the Cambridge MBA and contextualized for African markets. The program aims to strengthen Tanzania’s business landscape through world-class strategy, operational excellence, and faith-based leadership principles. The event was held in Dar es Salaam recently. On her right are Avoda Uganda Country Director, Mr. Joshua Agonya; one of the graduands, Ms. Esther Kolimba and Avoda Group Founder and CEO, Mr. Jun Shiomitsu. (Photos by Peter Mgongo)
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