Stanbic na GAIN wanaungana kuongeza mchango wa SME katika sekta ya chakula ili kuboresha upatikanaji wa lishe bora nchini Tanzania.

Programu inalenga kuboresha biashara zinazoongozwa na wanawake kwa kuwapa ujuzi katika usimamizi wa zabuni, uboreshaji wa bidhaa, usalama wa chakula, na mbinu za masoko.

• Uzinduzi huu unaendana na dhamira ya Stanbic ya kukuza maendeleo endelevu na kuwawezesha wajasiriamali wa ndani.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Jumatano, 30 Oktoba 2024: Benki ya Stanbic Tanzania, kwa kushirikiana na Shirika la Kimataifa la Kuboresha Lishe (GAIN) kupitia Mtandao wa Biashara wa Kuongeza Lishe Tanzania (SBN), wamezindua kikundi cha saba cha Programu ya Maendeleo ya Wafanyabiashara chini ya kituo cha ukuzaji biashara cha Stanbic (BSI). Ushirikiano huu unalenga kuwawezesha Biashara Ndogo na za Kati (SMEs), hasa zile zinazoongozwa na wanawake katika sekta ya chakula na lishe, kujenga mifano ya biashara inayozingatia maendeleo endelevu, kuchangia malengo ya ukuaji wa kiuchumi wa Tanzania kwa ujumla.

Ushiriki wa GAIN unaonesha dhamira yake ya kuboresha usalama wa chakula na lishe nchini Tanzania kwa kuwawezesha wafanyabiashara wa ndani kufuata viwango bora vya usalama na ubora wa chakula. Kwa kuunganisha mafunzo juu ya lishe na usalama wa chakula, GAIN inalenga kuhakikisha kuwa wazalishaji wa chakula wa Tanzania wanakidhi viwango vya sekta na kukuza mazoea bora ya lishe. Msaada wa GAIN utasaidia sio tu kuimarisha biashara hizi bali pia kuboresha ubora wa lishe wa bidhaa zinazopatikana kwa jamii za Kitanzania, hivyo kuchangia taifa lenye afya bora.

Dkt. Winfirda Mayilla, Mkuu wa Programu wa GAIN Tanzania, alisema, “Ushirikiano wetu na Stanbic haujalenga tu kuboresha ushindani wa SME za Tanzania bali pia kuinua jamii kwa kuongeza athari chanya za lishe kutoka kwa biashara hizi. Ushirikiano huu ni hatua kuelekea kufanikisha malengo ya GAIN ya kufanya upatikanaji wa vyakula vyenye virutubishi na unafuu kwa wote.”

Washiriki wa kundi hili la saba wamepata mafunzo maalumu ambayo yanakwenda zaidi ya ujuzi wa msingi wa biashara ili kushughulikia maeneo muhimu yanayoathiri biashara zao moja kwa moja. Mtaala ulioimarishwa ulijumuisha masomo ya juu katika usimamizi wa zabuni, uundaji na uboreshaji wa bidhaa, usalama wa chakula, na masoko ya kimkakati. Haya yote yamewapatia washiriki maarifa ya kuboresha ubora wa uzalishaji wao, kuboresha mazoea ya usalama wa chakula, kuuza bidhaa zao kwa ufanisi, na kushiriki katika fursa za zabuni za wauzaji.

Kupitia juhudi za pamoja za Stanbic na GAIN, washiriki wamepata zana zinazohitajika kutekeleza mazoea salama na yenye lishe katika uzalishaji wa chakula, kuhakikisha biashara zao zinakidhi viwango vya afya na ubora. Maarifa haya ya msingi juu ya usalama wa chakula ni muhimu kwa kujenga uaminifu miongoni mwa watumiaji. Zaidi ya hayo, programu hii imewasaidia washiriki kuimarisha mbinu zao za masoko, hivyo kuwawezesha kufikia masoko mapana na kushindana kwa ufanisi zaidi ndani ya sekta hii.

Aidha, washiriki wamejifunza kujenga mifano ya biashara yenye uthabiti inayozingatia maendeleo endelevu na kuingiza maudhui ya ndani, jambo ambalo linaongeza hamasa ya ushirikishwaji wa kiuchumi. Mbinu hii inasaidia sio tu mafanikio yao ya muda mrefu bali pia inachangia mazingira ya kiuchumi yanayozingatia usawa na uendelevu nchini Tanzania.

Programu hii inatoa miezi sita ya ushauri maalumu, ikiwapatia washiriki mwongozo wa kuendelea ambao unawasaidia kukabiliana na changamoto za soko na kukuza biashara zao kuwa uendelevu. Kwa kuongezea, wahitimu watajiunga na mtandao mpana wa wajasiriamali ndani ya kituo cha ukuzaji biashara cha Stanbic na mtandao wa SUN Business, kuwapatia ufikiaji wa miunganisho ya thamani na uwezekano wa ushirikiano.

Kai Mollel, Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Ukuaji Biashara kutoka Benki ya Stanbic Tanzania, alisema, “Kituo cha ukuaji biashara cha Stanbic siyo tu mahali pa mafunzo—ni jukwaa ambalo biashara za ndani hupata rasilimali, mitandao, na mwongozo wanaohitaji ili kukuza biashara zao. Kupitia ushirikiano kama huu na GAIN, tunaunda fursa endelevu zinazowezesha biashara na kujenga Tanzania yenye nguvu na yenye afya.”

Tangu kuanzishwa kwake mwaka 2022, kituo cha ukuaji biashara cha Stanbic kimekuwa nguzo muhimu ya dhamira ya Benki ya Stanbic Tanzania katika kusaidia biashara za ndani. Programu za BSI zinalenga kuwawezesha SME kwa njia za kujenga uwezo maalum, hivyo kuwawezesha kushiriki kwa manufaa katika sekta muhimu kama kilimo, viwanda, na sasa chakula na lishe. 

Zaidi ya SME 200 wamepata mafunzo na zaidi ya ajira 500 zimeanzishwa hadi sasa kupitia rogramu ya Maendeleo ya Wauzaji ya BSI, ambayo imeonesha athari chanya katika mfululizo wa vikundi sita vilivyopita, ikichangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kwenye uhimilivu wa uchumi na uundaji wa ajira nchini Tanzania.
Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Biashara Incubator kutoka Benki ya Stanbic Tanzania, Kai Mollel na Mkuu wa miradi kutoka Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Winifrida Mayilla wakitia saini ya Makubaliano (MOU) kwa ajili ya kushirikiana katika mafunzo ya awamu ya 7 ya Supplier Development Program. Mafunzo hayo yanalenga kuwawezesha wanawake na vijana 50, wamiliki na waendeshaji wa biashara ya chakula. Tukio hilo lilifanyika jijini Dar es salaam na kushuhudiwa na wafanyakazi wa Stanbic Bank Tanzania pamoja na GAIN Tanzania.

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STANBIC BANK TANZANIA AND GAIN LAUNCH COHORT 7 OF THE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR LOCAL SMES

Head of the Business Incubator Unit from Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Kai Mollel (second right) and the Head of Projects from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Winifrida Mayilla signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the training phase 7 of the Supplier Development Program. The training aims to empower 50 women and youth, food business owners and operators. The event took place on Wednesday witnessed by the employees of Stanbic Bank Tanzania and GAIN Tanzania.

Head of Business Incubator, From Stanbic Bank, Kai Mollel presents the seventh cohort of the Supplier Development Program, in partnership with GAIN. The program equips women-led SMEs engaged in the food and nutrition sector in Tanzania with specialized training, mentorship, and networking that will help them achieve business scaling in a sustainable manner and drive positive change.

• Stanbic and GAIN partner to boost SME capacity in Tanzania’s food sector for economic impact.

• Program enhances women-led businesses with expertise in food nutrition, safety, and market strategies.

• Launch aligns with Stanbic’s commitment to sustainable growth and empowering local enterprises.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Stanbic Bank Tanzania, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), has launched the seventh cohort of the Supplier Development Program under the Stanbic Business Incubator (BSI). This collaboration focuses on empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses in the food and nutrition sector, to develop more sustainable and scalable business models, contributing to Tanzania’s broader economic growth goals.

GAIN’s participation reflects its commitment to enhancing food security and nutrition in Tanzania by empowering local businesses to adopt better food safety and quality standards. By integrating training on nutrition and food safety, GAIN aims to ensure that Tanzanian food producers meet industry standards and promote healthier food practices. GAIN’s support will not only strengthen these businesses but also improve the nutritional value of food products available to Tanzanian communities, contributing to a healthier nation.

XXXX XXXX at GAIN Tanzania, “Our collaboration with Stanbic will not only enhance the competitiveness of Tanzanian SMEs but also uplift communities through better nutrition and food security. This partnership is a step towards achieving GAIN’s mission to make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable for all.”

Participants in this cohort will receive specialized training that extends beyond basic business skills to address key areas that impact their businesses directly. The expanded curriculum includes advanced topics in food nutrition, safety, and strategic marketing. This will equip trainees with the knowledge needed to improve their production quality, enhance food safety practices, and effectively market their products.

Through Stanbic and GAIN’s combined efforts, participants will gain the tools needed to implement safe and nutritious food production practices, ensuring their businesses comply with health and quality standards. This foundational knowledge in food safety is key to building credibility and trust among consumers. Additionally, the program will help participants strengthen their marketing strategies, enabling them to reach broader markets and compete more effectively within the industry. By adopting robust marketing techniques, they can increase visibility and attract a wider customer base. Furthermore, participants will learn to build resilient business models that prioritize sustainability and incorporate local content, fostering a greater sense of economic inclusivity. This approach not only supports their long-term success but also contributes to a more equitable and sustainable economic landscape in Tanzania.

The program offers six months of dedicated coaching, providing participants with ongoing mentorship to help them navigate market challenges and grow their businesses sustainably. In addition, graduates will join an extensive network within the Stanbic Business Incubator and GAIN communities, giving them access to valuable connections and potential partnerships.

XXXX XXXX of Stanbic Bank Tanzania, stated, “The Stanbic Business Incubator is more than just a training ground—it is a platform where local businesses find the resources, networks, and guidance needed to scale. Through partnerships like this with GAIN, we are creating sustainable opportunities that empower businesses and build a stronger, healthier Tanzania.”

Since its inception in 2022, the Stanbic Business Incubator has served as a cornerstone of Stanbic Bank Tanzania’s commitment to supporting local enterprises. BSI programs focus on empowering SMEs through tailored capacity-building initiatives, enabling them to participate meaningfully in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and now, food and nutrition. With over 200 SMEs trained and more than 500 jobs created to date, BSI Supplier Development Program has demonstrated its impact across six cohorts, contributing significantly to Tanzania’s economic resilience and job creation.

For more information, please contact:

Name: Azda Nkullo

Title: Business Marketing Manager at Stanbic Bank Tanzania

Email Address: azda.nkullo@stanbic.co.tz

About Stanbic Bank Tanzania Stanbic Bank Tanzania is a leading financial services provider in Tanzania, offering a comprehensive range of products and services to personal, business, and corporate clients. As a subsidiary of Standard Bank Group, Stanbic Bank Tanzania leverages its deep local knowledge and expertise with the global reach and capabilities of Standard Bank to support the growth and development of its clients.

About the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is an international organization founded by the United Nations to address global nutrition challenges. GAIN works with governments, the private sector, and civil society to make nutritious foods more accessible, affordable, and desirable for vulnerable populations worldwide. By enhancing the food supply chains of local businesses, GAIN contributes to creating healthier, more resilient communities, advancing both public health and economic development.

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