TWCC and TradeMark Africa Recognise Women Shaping Tanzania’s Industrial Future

5th Annual Tanzania Women Industrial Awards spotlight enterprise growth, economic inclusion, and policy impact

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 27 March 2025: The Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA), hosted the 5th Annual Tanzania Women Industrial Awards (TWIA) that brought together women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and trade stakeholders to mark two milestones: 20 years of TWCC’s efforts in supporting women entrepreneurs and five (5) years of recognising women’s leadership and achievements in driving Tanzania’s industrial transformation.

TWIA reflects a growing shift in Tanzania’s economic landscape. According to World Bank data (2023), women own 54% of the country’s micro and small enterprises yet continue to face structural barriers to scaling their businesses. In response, TWCC working in partnership with TMA and with funding from UK International Development, Norway, and Ireland, is addressing these constraints. The initiative supports women-led enterprises to expand production, access new markets, and influence policy, contributing to TradeMark Africa’s Strategy 3, which places inclusive and sustainable trade at the heart of economic development.

Since its inception in 2021, TWIA has recognised 200 women-led enterprises across agriculture, manufacturing, technology, mining, construction, logistics, and other sectors. In 2024, several of these businesses reported increased revenues, enhanced export readiness, and the creation of new jobs. Notably, a number of awardees entered export markets for the first time- demonstrating how targeted support can shift outcomes for women-led firms.

Speaking at the event as Guest of Honour, Hon. Selemani Said Jafo, Minister for Industry and Trade, called for industrial policies that embed gender inclusion and equip women with the infrastructure and investment needed to scale. He urged policymakers and investors to commit to long-term strategies that place women at the centre of national development planning.

“The entrepreneurs recognised today are helping to modernise Tanzania’s economy. They are generating jobs, building regional competitiveness, and proving that women in industry are not a niche, but they are a necessity. The government must do more than support; it must act to remove systemic constraints, “said Hon. Jafo.

Speaking at the awards celebrations, Mwajuma Hamza, TWCC’s Executive Director, said: “These women are not exceptions. They are indicators of what happens when barriers to trade and enterprise are removed. They are creating value, building resilience, and challenging outdated assumptions. TWIA gives them the visibility and legitimacy needed to break into formal systems.”

The 2025 ceremony also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, a global framework for advancing women’s rights. While Tanzania has implemented several gender reforms, policy and investment practices continue to overlook women-led industry.

TradeMark Africa Country Director, Elibariki Shammy said: “The Tanzania Women Industrial Awards is part of a broader effort to reshape how inclusive trade works in practice. Under our Strategy 3, we focus on delivering measurable results. That means creating pathways for women to enter value chains, secure capital, and influence the future of trade in this region. This partnership with TWCC shows what is possible when funding partners, institutions, and entrepreneurs work with shared intent.’’

TWCC plans to expand TWIA’s impact in the coming years, focusing on building stronger market linkages, monitoring enterprise growth, and informing national policy. With continued support from TMA and its donor partners, the initiative will serve as both a recognition platform and a mechanism for driving economic reform.