Dar es Salaam. KCB Bank’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship has taken a transformative step through its ‘Tujiajiri program’, which offers entrepreneurial training to young people, women, and girls across Tanzania.
Last year, the bank trained over 5,000 individuals from the Lake Zone, Dar es Salaam, and the Eastern Zone, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to start and run their own businesses.
Speaking at the Women in Investment forum on Saturday, November 16, Ms. Lulu Shikonyi, the Head of Operations and Administration at KCB, shared the bank’s mission to foster self-reliance among Tanzanians.
She pointed out that the goal of the program is to equip participants with the tools they need to become economically independent by starting and growing their own businesses.
This initiative aims to help them break free from poverty and create sustainable livelihoods.
“Our training focuses on building entrepreneurial skills, so participants can venture into the market as self-employed individuals,” Ms Shikonyi explained.
She went further to expound: “We partner with the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to ensure that after completing their training, participants are not only knowledgeable, but also have the practical skills they need to thrive.”
Ms Shikonyi highlighted that the bank does more than just providing training—it also offers tangible support.
Upon completion of their training with VETA, each participant receives tools and equipment tailored to their specific trade.
This hands-on approach helps them transition smoothly into the workforce as self-employed business owners.
The bank’s commitment is clear: to nurture a generation of entrepreneurs who can compete in the job market and contribute to the growth of Tanzania’s economy.
“We are already seeing success stories,” Ms Shikonyi said, smiling as she shared some examples.
“Some of our trainees have started their own businesses as plumbers, electricians, and jewelry makers, among other trades. These are the kinds of entrepreneurial endeavors we want to encourage—ones that not only support individuals, but also contribute to local economies.”
KCB’s Tujiajiri program is more than just a training initiative; it’s a platform for personal growth and financial independence.
With its focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups, the bank is helping to create a more inclusive and dynamic business environment across the country.
By teaching people how to build and sustain their own businesses, KCB is playing a crucial role in fostering an entrepreneurial culture that will undoubtedly pave the way for a stronger, more self-reliant Tanzania.
