RESIDENTS of Tanga Region have been urged to embrace the ‘Strengthen the Economy with Mama Samia’ programme which aims to empower women, youth and special groups to actively engage in the national economy.

Implemented by the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), the programme reaches the groups with training and support to enable them fully utilise available economic opportunities.

Sophia Mjema, Presidential Advisor on Women’s Affairs, made the call on Monday here when speaking to various groups of women, youth and special need groups during the inauguration of the programme in the region.

She said the initiative seeks to integrate the groups into economic platforms to foster socioeconomic development across the country.

“To benefit from this programme, the groups need to be given access to available opportunities in the region to enable them engage more effectively in the national economy,” she said.

Mjema suggested that the groups could explore opportunities in road maintenance, catering for conferences and symposiums as well as other activities that could improve their livelihoods.

She explained that the programme is in the process of registering and creating a database for the groups, with the goal of supporting them in starting or expanding agricultural activities, adding value to their produce and poultry farming among other economic activities.

She said the programme aims at helping groups to eventually engage in larger-scale ventures such as owning big businesses like hotels as the region and the country undergo economic transformation.

Tanga Regional Commissioner Dr Batilda Burian said the region was prepared to ensure that groups across all wards and villages benefit from the programme.

“Registration will continue in the areas to ensure that every group has access to the programme,” she said, noting that the region is committed to utilising its opportunities to help groups start businesses and support their families.

She said since the region had many opportunities, they would ensure the groups utilise them to start businesses and ensure they meet needs of their families.

Nifa Hassan, one of the traders, shared her positive experience, saying that the programme’s entrepreneurship training had helped increase her capital and provided her access to loans.

“I want to become a big businessperson and I hope this programme will enable me to fulfil my dream as it is instrumental in boosting low-income earners,” she said.