THE Graca Machel Trust’s Women Creating Worth (WCW) programme in collaboration in Afrishela partnership is set to collect 1bn/-revenue from its members, a strategic target aimed to financially support women entrepreneurs.

Anabahati Mlay, WCW country manager made the affirmation in Dar es Salaam yesterday during one-day workshop for women entrepreneurs on access to finance.

She said heading to the target, The session will expose entrepreneurs to available and suitable financing opportunities for women entrepreneurs, bringing together women business network leaders and other stakeholders to inform them on alternative financial models for women entrepreneurs championed by Network of African Business Women (NABW-TZ).

“To ensure women entrepreneurs access to finance. Our target is to collect 1bn/-revenue, engage 10,000 entrepreneurs and create 200,000 jobs particularly to women youth entrepreneurs,” said Anabahati.

She said much as the target is considered one question that entrepreneurs need to ask themselves is how ready they as per their businesses are as the aim is to ensure that they are not trapped with the ongoing risk loans.

She added: “At a point, women don’t need money, but a fixed process, mindset and records towards financial access and that’s why we are here.”

Vida Nasari, chairperson of the Network of Africa Business Women in Tanzania underscored the media’s informative role particularly on entrepreneurship as its observed men are granted more coverage than women.

“Women should play a part in informing the public on women affairs. Access to finance has to be a media agenda. The coverage is more during women's seasons. Something has to be done to eradicate the gap,” said Vida.

Charles Shirima, from Capital Markets and Securities Authorities underlined that entrepreneurs need to have a clear understanding on how an avenue is regulated before venturing into it as many people have entered into scams unknowingly.

“Learn more, information is power.” He stressed.

Mary Kiria, Ladies of Value chairperson, said WCW has aided them with powerful knowledge through online courses and networking on the other hand has been easy.

WCW-I Tanzania in partnership with Afrishela, GMT gender lens financing vehicle for women businesses will conduct a one-day workshop for women entrepreneurs on access to finance. The session will expose our entrepreneurs to available and suitable financing opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

 The session will also bring together women business network leaders and other stakeholders to inform them on our advocacy agenda on alternative financial models for women entrepreneurs championed by Network of African Business Women (NABW-TZ).

GMT Networks including New Faces New Voices (NFNV) will highlight the work done on access to finance, along with our coaches and WCW alumni. Through our host, Network of Africa Businesswomen (NABW-TZ) who leads our advocacy agenda on alternative financing for women entrepreneurs, we will invite other women business association leaders as well as Capital Market and Security Authorities.