THE National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) has launched a new programme designed to empower women, youth and people with special needs economically.

 Dubbed ‘Imarisha Uchumi na Mama Samia’ (Strengthening the Economy with Mama Samia), it aims at enabling women, youth and special groups to join economic platforms to foster social and economic development in the country.

Beng`i Issa, NEEC executive secretary, said that during the launch of the programme in Morogoro Region earlier this week that it aims to uplift beneficiaries based on opportunities in the region.

“This region has various great opportunities in agriculture due to massive fertile land because most of its people are engaged in agriculture and other entrepreneurial activities which are recognized by government institutions and other stakeholders,” she said.

Issa explained that her council has coordinators in various regions who assist groups by registering them in databases so that they can finally benefit from empowerment projects provided by the programme.

She said that the programme intends to improve people’s agricultural and entrepreneurial activities they already engage in, adding that the goal is to enable beneficiaries to improve their standards of living.

She reminded women engaged in various economic activities to remember to inculcate the culture of saving through banks and other institutions so that they can expand their businesses.

Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said the launch of the programme was an important step for the region, urging the target groups to grab that opportunity and expand their economic activities.

 “Our region has received this project and we will do everything possible to ensure it strengthens the economy,” he said.

Sebastinana Mbaga, Mvomero District Women's Platform Secretary, said the coming of the programme is one of the initiatives meant to assist women and other groups economically.

She said that in the district, women are already involved in various entrepreneurial activities in various sectors including agriculture, especially value addition of agricultural products.

The launch was attended by representatives of financial institutions who provided education on the importance of opening bank accounts and inculcating a saving culture.