ZANZIBAR government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that people with disabilities (PwDs) benefit from various opportunities, including loans to enhance their income and livelihoods.

Harusi Said Suleiman, Minister of State in the First Vice President’s Office made the statement during a visit to various entrepreneurship groups in Bungi, Central District of Unguja. 

He said that the government budget for the fiscal year 2024/25 has allocated substantial funds for disability groups to support their entrepreneurial activities.

He highlighted that the government’s budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year has allocated enough funds for disability groups to support their entrepreneurial activities.

“The current task is to recognize and register these groups so that they can access these opportunities,” he said.

He added: “Let me assure all entrepreneurs with disabilities that funds for people with special needs, including those with disabilities, have been allocated. We are currently in the final stages of verification to distribute them to the beneficiaries.”

The minister also emphasized that the government’s priority is to ensure that people with disabilities overcome all barriers.

“We have removed the value-added tax (VAT) on equipment for PwDs to ensure they overcome barriers that hinder their development activities,” he said.

Abushiri Said Khalid, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council for Disabled Persons, stated that the loans provided to people with disabilities will not require repayment with interest.

He explained that the government will also empower PwDs to engage in development and entrepreneurial activities without obstacles by removing interest from these loans.

He explained that the government aims to empower people with disabilities to engage in development and entrepreneurial activities without obstacles by removing interest from these loans.

“This loan scheme for people with disabilities will have no interest repayments because the government aims to help them improve economically,” he said.

Some disabled entrepreneurs who were visited by the minister praised the government for its efforts to provide affordable loans to vulnerable groups in society.

“Many people with disabilities are engaging in vegetable farming and various economic activities, but our major plea is to obtain soft loans to support the growth of our entrepreneurial activities,” said Mwanakhamis Vuai Kassim, a resident of Bungwi in Unguja Central District, Zanzibar.