Today, Terhi Majanen, Director of the United State Agency for International Development’s Economic Growth Office at the Embassy of the United States of America in Dar es Salaam, disbursed six grants worth $527,000 to small businesses and private organizations from Iringa, Mbeya and Zanzibar.  

The U.S. Embassy’s Advancing Youth program supports activities that empower young people, ages 15-35, in rural Tanzania to enhance their employability, business savvy, leadership skills, health life skills and participation in civic life.

The grants are expected to create over 700 jobs and establish and improve over 500 youth-led enterprises. Funds will be used provide youth with entrepreneurship training and opportunities, and improve access to finance, finance management skills, and workforce readiness. This will enable youth to establish or expand businesses or take advantage of job opportunities in agriculture and related sectors.