Creating New Pathways to Economic Independence

How Entrepreneurship is Transforming the Lives of Youth with Visual Impairment in Tanzania

For many young people with visual impairment in Tanzania, barriers to higher education often limit access to formal employment. To ensure these challenges do not become lifelong barriers to opportunity, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), in partnership with SHIVYAWATA and the Mastercard Foundation, is equipping youth with the skills to build sustainable livelihoods through its 8-week Entrepreneurship Skills Program.

Designed as an alternative pathway for those unable to pursue diplomas or degrees, the program combines entrepreneurship, digital skills, financial literacy, business planning, marketing, customer engagement, and enterprise management. Participants graduate with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to start and grow their own businesses.

Youth with visual impairment showcasing their products

To date, 30 young people with visual impairment have graduated across two cohorts, marking an important step towards greater economic inclusion and self-reliance.

The program's impact was evident at the 49th Saba Saba International Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam, where graduates translated classroom learning into real business opportunities. Entrepreneurship trainees showcased and sold their products, engaged customers, and built valuable market connections, while graduates from the Employability Skills Program supported operations at the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) booth by welcoming visitors, registering new members, and providing administrative support.

Their participation demonstrated that, when equipped with the right skills and opportunities, young people with visual impairment can thrive in competitive business environments, contribute meaningfully to Tanzania's economy, and challenge long-standing stereotypes about disability.

Beyond generating income, the program is fostering confidence, leadership, and independence. Youth with visual impairment in Tanzania are becoming entrepreneurs, role models, and advocates for inclusive economic participation, proving that disability is not a barrier to innovation or success.

Through our partnership with SHIVYAWATA and the Mastercard Foundation, KBTA is building a more inclusive future where young people with visual impairment have access to skills, markets, and opportunities that enable them to achieve lasting economic independence. As the program continues to grow, each new graduate represents another step toward a Tanzania where talent—not disability—defines opportunity.