Tanzania Marks First Graduation of Inclusive Employability and Entrepreneurship Cohorts

Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), in partnership with SHIVYAWATA and with support from the Mastercard Foundation, has successfully graduated the first cohorts of its Employability Skills and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Programs for youth with visual impairments in Tanzania.

This pilot marks the introduction of KBTA’s Education-to-Employment model in Tanzania, building on its work to improve access to education and extending it into clear pathways for economic participation.

Building Skills for Transition

Over the past three months, the program focused on equipping participants with adapted ICT skills, workplace readiness, and soft skills, and practical entrepreneurial competencies

These skills are critical in addressing the barriers that young people with visual impairments often face when transitioning from education into employment or self-employment.

The inaugural cohorts included:

• 20 young graduates, of whom 11 were young women, strengthening their capacity to access employment opportunities

• 15 aspiring entrepreneurs, including 11 young women, equipped to start and grow small businesses

  
  

Early Results Demonstrating Impact

Early outcomes from this pilot are already showing promising results:

• 9 out of 20 graduates from the employability cohort have secured internships, marking an important first step into the workforce

• The entrepreneurship cohort has identified two viable small business pathways, which will be further supported in the next phase

These results highlight the effectiveness of a structured approach that links skills development directly to real opportunities.

The graduation ceremony also created immediate pathways for exposure and engagement.

Dr. (PhD) Mwajuma Hamza, Executive Director of the Tanzania Women Chambers of Commerce (TWCC), committed to:

• 2 internship opportunities for young women from the cohort

• 2 exhibition slots at the Sabasaba Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam (June 30 – July 10) 

These opportunities provide critical entry points into professional environments and market systems.

Strengthening Future Cohorts

The learnings from this first cohort will directly inform future program delivery, including:

• Stronger employer engagement to increase transition into employment

• More targeted support for enterprise development

• Increased participation and retention of young women

As KBTA expands this model in Tanzania, the focus will remain on strengthening inclusive pathways to employment and supporting sustainable income generation for young people with visual impairments.

As these graduates take their next steps, continued support is essential. We invite organizations and private sector employers to offer:

• Internships

• Employment opportunities

• Business and market linkages

  
  

To engage with this talent pool, please reach out to SHIVYAWATA to access graduate profiles. info@shivyawata.or.tz

Creating inclusive opportunities ensures that talent is recognized, supported, and able to thrive.