IMED Limited convened Business Development Service Providers in Tanga for a three-day Training of Trainers workshop held from 30 September to 2 October 2025. The workshop strengthened the practical skills needed to mentor and advise youth- and women-led enterprises.
The activity formed part of Boosting Youth Entrepreneurship for Job Creation and a Sustainable Future, implemented through the TangaYetu Programme. The programme is funded by Fondation Botnar and managed by INNOVEX Development Consulting Limited.
Building a stronger business-support system
Entrepreneurs need more than general advice. They need support providers who can understand a business, identify the real constraint and guide the owner towards practical action.
The workshop therefore focused on helping Business Development Service Providers use consistent tools and high-impact methods. Participants strengthened their ability to:
assess the needs and stage of an enterprise;
identify operational, market and financial constraints;
facilitate useful conversations with business owners;
prepare realistic action plans;
mentor entrepreneurs through implementation; and
track progress and results over time.
Practical learning for real enterprise challenges
The programme combined short technical inputs, group work and hands-on exercises. Participants examined the youth entrepreneurship landscape in Tanga and practised methods they can use directly with clients.
The sessions covered business-needs diagnosis, facilitation, mentorship, action planning and progress tracking. This approach helped participants connect each tool to the day-to-day realities faced by entrepreneurs.
Supporting youth and women entrepreneurs
Youth and women entrepreneurs often need coordinated support to reach finance, understand markets, improve operations and make confident growth decisions. A capable local network of advisers can make that support more accessible and more useful.
When Business Development Service Providers offer clear, practical and accountable guidance, enterprises are better positioned to become sustainable, competitive and ready to grow.
Why this work matters for Tanga
Strengthening local service providers creates capacity that remains within the regional business ecosystem. The providers can continue serving entrepreneurs beyond one workshop or project cycle.
For IMED, this is an important part of inclusive local economic development: stronger advisers support stronger enterprises, and stronger enterprises can contribute to jobs, income and opportunity.
What effective business support should deliver
A clear diagnosis of the enterprise and its priority constraint.
Advice matched to the owner’s market, resources and stage of growth.
Simple tools the entrepreneur can continue using independently.
Agreed actions, responsibilities and timelines.
Follow-up that measures progress and adjusts support when needed.
Last updated: 10 September 2026