DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – 4 March 2026 – The Wazo Bora Pitch initiative has successfully concluded after awarding TZS 17 million in seed funding to promising entrepreneurs, marking the culmination of a transformative innovation and business development program.
The initiative follows the recent announcement that Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania donated USD 11,500 to Challenges Worldwide Tanzania to support entrepreneurial growth as part of the Standard Chartered Foundation’s RISE/E program.
From Idea to Investment
The Wazo Bora Pitch program began in December 2025 with a month-long call for applications that attracted a strong pool of aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse sectors.
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After the application phase, 15 participants were selected to join an intensive business bootcamp aimed at strengthening their entrepreneurial capacity.
The program focused on:
- Refining business models
- Improving financial management skills
- Enhancing investment readiness
Following the training, seven finalists were shortlisted to compete in the final pitch event held in Dar es Salaam this week.
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Winners of the Wazo Bora Pitch
At the conclusion of the competition, three outstanding entrepreneurs received seed funding to support the growth of their businesses:
- Winner: Ng’oga Masheri Kaswahili – TZS 10,000,000
- First Runner-Up: Mohamed Muhidini – TZS 4,000,000
- Second Runner-Up: Nipaeii Mtana – TZS 3,000,000
The total TZS 17,000,000 in seed funding will directly support business expansion, job creation, and market growth for the winning enterprises.
Part of a Larger Entrepreneurship Program
The Wazo Bora Pitch forms part of the broader RISE/E Program, launched in 2024 through the Standard Chartered Foundation.
The three-year program valued at TZS 2.2 billion aims to:
- Support 340 microbusinesses across Tanzania
- Create 478 new job opportunities
- Promote economic inclusion for women, youth, and persons with disabilities
Commitment to Entrepreneurial Growth
Speaking about the initiative, George Binde, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania, highlighted the impact of the program.
“In December we announced our USD 11,500 donation to support this initiative with the support of Challenges Worldwide Tanzania. Today we are seeing tangible results of that investment.
We are proud to see participants strengthen their businesses and our finalists demonstrate remarkable growth, clarity and resilience. The seed funding will help turn potential into measurable progress.”
Driving Inclusive Economic Growth
The successful completion of the Wazo Bora Pitch reinforces the shared commitment between Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania and Challenges Worldwide Tanzania to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting inclusive economic growth.
Through programs like this, emerging businesses are equipped with the skills, networks, and capital needed to build resilient enterprises and create jobs across Tanzania.
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a presence in 53 markets and clients in 64 additional markets worldwide.
The bank’s purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through its unique diversity, guided by its brand promise “Here for good.”
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
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