Kitomari Banking & Finance Blog: AIRTEL TANZANIA SHOWCASES DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR SMEs AT 5TH SIDO NATIONAL EXHIBITION IN KAHAMA

Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga (second right), presents a certificate of participation to Airtel Tanzania Director of Business, Joseph Vipond (left), following the company’s sponsorship of the fifth SIDO National Exhibition in Kahama, Shinyanga Region. The exhibition promotes business growth and digital solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Fourth from right is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Waziri Salum, alongside other government and Airtel officials.

Kahama; October 24, 2026 - Airtel Tanzania, through its enterprise division, Airtel Business, is showcasing digital and connectivity solutions designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the 5th Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) National Exhibition in Kahama, Shinyanga Region.

The exhibition, which runs from October 21 to 30, 2026, at Magufuli Grounds in Kahama Municipality, brings together more than 600 entrepreneurs and small enterprises from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with the Office of the Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, the 10-day exhibition provides a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products, explore business opportunities and access services that can help strengthen their enterprises.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga highlighted the government's efforts to expand access to financing to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase production and create employment.

She also called for stronger collaboration between the private sector and SIDO to address challenges facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly access to capital.

“The goal of this Sixth Phase Government is to ensure that these services continue reaching more entrepreneurs, particularly those with the capacity to increase production and grow their businesses but who face barriers to accessing capital,” she said.

The Minister urged financial institutions to continue working with the government through SIDO to develop financial services that respond to the needs of MSMEs and support the growth of the sector.

She further called on SIDO to prioritise financing for productive activities that add value, strengthen local industries and generate employment.

Airtel Business highlights digital solutions for entrepreneurs

Speaking on Airtel Tanzania's participation in the exhibition, Airtel Business Director Joseph Vipond said the company's presence reflects its commitment to bringing practical digital tools closer to entrepreneurs to support their daily operations and business growth.

“Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are a vital engine of Tanzania’s economy. Our participation in the 5th SIDO National Exhibition reflects our commitment to bringing practical, affordable and reliable digital solutions closer to entrepreneurs,” he said.

Vipond added that services such as Airtel Chapakazi and SME Bundles help businesses manage communication costs, improve operational efficiency and focus on expanding their operations while serving customers.

Digital and connectivity solutions on display

At the exhibition, Airtel Business is showcasing a range of solutions designed to help businesses improve connectivity, streamline communication and adopt digital payment services.

The solutions include:

Airtel Chapakazi: An all-in-one package combining mobile data, voice minutes and SMS at predictable rates, enabling small businesses and field teams to stay connected while managing communication expenses.
Airtel SME Bundles and Corporate Yatosha: Flexible postpaid and hybrid plans featuring shared data pools and Closed User Group (CUG) calling to simplify communication among employees and business teams.
Airtel SmartConnect and Pocket Wi-Fi: Broadband solutions designed to provide internet connectivity for offices and businesses.
Airtel Money Enterprise Services: Digital payment solutions that support bulk payments, including salaries and supplier payments, as well as merchant collections through Till numbers and QR codes.

Airtel Business' participation also gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to explore connectivity packages suited to their needs, learn about digital business tools and understand how technology can improve day-to-day operations and support long-term growth.

Through its participation in the SIDO National Exhibition, Airtel Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country's SME ecosystem by providing accessible digital connectivity and business solutions that enable local enterprises to connect, compete and grow.

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