Economic Empowerment
Project Background
CRDB Bank Foundation is implementing a women and youth green enterprise accelerator in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Tanzania, under its Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D).
The programme improves women’s employment in green transformation sectors by supporting Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses while adopting sustainable practices. The program focuses on women and youth creating green jobs and fostering economic growth.
- Regions: Dar es Salaam • Morogoro • Zanzibar (Unguja)
- Target: Support 325 women-led MSMEs to create ≈510 decent green jobs (aim: 70% women, 30% youth)
- Focus: Green & circular economy (renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture & agro-processing, blue economy/ecotourism, waste/recycling, green logistics & construction, conservation/biodiversity)
1. Capability Building: Practical training on financial literacy
- Savings, Budgeting, Record-keeping, Loan and Debt Management, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Investment, etc
- Technical Assistance with multiple key stakeholders:
- Tax – TRA,
- Formalization & Registration – BRELA,
- Standards & Safety – TBS,
- Weighting and Measuring – WMA,
- Right use of Chemicals – GCLA,
- Barcoding – SCANCODE,
- International Standards – ISO,
- Copyrighting – COSOTA,
- Public procurement – PPRA & GPSA
2. Business Development Services (BDS): Up to 3 months incubation/mentorship.
- BDS support from partners; SIDO, VETA, NIT, etc
- Participation in 2 trade fairs/expo or investor tradeshow, business matchmaking, market readiness and off taker linkages.
- Linkage to Imbeju program pool of partners, visibility opportunities, credibility certification from CRDB Bank Foundation
3. Access to Finance (performance-linked):
- Unsecured soft loans via the Imbeju Program pathway (subject to due diligence & availability).
- Limits: up to TZS 10m (individual under group umbrella) • up to TZS 30m for Start-Ups.
- Commitment fee: 6%; 1% credit life insurance; 1% crop insurance as applicable.
- Flexible repayments (weekly → monthly) matched to cashflows; milestone-based disbursements; Imbeju Account required; supplier-payment controls may apply.
Financing is not guaranteed for all participants; it is contingent on eligibility, due diligence, and performance during the capacity building period.
Download Applicant Form (English)
Option A (preferred): Online at www.crdbbankfoundation.co.tz
Option B: Email one (1) PDF to foundation@crdbbankfoundation.co.tz with subject: “Imbeju Ajira YE2 – “[Business Name]”
Option C: Physical submission (sealed, marked “Imbeju Ajira YE2 Application”) at CRDB Bank branches in Dar es Salaam / Morogoro / Zanzibar
Who Should Apply (Eligibility)
- Area: Requirement
- Legal & Operations: Registered in Tanzania; active ≥2 years in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, or Zanzibar.
- Leadership: Women-led (≥40% ownership or executive leadership by women). Youth participation is encouraged (goal: 20% youth in key roles).
- Green Fit: Operating in or able to credibly pivot to green/circular value chains aligned to regional focus (see below).
- Jobs: Realistic plan to create 2–3 decent jobs during the programme.
- Standards & Conduct: Commitment to gender-responsive, inclusive, and environmentally sound practices; willingness to meet quality/compliance requirements.
Inclusive access: Women from disadvantaged communities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Accessible formats available on request.
Regional & Sector Focus
- Dar es Salaam: circular economy & waste, renewable energy/cleantech, green construction/materials, farming and farming value chains, landscaping and gardening, clean energy value chain,
- Morogoro: climate-smart/organic agriculture, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging.
- Zanzibar: blue economy (aquaculture/seaweed), organic value-added products (spices, natural cosmetics), eco-tourism.
How We Select
Stages: 1) Screening → 2) Technical Review → 3) Pitch/Interview (regional hubs) → 4) Due Diligence → 5) Final Selection & Onboarding
How to Apply
Application Instructions:
1. Complete this form accurately and fully in Swahili or English.
2. Submit the form via:
- Email: Send to foundation@crdbbank.co.tz with subject “Imbeju Ajira YE2 – [Business Name]”.
- Physical Submission: Deliver to CRDB branches in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, or Zanzibar, sealed and marked “Imbeju Ajira YE2 Application”.
3. Attach:
- Completed application form.
- Registration/ownership documents and proof of ≥2 years of operation.
- Motivation letter (≤500 words) explaining how your MSME will create decent green jobs.
4. No application or participation fees.
How to Apply
Application Instructions:
Option A (preferred): Online at www.crdbbankfoundation.co.tz
Option B: Email one (1) PDF to foundation@crdbbankfoundation.co.tz with subject: “Imbeju Ajira YE2 – “[Business Name]”
Option C: Physical submission (sealed, marked “Imbeju Ajira YE2 Application”) at CRDB Bank branches in Dar es Salaam / Morogoro / Zanzibar