Fatma Hamadi Mlingi

In the heart of Bunju, Dar es Salaam, amidst a vibrant network of women entrepreneurs, Fatma Hamadi Mlingi is quietly building a beauty business with big ambitions. The proud owner of a growing cosmetics and clothing store, Fatma’s entrepreneurial journey was redefined the day she was introduced to the Imbeju Program, a flagship initiative by the CRDB Bank Foundation designed to empower women and youth with financial resources and practical training.

Fatma is a committed member of the Bunju Women Group, a local collective known for uplifting women through shared knowledge, encouragement, and business opportunities. But it was a chance conversation with the CRDB Bank Manager at the Ubungo Branch that changed the trajectory of her business. “The branch manager told me about the Imbeju Program and encouraged me to apply,” she recalls. “It felt like the opportunity I had been waiting for.”

The Imbeju Program provides interest-free seed capital and essential business training aimed at nurturing inclusive economic growth. Fatma was awarded TZS 5,000,000 through the program and she put the funds to work immediately.

With this support, she not only expanded her existing cosmetics and clothing business, but also launched her own product line: Channy Coconut Oil, a locally made brand of coconut oil. The product, proudly developed and packaged under her guidance, is now a fast selling item in her store.

“This program gave me the capital I needed to think bigger,” Fatma explains. “I used to only sell products made by others now I sell something I created myself. That’s powerful.”

Fatma’s business has seen measurable growth. With increased inventory, better product diversity, and a branded item to her name, she’s drawing more customers and building a reputation as a trusted provider in the community. Perhaps most impressively, she has already fully repaid the TZS 5,000,000, demonstrating discipline, planning, and resilience all without having paid a single cent in interest.

“I finished repaying the money, and now I am planning to apply for TZS 10,000,000,” Fatma says confidently. “This time, I want to scale even more maybe start producing other beauty products too.”

Her story is just one example of how the Imbeju Program continues to advance long- term success among Tanzania’s women entrepreneurs. With access to capital, tailored training, and ongoing support from CRDB Bank Foundation, women like Fatma are not only building businesses, they are creating brands, jobs, and stronger local economies. For Fatma, the journey is far from over. She’s focused on expanding Channy Coconut Oil into new markets and using her business as a platform to inspire others in the Bunju Women Group and beyond.

“Every woman with a dream needs someone to believe in her,” Fatma says. “The Imbeju Program believed in me. Now I believe I can go even further.”