Anita, Lidya, & Helina: The trendsetting entrepreneurs on Tanzania’s fashion scene

5 minute read

Agnes Atanga, CAMFED Association Development Officer at CAMFED Ghana, and Enos Moshi, Business Skills Officer at CAMFED Tanzania, caught up with Anita, Helina, and Lidya — three bold young entrepreneurs, and members of the CAMFED Association of women leaders from Tanzania, who are shrugging off gendered expectations to succeed in business.

On November 8, 2024, their crafts will be exhibited at a Christmas Fair in Homerton College, Cambridge, UK.  

Agnes:  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to chat! Please tell me about your businesses, and why you decided to launch?

Anita: I launched Anitha Batik, my hand-dyed fabrics and bespoke garment business in 2021, after being inspired by the entrepreneurial journeys of my sisters in the CAMFED Association. I purchase plain fabric, then transform it into colorful designs using a complex batik-style process: drawing, waxing and drying the cloth, before hand sewing it into unique pieces of clothing. 

Lidya: I own a beaded jewelry and accessories business called LIVA Product, which I launched in 2022 after receiving training from CAMFED. 

Helina: I noticed a gap in the market in my community for hand crafted, high quality handbags, and after receiving entrepreneurship training from CAMFED’s Business Guide program, as well as an interest free loan, I felt well equipped to start my handbag business — Heliko Creations — in 2018. 

Enos: What kind of support did you receive from CAMFED, and how did this help your business grow?

Anita:  Joining CAMFED’s Business Guide program, as well as securing a start-up grant, provided me with the essential information and funds needed to start my business. Following the start-up, District Business Committee members continued to check-in and provide support with business management. The value-addition training and grant I received from CAMFED helped me first launch, and since then it has grown significantly. 

Lidya: CAMFED has provided me with significant support, including a grant from the revolving investment fund to help me start my business. Furthermore, the Business Guide program increased my knowledge of business management and how to access markets. The program also provided me the opportunity to attend business exhibitions, enabling me to advertise and market my business to a wider audience.

Helina: Taking part in CAMFED’s Business Guide program, I felt more confident and knowledgeable about business management and entrepreneurship. Consequently, once I received an interest-free loan from CAMFED, I felt prepared and able to successfully establish my business. Now I have formalized my business and received official accreditation from the government. As well as producing handbags, I have diversified into poultry farming selling chickens and eggs. 

Anita from Morogoro launched her fabric and fashion business in 2021 after receiving a grant and training from CAMFED. Credit: CAMFED

Agnes:  How has the growth of your business impacted you and your wider community?

Anita: Through my business profits, I can support myself and my family. I now employ 3 CAMFED Association members who are now able to support their families. Furthermore, as a Guide (peer mentor) on CAMFED’s Transition program, I use my business experience to encourage other young women to become entrepreneurs.

Lidya: Entrepreneurship has brought great success to myself economically.I started my business with 50,000 TZS ($18 USD), and since then I have increased my capital to 400,000 TZS ($146 USD). Because of this financial success, I am able to support myself, my parents and my children.

I have also participated in business exhibitions, including ones for International Women’s Day and Nane Nane Day (a national holiday celebrating Tanzanian farmers) to help market my business. I have also traveled to Ghana to learn more about business management.

Helina: Because of my business success, I have been able to support my children, buy a desk and chair to assist with their studies and I have been able to support my siblings in secondary and tertiary education. I have also been able to buy land with plans to build a home. Through my business, I can provide employment for other young women in the CAMFED Association.

Enos: Where would you like to see your business in five years?

Anita: In five years, I hope to be operating my business at a larger scale, attracting and retaining customers from the international market. I also aim to continue to support other young women to become entrepreneurs and into secure livelihoods.

Lidya: In the next year, I hope to greatly expand my business and move into a dedicated premises for my business. I am aiming to create a wider range of different fabrics, as well as expand my market reach and acquire international customers. Over the next five years I hope to further support my community by creating jobs for other young women. 

Helina: In five years, I hope to have transitioned from being a small business trader to an owner of a sizable business, producing enough produce to sell and attract both national and international customers.

Helina measures fabric ready to start sewing a handmade bag. (Credit: CAMFED)

Agnes: What advice would you give a young woman who wants to start out in business? 

Anita: To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to have your heart in a business and a business in your heart.

Helina: From my experience, I can share that diversification is an important part of business. Never depend on a single source of income. Instead, make the investment to create multiple revenue streams to ensure stability and success.

Lidya with a range of her beaded accessories, including bracelets and handbags. (Credit: CAMFED/Lidya Magoda)

Enos: How has securing your right to education changed your life?

Anita: CAMFED supported me through secondary school, and it is because of my education that I have acquired the skills to become an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur has enabled me to support my family, provide for my four children and pay their school fees. 

Lidya: CAMFED supported me through college enabling me to receive a certificate in public administration in 2019. Education has helped me to access various opportunities, including the opportunity to be an enumerator in a CAMFED research project.  Because of education, I am a role model and help other young women achieve their goals.

Helina: I first received support from CAMFED in 2010, until I graduated from secondary school. After graduation, CAMFED continued to provide support while I undertook a certificate in Information Computer Technology at Veta Mikumi Technical College. I then participated in CAMFED’s Business Guide program, through which I received a grant to help me start a business. In my community, access to education has been very limited. CAMFED’s support in education has helped me to gain key life skills, enabling me to achieve a secure livelihood for myself, as well as supporting my family and wider community. 

Agnes: Thank you all for taking the time to talk, it’s been a pleasure.