Tanzanian Founder Diana Mbogo Shines in Forbes "5 Female Founders Leading the Charge for a Sustainable Future"

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Diana Mbogo, the visionary Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises, is shining light in Forbes' latest feature on trailblazing female founders.

She began her remarkable journey in her final year as a student of BSc in Mechanical Engineering back in 2016. Despite the odds, she transformed her passion into a social enterprise that specializes in renewable energy.

Recognized for her groundbreaking work in renewable energy, Diana is transforming the sardine fishing industry in Lake Victoria with sustainable solutions.

Mwanza is home to over 3.6 million people. The economy thrives on the fishing value chain, with over 101,000 active registered boats, each supported by four fishermen, driving our economy.

The backbone of Mwanza's economy lies in the diligent efforts of its fishermen. Their hard work sustains their families and contributes significantly to the city's prosperity. However, underlying vulnerabilities impact their income and the broader economic ecosystem.

Challenges affecting fishermen

• Fluctuating fuel prices directly affect fishermen's income.

• High taxes (43%) on major imported fishing gear, particularly solar fishing lamps, burden fishermen.

• Export taxes on sardines drive major buyers to neighboring countries.

How Millennium Engineers disrupt Fishing industry in Lake zones?

Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd is disrupting fishing industry by moving away from the use of pressurized kerosene and lead-acid powered battery lamps, as well as conventional drying methods, towards more sustainable solar drying facilities.

This shift not only reduces environmental impact but also supports the low-income communities dependent on sardine fishing.

Securing $0.5 Million During a Global Crisis

Determined to keep her vision alive, Diana took decisive action. She slashed unnecessary administrative costs and redirected every available resource to core operations. Her commitment and strategic financial management paid off.

Despite the challenging economic climate, she managed to secure an impressive $0.5 million in financing in 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic.

Diana’s ability to navigate these financial hardships underscores her resilience and leadership ability.

Afya Bora Selected for UNICEF Venture Fund GRIC 2024.

In another exciting development, Afya Bora has been selected for the prestigious UNICEF Venture Fund Gender-Responsive Innovation Challenge (GRIC) 2024.

This digital platform provides pregnant women and mothers with essential maternal and sexual reproductive health information via SMS and web, empowering them with the knowledge they need for healthier lives.

The GRIC offers up to $100k in funding, which will significantly boost Afya Bora's mission to support women's health in Tanzania.

Quarterly Founders' Meetup: Innovations and Collaborations in Tanzania

The second quarter of 2024 saw an exciting gathering of Tanzanian entrepreneurs at the highly anticipated Founders' Meetup. Hosted at SmartLab, this event was a vibrant mix of innovation, collaboration, and networking.

The meetup featured a comprehensive review of products launched in January, with founders sharing insights and progress on their groundbreaking ventures.

A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with WABF Tanzania. This strategic partnership promises to pave the way for enhanced collaboration and support for startups in the region.

The event also included a panel discussion featuring industry leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs. This discussion, coupled with extensive networking opportunities, allowed attendees to connect, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations.

Tanzanian Startups Join Presidential Delegation to South Korea

The Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) and ten innovative startups have participated on an exciting journey to Seoul, South Korea, as part of the Presidential Delegation led by Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The delegation departed from Dar es Salaam on May 30, 2024, aboard the Presidential Plane, marking a significant step in fostering international collaboration and showcasing Tanzania's entrepreneurial spirit on a global stage.

This visit aims to strengthen ties between Tanzania and South Korea, opening up new opportunities for Tanzanian startups to expand their horizons, gain valuable insights, and explore potential partnerships.

Tanzanian Startups Shine at GITEX Africa

Tanzanian innovation took center stage at GITEX Africa, one of the continent's premier technology and startup events.

Among the notable participants was Dawa Mkononi, showcasing their groundbreaking solution as exhibitors. Their presence highlighted the vibrant startup ecosystem in Tanzania and the potential for local solutions to make a global impact.

Funding opportunities 🎇🎇🎇

Join the FuturizeU 2024 Startup Incubator.
Are you ready to take your healthcare and climate change-focused startup to the next level? Applications are now open for the FuturizeU 2024 Startup Incubator. This intense 12-week journey is designed specifically for promising startups from African universities, helping transform your innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. 🌍👩‍💻

MEF/UNEP Low Carbon Earth Accelerator (LCE) Program 2024 LowCarbon.Earth is a climate tech accelerator supporting startups that are building sustainable goods and services to solve climate change, nature loss, and pollution. If your venture aims to make a significant impact in these areas, this program is for you.

Global good fund Fellowship
Are you ready?? Applications for the 2025 is accepted. This fellowship is annual in-person Summit! The summit is a 12-month Fellowship, a pivotal moment when entrepreneurs transition from working one-on-one with their professional leadership coach to collaborating closely with their executive business mentor.

Springboard Youth Co
The Springboard Elevate Programme is a 3-month fellowship supporting purpose-driven social entrepreneurs who lead impact projects improving the lives of under-represented communities. This programme aims to create a space for young social entrepreneurs representing or working with under-represented communities to enhance their leadership, storytelling, and resource mobilisation skills for venture development.

PS : Read our past newsletter to discover more opportunities

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