business development
The Pemba Foundation offers interest-free loans to Pembans who want to start a small business or expand an existing business.Scroll down for details.
MAOMBI YA MKOPO KWA BIASHARA NDOGOsmall business loan program
MAOMBI YA MKOPO KWA BIASHARA NDOGO NDOGO YAMEFUGULIWAthe small business loan program is open for applications
KUFANYA MAOMBI BONYEZA HAPAclick here to go to the application page
MAOMBI YA MKOPO KWA BIASHARA NDOGO NDOGO YAMEFUGULIWAthe small business loan program is open for applications
KUFANYA MAOMBI BONYEZA HAPAclick here to go to the application page
The Pemba Foundation has created a program to encourage the development of new or existing businesses. Small loans are available to entrepreneurs who live in Pemba. The program aims to: to raise the level of economic activity in Pemba; encourage talented people to stay on the island; create new jobs; and maybe even help development of export industries.
Loans are limited to about US$2,000 each. We are highly selective: In the first year of operation we interviewed more than 100 applicants and made just 3 loans.
The application process is demanding: there is a lengthy form to complete, one purpose of which is to guide applicants through the elements of a basic business plan. Applicants then have to pass an initial screening by foundation staff, followed by detailed assessments by our outside advisers (see below). Personal interviews follow, and successful applicants then must agree to a detailed agreement covering the terms of the loan. New entrepreneurs are supported with regular guidance from advisers.
This program grew out of one of the Foundation's first business support ventures, in which we provided a loan to a women's group which produces spice products. They needed equipment and packaging for expansion. We learned many lessons: like the right loan size and reporting requirements, and the need for continuing business advice. We have built these elements into the current program.
Loans made so far: a young man who learned dairy operations outside Pemba and returned to start a fresh milk production and delivery business; an owner of a successful event catering business who needs sets of plates and cooking equipment to expand; a skilled printer of T-shirts for schools and groups who wants to have a printing machine in Pemba, rather than renting the service off the island.
Clicking the link at the top of the page will take you to the online application form. Non-Pembans are welcome to try it out, but please do not click the final button to submit an application.
Loans are limited to about US$2,000 each. We are highly selective: In the first year of operation we interviewed more than 100 applicants and made just 3 loans.
The application process is demanding: there is a lengthy form to complete, one purpose of which is to guide applicants through the elements of a basic business plan. Applicants then have to pass an initial screening by foundation staff, followed by detailed assessments by our outside advisers (see below). Personal interviews follow, and successful applicants then must agree to a detailed agreement covering the terms of the loan. New entrepreneurs are supported with regular guidance from advisers.
This program grew out of one of the Foundation's first business support ventures, in which we provided a loan to a women's group which produces spice products. They needed equipment and packaging for expansion. We learned many lessons: like the right loan size and reporting requirements, and the need for continuing business advice. We have built these elements into the current program.
Loans made so far: a young man who learned dairy operations outside Pemba and returned to start a fresh milk production and delivery business; an owner of a successful event catering business who needs sets of plates and cooking equipment to expand; a skilled printer of T-shirts for schools and groups who wants to have a printing machine in Pemba, rather than renting the service off the island.
Clicking the link at the top of the page will take you to the online application form. Non-Pembans are welcome to try it out, but please do not click the final button to submit an application.
Profile: Tahir Musa Omar, business adviser
Tahir Mussa Omar is one of Pemba's most accomplished entrepreneurs. Trained in land management and valuation, for 15 years he built a successful career at the Zanzibar government's Department of Lands, rising to become head of the Pemba office, a position he held for 8 years. He always knew he wanted to run his own business, however, and in their spare time he and his wife set up a small restaurant. They taught themselves how to make the business work over about 4 years, and in 2004 he left the government to work full-time in the business.
Tahir and his wife have now developed a thriving retail chain, with 2 cosmetics shops and a beauty salon; the original restaurant has been expanded; and Tahir also runs a land management consulting business.
Speaking from hard-won personal experience, Tahir says there is nothing more important in business than financial discipline. Yes you need a good idea, but even the best idea can fail without good financial management. He teaches the recipients of our small business loans how to apply this lesson in practice.
Tahir speaks Swahili and English. Reach him at tahqom@yahoo.com.
Tahir and his wife have now developed a thriving retail chain, with 2 cosmetics shops and a beauty salon; the original restaurant has been expanded; and Tahir also runs a land management consulting business.
Speaking from hard-won personal experience, Tahir says there is nothing more important in business than financial discipline. Yes you need a good idea, but even the best idea can fail without good financial management. He teaches the recipients of our small business loans how to apply this lesson in practice.
Tahir speaks Swahili and English. Reach him at tahqom@yahoo.com.
Profile: Jeroen de Boorder, agriculture and livestock adviser
Jeroen de Boorder, shown here visiting Ridha's dairy project, advises on agriculture and livestock for the small business program.
Jeroen is a veterinarian who spent eight years living on Pemba, where he worked on a number of successful agricultural development projects including livestock improvement, beekeeping, and fruit and vegetable farming.
Jeroen's wife, Saada, is Pemban and the family, now living in the Netherlands, visits the island frequently.
Jeroen is a volunteer who donates his time to the Pemba Foundation.
Profile: Bakar Hamad Said, farming adviser
Bakar was one of the first small-scale farmers on whose land the Pemba Foundation installed a drip-irrigation system. That was a grant, not a loan, but Bakar then went on to develop a profitable small farm, producing a mix of cash and subsistence crops. Now he's building a house on the farm for a new worker and his wife, and is expanding the land under cultivation.
Bakar is a skilful and knowlegeable farmer: he taught himself how to use modern chemicals, how to integrate livestock into farm operations, how to intercrop to make optimum use of irrigated areas, and how to market his produce. He could easily have handled the repayments if it had been a loan for irrigation, not a grant. In fact it's partly our experience with Bakar that suggested to us that loans to farmers should be part of this program.
As a self-taught farmer and farmer-businessman, Bakar makes an excellent role model and adviser for people receiving loans aimed at agricultural development. Bakar speaks Swahili, and can be reached at +255 656 092 764
Bakar is a skilful and knowlegeable farmer: he taught himself how to use modern chemicals, how to integrate livestock into farm operations, how to intercrop to make optimum use of irrigated areas, and how to market his produce. He could easily have handled the repayments if it had been a loan for irrigation, not a grant. In fact it's partly our experience with Bakar that suggested to us that loans to farmers should be part of this program.
As a self-taught farmer and farmer-businessman, Bakar makes an excellent role model and adviser for people receiving loans aimed at agricultural development. Bakar speaks Swahili, and can be reached at +255 656 092 764
©2014-2021 pemba foundation