MWANZA: KWIMBA District Council in Mwanza Region has injected 517m/- in interest-free loans to women, youths and people with disabilities, providing fresh capital to strengthen small businesses, increase household incomes and promote inclusive economic participation.
The financing was issued through the statutory 10 per cent allocation from the council’s own-source revenue, a mechanism designed to empower disadvantaged groups by improving access to affordable capital for entrepreneurship and income-generating activities.
A total of 26 groups benefited from the latest disbursement, including nine women’s groups, 10 youth groups and seven groups representing people with disabilities. Kwimba District Council Community Development Officer Rozalia Magoyi said women’s groups received 224m/-, youth groups were allocated 257m/-, while groups of people with disabilities received 36m/-.
Magoyi urged beneficiaries to use the funds strictly for the businesses and projects approved during the loan application process, warning that diverting the money to unrelated activities could affect repayment and limit the programme’s ability to support more entrepreneurs in the future. Kwimba District Executive Director Dr Amon Mkoga said responsible management of the loans and timely repayment were essential to maintaining the revolving fund.
He explained that successful repayment would enable more groups to access financing while helping current beneficiaries expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
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Kwimba District Commissioner Ng’wilabuzu Ludigija added that a strong repayment record would position borrowers to access larger loans in the future, allowing them to scale up operations, create more economic opportunities and contribute to local development.
One of the beneficiaries, Upendo Nyambiti Group Chairperson Mary Kalinga, said the group had accessed the loans for the fifth time due to its commitment to repayment.
“We have received these loans for the fifth time now. So far, our group has been lent a total of 60 million shillings, which has helped us expand our business and increase the income of our members,” she said.
The programme demonstrates how targeted local financing can unlock entrepreneurship, strengthen grassroots businesses and support economic empowerment among women, youths and people with disabilities.