q n a 2

 

 

I established an open space for young people to gather and work together. Initially, I didn't prioritize making money as I believed success in business didn't solely rely on financial gain. Despite lacking business knowledge, I was driven by a desire to make a difference and stand out. Consequently, I organized numerous free sessions and programs. Whenever someone suggested charging for these sessions, I vehemently opposed the idea, even though my fiance, recognizing my passion, refrained from pushing the issue.

However, as time went on, I realized I was struggling financially. In 2011 and 2013, I began seeking funding opportunities to sustain my ventures. Without guidance, I turned to Google for assistance, lacking knowledge in proposal writing and how to pitch ideas effectively, compounded by my limited English proficiency. Throughout this journey, my fiance and I supported each other, sharing the same entrepreneurial struggles.

My perspective shifted when I attended a tech event by Tigo at the African Hotel, where I met Jumanne Mtambalike. It dawned on me that what I was doing in Gongo la Mboto wasn't entirely new in Tanzania. The TanzICT project at COSTECH Building mirrored my initiatives but in a more sophisticated and diverse manner. This realization prompted me to step out of my comfort zone and engage with Tanzania's tech community, connecting with individuals like Magila.

Participating in various competitions within and outside Tanzania exposed me to new opportunities. My first startup, Academify, aimed to address the rampant forgery issues in workplaces by developing a platform to assist employers during the hiring process. Although I received positive responses and garnered interest from stakeholders, including colleges, universities, and NECTA, skepticism from a prominent relative dampened my enthusiasm for the venture.

Undeterred, I ventured into another startup, RamaniTanzania, with the goal of creating a comprehensive database of everything in Tanzania. Despite my passion, financial constraints eventually led me to shift focus and explore other avenues.

Among the startups I've launched, some that later failed or didn't reach fruition include Ouflab, an innovation hub aimed at mentoring young individuals, both male and female, to initiate their own tech innovation ventures. Academify was another initiative, a platform designed to combat forgery issues within the country. Niwezeshe.com was a crowdfunding campaign geared towards aiding Tanzanians in raising funds for important causes. OUF Media House was established as a resource hub for bloggers and aspiring content creators with limited resources and knowledge to learn and produce content. Additionally, Mtaa kwa Mtaa served as a real estate platform facilitating the sale, advertising, and purchase of land and houses.

I've had the privilege of participating in various hackathons, one of the most memorable being the Startup Bus Africa journey. Over the course of five days, we embarked on a bus trip from Zimbabwe to South Africa, accompanied by 40 fellow travelers, all sharing one common goal: to launch a company. The concept was simple yet exhilarating - we were tasked with brainstorming ideas and forming teams of three or four to kickstart a startup. During our journey, each bus stop presented an opportunity to engage with locals, gathering valuable insights and feedback. Additionally, we utilized our online networks, including Facebook, to gain a deeper understanding of the issues we aimed to address with our solutions.

 

Among the many ideas generated, one particularly noteworthy startup emerged: Bribed, a mobile application designed to combat corruption. The app allowed users to log in and view the average amount of bribes paid for various issues, empowering them to report instances of corruption. Our pitch in South Africa garnered significant interest from investors, propelling us to the third position and igniting hope for the project's success.

 

Upon returning to our respective countries - myself from Tanzania, alongside Tutho from Botswana, and Merlin from the USA - our plan was to continue developing the app remotely. However, personal commitments, such as starting a family and navigating college accreditation challenges, diverted our attention. Despite being selected to present the app in Germany, we found ourselves overwhelmed by other priorities. Ultimately, despite our initial optimism, the project faltered, leading us to make the difficult decision to shut it down permanently.