Individual persons and business entities in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar are positively responding to calls by the Zanzibar Association for Youth Education and Empowerment (ZAYEE) to participate fully in the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2012.

ZAYEE Vice Chairperson Omar Said Shaaban said on Friday that time was ripe for the country’s youth power to be empowered to establish businesses showing interest in the Global Entrepreneurship Week planned for November 12 to 18 this year.

He also said that a website to coordinate events and provide information about the initiative has been launched.
“The website, gewtanzania.org, has only been live for a few weeks and already youths and business are registering to participate in this noble initiative,” he said.
Calling for as many Tanzanians entrepreneurs and prospective business owners to register, Shaaban said the initiative is expected to empower millions of young entrepreneurs to think and grow their businesses.

“Our theme for this year is Amsha Uwezo Wako. This means awaken your potential. Tanzania we are a sleeping giant. We want to mobilize millions of youths to take up business activities for their own economic redemption and for the good of our motherland,” he said.
He said that it was of paramount importance for the established business community to come out in big numbers to inspire, educate and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“You can start by joining GEW Tanzania as a participant, facilitator or volunteer. Be a part of this primary nationwide event targeted at identifying and enhancing the natural talent of youth through empowerment, access to unlimited resources that will nurture their academic, professional, social and interpersonal skills,” he said.

For the young generation, Shaaban said GEW Tanzania will offer them a unique opportunity to discover their potential through educational programmes, networking, collaborating with mentors and investors.
ZAYEE is currently providing great opportunities for young people to be part of a dynamic team aiming to ensure that entrepreneurship in Tanzania flourishes.

“Whether you are a student, a young professional or an entrepreneur, you can all make a valuable contribution. Volunteer opportunities are available in various activities commencing July 2012 and ending December 2012 in the areas of administration, fund-raising, marketing, public relations, translation, events coordination, and metrics and reporting,” Shaaban noted.

ZAYEE is looking for partnership with the government, agencies, businesses, business leaders and academics in order to make the event a huge success.
The host of the début GEW Tanzania is the Zanzibar Association for Youth Education and Empowerment (ZAYEE), a non-profit organization launched in June 2010.

ZAYEE's objective is to enhance the potential and talent of Tanzania's youth through initiatives that empower education and promote entrepreneurship. Partnering with non-profit, community service organisations, government departments and the private sector, it mobilises resources to facilitate youth engagement in wealth creation for development.
 
Through ZAYEE, Tanzania's youth have access to consultation, counselling, educational workshops, training, conferences and seminars and symposiums. ZAYEE is managed by an Executive Committee of dynamic young professionals and comprises of 58 members.

During one week each November, thousands of activities around the world inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial action while connecting them to potential mentors, collaborators and investors.
In three years, Global Entrepreneurship Week has expanded to over 120 countries—empowering nearly 20 million people through 95,000 activities. Powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a growing network of 24,000 partner organizations.