Dar es Salaam. On the final day of his three-day state visit to Tanzania, His Excellency Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, visited the Machinga Complex in Dar es Salaam on Friday, May 16, 2025. The complex is a business park that hosts small and petty traders.
The visit was a stirring display of international solidarity, grassroots empowerment, and the symbolic celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Tanzania. It also marked a concrete commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
Accompanied by First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb and a delegation including Finnish Members of Parliament, President Stubb was warmly welcomed by Hon. Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, UN Women officials, and hundreds of women traders at the bustling market, which is home to over 3,000 women entrepreneurs.
The visit focused on the Women’s Leadership and Economic Rights (WLER) Project, a four-year initiative funded by Finland and implemented by UN Women in partnership with the Government of Tanzania. The project promotes women’s access to capital, leadership training, and protection from gender-based violence across six regions and 18 local authorities.
“This market is not just a place of business; it is a platform of transformation,” said President Stubb. “The women here are redefining leadership, entrepreneurship, and community resilience. Finland is proud to walk alongside them.”
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Through the WLER Project, women traders at the Machinga Complex have received training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and balancing care responsibilities. Many have formalized their businesses and accessed interest-free government loans. In 2024 alone, seven women-led groups at the complex received loans totaling TZS 548 million (approximately USD 204,000).
Ms. Hodan Addou, UN Women Representative in Tanzania, highlighted the project’s impact: “We are seeing the power of what happens when women are supported to lead—from increased income to safer workplaces and greater representation in market governance. These women are now decision-makers in spaces where they were once invisible.”
The project’s impact goes beyond economics. It has enabled women to hold key leadership positions, such as market treasurer and corridor leaders. A notable achievement is the establishment of a Gender Desk at the market, which enhances protection and support for women’s rights.
Minister Gwajima emphasized the government’s role: “This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to the Generation Equality agenda. Supporting informal women traders is key to inclusive national development.”
As the delegation engaged with women entrepreneurs and local government leaders, their stories painted a picture of progress and persistence. From street vendors turned elected leaders to advocates for safer working conditions, the Machinga Complex stood out not only as a marketplace but also as a model of women-led development.
President Stubb says “ The project was an excellent example of multi-stakeholder cooperation and collaboration in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, showcasing partnerships between the Governments of Finland and Tanzania, women in business, women in politics, and UN Women.”
The event concluded with vibrant performances and heartfelt expressions of gratitude, capping a day that celebrated diplomatic ties and the growing power of Tanzanian women in shaping their future.
