On 15 November, Commonwealth Alumni in Tanzania facilitated a webinar on enterprise and entrepreneurship for young budding entrepreneurs and Commonwealth Alumni. The aims of the webinar were to discuss what it means to be an entrepreneur and the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset to achieve success.
The webinar specifically targeted youth eager to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path, emphasising its dual potential as a source of income and a driver of job creation.
The event consisted of a panel discussion comprised of Commonwealth Alumni.
Meet the panel
- Jafar Salehe Jongo, Architect and Construction Project Manager (2013 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholar)
- Sardina Tinkasimile, Prosthetist & Orthotist (2020 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholar)
The panel was chaired by Stanslaus Francis, Prosthetist & Orthotist and tutor (2023 Commonwealth Professional Fellow).
The session was designed to provide participants with valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship, focusing on practical strategies to cultivate a successful entrepreneurial mindset.
Opening the event, Stanslaus encouraged participants to re-think their perceptions of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. Through the discussion, panellists demonstrated how entrepreneurship is not just starting and running a business but a dynamic process of innovation, creativity, and problem-solving. They highlighted how entrepreneurial thinking can be applied across various fields to identify opportunities, address challenges and drive impactful change.
By inspiring participants to embrace entrepreneurial ventures, Stanslaus sought to empower participants to think about ways they could address local challenges and contribute to economic development. He emphasised that the underlying goal was to cultivate a culture of innovation and self-reliance, encouraging young entrepreneurs to create opportunities not only for themselves but also for their peers, thereby fostering sustainable growth and reducing unemployment among Tanzania’s youth.
Nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset
Both speakers emphasised that entrepreneurship should be defined by a mindset of continuous learning and resilience, rather than age. They highlighted the importance of adaptability in navigating the evolving economic landscape and agreed that a youthful mindset is essential for success.
The discussion further explored the critical role of mindset in entrepreneurship, emphasising that a positive and adaptable approach is vital for overcoming challenges. Participants noted that a growth mindset fosters resilience and that self-discipline and motivation are necessary for maintaining commitment to entrepreneurial goals.
Jafar shared personal insights, reinforcing that success requires ongoing learning and adaptation, while the conversation concluded with the understanding that effective risk management is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Sardina also highlighted the importance of a supportive network in entrepreneurship, noting that emotional support and guidance from mentors and peers can help navigate challenges. The dialogue also addressed the necessity of self-reliance in securing initial capital and the value of starting small to build experience.
The conversation concluded with discussions on marketing strategies, financial discipline, and the importance of generating passive income to sustain a business.
In his closing remarks, Stanslaus urged Commonwealth Alumni attending to take an active role in future alumni engagement activities. Highlighting the importance of a strong and vibrant alumni network, he encouraged them to reach out to fellow alumni and motivate them to participate more actively in upcoming events and initiatives to strengthen the alumni community in Tanzania.
