Zantel donates 10 million Tsh to the Association of Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar

• Commits to train 2000 women in entrepreneurship and finance management.

In line with its support for entrepreneurship and women empowerment in social and economic spheres, Zanzibar’s leading telecom operator, Zantel, has today donated 10 millionTsh to the Association of Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar.

Zantel will also conduct training for 2000 women in the year 2016-2017, in collaboration with one of the University in Zanzibar in areas of management, entrepreneurship and finance management.

Speaking at the handover event, Zantel Chief Executive Officer, Benoit Janin said Zantel’s support for seaweed farmers further enhances the company’s already strong position in Zanzibar society and demonstrates its commitment to the wellbeing of the women community.

‘Women face persistent challenges in accessing resources, knowledge and services, therefore responding to the plea from seaweed farmers is a step in the right direction, and we are confident this will change the lives of the women who essentially depend on seaweed farming for their livelihood’ said Mr Janin.

Seaweed farming is an important economic activity and highly relying on the community living at coral reef of the islands of Unguja and Pemba. This type of farming is mostly dominated by women, with 80% of the 23,654 farmers being women.

‘At Zantel, our belief regarding the empowerment of women is simple: stronger women make stronger communities. We understand that creating economic opportunities for women is a wise investment, because women generate further growth and advancement for their families and communities’ added Ms Rachel Samren, Zantel Board Chair and Executive Vice President for external affairs at Millicom

Thanking Zantel for their support, Chairman of the Association of Seaweed Farmers, Ms. Pavu Mcha Khamis said the donation will ensure the availability of seaweed farming ropes for the benefits of its members and community at large.

‘Our goal is to increase seaweed farmers’ income by supporting them in getting farming gears and marketing opportunities for their products’ said Ms. Pavu Mcha Khamis.

Founded in 2010, the Association of Seaweed Farmers aims to unite all seaweed farmers in Zanzibar to have a common voice in their demands and provide better methods in seaweed farming so as to increase production and market value of seaweed product.

About Zantel

 Zantel believes that apart from offering a solid platform of technological innovation, sustainable investment is the bedrock of stellar growth and economic stability. Zantel consistently demonstrates its core values of affordable, consistent and seamless services through its International Gateway services, Fixed, Mobile, data services through its 4G and 3G networks and mobile Finance services popularly known as ‘Ezypesa”. 

Zantel is one of Millicom’s brands. Millicom is a leading telecom and media company dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Millicom sets the pace when it comes to providing innovative and customer-centric digital life style services to the world’s emerging markets.

The Millicom Group employs more than 16,000 people and provides mobile services to over 62 million customers. Founded in 1990, Millicom International Cellular SA is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm under the symbol MIC. In 2015, Millicom generated revenue of USD 6.73 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of USD 2.27 billion