The Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), established in 2005 (20 years ago), is the leading umbrella organization promoting women's economic empowerment in Tanzania. As a national apex body, TWCC focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs through policy advocacy, business development services, mentorship, market access, and financial linkages. The Chamber works closely with both public and private sector stakeholders to create a more inclusive and supportive business environment for women.
20,000+
Registered Members
1 Million+
Women Reached Annually
TWCC has a strong and growing membership base, with over 20,000 registered members and a reach of more than one million women across various sectors every year. It operates through 26 regional chapters on the mainland and two in Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba). TWCC also works with 15 sectoral women's associations and women-owned businesses of all sizes, from microenterprises to large firms. Additionally, it manages 12 cross-border trade platforms, supporting women engaged in trade across the East African Community and SADC region.
Key Objective
The Chamber's key objective is to bring together women entrepreneurs especially those in the informal sector to encourage business formalization and growth. By offering capacity-building programs, policy advocacy, and access to essential services, TWCC helps reduce poverty among women and supports their full participation in the national economy.
TWCC is a recognized member of several major business networks, including the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), the East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP), and the Continental Network of Women Business Associations in Africa (CNWBAA), formed under the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In terms of policy influence, TWCC holds a seat at the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), chaired by the President, and participates in regional and district councils. It also engages in the Joint Border Committee and organizes public-private dialogues to address sector-specific issues affecting women in business, such as taxation and regulatory barriers.
Internationally, TWCC has extensive collaboration experience with UN agencies, development partners, donors, financial institutions, and media organizations. These partnerships help increase visibility and expand opportunities for Tanzanian women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, TWCC has supported the creation of similar women's business associations in South Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Puntland, and Gambia, and maintains an international presence through its office in China and networks in countries like Germany, India, UAE, Canada, Oman, Ghana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Egypt and Turkey.
Global Reach
TWCC has established partnerships and networks across Africa and worldwide