Tigo, Reach for Change award US$20 000 to entrepreneurs

Telecoms company, Tigo in partnership with NPO Reach for Change, has awarded two entrepreneurs US$20 000 in the fifth edition of the Tigo Digital Changemakers Competition.

The competition aims to find and support innovative entrepreneurs using digital tools who have a positive impact on their community.

In addition to the financial grant, the winners also received access to the Reach for Change incubator programme, which provides them with access to global networks and expertise.

The winners of the competition are Sophia Mbega’s Vicoba and Nancy Sumari’s Kids Jenga Hub.

“For five years now, our Changemakers have touched the lives of over 250,000 children in Tanzania and we believe that with the addition of these two Changemakers, we will impact on the lives of more children and help to make Tanzania a better place for our feature generations,” said Tigo GM Diego Gutierrez in a press release.

Tigo and Reach for Change award two social entrepreneurs for their innovation and social impact

Mbega’s Vicoba mobile app is a collaborative platform for self-help women groups which uses existing tools to manage finances and tasks pertaining to finance. Users regardless of location can also transfer money to their group account directly from the app using an USSD code.

Sumari’s Kid Jenga Hub focuses on foundation knowledge for children through its hub and co-creation space for kids. Here, kids learn computer programming, robotics, and coding skills

“Digital technology is not only changing the way we do business in Africa but also revolutionising the way we perceive and solve issues of social development. It is therefore with great honour that we will once again create an opportunity for such ideas to be recognised, supported and transformed to maximise social and economic impact.”

“We are very supportive of the work of all our Changemakers and this year we look to find and support two more brave and innovative social entrepreneurs,” Gutierrez concluded.

Featured image: 401(k) via Flickr