ZANZIBAR Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) has partnered with Airpay, India's leading payment gateway solutions provider, and other financial institutions to streamline the loan application process and digital registration across the island.

Speaking at a ceremony to receive laptops handed over by the Airpay, ZEEA's Executive Director, Juma Burhan, announced that the devices will be distributed to town councils and municipal offices across Unguja and Pemba.

 He emphasized the transformative potential of digital loans in empowering local entrepreneurs and encouraged them to adopt the new system.

"We sincerely thank Airpay for their support. These laptops will play a crucial role in expanding financial access, and we remain committed to working together to support Zanzibar's entrepreneurs," he said .

He highlighted that the introduction of digital loan applications marks a significant step toward fostering economic empowerment and promoting financial inclusion in Zanzibar.

Burhani said the new devices will help to facilitate digital registration and loan applications for entrepreneurs across the islands.

"By leveraging technology, this partnership aims to make it easier for small business owners to access financial support through digital platforms," he added.

Airpay Tanzania's Managing Director, Yasmin Chali, underscored the importance of the laptops in improving service delivery.

"These devices will simplify digital registration and loan applications, enabling us to reach more entrepreneurs efficiently. We encourage all eligible business owners to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for digital loans," he said.

The event followed a three-day visit to India by Burhan and his team, including representatives from the Zanzibar e-Government Authority (eGAZ), to observe Airpay's digital systems in action and explore ways to enhance service delivery in Zanzibar.

ZEEA is a government institution established under Act No. 2 of 2022, dedicated to fostering an enabling environment for the economic empowerment of Zanzibar's citizens.

 Its mission is to enhance productivity, increase efficiency, and improve the marketability of products created by entrepreneurs and businesspersons throughout the country.

Through these initiatives and leadership, ZEEA aims to create a resilient economy that benefits all Zanzibaris, reducing unemployment and increasing access to finance for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ensuring that entrepreneurs have access to markets.