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Press Releases
BBC seeking young Swahili-speaking entrepreneurs
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The BBC is seeking young business minded Swahili-speakers across Africa to take part in its Faidika na BBC (Prosper With The BBC) competition.
Entrepreneurs aged 16 to 24 have until Friday 16 May 2008 to submit their proposals on how they can start a successful business that has a positive impact on their community, using US$5,000.
The proposal should be no more than 1,500 words and can be emailed to faidika@bbc.co.uk. It can also be posted to the following:
- Burundi:
Faidika na BBC 2008, Building Maison de la Bible, Avenue de la Mission, 2eme etage, en face de PAR, Bujumbura BP 6790
- Kenya:
Faidika na BBC 2008, 5th Floor, Longonot Place, Kijabe Street, PO Box 58621, Nairobi
- Rwanda & DR Congo:
Faidika na BBC 2008, PO Box 2790, Kigali
- Tanzania:
Faidika na BBC 2008, PPF Building, 8th Floor, Sokoine Drive and Morogoro Road, PO Box 79545, Dar es Salaam
- Uganda:
Faidika na BBC 2008, 1A, Ruth Towers, Plot 15A, Clement Hill Road, Kampala
Solomon Mugera, Head of BBC Swahili, said: "This competition is all about big ideas and giving a young person an opportunity to turn that idea into a viable business. It's also about helping young people to do well for themselves and serve their local communities."
Salim Kikeke, Faidika na BBC Project Manager, added: "I am convinced many young people have interesting ideas for money-making projects which will launch their business careers. For those who do not win the top prize we hope to offer inspiration and advice to help them get closer to their dreams."
Five regional heats will take place in Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda – which will also include DR Congo finalists.
Each regional heat winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and a certificate.
The regional heats takes place in Burundi on Monday 2 June; Rwanda (with DRC finalists) on Tuesday 3 June; Tanzania on Wednesday 4 June; Kenya on Thursday 5 June; and Uganda on Friday 6 June.
The six winners from the five regional heats will then battle for the top prize at a grand final to take place in Uganda on Wednesday 18 June.
The grand final will be broadcast live on BBC Swahili radio and online, via bbcswahili.com. The competition winner will be selected by a panel made up of young East African entrepreneurs and will receive another trophy and US $5,000.
David Ssegawa, aged 22, from Kampala, Uganda, won Faidika na BBC last year.
He beat more than 5,000 Swahili-speaking new business hopefuls with his award-winning idea - a candle-making business called Bright Light which stops people having to buy imported candles from China. David has now successfully launched his business.
To read his story online and find out more about Faidika na BBC go to bbcswahili.com.
Notes to Editors
This press release is also available in Swahili.
Solomon Mugera, Head of BBC Swahili and Salim Kikeke, Faidika na BBC Project Manager are both available for interview.
BBC World Service Publicity
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