Press Releases

Dira Ya Dunia, BBC Swahili's flagship news and current affairs programme, announces the launch of Faidika na BBC (Prosper with the BBC), the service's young entrepreneur competition which aims to bring a positive change to an entire community.

The competition, now in its third year, invites Swahili-speaking 16 to 24-year-olds to submit proposals on how they would use US$5,000 to start a successful business that would have a positive impact on their community.

This year, in response to popular demand, the competition will have a separate country heat in DR Congo, in addition to the national heats in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Each regional winner will receive a trophy and a certificate.

At the grand final, which this year will be held in Mombasa, Kenya, six regional winners will battle for the top prize. The winner will be awarded the Faidika na BBC trophy and US$5,000 to help realise their business idea.

The proposals should be no more than 1,500 words and can be emailed to faidika@bbc.co.uk or posted to the following addresses:

• Burundi: Faidika na BBC 2009, Building Maison de la Bible, Avenue de la Mission, 2eme etage, en face de PAR, Bujumbura BP 6790
• DR Congo: Faidika na BBC 2009, Radio Maendeleo, PO Box 3133, Bukavu
• Kenya: Faidika na BBC 2009, 5th Floor, Longonot Place, Kijabe Street, PO Box 58621, Nairobi
• Rwanda: Faidika na BBC 2009, PO Box 2790, Kigali
• Tanzania: Faidika na BBC 2009, PPF Building, 8th Floor, Sokoine Drive and Morogoro Road, PO Box 79545, Dar es Salaam
• Uganda: Faidika na BBC 2009, 1A, Ruth Towers, Plot 15A, Clement Hill Road, PO Box 7620, Kampala

Solomon Mugera, Head of BBC Swahili, says: "Faidika na BBC goes beyond just giving financial help to the winner.

"The whole idea of Faidika is that young people don't need to look too far away from home to gain success – and that a simple, practical business idea may change their lives as well as serve their communities.

"At BBC Swahili, we are keen to inform our audiences about best business and financial practices, and will be launching a daily business report to give business tips and advice that will benefit young and upcoming entrepreneurs."

Salim Kikeke, Faidika na BBC Project Manager, adds: "The youth are full of creative ideas. The proposals we received last year were simply mind-blowing.

"I can't wait to see an idea that will knock the judges off their feet this year."

Last year's winner, Ashura Kisesa from Burundi, had proposed to build commercial public toilets in the cities and towns of East and Central Africa.

To read her story online, and to find out more about Faidika na BBC, go to bbcswahili.com/faidika.

Notes to Editors

BBC Swahili is a multimedia broadcaster providing radio and online content to Swahili-speaking audiences. BBC Swahili is available on BBC FM stations and/or partner radio networks in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Programmes are also available via the website bbcswahili.com which offers up-to-the minute news, features and analysis on East Africa and the rest of the world.

BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering 32 language and regional services. It uses multiple platforms to reach 182 million listeners globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take BBC content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices. Its news sites include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com.

BBC World Service International Publicity