ICOMBEGHU – Integrated Community-Based Entrepreneurs Grooming Hub

A COMHESWA Model for Economic and Social Development in Rural and Peri-Urban Communities

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form the economic backbone of rural and peri-urban communities in Tanzania. However, barriers such as limited entrepreneurial skills, inadequate access to capital, lack of mentorship, and weak market linkages continue to hinder the growth of community-based enterprises. This situation is particularly critical in the agri-food value chain, where post-harvest losses and informal processing limit the potential for enterprise growth and job creation.

The Integrated Community-Based Entrepreneurs Grooming Hub
(ICOMBEGHU) model seeks to transform local enterprise ecosystems by creating physical and service-based hubs that equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs—especially women and youth—with tools, skills, and access to networks necessary to thrive in business, with a strong focus on food processing enterprises. The model has been developed and tested by COMHESWA and local government in Mbeya Region after a longtime study regarding mine closure in extractive industry.

Goal

To empower and scale up community-based entrepreneurs through integrated training, business incubation, mentorship, and value chain development with a focus on food processing.

Overall Objectives of the Integrated Community-Based Entrepreneurs Grooming Hub

Establishment of Functional Community Enterprise Hubs

To establish functional community hubs that provide enterprise development services including food processing units.

Value Addition to Local Agri-Food Products

To enhance the value of local agri-food products through training and access to appropriate food processing technologies.

Development of Sustainable Markets and Supply Chains

To create sustainable markets and supply chains for community-processed chicken, goat, pork, tomato, and chili-based products.

Capacity Building for Food Processors

To build technical and business capacity of food processors in hygiene, packaging, branding, and compliance.

Key Components:

a) Community Entrepreneur Hubs

        Physical or mobile centers offering integrated services, training spaces, digital tools, and shared processing infrastructure.

        b) Food Processing Unit (New Component)

        A specialized facility embedded within each hub to support processing, packaging, and marketing of products, for instance:

        • Chicken products (e.g., smoked chicken, sausages, frozen cuts)
        • Goat and pork products (e.g., dried meat, sausages, packed cuts)
        • Tomato products (e.g., paste, dried tomatoes)
        • Chili sauce (hot pepper sauce in jars or sachets.

        Services offered may include:

        • Hands-on training in product handling, preservation, hygiene, business compliance,
        • labeling, and packaging
        • Access to shared equipment (grinders, sealers, cold storage, dehydrators)
        • Quality assurance and regulatory certification support
        • Branding and market linkage facilitation

        c) Capacity Building Programs

        Business skills training including entrepreneurship, record-keeping, marketing, and customer service, tailored to agri-processing businesses.

        d) Mentorship and Coaching

        Structured mentorship from industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs in the food sector. This will include strategic collaboration with SIDO, VETA, TCCIA, LGAs, TFDA and other relevant stakeholders

        d) Market and Finance Linkages

        Facilitation of supplier agreements, trade fair participation, and access to startup capital or revolving funds.

        f) Monitoring and Learning Framework

        A robust system to monitor results, track enterprise growth, and generate insights for continuous improvement.

        Target Beneficiaries

        • Women and youth engaged in agriculture and livestock production
        • Startups and small businesses in food value chains
        • Community-based cooperatives and informal processors

        Implementation Strategy

        The project will work in partnership with local governments, technical training institutions, agriculture and health departments, and private sector actors. Local processors will be involved from design to execution, ensuring relevance and community buy-in. Research will be integrated where Agricultural and entrepreneurs research institutes and universities will be invited for value addition researches and the like.

        Sustainability Approach

        • Community ownership and governance of hubs
        • Cost recovery through user fees and value-added services
        • Linkages with regional agro-industrial initiatives and private investors
        • Potential PPP models for processing equipment and market infrastructure