EDB Economic Assessment Sets the Roadmap Ahead
From Listening to Action:
EDB Economic Assessment Sets the Roadmap Ahead
Building the foundations today for a more connected and economically empowered Federation tomorrow.
Listening First: How the Journey Began
When the current Economic Development Board took office earlier this year, the intention was clear: before launching programmes or events, EDB wanted to first listen, engage and understand the economic realities of our Jamaats.
In line with this approach, EDB Chair Mazahir Dewji committed to personally engaging Jamaats through physical visits where possible and virtual meetings where necessary. Engagement has already taken place with Arusha, Bukoba and Mwanza, and this outreach will continue as the Board seeks to remain connected to realities on the ground.
At the same time, EDB adopted a decentralised approach to strengthen its reach across Africa. Jamaats were invited to join hands with the Board by appointing a local EDB representative who could serve as a liaison between the Jamaat and the Federation-level Board. Nineteen Jamaats responded and appointed representatives, creating a network through which EDB can communicate, listen and work more closely with different communities.
This representative network became the foundation for the economic assessment. Rather than treating the exercise as a public survey of individual grassroots members, the assessment was conducted through the designated local representatives, who are closer to their respective communities and better placed to provide a Jamaat-level view of local strengths, challenges and priorities.
From Engagement to Evidence
Before deciding what EDB should build or where it should focus, the Board used this network to undertake an economic assessment and understand the SWOT - the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges emerging across participating Jamaats.
The responses were then analysed to identify common patterns and to form a priority matrix based on evidence received from the Jamaats themselves.
What Did Our Jamaats Tell Us?
75% of participating Jamaats identified existing businesses as a key community strength. At the same time.
75% requested stronger business connections across Jamaats.
This gave EDB a clear message: the economic strength already exists within our communities. What is needed is a stronger way to identify it, organise it and connect it.
Based on this evidence, a priority matrix was formed to guide the Board's focus. The direction is therefore not based on assumptions made at Federation level; it is backed by the findings and priorities identified through our local Jamaat network.
Our Journey: From Listening to Development
A long-term roadmap shaped by our Jamaats and backed by their findings.
The roadmap: From Findings to a Solution
Based on these findings, EDB has agreed that its immediate priority will be the development of an AFED Economic Connectivity Platform.
Phase One - Build Our Economic Intelligence and Connectivity
Build a verified network of businesses, professionals and other economic resources across our Jamaats.
Work through the local EDB representative network to identify and verify information.
Create a trusted Federation-wide economic network.
Know who we have. Know where they are. Know what they do. Connect them.
Phase Two - Turn Intelligence and Connectivity into Development
Once this foundation is established, the next step will be to turn the economic intelligence gathered into practical economic development for our communities.
For example, a member looking to establish or expand a business in Rwanda, Uganda or another country could eventually access relevant business information and identify verified community businesses, professionals or contacts who may be able to assist.
The platform can progressively support:
Cross-Jamaat business connections
Professional networking
Investment opportunities
Mentorship
Access to new markets
EDB's role will be to build the bridge and facilitate connectivity, enabling members to turn those connections into opportunities and economic development.
Building for the Long Term
The impact of this work may not be visible overnight. The immediate focus is to build the right foundations: a strong local representative network, reliable economic information and a system that can connect our communities. These are the roots upon which sustainable economic development can grow.
EDB will continue listening, engaging and learning as the platform develops, ensuring that future initiatives remain connected to the realities and needs of our Jamaats.
Appreciation
EDB extends its sincere appreciation, first and foremost, to Africa Federation Chairman Amine Bhai Nassor and his Office Bearers for their continued support, guidance and encouragement throughout this process.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Sister Sakina Nazarali, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business and a Master's degree in Applied Data Science, for working hand in hand with the Board in analysing the information received from the Jamaats and helping translate the data into meaningful insights and direction.
Our appreciation equally goes to all local EDB representatives and participating Jamaats whose contribution, local knowledge and valuable input made this exercise possible.
We listened. We engaged. We analysed. Now we build.
Secretariat
AFED Economic Development Board
31st August 2026.
Download: Economic Development Board Bulletin - EDB Economic Assessment Sets the Roadmap Ahead (PDF, 132KB)
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