From Three Cylinders to a Thriving Wholesale Business: Hawa Abdul's Journey of Growth and Opportunity

In the bustling neighborhood of Chang’ombe in Dodoma, Hawa Abdul is proving that with determination, the right support, and access to opportunity, small beginnings can lead to remarkable success.

When Hawa started her business in 2024, she was running a Gas retail shop and selling just three LPG gas cylinders. At the time, access to cylinders was
limited, business growth was uncertain, and expanding her operations seemed like a distant dream.

“I started with only three cylinders,” Hawa recalls. “I sold them alongside my small retail business, but I knew I wanted to grow.”
That growth began when she became involved in the TEMA-supported initiative in partnership with Taifa Gas, which provided training, business support, and improved access to LPG cylinders. What followed was a turning point in her entrepreneurial journey.

Through TEMA, Hawa received practical training on LPG business management, customer service, safety standards, and marketing. The knowledge she gained transformed the way she operated her business. One of the most important lessons was the value of visibility.

“Before the training, I kept my cylinders inside the shop,” she explains. After learning about business presentation and marketing, I built an outdoor display cage. More people could see the cylinders, and this helped attract more customers.

The training also introduced her to critical safety practices, including proper cylinder handling, storage procedures, and fire extinguisher use. Equally important were lessons in customer care, which helped her build trust and strengthen relationships with clients.  As her confidence and skills grew, so did her business.

Before receiving the training, Hawa was selling about 10 cylinders per day. Today, she sells between 25 and 30 cylinders daily. Access to LPG cylinders, once a major challenge, has improved significantly through the partnership. With a more reliable supply and growing customer demand, Hawa steadily expanded her business from a small retail operation into a thriving wholesale enterprise.

The number of cylinders she manages has grown from just three to more than thirty, allowing her to serve a larger customer base, most of whom are women and households seeking clean cooking energy solutions. “The availability of cylinders improved greatly after joining the programme,” she says. “With more cylinders available, business turnover increased, and I was able to meet customer demand much more effectively.”

By reinvesting her profits, Hawa has been able to expand her operations, strengthen her financial stability, and secure a better future for her family. Most notably, she has purchased a plot of land where she plans to build a home and has been able to support her children’s education.

“The income from this business has changed my life,” Hawa says proudly. “I bought land for building a house, and I can now pay school fees for my children. These are achievements I never imagined when I started with just three cylinders.”

Although rising LPG prices remain a challenge, Hawa remains optimistic about the future. After two years of working with TEMA and Taifa Gas, she sees even greater potential for growth.

“What started with three cylinders has become a successful business,” she reflects. “I believe the future is bright, and I am confident that my business will continue growing.”

Hawa’s story demonstrates how access to skills, resources, and market opportunities can empower entrepreneurs, strengthen livelihoods, and accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions. From a small retail shop to a flourishing wholesale enterprise, her journey is a powerful example of how investing in women entrepreneurs can create lasting economic and social impact for families and communities alike.