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Catherine Shembilu is a passionate social entrepreneur and award-winning advocate for rural women’s economic empowerment in Tanzania. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Vikapu Bomba, a social enterprise that supports over 300 rural women artisans in Southern Tanzania by designing and producing fashionable, high-quality handwoven baskets marketed globally.
With over 10 years of experience in community development, Catherine has managed grassroots initiatives, U.S. government-funded research projects, and capacity-building programs focused on women and girls. She is recognized for her expertise in building sustainable, market-driven social enterprises that effectively integrate grassroots engagement with strategic vision. Her work has strengthened income stability, expanded market access, promoted financial security, and increased social inclusion among marginalized communities.
She is a Mandela Washington Fellow, an alumna of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), and a member of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) – Tanzania Chapter. Catherine’s leadership is rooted in advancing inclusive economic opportunities, and her appointment to the IIH Board reflects our commitment to championing youth-led, community-driven innovation in Tanzania.
