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Winner to address Commonwealth Youth Forum

Country heats for Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã (Prosper with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã), the µþµþ°äÌý³§·É²¹³ó¾±±ô¾± young entrepreneur competition, launch today after a record number of aspiring business people from across East Africa entered the contest.

Entries have been shortlisted from each of the following countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

More than 10,000 young entrants from Swahili-speaking territories submitted proposals on how they would use US$5,000 to start a successful business that would have a positive impact on their community.

The Commonwealth, which has teamed up with Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã 09, has announced plans to invite the winner to address the Youth Forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Trinidad and Tobago, in November 2009.

The largest number of entries was submitted, online and by post, from Tanzania (4,125), followed by Kenya (2,982) and Uganda (878).

There were 506 entries from DR Congo, which, in response to popular demand, had been granted a separate country heat this year.

The Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã project manager, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili producer, Salim Kikeke, says: "Getting this record-breaking number of entries tells us that there are literally thousands of brilliant ideas out there.

"Judges and business experts from the region went through a very hard time to pick the best entries for the Faidika national heats.

"I can see already that the final battle is going to be tough."

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, comments: "The Commonwealth is delighted that the winner of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili young entrepreneur competition will be able to address the Youth Forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"This year the Commonwealth celebrates its 60th anniversary and our focus is on 'Serving a new generation'.

"The message of Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã is about empowering young people to actively contribute to society through their innovation, talents and business acumen. We celebrate this shared vision.

"More than half of the Commonwealth's two billion citizens are young people and we believe in the importance of developing and nurturing our youth. They are our inspiration and our future."

The Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã grand final will be held in Mombasa, Kenya, where six regional winners will battle for the top prize.

The winner will be awarded the Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã trophy and receive US$5,000 to help realise their business idea.

Notes to Editors

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili is a multimedia broadcaster providing radio and online content to Swahili-speaking audiences. Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili is available on Ö÷²¥´óÐã 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.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã 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 Ö÷²¥´óÐã 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.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã World Service International Publicity