She’s Next Talks with Jamilya Yusupova 

“I am a seasoned project manager with 20 years of progressive working experience,” says Jamilya Yusupova, a business development consultant based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in the latest episode of She’s Next Talks, empowered by Visa.

Her journey spans health, education, and rural development—but her heart lies in agriculture.

“Tajikistan is a rural country,” she explains. “I’m passionate about creating long-term value to the community and environment.” That passion led her to develop a mobile app and e-trade platform, now used by more than 200,000 farmers across Central Asia. “It’s applicable in all Central Asian countries, including Russian speakers.”

Jamilya’s career began in 1995 as a junior accountant, but she quickly pivoted from finance to development. “I find out for me it’s boring to continue this accounting procedures from time to time,” she recalls. Her move into private sector development eventually led her to mentor women-led businesses across Tajikistan—from robotics and aquaculture to greenhouses and agritech.

She names the barriers clearly: “For me, actually, it was ageism and sexism.” Even now, she says, “when you become professional… most of the private sector, they don’t trust.” But change is underway. “I was surprised when I found out that we have mining companies led by women.”

Jamilya currently mentors three successful women entrepreneurs—and sees a common thread in their journeys: “Most of them are scaring for failure. I think they have to believe in themselves. They need to trust their skills and judgments.” Access to finance and ownership remains a challenge, but mindset is where she starts. “Learning is one of the key issues for women entrepreneurs.”

To Jamilya, entrepreneurship requires grit, patience, and adaptability. “By taking patience, he motivates others… by patience, I think you can just destroy the rocks.” She sees adaptability as essential—especially in uncertain times. “You don’t have to panic. You have to believe in yourself that you are able to manage.”

Her most memorable risk? Launching a cross-border platform for Tajik and Kyrgyz farmers. “Of course it was calculated, and I believe in my intuition,” she says. The result: a digital hub that outlived donor-funded projects and still serves thousands.

Looking back, she credits her former managers, colleagues—and family—as mentors. “My great-grandfather was the first teacher in Dushanbe,” she shares. “I think it’s important when you have such examples from a person who already has expertise and he just shows you the way.”

Her advice to her 20-year-old self is simple: “Trust, learn, and appreciate what you have… appreciate the people whom you met… appreciate the task which you gave.”

And to young women starting out today: “Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow.”