During the launch of National Youth Week celebrations in Sumbawanga Municipal Council, Rukwa Region, on October 10, Dr Nchemba directed regional commissioners, district commissioners, council directors and youth development officers to make information on economic opportunities available to young people at ward, village and street levels. He said young people should not need to travel to regional headquarters to learn how to apply for loans, register businesses, access training or participate in tenders. The celebrations, running from October 8 to October 14, carry the theme "Different Environments, Equal Opportunities for Youth."
Dr Nchemba urged local government authorities to help young people identify and develop projects based on their areas' economic potential. In Rukwa specifically, he cited opportunities in agriculture, livestock keeping, crop trading, processing, transport and activities linked to Lake Tanganyika. He encouraged young people to become commercial farmers, processors, transporters, traders, service providers and employers rather than remain outside the local economy.
The Prime Minister noted that opportunities exist through government programmes, private companies, financial institutions, universities, development partners and international organisations. These include scholarships, skills training, start-up capital, internships, apprenticeships, business advice, market access and exchange programmes. Dr Nchemba said many opportunities were missed because applicants failed to obtain information on time or prepare adequately.
In other developments, 1,000 students received Samia Scholarship awards for undergraduate studies in technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine for the 2026/2027 academic year, according to the Prime Minister. High-performing science students are also being sent abroad for government-sponsored studies in emerging technology fields, with students already deployed to Ireland, South Africa and Russia.