Tanzania's government is implementing a 25-year strategy to increase youth participation across nine priority economic sectors as part of efforts to empower young people and drive national development. The Minister of State in the President's Office responsible for Youth Development, Joel Nanauka, said the plan prioritised creating opportunities for young citizens to contribute meaningfully to the country's economic transformation. Speaking during Africa Youth Day celebrations at the University of Dodoma, Mr Nanauka outlined that the government was developing strategies to ensure young people actively participate in key sectors including tourism, agriculture, industry, trade and construction.
The government's approach aims to ensure young people are not sidelined in national development plans but instead positioned to contribute their skills, innovation and energy to economic growth. "What we are doing as a government is implementing a strategy that will see youth fully participating in these sectors," Mr Nanauka said. For each of the nine priority areas identified over the next 25 years, the government has outlined specific strategies on how to engage young citizens in employment creation, entrepreneurship and access to economic opportunities.
University of Dodoma Vice-Chancellor Professor Lugano Kusiluka emphasised the importance of patriotism among young people, noting that their commitment to the country was essential to building a strong economy. He highlighted the role of young citizens in national development, with calls for them to embrace responsibility and contribute positively to the country's economic and social progress.
However, young people at the celebrations stressed that government efforts must translate into tangible opportunities. Emily Mwalogo, a student at the University of Dodoma, said the government had a responsibility to support young graduates by providing employment opportunities and creating an enabling environment for self-employment. "The government has a responsibility to support young graduates by providing employment opportunities and creating an enabling environment for self-employment," she said. Another university graduate, Karismata Edward, called on the government to prioritise the younger generation, arguing that investing in young people was essential to strengthening the national economy. "The government should really prioritise the young generation in building the best economy for the country," he said.
For young Tanzanians seeking jobs and business opportunities, the success of this plan will determine whether government commitments translate into real employment prospects and pathways to economic participation.