By Charles Mkoka
In
a groundbreaking effort to combat youth unemployment in Tanzania, 21 young
graduates from various universities have completed a special community
leadership training program under the Going Beyond initiative.
The
program, aimed at nurturing, preparing, and enhancing self-employment skills
across multiple sectors, has already left a significant mark on over 1,575
young people across the Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Arusha regions.
The
intensive nine-month training equipped participants with entrepreneurial
skills, digital literacy, and business development knowledge, emphasizing the
importance of self-reliance in the current job market.
The
training, spearheaded by Digital Opportunity Trust Tanzania (DOT), focused on
equipping youth with essential digital tools to kickstart businesses, improve
employability, and drive community-based transformations.
Speaking
at the graduation ceremony recently, DOT Tanzania’s Country Manager, Safarani
Seushi, underscored the pivotal role of digital literacy in shaping the future
of Tanzania’s youth.
“Through
this program, participants become proficient in digital tools, ready to excel
in any sector. The graduates are now at the forefront of driving positive
change in their communities,” Seushi said.
The
Going Beyond initiative was implemented to address Tanzania’s persistent
youth unemployment crisis by fostering self-employment and job creation. The
program also sought to empower youth to create job opportunities for others
within their communities.
Highlighting
the broader impact of the initiative, Lydia Charles Moyo, the Executive
Director of Her Initiative, the organization overseeing the project in Dar es
Salaam, Morogoro, and Arusha, emphasized how technology presents significant
opportunities for young people.
“We
recognize the transformative power of digital technology. These graduates are
now not only equipped with business knowledge but also connected to resources
like capital and mentorship, enabling them to scale their businesses and uplift
their communities,” Moyo explained.
The
selection process for the training was highly meticulous, involving
partnerships with local government authorities and community-based
organizations to identify deserving beneficiaries.
The
first cohort of 21 graduates is expected to impact over 1,500 young people
annually through knowledge-sharing and mentorship programs.
One
of the trainers, Joha Mohamed Ngulle, expressed her gratitude for the
transformative experience.
“We
underwent a 10-day Training for Trainers (T4T) course before transferring our
knowledge to small-scale entrepreneurs. This approach ensures the ripple effect
of skills and knowledge to the grassroots,” she said.
Venance
Emmanuel, a youth trainer from Arusha, shared how the initiative exposed the
lack of technological awareness among small-scale traders.
“Many
traders were unaware of the importance of using digital applications to manage
finances or register their businesses with institutions like TRA, SIDO, and
banks. These skills are critical for formalizing and expanding their
businesses,” Venance remarked.
Paul
Makoye, Director of Commit Hans Foundation, which partnered with the program,
noted that the initiative has provided the youth with practical tools to
enhance their businesses.
“Instead
of misusing technology, these young people have learned to leverage digital
platforms to grow their businesses. Our foundation has hosted three graduates
from this cohort in Dar es Salaam, impacting over 75 young people so far,”
Makoye said.
As
the first phase of the Going Beyond project concludes, stakeholders are
calling on the government to improve policies that facilitate youth access to
resources and capital, laying a foundation for sustainable youth-led economic
growth in Tanzania.
The
initiative stands as a beacon of hope for thousands of young people grappling
with unemployment, proving that with the right skills and support, youth can be
the driving force behind Tanzania’s economic transformation.
