The government, in partnership with NMB Bank, has rolled out a new skills development and entrepreneurship programme aimed at empowering Tanzanian youth with practical tools to start businesses and secure employment.
The programme, launched today by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, targets 200 trainees from two Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) centres and one Folk Development College (FDC) in its first phase.
Prof. Mkenda said the initiative responds to the urgent need to equip young people with hands-on skills that match the demands of the labour market, especially as many graduates struggle to transition from academic training to economic self-reliance.
“Young people leave school with theoretical knowledge but lack practical skills and the startup capital they need to thrive. This programme fills that gap,” he said during the launch ceremony in Dar es Salaam.
He challenged education institutions to strengthen ties with industries, stressing that practical experience is essential for preparing youth for the job market.
He also urged the integration of informal sector experts into the training ecosystem to transfer local, experience-based knowledge to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“We must formalise and leverage the expertise of those already doing business in the informal economy. Their real-world experience is invaluable for our young people,” Prof. Mkenda said.
The government, he added, is investing heavily in vocational education by constructing VETA centres in every district and establishing regional-level colleges to ensure young people gain relevant skills aligned with their local economies.
At the same event, NMB Bank CEO Ruth Zaipuna said the programme was born out of the minister’s call for private sector support in youth empowerment. She said NMB responded by designing a practical, results-oriented initiative through its institutional platforms.
“We’re not just offering training, we’re giving young people the tools to build their future. They’ll gain entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, marketing knowledge, and receive startup equipment,” Zaipuna said.
She added that NMB sees youth empowerment as a strategic investment in Tanzania’s economic resilience.
“When young people succeed in business, the entire economy benefits,” she noted.
The programme tackles a long-standing challenge in Tanzania youth who finish school without clear pathways to employment or self-employment.
By blending vocational training with entrepreneurial support, the initiative aims to shift the country’s skills development model from theory to practice.
The public-private collaboration could set a benchmark for future programmes. If scaled up, it could help reverse youth unemployment trends and foster a generation of self-reliant, innovative entrepreneurs.