Young Tanzanians have welcomed the creation of the Ministry of Youth Development but are calling for practical action to ensure the new office delivers meaningful change.
The ministry was introduced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her address at the inauguration of Parliament, and later formalised with the appointment of Joel Nanauka as Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Youth Development.
Many youths say the ministry has arrived at a critical moment, after years of rising concerns over unemployment, limited access to financing and slow progress on youth-focused programmes.
Said Mkono, a resident of Dar es Salaam, said young people have heard many promises before and now want to see a clear shift toward programmes that directly support their economic participation.
He praised the President’s decision but stressed that success will depend on how quickly the ministry introduces initiatives that create jobs, support entrepreneurship and make government services more accessible to the youth.
Mkono urged Minister Nanauka to build a transparent and responsive system that includes young people in planning and oversight.
He said past youth initiatives faced challenges due to weak coordination and insufficient monitoring, leading to results that did not match expectations.
According to him, young people are ready to cooperate with the government but want to see consistent engagement and accountability.
The launch of the ministry comes shortly after incidents of unrest linked to youth participation during and after the October 29 election.
Analysts say the new ministry provides an opportunity for the government to address long-standing economic and social pressures that often contribute to tensions.
They argue that strengthening youth development structures is essential for promoting stability and national cohesion.
Psychologist and youth facilitator Charles Nduku said the ministry will need to focus on mindset transformation by helping young people understand how to identify and access opportunities in a modern economy.
He said Tanzania is rich in potential across agriculture, innovation, creative industries and technology, but many youths lack exposure, structured guidance and practical skills.
Nduku added that effective youth development requires targeted training, mentorship and strong linkages with the private sector.
He warned that without a clear strategy and measurable targets, the ministry risks repeating past challenges that limited the impact of youth programmes. He said the next phase should be defined by results, not rhetoric.
As Minister Nanauka begins his duties, young Tanzanians say they expect immediate steps such as consultations across regions, assessment of existing youth projects and introduction of initiatives that match labour-market needs.
Many believe the new ministry presents a timely opportunity to strengthen youth empowerment and secure a more stable and productive future, but they emphasise that progress must be visible and sustained.