The sixth-phase government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is determined to ensure that young people are reached, heard, and actively involved in building the nation’s future.
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Youth Development, Joeli Nanauka, said the government recognizes youth as the largest workforce in Tanzania and a key driver of economic, social, and political growth.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Tanzanians aged 15–35 make up about 20.6% of the population, contributing more than 55% of the country’s workforce.
“The government will not wait for youth to come to us. My team and I will go to them whether in schools, universities, rural and urban areas, workplaces, entrepreneurial hubs, streets, or digital platforms. We want to listen to their challenges and create solutions together,” Minister Nanauka said.
He noted that this approach reflects President Samia’s direction in her November 14, 2025 address opening the 13th Parliament, urging institutions to accelerate youth employment, skills development, productivity, and technology initiatives so that young people can fully benefit from current and future economic opportunities.
Minister Nanauka emphasized that the government is also laying foundations for the National Development Vision 2050, which focuses on inclusive growth, youth empowerment, decent jobs, skills aligned with market needs, and the use of science and technology as pillars of economic transformation.
The ruling party CCM’s 2025–2030 manifesto sets out plans to create at least eight million productive jobs in the next five years by increasing production, attracting investment, and expanding sectors with high opportunities for youth.
The minister added that the government continues to address key challenges facing young people, including unemployment, informal jobs with low productivity, skill gaps, and limited capital for young entrepreneurs and startups.
“To tackle these challenges, we are strengthening the 2007 National Youth Development Policy (2024 edition) to ensure youth are well-prepared and have opportunities for self-employment and formal employment,” he said.
Government strategies will focus on 13 priority areas, including vocational education and training, innovation and creativity, digital economy, job creation, youth participation in social and economic activities, patriotism and ethics, health and well-being, mentorship, youth development professions, leadership, gender equality, environment, and inclusion of youth with disabilities.
