The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, has urged local councils to give priority to women, youth, and persons with disabilities who have benefited from the government’s 10% loan scheme by awarding them contracts.
This move is aimed at expanding employment opportunities and supporting citizen-driven economic growth.
Prof. Shemdoe made the call recently in Tanga at Tangamano Grounds while inspecting entrepreneurial groups that received 10% loans in the region. During the visit, he handed over loan cheques worth TZS 2.761 billion to the groups.
“I have seen a youth group that used the loan to start a brick-making project and has already employed other young people. I urge councils handling construction projects to award tenders to such groups so they can create more jobs,” Prof. Shemdoe said.
He also highlighted another group that started a sanitation company after receiving a loan. The group now works with TANROADS and TARURA to clean Tanga city’s roads.
He directed TARURA and councils across the country to provide similar groups with sanitation contracts, enabling them to generate income and employ others.
Prof. Shemdoe further encouraged citizens to support youth-led businesses. “I have seen groups involved in fish trading and vegetable farming. I call on leaders and citizens to buy their products so they can repay loans and continue creating employment for their peers,” he said.
The Chairman of Chapakazi Youth Group, Mr. Nasibu Mussa, which produces bricks, expressed gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for enabling his group to access a TZS 45 million loan. The support has allowed them to expand production and increase the sale of construction materials.
Another beneficiary, Ms. Karen Safari, thanked President Samia for prioritizing youth economic empowerment through the 10% loan scheme, which has allowed her to become self-reliant while providing jobs for other young people.