A group of enterprising youth in Ifakara has been awarded a TZS13.4 million contract to maintain local roads, marking a significant step in the government’s drive to empower young people economically.
The contract was granted to Milola Mificheni, a motorcycle taxi group based in Kibaoni Ward, Ifakara Town Council, through the Community-Based Road Maintenance (CBRM) program run by the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA).
The program is designed to involve youth and local communities directly in infrastructure development while providing income-generating opportunities.
The group has already started routine maintenance work, including clearing grass along the 4.4-kilometer Kapolo–Nakafuru–Kibaoni road in Ifakara Division.
CBRM targets youth, women, and other community members organized in social groups, encouraging them to take part in regular road maintenance. This approach not only creates jobs but also improves road conditions in both urban and rural areas.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the program is active in eight districts across four regions: Lushoto and Korogwe in Tanga, Mvomero and Kilombero in Morogoro, Rufiji and Mkuranga in Pwani, and Kongwa in Dodoma.
A total of 302 groups and more than 1,500 people are benefiting, with over 1,500 kilometers of roads being upgraded.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, CBRM is set to roll out nationwide in 25 regions, excluding Dar es Salaam.
The expansion will cover more than 100 councils, improve over 7,000 kilometers of roads, and benefit more than 1,400 groups and 7,200 individuals.
Through initiatives like CBRM, the government continues to open pathways for youth participation in development while ensuring communities across Tanzania benefit from better, safer roads.
