Kigoma youth urged to tap government tenders after vocational training

By Our Correspondent, KIGOMA

Youth who completed vocational skills training under the Dumisha Amani (Sustain Peace) project have been encouraged to form registered groups and compete for government tenders as a pathway to economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Kigoma District Commissioner Dr Rashid Chuachua made the call on July 18, 2026, during the graduation ceremony for 60 trainees at the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) Kigoma Centre.

The two-week training programme was implemented under the Dumisha Amani project with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding and Development Fund (UNPDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), China Petroleum Pipeline (CPP) and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Tanzania.

Dr Chuachua urged the graduates to establish registered entrepreneurial groups and learn how to use the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) to access public procurement opportunities.

"I encourage you to organise yourselves into registered groups, understand how the government's electronic procurement system works and apply for public tenders. This will enable you to seize business opportunities and become economically independent," he said.

He also reminded the graduates that the government provides interest-free loans to organised youth groups, as well as financial support for individuals living with disabilities.

UNDP Tanzania Project Officer Josephine Sepeku said each of the four vocational training institutions participating in the project would receive $42,000 (approximately TZS 110.75 million) to establish Youth Centres that will continue providing skills development and entrepreneurship support to young people.

She said the centres are intended to sustain the project's impact by giving youth access to training, mentorship and economic opportunities beyond the programme.

VETA Headquarters Senior Curriculum Development Officer Alphoncina Mashana urged the graduates to put their newly acquired skills into practice by creating businesses, seeking employment or employing others, while serving as ambassadors of peace within their communities.

VETA Kigoma Centre Principal Eng Paulo Kimenya said the training was conducted from July 6 to July 18 and involved 60 participants, including 38 women and 22 men.

The trainees received practical instruction in fashion design and garment technology, plumbing, food production and cookery, and domestic electrical installation.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Amina Issa said the programme had equipped participants with practical and entrepreneurial skills that would help them identify business opportunities, establish income-generating ventures and work collectively through entrepreneurship groups.

She added that the training had also strengthened participants' commitment to promoting peace, unity and tolerance in their communities.