By Charles Mkoka
The Minister of Defence and National Service has praised the National Service (JKT) and its commercial arm, SUMA JKT, for expanding employment opportunities and providing affordable services, saying the organisation is playing an increasingly important role in supporting Tanzania's economic development.
Speaking after visiting the JKT pavilion at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba 2026), the Minister of Defence and National Service, Hon. Dr. Rhimo S. Nyansaho, said the exhibition offered the public an opportunity to better understand the range of commercial activities and vocational training programmes undertaken by the National Service.
Dr. Rhimo said JKT continues to combine its core mandate of instilling patriotism and national service among young people with income-generating activities that equip trainees with practical skills and promote self-employment.
The minister singled out SUMA JKT's fumigation business as an example of the organisation's contribution to job creation, saying the company currently employs about 4,800 young people.
"The National Service is not only training young people but also creating employment opportunities and helping reduce unemployment through its commercial activities," he said.
He noted that visitors to the exhibition were able to learn about services offered across JKT units, many of which are not widely known to the public, while gaining insight into how the institution supports youth development alongside its national defence responsibilities.
The minister also commended the leadership of the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) and JKT for strengthening national security while expanding programmes that contribute to economic growth and youth empowerment.
He said initiatives undertaken through SUMA JKT demonstrate how public institutions can support both national development and employment creation by combining skills training with commercially viable enterprises.
