The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has reinforced its youth empowerment agenda through increased funding, training programmes and prize support aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and economic participation among young people across the country.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has urged young people to fully utilize creativity, entrepreneurship and opportunities provided by the Government to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national economic growth instead of engaging in activities that could threaten peace and stability.
Speaking during the climax of the Vijana Uchumi Challenge competition, Dr. Nchemba said the Government has continued to create a supportive environment for youth development through access to loans, the allocation of 10 percent of public procurement opportunities specifically reserved for youth, and ongoing policy and legal reforms designed to strengthen youth economic participation.
He emphasized that the Government will continue to involve young people in development planning and ensure they access key resources including employment opportunities, capital, markets, technology and innovation platforms to boost productivity and income generation.
He also commended all participants in the competition for demonstrating creativity and determination, noting that the ideas presented reflected strong potential for transformation into viable business ventures capable of creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
He further stressed that youth innovations should be turned into structured enterprises that can grow over time and deliver long-term benefits.
The Prime Minister further cautioned young people against misusing loans or financial support by sharing or diverting funds immediately after receiving them, instead urging them to invest in building and expanding sustainable businesses that can secure their future economic stability.
He also called on youth across the country to safeguard peace and national unity, stressing that economic development cannot be achieved without stability and cooperation among citizens.
During the event, additional financial incentives were announced to encourage innovation among participants.
All top 10 finalists received an additional two million Tanzanian shillings on top of the three million shillings they had initially been awarded, while the top three winners each received an extra five million shillings to support transportation and further development of their business ideas.
The Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Youth Development, Joel Arthur Naukha, said the Vijana Uchumi Challenge is part of the Government’s broader agenda to empower young people to actively participate in the economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.
He noted that more than 100 youths underwent specialized training before the final stage of the competition, where the top 10 business ideas were selected to compete at the national level.
He added that such initiatives are designed to strengthen skills, expand opportunities and build a new generation of job creators.
The Minister for Youth, Employment and Empowerment in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Shaban Ali Othman, said the Zanzibar Government is committed to continuing collaboration with the Union Government in strengthening youth empowerment programmes aimed at improving access to economic opportunities and development support.
Earlier, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, called on the Government to further improve youth empowerment systems, particularly in areas of access to capital and protection of small-scale traders, saying such measures are essential for inclusive economic growth.
In the competition results, Geofrey Samuel Sanga emerged as the overall winner, receiving 50 million shillings. Jacob Fabian Lugisha secured second place with 30 million shillings, while Robert Malonga came third and was awarded 20 million shillings.
The awards were aimed at supporting implementation of their business ideas and strengthening their role in the country’s innovation ecosystem.
