Tanzania's youth have been urged to take a leading role in shaping the country's development, with stakeholders saying greater investment in skills, jobs, technology and participation will be critical to achieving the aspirations of Development Vision 2050.
The call was made during this year's International Youth Day celebrations held in Dodoma and Zanzibar under the global theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The theme brought into focus the shared aspirations of young people across the country, regardless of their social, economic or geographical circumstances.
From Dodoma to Zanzibar and from Kigoma to Mtwara, young Tanzanians are seeking quality education, decent employment, access to health services, equal opportunities and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Second Vice President of Zanzibar Hemed Suleiman Abdulla said the Government was committed to creating an environment that would enable young people to realise their potential.
“Our Government is committed to supporting young people in innovation, technology, youth development and economic empowerment because young people are central to the development of Zanzibar,” he said.
The celebrations brought together Government leaders, young people, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, youth-led groups and private sector representatives.
The discussions placed emphasis on shifting the perception of young people from being beneficiaries of development programmes to becoming active partners in designing and implementing solutions to national challenges.
UN Resident Coordinator Susan Ngongi Namondo said Tanzania's growing youth population presents an important opportunity for the country to accelerate economic development.
She said the country could transform its youthful population into a demographic dividend if it makes deliberate investments in areas that directly affect young people's ability to participate in the economy.
“Tanzania stands at a defining moment in its development journey. With one of the largest youth populations in our history, our country has a unique opportunity to transform this demographic reality into a powerful demographic dividend,” she said.
Ms Namondo said the opportunity would require investment in education, health, innovation, digital skills, entrepreneurship, decent employment and meaningful participation.
Her message points to the need for policies that do more than recognise the size of the youth population, but also provide young people with the tools and opportunities needed to become productive participants in the economy.
Minister responsible for Youth Joel Nanauka urged young people to take responsibility for their future by developing their skills, embracing innovation and using their creativity to solve problems facing their communities.
“The government alone cannot create the future we want. Young people must also take responsibility, develop their potential and use their creativity to create solutions and opportunities,” he said.
The message was echoed by young participants who said access to skills, technology, networks and finance remained essential if youth ideas were to be transformed into viable businesses and solutions.
“Young people have ideas and the energy to make them happen. What we need is access to skills, networks, technology and opportunities to take our ideas to the next level,” said David George, a participant in Dodoma.
In Zanzibar, the celebrations also focused on giving young people greater influence in development decisions.
UNFPA Tanzania Representative Mark Bryan Schreiner stressed the importance of continued investment in young people, particularly in access to information, skills and opportunities.
For young people, however, participation must go beyond being invited to attend meetings.
“We do not want to be spoken about; we want to be part of the conversation and part of the decisions. When young people are given a seat at the table, we bring solutions from our communities,” said Halima Sharif, a young participant from Zanzibar.
The statement captures one of the key messages emerging from this year's celebrations: young people want opportunities to influence decisions, rather than simply being consulted after policies have already been developed.
The International Youth Day celebrations were preceded by several activities aimed at turning the youth agenda into practical action.
On August 8 in Dar es Salaam, a youth symposium held under the theme “No Youth Left Behind: Empowering Youth Participation Towards Dira 2050” brought together young people, Government representatives, the UN, development partners and the private sector.
The symposium attracted 700 registrations within four days, with 400 participants shortlisted and 375 eventually attending, including 75 students from three secondary schools.
Eight youth-led solutions were presented during a Youth Innovation Pitching Session, covering areas including artificial intelligence, education, health, agriculture and social inclusion.
The programme also featured the Future Lab, Big Conversation panel, Youth in Action, Opportunity Spotlight and Lightning Battles, providing spaces for young people to exchange ideas and connect with potential opportunities.
Participants included UNDP Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara, representatives of the National Planning Commission and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Youth Development.
The discussions emphasised the importance of ensuring that youth priorities are reflected in national development planning as Tanzania works towards Vision 2050.
A contribution by a secondary school student on the limited involvement of younger voices in national decision-making also raised questions about how youth participation can be broadened to include younger and less-connected groups.
On August 11, the UN in Tanzania, under the leadership of UNFPA, convened another youth symposium in Dodoma that brought together more than 1,000 young people.
The event was officiated by Jenifer C. Omolo, Permanent Secretary responsible for Youth in the Prime Minister's Office – Ministry of Youth.
Discussions focused on youth empowerment, innovation, technology, health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as the contribution of young people to the Sustainable Development Goals and Tanzania's Vision 2050.
UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr Majaliwa Marwa reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to working with young people as partners and agents of change.
Youth-led exhibitions also gave participants an opportunity to showcase innovations and access information on programmes and opportunities offered by the Government, UN agencies and development partners.
The activities surrounding International Youth Day demonstrated that Tanzania's youth agenda is increasingly linked to the country's long-term development ambitions.
Young entrepreneurs are starting businesses and creating employment, while innovators are developing solutions in agriculture, healthcare, education and technology.
At the same time, young volunteers and advocates are contributing to environmental protection, community development, gender equality and other social causes.
Stakeholders therefore argue that issues such as youth employment, digital skills, access to finance, health, entrepreneurship and participation in decision-making should remain central to national development planning.
The Tanzania UN Sub-Group on Adolescents and Youth Development continues to bring UN agencies together to support a coordinated youth agenda and strengthen efforts to ensure that young people's views inform national priorities.
As Tanzania moves towards Dira 2050, the challenge will be to convert the energy and aspirations of its youthful population into measurable economic and social gains.
For many young Tanzanians, the message is straightforward: they do not only want opportunities created for them—they want to be part of creating those opportunities.
And for Tanzania, ensuring that they have the skills, jobs, technology, health services and voice needed to participate could prove decisive in determining whether the country's demographic advantage becomes a genuine development dividend.
