DODOMA: YOUTH in Tanzania have been urged to take advantage of the opportunities in the energy sector which offers a wide range of prospects for job creation and self-employment.
Speaking at the conference titled “The Role of Youth in the Energy Sector and Its Transition in Africa,” organised by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project at the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Ambassador John Ulanga, Director of the Diplomacy and Economics Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, emphasised the need for skilled youth to play key roles in the nation’s economic growth through the energy sector.
Ambassador Ulanga noted that many universities and technical colleges across Africa offer training in fields such as renewable energy, engineering and environmental preservation, providing youth with the skills necessary to succeed in the sector.
He encouraged young people, who represent a significant portion of the population, to seize these opportunities. He said by doing so, they would not only contribute to national economic growth but also improve their employment prospects after graduation.
“Currently, the renewable energy agenda is a global priority. If youth engage effectively in universities, conferences and workshops to enhance their knowledge, they will open up opportunities for employment or even self-employment, thus making significant contributions to national income,” said Ambassador Ulanga.
He noted initiatives like the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) and the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) “Jobs for Youth in Africa” initiative, which aim to empower young people and position them as leaders in the energy sector.
“I commend the EACOP project for offering various training sessions related to the energy sector for university and technical college students in the country,” he added. “I am confident that the workshops and discussions will inspire youth to fully engage in this sector, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth.”
Mr Guillaume Dolout, the CEO of EACOP, shared that the project, which involves transporting crude oil from Hoima, Uganda, to Chongoleani in Tanga, has been providing energy training through both online and practical sessions for university and technical students in Tanzania and Uganda.
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“Through these training sessions, some graduates have been employed in various areas of the project, while others have received certificates that enable them to either self-employ or find employment in the energy sector anywhere in the world,” said Mr Dolout.
Mr Derick Moshi, Director of Planning and Investment at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), which holds a 15 per cent stake in the project on behalf of the government, emphasised the importance of raising awareness among youth about the energy and gas sectors.
“We have educated students on how energy and gas drive the global economy, especially in developing countries,” he said. “This will help them focus on research and innovation, particularly in technology.”
Director of Legal and Relations at TotalEnergies, which owns 62 per cent of the EACOP project, Ms Getrude Mpangile, spoke on behalf of the project’s major stakeholders.
She stressed that the energy sector should inspire youth to become key players due to ongoing technological advancements.
“We want this project to leave behind a sufficient number of local experts once completed. University and technical college students have a great opportunity to participate in the growth of this sector in the country,” said Ms Mpangile.
Other stakeholders in the EACOP project include the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), which owns a 15 per cent stake and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which owns 8 per cent.
One of the beneficiaries of the EACOP youth training programme, Mr Nicolaus Shukuru, an Electrical and Biomedical Engineering student at Arusha Technical College (ATC), shared how the training has helped him develop skills that will aid him in his career and livelihood.
