Govt: NMB, Save the Children to address unemployment

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has said the new youth empowerment initiative by NMB Foundation and Save the Children Tanzania focused on entrepreneurship and skills development is a timely, strategic boost to national efforts to reduce unemployment and promote inclusive economic growth.

The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said the initiative was a strategic tool that will help prepare Tanzanian youth to compete and thrive in an evolving economic environment.

“With a growing middle class and a national drive to transform local industries for both domestic and export markets, the SEED programme is a timely and strategic intervention,” said Prof Mkenda during the launch of the Skills for Entrepreneurship and Employment Development (SEED) programme on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam: “It reflects our shared commitment across government, civil society and the private sector to invest in the country’s most valuable asset: Its youth.” Prof Mkenda also commended the partnership between the NMB Foundation the philanthropic arm of NMB Bank and Save the Children, calling it is an effective publicprivate collaboration in youth empowerment.

According to him, the SEED programme supports the country’s broader development goals, particularly in advancing quality education, gender equality and decent work opportunities for young people.

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The programme will initially be piloted in Dar es Salaam with 200 youth aged 18 to 35 particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds including the unemployed and those facing financial hardship while in vocational training.

NMB Foundation Chair Ruth Zaipuna said the initiative aims to equip young Tanzanians with practical business solutions and vocational skills to enable self-employment and improve job market competitiveness.

“It’s not just about training, it’s about giving youth the tools, the mindset and the startup capital to turn ideas into income,” said Ms Zaipuna.

She further noted that the SEED programme will offer training in business development and identifying market opportunities, alongside courses in financial and business management. In addition, participants will have access to startup capital through NMB Bank loans, provided in collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI).

“We believe SEED will empower youth to become job creators, not just job seekers,” Ms Zaipuna said.

The Country Director for Save the Children, Ms Angela Kauleni said that the initiative reflects the organisation’s deep commitment to sustainable youth development.

“This partnership is about more than just immediate impact it’s about building resilient communities and fostering a generation of youth who can drive innovation, economic growth and inclusive development,” she added.

NMB Foundation Executive Director Nelson Karumuna said, according to 2022 Population and Housing Census youth represent 34.5 per cent of the country’s population, with four in ten either unemployed or economically inactive.

“That’s not just a statistic, it’s a national call to action,” Mr Karumuna said.

The programme’s longterm vision is to scale nationally, transforming Tanzania’s youth from job seekers into self-reliant economic contributors and supporting the government’s broader push for inclusive and sustainable growth.