Mwinyi to launch youth AFCON business conference

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, is expected to open a national youth conference on December 18 to help young Tanzanians identify and exploit business and employment opportunities arising from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The meeting, scheduled for Kwanza Hotel in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, will bring together young people, experts and public and private sector stakeholders to explore how Tanzania can translate its role as a tournament host into economic gains.

Kizimkazi Festival Committee Chairperson, Mahfoud Said Omar, told journalists that the conference would equip young people with practical knowledge to prepare for opportunities before, during and after the continental competition.

He said discussions would cover tourism, investment, trade, industry, employment and international relations, with experts from relevant sectors and ministries expected to share insights into potential business opportunities.

Omar said young people could benefit from increased demand for accommodation, transport, food services, locally made products and other supplies as visitors and stakeholders arrive for AFCON 2027.

He urged them to assess market needs, develop business plans and prepare early rather than wait until the tournament begins.

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The conference will run under a theme ‘AFCON Is an Opportunity for Us Tanzanians Let Us Make Use of It’, encouraging citizens to participate actively in the economic activities surrounding the competition.

Omar stressed that the benefits should extend beyond the tournament, with young people encouraged to establish sustainable enterprises capable of generating income and creating jobs long after the final whistle.

Kizimkazi Marathon Chairperson, Saleh Shaaban Kassim, said the meeting was intended to help young people recognise their role in turning AFCON-related opportunities into tangible economic benefits.

The conference forms part of wider efforts to promote early preparations for the tournament, with organisers seeking to move young people from simply anticipating AFCON to planning businesses, pursuing employment and investing in opportunities that could sustain livelihoods beyond 2027.