MWE Correspondent
A Tanzanian legislator has called on young people across the country to rise and seize emerging economic opportunities outlined by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying the future of national development rests firmly in the hands of the youth.
Speaking on January 27, 2026, during parliamentary debates following the opening of the 13th Parliament, Bunda Urban Member of Parliament Ester Bulaya praised the President’s address for placing young people at the center of the government’s development agenda. She noted that President Samia referenced youth empowerment repeatedly in her speech, a signal, she said, that the administration views young Tanzanians as the driving force behind economic transformation.
Bulaya told lawmakers that the President’s vision goes beyond rhetoric, pointing to concrete financial and institutional reforms aimed at creating a new generation of successful young entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.
“She has made it clear that young people are not just beneficiaries of development, but the engine of growth,” Bulaya said. “This is a government that wants to see youth becoming job creators, investors, and leaders in industry.”
Among the key initiatives highlighted were targeted funds for young entrepreneurs, including informal traders, designed to help them grow sustainable businesses and achieve financial independence. Bulaya also emphasized the government’s plan to expand access to higher education by establishing university campuses in every region, alongside increased funding for student loans.
Equally significant, she said, is the nationwide construction of vocational training colleges in every district to equip young people with practical skills needed in Tanzania’s growing industrial zones. These institutions, she explained, will prepare technicians and artisans essential for manufacturing, infrastructure, and special economic development areas.
The reforms align with Tanzania’s broader push for economic development driven by human capital and industrial growth, a strategy increasingly adopted across emerging economies.
Beyond economic empowerment, Bulaya addressed national healing following violence and irregularities reported during the 2025 general elections. She welcomed the President’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the incidents and hold institutions accountable where wrongdoing is found.
“All Tanzanians agree that what happened was not right,” she said. “The President has shown leadership by choosing dialogue and justice as the path toward reconciliation.”
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Observers say the move reflects democratic principles commonly associated with truth commissions, which have been used worldwide to address political unrest and restore public trust.
Political analysts note that the strong emphasis on youth mirrors demographic realities, as Tanzania’s population remains largely young, with millions entering the job market each year. Without strategic investment in skills and entrepreneurship, experts warn, unemployment could undermine social and economic stability.
By prioritizing education, vocational training, and business financing, the government aims to transform this demographic trend into a competitive advantage.
The debate in Parliament highlighted growing bipartisan recognition that sustainable growth depends on preparing young people for the demands of a modern economy, particularly as Tanzania accelerates industrialization and regional trade integration.
With renewed focus on skills development and youth investment, leaders believe the country is positioning itself for long-term prosperity—if implementation matches ambition.
As Bulaya concluded her remarks, she urged young Tanzanians to take initiative, innovate, and fully engage with the opportunities now being created.
“This is your moment,” she said. “The doors are opening. It is up to the youth to walk through them and build the Tanzania of tomorrow.”
