Joseph Isangura
Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced that business studies will become a compulsory subject for all students starting from the 2025/2026 academic year.
The policy, unveiled during the fifth National Business and Economic Development Conference in Dodoma, aims to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking among young learners and reduce dependency on government jobs.
A New Direction in Education Policy
This reform aligns with Tanzania’s 2023 National Training Policy, which prioritizes equipping students with practical, market-driven skills. “Through this policy, we aim to instill a mindset of innovation and self-reliance in our youth, enabling them to create opportunities rather than waiting for limited government jobs,” Majaliwa said during his keynote speech. The curriculum will target critical business and entrepreneurial skills, fostering a generation of job creators rather than job seekers.
Revamping Higher Education
The Prime Minister also urged universities and business colleges to review their curriculums. The focus, he emphasized, should shift towards hands-on entrepreneurial training and developing problem-solving capabilities. By doing so, the government hopes to align education systems with the economic realities of the nation, creating a pipeline of graduates ready to tackle challenges in the private sector.
Addressing Graduate Unemployment
With government employment opportunities becoming increasingly scarce, the shift in focus is seen as a pragmatic solution to graduate unemployment. Majaliwa noted that many graduates are under 30 and face stiff competition in the saturated public sector job market. The new business education mandate aims to empower these individuals with the skills to thrive independently in a competitive economy.
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Broader Economic Reforms
This policy is part of Tanzania’s broader efforts to bolster its economy. The government is actively fostering a favorable business climate, investing in infrastructure, and streamlining policies to support entrepreneurship. These initiatives include access to financial resources for young entrepreneurs and creating supportive ecosystems for start-ups.
A Step Towards Economic Resilience
Majaliwa’s announcement reflects Tanzania’s commitment to addressing its economic and demographic challenges. By embedding business education into the national curriculum, the government seeks to lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth and resilience. The reform signals a strategic pivot to ensure that future generations are well-equipped to contribute to and benefit from the country’s evolving economic landscape
