GOVERNMENT APPLAUDS NMB FOUNDATION, SAVE THE CHILDREN FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

By Special Correspondent

The government has praised a new youth empowerment initiative launched jointly by NMB Foundation and Save the Children Tanzania, describing it as a strategic and timely boost to national efforts aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth.

Speaking during the official launch of the Skills for Entrepreneurship and Employment Development (SEED) programme in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, said the initiative aligns with the country’s broader development agenda to equip youth with relevant skills to thrive in an evolving economy.

“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. “It reflects our shared commitment across government, civil society, and the private sector to invest in Tanzania’s most valuable asset: its youth.”

He highlighted the programme’s potential to address youth unemployment, especially in urban centres where joblessness remains a pressing concern.

Prof. Mkenda also applauded the collaboration between NMB Foundation—the philanthropic arm of NMB Bank—and Save the Children, calling it a model for effective public-private partnerships in youth empowerment.

According to the minister, the SEED initiative supports several of Tanzania’s long-term development goals, especially those related to quality education, gender equality, and decent employment for young people.

“This programme doesn’t just prepare young people for jobs. It prepares them to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Tanzania,” he added.

Initially, SEED will be piloted in Dar es Salaam, targeting 200 youth aged 18 to 35, with a focus on those from underprivileged backgrounds, including the unemployed and youth in vocational training facing financial hardship.

In her address, NMB Bank CEO Ruth Zaipuna, who also chairs the NMB Foundation Board, said the programme is designed to equip young Tanzanians with practical business tools and vocational skills to enable self-employment and enhance competitiveness in the job market.

“SEED is our joint effort to support young people with the skills and resources they need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Ms Zaipuna. “It’s not just about training—it's about giving youth the tools, the mindset, and the startup capital to turn ideas into income.”

She added that the programme will offer comprehensive training in business development, financial literacy, and market opportunity identification.

Participants will also be able to access startup capital through NMB Bank loans, extended in partnership 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,” she emphasized.

Ms Angela Kauleni, Country Director for Save the Children Tanzania, echoed the same sentiment, underlining that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainable youth development.

“This initiative is about more than just immediate outcomes,” said Ms Kauleni. “It’s about building resilient communities and cultivating a generation of young people capable of driving innovation, economic growth, and inclusive development.”

Referencing the 2022 Population and Housing Census, NMB Foundation Executive Director Nelson Karumuna pointed out that youth make up 34.5% of Tanzania’s population, with nearly four in ten either unemployed or economically inactive.

“That’s not just a statistic—it’s a national call to action,” he said. “Through SEED, we’re giving young people the skills, tools, and confidence to become entrepreneurs and job creators.”

The long-term vision of the SEED programme is to scale nationally and transform Tanzania’s youth into self-reliant contributors to the economy, supporting government efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

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