Kazi the Podcast E08: From Education to (Un)Employment: Why Tanzanian Youth Struggle to Find Decent Work

Tanzania’s Youth: A Demographic Powerhouse Facing Economic Paradox

Tanzania is one of the youngest nations in Africa, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25. This youthful energy holds immense potential for innovation, productivity, and economic transformation. Yet, despite being more educated than previous generations, many young Tanzanians find themselves locked out of meaningful employment.

According to the 2021 Integrated Labour Force Survey, 80.1% of employed youth work under precarious conditions—often in the informal sector, without contracts or social protection. The national unemployment rate may hover around 3.5%, but urban youth aged 15–24 face a much harsher reality.

The Education–Employment Disconnect

Emmanuel Oscar, a recent graduate, shares the frustration of many: being asked for six years of experience for entry-level jobs, navigating complex recruitment procedures, and facing a mismatch between academic training and market demands. His story reflects a broader systemic issue—education that fails to equip youth with employable skills.

Ocheck Msuva, Executive Director of Bridge4Change, highlights that 65% of college graduates are considered unemployable due to this gap. His organization offers financial literacy, communication skills, and confidence-building programs to help youth transition into economic participation.

Entrepreneurship: A Risky but Promising Path

Salome, known as Sally Juice, left formal employment to start her own business. Her journey reveals the bureaucratic and financial hurdles young entrepreneurs face—from navigating registration systems like BRELA and TRA to paying taxes before earning a profit. She calls for reforms that allow businesses to grow before being taxed, including the removal of burdensome fees like signage levies.

Inclusion Matters: Youth with Disabilities

Hassan Mikazi from the Tanzania Albinism Society in Morogoro emphasizes the compounded challenges faced by youth with disabilities. Despite legal frameworks mandating inclusive employment, implementation remains weak. His organization advocates for stronger enforcement and support systems to ensure equal access to opportunities.

Youth Empowerment in Action

Daniel Robert from Her Initiative shares success stories from programs like the Youth Employability BootCamp and Going Beyond. These initiatives train youth in CV writing, interview skills, and entrepreneurship—resulting in 70% employment rates among participants. The programs also prioritize gender equity, with 70% of Going Beyond trainees being young women.

Trade Unions as Catalysts for Change

Jaffary Ngope from the Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers (TUICO) outlines how trade unions collaborate with government and employers to improve youth welfare. Through vocational training (TVET), digital literacy, and advocacy, unions are helping youth—both members and non-members—gain the skills needed for employment and self-employment.

Youth Voices and Policy Demands

Emmanuel calls for a more inclusive and enabling environment, urging both government and youth to act. Salome advocates for tax reforms that support small businesses. Ocheck stresses the importance of collaboration and digital skill acquisition, reminding us that systemic change requires collective effort.

Listen, Learn, Act

Kazi the Podcast continues to spotlight the realities and possibilities for Tanzanian workers. Episode 08 is a compelling call to action for policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and youth themselves.