Arusha: Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi has mandated state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and key ministries to develop a plan to place 10,000 graduates annually in public institutions, aiming to accelerate Dira 2050's implementation and address youth unemployment. The directive, issued during the Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of Public Institutions (C-CEOs) Forum 2026, requires the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR), President’s Office Planning and Investment, and other agencies to submit a roadmap within two weeks to launch structured internships for graduates. Ndejembi emphasized that funding for the program could come from reallocating resources, stating, “If it means cutting spending elsewhere, then cut it, but let us take these 10,000 young people.” The VP highlighted the urgency of the initiative, linking it to Tanzania’s Vision 2050 goals, which prioritize human capital development. He criticized the lack of recognition for institutions contributing to youth employment, arguing that public entities should be evaluated by their impact on young people’s productivity, not just financial metrics. Ndejembi noted that 308 public institutions paid 1.3 trillion shillings in dividends during the 2025/26 financial year, suggesting 5–10% of this could fund the internship program as an investment in youth. Tanzania’s annual university graduations, excluding vocational training, reached 62,570 in the 2024/25 academic year, according to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). Ndejembi pointed out the paradox of graduates struggling to secure jobs due to employers’ demand for 3–5 years of experience, which many lack. He cited the Tanzania Employment Services Agency (TAESA), which trained 3,200 youth by 2021, as a positive step but insufficient for Vision 2050’s ambitions. The VP proposed that public institutions absorb 10,000 interns annually, with the private sector taking an additional 20,000 to create 30,000 opportunities. Ndejembi tied the plan to the 30% public procurement allocation for special groups, arguing that internships would equip youth with skills to access government contracts. He referenced the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which reported 40 trillion shillings in tenders this year, and urged 5 trillion shillings to be directed toward trained youth. “By doing so, we will have reduced the number of young people idling in the streets,” he said. The C-CEOs Forum, themed “High-Performing Public Enterprises for a Competitive, Inclusive and Resilient Economy in Implementing Vision 2050,” brought together leaders to discuss strategies for economic growth. Minister of State in the President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, reiterated the public sector’s role in creating a conducive environment for private investment. He stated that while the private sector is expected to contribute 70% of required investment, the public sector’s 30% share involves enabling opportunities for businesses to expand and create jobs. Mkumbo emphasized that public institutions “represent nearly 100% of [the 30%] implementation,” as their actions directly influence private-sector participation. Ndejembi also called for faster decision-making by public institution leaders, warning that administrative delays could hinder national progress. “When you sit in the CEO’s chair with responsibility for a public institution, we expect you to make the right decisions at the right time,” he said. The VP’s speech underscored the interconnectedness of public and private sectors in achieving Vision 2050, with internships serving as a bridge between education and employment. The initiative reflects broader efforts to tackle youth unemployment, which remains a critical challenge for Tanzania’s economic development. By leveraging public institutions and procurement frameworks, the government aims to create a pipeline of skilled graduates capable of driving innovation and productivity. However, the success of the plan hinges on timely execution, adequate funding, and collaboration between state and private actors to ensure sustainable impact.
Tanzania's VP Unveils Ambitious Internship Plan to Boost Youth Employment
Tanzania's VP Unveils Ambitious Internship Plan to Boost Youth Employment
Arusha: Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi has mandated state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and key ministries to develop a plan to place 10,000 graduates annually in public institutions, aiming to accelerate Dira 2050's implementation and address youth unemployment. The directive, issued during the Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of Public Institutions (C-CEOs) Forum 2026, requires the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR), President’s Office Planning and Investment, and other agencies to submit a roadmap within two weeks to launch structured internships for graduates. Ndejembi emphasized that funding for the program could come from reallocating resources, stating, “If it means cutting spending elsewhere, then cut it, but let us take these 10,000 young people.” The VP highlighted the urgency of the initiative, linking it to Tanzania’s Vision 2050 goals, which prioritize human capital development. He criticized the lack of recognition for institutions contributing to youth employment, arguing that public entities should be evaluated by their impact on young people’s productivity, not just financial metrics. Ndejembi noted that 308 public institutions paid 1.3 trillion shillings in dividends during the 2025/26 financial year, suggesting 5–10% of this could fund the internship program as an investment in youth. Tanzania’s annual university graduations, excluding vocational training, reached 62,570 in the 2024/25 academic year, according to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). Ndejembi pointed out the paradox of graduates struggling to secure jobs due to employers’ demand for 3–5 years of experience, which many lack. He cited the Tanzania Employment Services Agency (TAESA), which trained 3,200 youth by 2021, as a positive step but insufficient for Vision 2050’s ambitions. The VP proposed that public institutions absorb 10,000 interns annually, with the private sector taking an additional 20,000 to create 30,000 opportunities. Ndejembi tied the plan to the 30% public procurement allocation for special groups, arguing that internships would equip youth with skills to access government contracts. He referenced the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which reported 40 trillion shillings in tenders this year, and urged 5 trillion shillings to be directed toward trained youth. “By doing so, we will have reduced the number of young people idling in the streets,” he said. The C-CEOs Forum, themed “High-Performing Public Enterprises for a Competitive, Inclusive and Resilient Economy in Implementing Vision 2050,” brought together leaders to discuss strategies for economic growth. Minister of State in the President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, reiterated the public sector’s role in creating a conducive environment for private investment. He stated that while the private sector is expected to contribute 70% of required investment, the public sector’s 30% share involves enabling opportunities for businesses to expand and create jobs. Mkumbo emphasized that public institutions “represent nearly 100% of [the 30%] implementation,” as their actions directly influence private-sector participation. Ndejembi also called for faster decision-making by public institution leaders, warning that administrative delays could hinder national progress. “When you sit in the CEO’s chair with responsibility for a public institution, we expect you to make the right decisions at the right time,” he said. The VP’s speech underscored the interconnectedness of public and private sectors in achieving Vision 2050, with internships serving as a bridge between education and employment. The initiative reflects broader efforts to tackle youth unemployment, which remains a critical challenge for Tanzania’s economic development. By leveraging public institutions and procurement frameworks, the government aims to create a pipeline of skilled graduates capable of driving innovation and productivity. However, the success of the plan hinges on timely execution, adequate funding, and collaboration between state and private actors to ensure sustainable impact.