Dodoma. Prime Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, has formally handed over a Sh200 billion cheque to the newly established Ministry of State in the President’s Office [Youth Development].
The funds, a direct fulfilment of a pledge by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, are earmarked as capital to empower the nation’s youth and women through entrepreneurship and small-business investment.
The handover ceremony took place on February 5, 2026 in Dodoma. Dr Nchemba presented the symbolic cheque to the Minister for Youth Development, Joel Nanauka, at a brief ceremony in his office in Dodoma on February 5, 2026.
The disbursement of these funds marks a critical phase in Tanzania’s strategic pivot toward its youngest citizens.
With approximately 34.5 percent of the population aged between 15 and 35, the government has increasingly viewed this demographic as the primary engine for the National Development Vision 2050.
The creation of a dedicated Youth Development Ministry after the elections last year signaled a departure from previous administrative structures where youth affairs were often secondary to broader portfolios.
By establishing a “fully fledged” ministry, President Samia’s administration aims to provide specialised attention to the unique obstacles facing young Tanzanians, including unemployment and limited access to formal credit.
Capital for innovation and stability
Speaking during the event, Dr Nchemba emphasised that the Sh200 billion is not merely a donation but a strategic investment in the country’s stability and future prosperity.
He noted that providing accessible capital is essential for transitioning young people from the informal sector into leadership roles in manufacturing, technology, and commercial agriculture.
Mr Nanauka, a renowned author and leadership expert who took the helm of the new ministry in November 2025, assured the public that the funds would be distributed with transparency.
Under his Vijana Tuyajenge (Youth, Let’s Build) philosophy, the ministry plans to use digital platforms—including a nationwide Vijana App—to coordinate financial schemes and ensure that the capital reaches those in remote areas without the traditional “unnecessary barriers.”
This financial injection is a cornerstone of President Samia’s 2025–2030 roadmap, which operates under the slogan Kazi na Utu, Tunasonga Mbele (Work and Humanity, Moving Forward).
The administration has set an ambitious target of creating 8.5 million jobs by 2030, with a heavy focus on the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative in agriculture and digital economy grants.
By placing Sh200 billion directly into a youth-focused ministry, the government is betting that financial inclusion for women and youth will serve as the most effective hedge against economic inequality.
