AfDB and Tanzania Government Collaborate on $54 Million Program to Boost Youth Employment in Zanzibar’s Blue Economy
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Republic of Tanzania have joined forces to launch the Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy project. The initiative aims to provide Zanzibari youth with opportunities to secure well-paying jobs in the maritime and other sectors of the blue economy.
Under the project, the AfDB will provide a grant of $48.65 million, while the Tanzanian government will contribute an additional $5.42 million. The grant agreement was signed on November 21, 2022, and the project was officially launched on May 17, 2023.
This endeavor is expected to benefit around 43,000 youth, with a focus on empowering female participants who comprise 40% of the targeted group. Over 1,500 young individuals will receive training to develop their entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to establish their own businesses. This initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of youth and stimulate the creation of new employment opportunities.
The blue economy, including tourism and related activities, currently accounts for over 29% of Zanzibar’s gross domestic product and employs approximately 33% of its workforce. However, a significant portion of the tourism workforce (60%) consists of foreign workers. The project seeks to address this imbalance by enhancing the skills of local youth and creating a more inclusive and sustainable job market.
The project launch took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Zanzibar Airport, with Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, leading the ceremony. The event was attended by government officials, representatives from civil society, and youth-led organizations.
President Mwinyi expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank Group for its timely support, emphasizing its potential to enhance youth employability and job creation in tourism, maritime sectors, and the oil and gas industry.
The project encompasses various components, including the expansion of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) through the establishment of a technology and business incubator on Unguja Island. This incubator will provide training and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, fostering job creation in tourism, maritime sectors, and the oil and gas industry. Additionally, approximately 400 academics and lecturers from SUZA will receive training to enhance their skills.
Furthermore, the project will facilitate the upgrade of the Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), enabling the institute to offer courses relevant to the oil and gas sectors.
To bolster vocational training, the initiative will also support the construction of five vocational training centers on Unguja and Pemba islands.
Patricia Laverley, the African Development Bank Group Tanzania Country Manager, acknowledged the Government of Zanzibar’s request for assistance in addressing high youth unemployment rates. Laverley affirmed the Bank’s commitment to advancing human capital development and supporting the transformation of Zanzibar’s economy.
This project aligns with Zanzibar’s 2021 Education Policy and the Blue Economy Strategy, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and social development in the region.
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