Dar es salaam: Tanzania has introduced a new initiative aimed at strengthening the role of youth entrepreneurs in the country’s export economy through the establishment of a Sourcing and Export Support Centre together with Youth Investor Training Program at the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone in Mabibo, Dar es salaam. Launched by the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Alexander Mkumbo, the initiative targets the inclusion of approximately 100,000 youth entrepreneurs by the year 2030.
Strengthening MSMEs and Youth-Led Enterprises
A central focus is empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by young entrepreneurs. The initiative seeks to transform these businesses from small local operations into competitive suppliers ready to participate in international markets. Explaining the government’s vision, Prof. Mkumbo noted, “The government’s strategy is to leverage the country’s geographical advantage and transform local production sectors so that Tanzanian products can compete in regional and international markets.”
Developing Practical Skills for Youth
Youth entrepreneurs participating in the initiative will undergo structured training programmes that focus on business development, export readiness and industrial production. Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority, emphasized that the Programme is designed to combine training with actual industrial production. He said, “The core principle of this Programme is that training must go hand in hand with real industrial production.” This will ensure that participants develop enterprises capable of operating within competitive markets.
Expanding Private Sector Investment and Industrial Capacity
The initiative creates opportunities for private sector actors to expand their operations and investment activities. Pro. Mkumbo stated, “In implementing Vision 2050, particularly through the Fourth National Development Plan we aim to expand private sector investment, recognizing it as the primary driver of national development”. The initiative therefore represents not only a Programme for youth empowerment but also a strategic investment in Tanzania’s future industrial and export capacity. If effectively implemented, the initiative could play a significant role in transforming local businesses into export-ready companies while reinforcing Tanzania’s broader ambition of building a diversified, investment-driven economy.
Supporting Tanzania’s Long-Term Development Vision
The establishment of the Sourcing and Export Centre aligns with Tanzania’s long-term development agenda, which emphasizes the importance of export growth, industrialization and private sector expansion. Policy frameworks guiding economic planning highlight the importance of strengthening domestic production and encouraging entrepreneurship. Within this context, MSMEs are viewed as critical vehicles for achieving inclusive economic growth by generating employment while stimulating investment in productive sectors of the economy.
Also by supporting youth-led enterprises and linking them with global markets, the export hub contributes to broader national objectives aimed at increasing export competitiveness and diversifying the country’s economic base.
