Tanzania

A growing young population in a changing Tanzania

Tanzania has a young and growing population and an economy that has expanded steadily in recent years. Yet many young people continue to face limited prospects for decent work, entrepreneurship, and economic independence. Rapid urbanisation, persistent informality and uneven access to opportunities are contributing to growing disparities in living standards. Ensuring that young people can shape and benefit from Tanzania’s economic, social, and technological transformation will be central to the country’s future.

Challenges

Turning learning into opportunity

More young people are completing primary education, but access to quality learning and pathways from education into decent work remain uneven. Many young people still face challenges in translating education into practical skills and economic opportunities. As Tanzania’s economy evolves, strengthening connections between learning, practical skills, employment and entrepreneurship can help more young people pursue the futures they choose.

Cities

Building from Tanga and exploring new cities

Tanga has been at the heart of Fondation Botnar’s work in Tanzania since 2018 and provides a strong base of local relationships and experience, with over 35 projects funded under the TangaYetu (OurTanga) umbrella related to education, health, culture, leisure, employment, innovation, participation and public services improvement for young people. We are now exploring additional cities to understand their strengths, priorities and potential for collaboration. This will inform where and how we can make long-term commitments to strengthen city ecosystems around young people’s rights, agency and opportunities.

Young people shaping their cities and creating new pathways to opportunity.

Approach

Learning from Tanga, adapting to new contexts

Our work in Tanzania spans education, entrepreneurship, technology, mental health, and youth participation. Going forward, we aim to connect these different areas more closely around the priorities of young people and their cities, while creating space for new ideas and partnerships and drawing on evidence and learning to adapt our work over time.