$54m to boost opportunities for youth in the Blue Economy
Financing the blue economy
TANZANIA: Together, the African Development Bank and the Government of the Republic of Tanzania will make just over $54m available for a Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy Project which was launched in mid-May this year.
It is envisaged that about 43,000 youth will benefit from the programme and that 1,500 of these will be assisted in starting their own businesses. Studies highlight that ocean-based activities, including tourism, contribute more than 29% of Zanzibar’s gross domestic product and employ about 33% of its work force.
The programme will enhance youth employability and job creation in tourism and in the maritime, and oil and gas industries.
Dr Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, launched the project during a ceremony held at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Zanzibar Airport. Ministers, permanent secretaries, and other senior government officials attended the ceremony, as did representatives of civil society and youth-led organisations.
In addition, the project will support the expansion of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) through construction of a technology and business incubator to offer training and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, bolstering job creation in tourism, the maritime sectors, and the oil and gas industry.
Approximately 400 SUZA academics and lecturers will receive new skills and training.
Special courses aimed at the oil and gas industries will be offered at an upgraded Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). In addition, the project will support construction of five vocational training centres in Unguja and Pemba island.
African Development Bank Group Tanzania Country Manager Patricia Laverley acknowledged the Government of Zanzibar’s request for support in addressing the peninsula’s high unemployment, especially among the youth. She said the Bank’s presence at the launch ceremony was evidence of its commitment to advance human capital development and help transform Zanzibar’s economy.
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