The partnership comes at a pivotal time, as nations around the world increasingly acknowledge that investing in young people is key to driving sustainable development and long-term economic prosperity.
Dar es Salaam. The Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF) has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) to advance youth development in Tanzania and beyond.
The collaboration, designed to nurture and empower young people, will create opportunities in training, entrepreneurship and leadership, with a strong emphasis on equipping them for the international labour market.
Speaking during the signing ceremony on Friday, September 12, 2025 JMKF Executive Director Vanessa Anyoti underlined the employment challenges facing Tanzanian youths and stressed the urgency of providing them with practical skills.
“This partnership will introduce training programmes that empower young people to both create and seize opportunities across multiple sectors. We want our youth to identify opportunities within their environment and apply their knowledge and skills for the good of their communities and the nation,” she said.
Ms Anyoti further noted that the initiative extends beyond education and training, aiming to inspire transformative change through innovation and technology in health, agriculture and small-scale enterprises.
“Through collaboration with IYF, we hope to sustainably transform the lives of many young people, delivering benefits to the entire nation,” she added.
IYF Tanzania Chairman, Sylvester Mbinji, also hailed the partnership, describing it as a crucial step towards fulfilling the organisation’s mission of empowering youth.
IYF has long been recognised for its leadership training and capacity-building programmes that enable young people to contribute meaningfully to their societies.
“Our partnership with JMKF is essential. It will bring tangible change to young people’s lives not only through education, but by equipping them with the tools to become innovative leaders and drivers of economic growth,” he said.
Mr Mbinji emphasised that IYF would employ effective strategies to ensure young people acquire the competencies demanded by today’s competitive job market.
“We want to see youth empowered to build better lives through education, creativity and leadership. This is a milestone moment for our young people and for our country,” he remarked.
By combining their expertise, JMKF and IYF aim to strengthen youth development, sharpen entrepreneurial skills and roll out initiatives that will better integrate young Tanzanians into the global economy.
The partnership comes at a pivotal time, as nations around the world increasingly acknowledge that investing in young people is key to driving sustainable development and long-term economic prosperity.
