Across Tanzania, young people are bursting with ideas, and the entrepreneurial spirit is high. From tech innovators, artist’s and farmers to creatives turning talent and current gaps into income, their potential is powerful but too often untapped.
Many youth-led business’s face barriers such as limited legal knowledge and access, unclear tax obligations, weak brand presence, and lack of access to finances, mentors or formal networks. These challenges keep promising youth-led businesses from growing, thriving, and transforming communities.
In response, the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), through insights gathered from the Kijana Leo TV program and its 2022 Youth Exposition, designed a focused solution: the Kijana Leo: Entrepreneurship Training. Held in May 2025 and facilitated in partnership with Nexlaw Advocates, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and Nukta Africa.
This two-day workshop brought together 39 youth from diverse sectors including agriculture, engineering, tech, arts, and education for an intensive, hands-on learning experience.
The training covered key areas essential to enterprise development: intellectual property (IP) rights, legal compliance, tax literacy, and brand communication. Sessions combined expert guidance with real-world examples and peer interaction, using a participatory model that allowed youth to apply learning directly to their business ideas.
Legal experts from Nexlaw walked participants through how to register trademarks, copyrights, and patents in Tanzania, as well as how to use contracts to protect industry and trade secrets.
“The key question to ask yourself is: How can I protect my idea through the law?” asked Prof. Saudin Mwakaje, reminding youth of the risks of remaining unprotected.
The youth entrepreneurs were provided with information on the tax landscape and were taught how to self-assess, apply for Tax Identification Number (TIN), and navigate presumptive tax brackets using Electronic Fiscal Device (EFDs). The youth entrepreneurs were also taught on how to use and incorporate branding as a long-term strategy.
“The utility value of your product is the backbone of your brand—without it, you’re wasting money,” Nuzulack, Nukta Africa shared, emphasizing the link between value creation and customer loyalty.
Feedback confirmed the program’s relevance and impact. Participants rated the training highly with all saying their expectations were met and 95% expressing readiness to register their businesses or protect their creative work.
“I’ve learned how to protect my business by registering both my business name and logo,” shared Pales Senyangwa from Tawfred Machine.
Christopher Mbwanje from Mil Animal Nutrition Innovation Centre added, “This training changed how I see my business. I now know I can grow it with structure, legality, and vision.”
The Kijana Leo training proves that with the right tools and knowledge, young people don’t just imagine change, they create it. JMKF is committed to scaling this impact and invites donors, government agencies, and private partners to support Tanzania’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Together, we can build a future where youth-led businesses are not just launched, but protected, funded, and recognized.
