Skills For Employment
Equipping Young People to Thrive in a Changing World
With over 35% of Tanzania’s population aged 15–35, the country’s greatest resource is also its most underserved. Despite forming the majority of the workforce, young people in Tanzania continue to face challenges such as high unemployment, underemployment, and limited access to skills development, mentorship, and meaningful economic opportunities.
At the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), our Skills for Employment work is designed to empower young people with the tools they need to transition successfully from learning to earning either as job seekers to job creators. We believe that when young people are equipped with relevant skills, supported by strong networks, and encouraged through mentorship and innovation, they can drive transformational change in their communities and beyond.
Our Programs
Explore our flagship initiatives that are transforming youth potential into economic power and social impact.
Kijana Leo: An Entrepreneurship Platform to Scale Youth Businesses
Kijana Leo is JMKF’s youth-led entrepreneurship training and digital platform amplifying stories of change, resilience, and innovation. It supports youth to grow their businesses, inspires and connects youth by highlighting role models, solutions, and opportunities to drive positive change across Tanzania
Blue Oceans: Creating Uncontested Youth Employment Opportunities
This initiative empowers youth to explore and excel in blue ocean spaces—new, untapped markets in areas such as climate innovation, circular economy, and creative tech. It used creative storytelling to offcer incubation, mentorship, and startup support for scalable solutions
Youth-Driven Tech for Community Solutions
JamiiTech enables young innovators to apply digital tools to solve social problems—from education and healthcare to environmental sustainability. It provides tech training, innovation labs, and startup support focused on impact.
In-Service Teacher Training
A collaborative initiative equipping secondary school teachers in Zanzibar with modern pedagogical skills, digital tools, and student-centered teaching methods. This program addresses gaps in teacher qualification, and technology use preparing educators to deliver Tanzania’s new competency-based curriculum.
Tanzania Volunteer Teachers Program: Reimagining Education through Youth Service
The TVT program upskills unemployed graduates to serve as volunteer teachers in underserved communities—closing the teacher gap while providing youth with hands-on experience and career pathways in education.
KINARA: Empowering Young Women Leaders with Real-World Skills
KINARA mentorship program equips youth with 21st-century skills in leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, and career-readiness—through structured workshops, mentoring, and practical exposure in key development sectors.
