Africa-Press – Tanzania. MORE than 61,000 jobs have been generated through strategic projects implemented across the country, with the government reaffirming its commitment to expanding employment opportunities for university graduates through major projects, small and medium industries and innovation programmes.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Rahma Riadh Kisuo made the remarks yesterday in the National Assembly while responding to a basic question from Special Seats MP Regina Christopher Malima (CCM).
The MP sought to know how the government plans to increase job opportunities for graduates through strategic projects, small and medium industries and innovation programmes, the deputy minister said the government’s efforts are already yielding visible results.
Responding, the deputy minister said the government has prioritised ensuring that graduates benefit directly from the ongoing implementation of flagship national projects launched in recent years.
She noted that more than 35,000 jobs were created during the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR); over 10,000 jobs from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project and above 10,000 additional jobs through the construction of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP).
In addition, she said more than 1,500 jobs were generated during the construction of the Msalato International Airport in Dodoma; another 1,500 jobs through the construction of the JPM Bridge (Kigongo–Busisi) and more than 3,000 jobs through the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port.
Beyond direct employment, deputy minister said the government has supported 29,902 graduates with internship opportunities across various levels of education, while 19,075 workers in the hotel, mining, transport, agriculture and agro-processing sectors have benefited from skills enhancement under the National Skills Development Programme.
“These interventions aim to equip beneficiaries with skills aligned with the real needs of the labour market,” she said.
The deputy minister added that the government has developed the National Internship Guidelines for Graduates, which outline procedures for practical training across both public and private sectors.
Similarly, she said the government has finalised the 2025 Volunteering Guidelines for the Public Service, designed to provide a clear framework for recruiting and supervising young volunteers in public institutions.
She further stated that the government is also promoting youth self-employment by providing affordable loans and grants through empowerment funds, enabling graduates to start and expand their businesses.
“Through entrepreneurship training and access to capital, the aim is to empower graduates to create jobs and actively contribute to national economic growth,” she said.
In her supplementary question, Ms Malima asked whether the government intends to introduce a policy requiring investment projects to reserve a specific percentage of professional jobs for graduates.
In response, the deputy minister said the government is enforcing the Non-Citizen Employment Regulation Act No 1 of 2015, which, among other provisions, requires foreign experts to transfer skills to Tanzanians so that citizens can eventually take over such professional positions.
“The government will continue giving priority to local professionals in strategic projects for all roles whose expertise is not scarce in the domestic labour market,” she said.
