Igniting young minds for smart investment , innovation

dailynews.co.tz · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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DAR ES SALAAM: IN every nation’s journey toward prosperity, there comes a defining moment when it must decide where to place its greatest investment. For Tanzania, that investment is unmistakably its youth. As the country advances toward the aspirations of Vision 2050, young people are no longer seen merely as beneficiaries of development. They are recognised as architects of progress, innovators of change and the driving force behind national transformation. During a on Tuesday public lecture themed “Student Investor: Student’s Guide to Smart Investment,” the Permanent Secretary for Investment in the President’s Office – Investment and Planning, Dr Fred Msemwa, delivered a message that deeply resonated with students and stakeholders alike. The event also marked the launch of the Youth Investment Club (YIC) at the College of Business Education Dar es Salaam Campus, becoming the third university to host the initiative after the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro. More than a ceremonial occasion, the gathering symbolised a bold commitment to positioning youth at the very centre of the country’s development agenda. At the centre of the gathering, Dr Msemwa emphasises that Tanzania’s future will be built by a generation that is empowered, skilled, financially literate and confident in making smart investment decisions. He underscores that Vision 2050 recognises youth not as a challenge to be managed, but as valuable human capital essential to national growth. He stressed that young people are a powerful resource that the government is ready and willing to invest in. This commitment is reflected in deliberate actions such as strengthening education infrastructure, introducing empowerment programmes, building partnerships with academic institutions and organisations and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation platforms. ALSO READ: ISAVET strengthens livestock surveillance Throughout Tanzania’s history, it has been the energy, creativity and resilience of young people that propelled the nation forward. Their courage to challenge limitations and their capacity to innovate remain Tanzania’s greatest strategic advantage. Describing the event as potentially life-changing, Dr Msemwa reminded students that what may appear to be an ordinary day could mark the beginning of a transformative journey. He reflected on his own time as a student, when access to mentorship and professional guidance was limited. Today’s students are fortunate to engage directly with experts and gain practical knowledge that can help them avoid costly mistakes and accelerate their path to success. The lecture, therefore, stood not merely as an academic discussion, but as a strategic intervention aimed at shaping financially responsible and investment-minded graduates. The launch of the Youth Investment Club represents a broader national strategy driven through collaboration between Save Youth Dream Foundation (SYDF) and Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA). The initiative is designed to equip students with practical skills that go beyond classroom theory and prepare them to compete in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. The government continues to demonstrate its commitment by strengthening youth capacity, supporting skill development, nurturing entrepreneurship ecosystems and encouraging youth-led investment initiatives. Unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Tanzania and many nations across the world. Dr Msemwa highlights that this initiative directly addresses that concern by encouraging students to shift their mindset from job-seeking to jobcreation. Instead of waiting for employment opportunities, young people are being inspired to create income through investment, build businesses and generate employment for others. This transformation in thinking lies at the heart of Vision 2050 and reflects a future where youth become engines of economic growth. The programme focuses on building strong foundations in financial literacy, business education, entrepreneurship, innovation and science and technology. These are not optional skills in today’s world. They are essential tools for navigating a competitive and technology-driven global economy. By mastering these areas, young people position themselves not only for personal success but also for national impact. TISEZA Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation, Grace Lemunge, described the YIC as a forward-looking platform created to nurture financial discipline, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. ALSO READ: Alarm raised on drug-heavy poultry farming She asserts that the initiative aims to prepare young people to become investors, entrepreneurs and innovators capable of thriving in both today’s and tomorrow’s economy. Through training in capital markets, modern investment strategies, digital business models and entrepreneurship techniques, the club seeks to expand access to knowledge that many young people have traditionally lacked. Despite challenges such as unemployment, limited capital and low participation in the formal economy, she expressed strong optimism that the club would become a catalyst for transformation within both the institution and the wider community. CBE Rector, Professor Edda Lwoga, highlights the significant progress in curriculum reforms and student entrepreneurship. She revealed that nearly a quarter of students enrolled in the institution’s incubation programme are in the final stages of registering their businesses, a milestone that reflects the growing entrepreneurial spirit within the campus. Through reforms introduced in the 2021/2022 academic year, CBE strengthened its focus on business, investment and technology education to align with national priorities and labour market demands. Mandatory courses in personal finance management, digital skills and innovation-driven entrepreneurship have been integrated across diploma and bachelor’s programmes to ensure that graduates are equipped with practical competencies. Prof Lwoga encourages students to seize opportunities such as the Youth Investment Club, emphasising that each semester brings them closer to shaping their future careers and achieving financial independence. CEO SYDF, Dr Gloria Mheta, described the launch as a transformative milestone in advancing financial literacy and youth empowerment across Tanzania. She explained that the Foundation is committed to nurturing the strengths, talents and dreams of young people through education, mentorship and capacity building. Since its inception, the Foundation has impacted more than 12,000 young individuals through initiatives focused on leadership, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. She emphasised that when young people are equipped with the right tools and mindset, they do more than transform their own lives. They uplift communities and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth. Encouraging students to take the initiative seriously, Dr Mheta urged them to ask questions, listen attentively and make the most of the knowledge shared. She reminded them that even small amounts of capital, when managed wisely, can grow into powerful ventures. She asserted that the Foundation remain committed to supporting the club’s growth into a nationwide model for youth investment and financial empowerment. The message throughout the event was unmistakable. The opportunity exists. The platform has been established. The support system continues to expand. Vision 2050 is not a distant aspiration but a living roadmap that depends on the ambition, creativity and determination of Tanzania’s young generation. As demonstrated at the College of Business Education in Dar es Salaam, the journey toward that future is already well underway.