Youth Engagement in Zanzibar Regional Dialogues
USAID’s Global Food Crisis Coordinator and Feed the Future Deputy Coordinator for Development, Dina Esposito, emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue with the government to address youth enterprise constraints. Round Table Discussion with Youth Entrepreneurs She made these remarks during her address at the Youth Enterprise Round Table, a side event during AGRF 2023, coordinated by USAID/Tanzania. Eight Youth entrepreneurs from Feed the Future Tanzania Imarisha Sekta Binafsi were in attendance, with representatives from Zanzibar and the mainland (Mbeya, Iringa and Morogoro). The session focused on exploring the journeys of these youth enterprises and understanding the challenges youth face in starting and expanding their businesses in Tanzania. She further encouraged the youth entrepreneurs to focus on business growth while capitalizing on available opportunities for engagement with stakeholders to resolve these issues. Among the challenges highlighted by the youth participants were policy barriers, such as the lack of business registration harmonization between Zanzibar and the Mainland. Additionally, they emphasized concerns about the complicated and expensive procedures in product standard registration through the Bureau of Standards. Access to finance was another major obstacle highlighted, with high-interest rates posing a significant hindrance to youth enterprises. Capacity building on export procedures was also identified as requiring attention and development. USAID-Feed the Future Tanzania Imarisha Sekta Binafsi implements several initiatives to address the mentioned challenges, including policy analysis, public-private dialogues, tailored capacity building for youth enterprises, and the development of a Youth Access to Finance Roadmap.
USAID-Feed the Future Tanzania Imarisha Sekta Binafsi recognizes that youth participation is significant in decision-making and policy dialogues in Tanzania. As part of its strategy to involve young people in decision-making, the Activity supports youth entrepreneurs with opportunities to voice their concerns in local public-private dialogues (PPDs). Three public-private dialogues were hosted by grantee Popular Inspiring & Relief Organization (PIRO) in North and South Pemba from July to August 2023 to address hurdles youth agripreneurs face within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, explicitly looking at challenges in initiating, operating and formalizing their businesses. Ninety-three (93) youth enterprises (female 45, male 48) attended the PPDs; ten youth entrepreneurs had speaking roles.
Highlights from the dialogues
Lack of Youth Voices at Regional Business Councils Regional business councils predominantly consist of elders, established business owners and representatives; young entrepreneurs’ voices are not heard, so their unique challenges cannot be addressed. Poor Business Enabling Environment Bureaucracy and lack of proper infrastructure hinder business efficiency and growth of youth enterprises. Intense Market Competition Youth entrepreneurs often face fierce competition in the market. Establishing a unique marketing strategy and building a good reputation is crucial for the success of the youth-led business. Access to Finance Banks and financial institutions often have strict requirements and high-interest rates for young startups, making it difficult for many young people to obtain sufficient funding to grow their businesses.
Promoting Youth Inclusion and Empowerment Ensuring youth issues are included in the agriculture policy review process.
At the AGRF2023, Isobel Coleman, USAID Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, and Dina Esposito, Feed the Future Deputy Coordinator for Development, visited USAID-Feed the Future Tanzania Imarisha Sekta Binafsi booth to learn how the project is creating economic opportunities and improving the business enabling environment for youth entrepreneurs.
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