Introduction
In Tanzania, nearly 70% of the population is under 30 - a generation full of energy and potential. Yet, for many young people, finding meaningful work isn’t easy. Agri-food jobs could offer huge opportunities, but the section is often seen as outdated and unappealing to youth. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) funded by the Master Card Foundation through AGRA is working to shift this narrative through the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) initiative, supporting young Tanzanians to find jobs and turn the sector into a vibrant space for innovation.
Tanzania’s food systems are at a pivotal moment. The country aspires to become the regional breadbasket by 2027, but grapples with interlinked challenges: youth unemployment, a double burden of malnutrition, and underdeveloped agricultural value chains. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches that put young people at the center of solutions.
Why Youth in Food Systems Matters
Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, contributing nearly 30% to Tanzania’s GDP . According to the 2022 Agriculture Census, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) produce, aggregate, process, and bring to market an incredible 99% of the country’s staple foods yet, many young people remain excluded from these value chains.
Despite the country's strong economic growth, too many young people are left behind – 18.7% of youth 15-24 years are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with the rate rising to 23.4% among young women . For those looking at agriculture as a career path, hurdles like limited access to finance, markets, modern technology, and skills training often make it feel out of reach.
The challenges go beyond jobs. Tanzania continues to grapple with significant nutrition challenges: 30% of children under five are stunted, and obesity among women is on the rise ,Youth involvement in agriculture is not only a solution to unemployment; it is also essential for ensuring that food systems deliver nutritious, safe, and sustainably produced food. By empowering young people to participate meaningfully in agriculture, Tanzania can create livelihoods, boost rural economies, and advance its national nutrition and health goals.
GAIN’s Approach: Youth Entrepreneurship in Nutritious Food Value Chains
Through the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project, funded by the Mastercard Foundation via AGRA, GAIN is equipping young Tanzanians particularly young women with the tools, and opportunities to become leaders in the country’s food systems. The project integrates youth empowerment with nutrition-sensitive agriculture, addressing systemic barriers while tapping into nutritious food value chains. The program aims to build a future where young people are not only employed but are also driving change in food and agriculture systems.
Barriers to youth involvement in agriculture are numerous: lack of access to finance, quality seeds, training, and markets, alongside prevailing negative perceptions of farming as low-status, labor-intensive work.
YEFFA turns these challenges into opportunities by:
- Training young farmers on growing nutrient-enriched crops like Pro Vitamin A maize and High Iron Beans.
- Supporting youth-led agribusinesses in food processing, packaging, and fortification. - Connecting young people with government programs, financial services, and established businesses
- Using media and community events to raise awareness about nutrition and good agricultural practices.
YEFFA’s holistic approach spans from seed production to market access. Youth are trained as Village-Based Advisors (VBAs), receive start-up capital, and are linked to institutions like Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) for certified seed production. By working with anchor firms and leveraging existing government initiatives, YEFFA ensures that youth enterprises are integrated into the broader food system.
The YEFFA initiative aligns with the Tanzanian government’s efforts under the “Building a Better Tomorrow” (BBT) program, which supports youth with training, land, and agricultural extension services. YEFFA complements this by equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills, access to markets, and support in adopting climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive farming practices.
YEFFA is implemented in more than 13 regions across the Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. GAIN Tanzania has focused its activities on high-impact regions such as Iringa, Songwe, Morogoro, Mbeya, Kagera, and Kilimanjaro.
Real Stories: Youth Leading the Change
While YEFFA’s full roll-out is on-going, early examples are already showcasing its potential to transform youth-led agribusinesses and contribute to stronger local food systems. One inspiring story comes from Baraka Ally Nassoro, a 30-year-old entrepreneur and founder of BASHWI Company, a food processing business based in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region.
Before joining YEFFA, Baraka was cultivating tomatoes, cucumbers, and watermelons in a small village called Msufini in Mvomero. He had also begun experimenting with processing tomato paste, but without the right formula, the quality of his product remained poor and unmarketable. His ambition was clear, but he lacked the technical know-how to take his business further.
This changed when Baraka joined training delivered by the Small Industry Development Organization (SIDO) a governmental institution that provides training to SMEs and MSMEs in processing through a collaboration with GAIN under the YEFFA project. Through the training, he learned how to properly process tomato paste, as well as how to source and chill products to maintain good quality. He also gained skills in producing chili sauce and applying improved packaging techniques. Importantly, Baraka received a certificate of processing from SIDO, giving his business greater credibility and recognition.
The impact on BASHWI Company has been significant. Baraka is now producing tomato paste and chili sauce of much higher quality, presented in a professional way that appeals to the market. Looking ahead, he is set to receive a startup kit in August including a blender, weighing machine, and thermometer that will boost BASHWI’s processing capacity and enable consistent, scaled-up production.
Baraka’s journey illustrates the YEFFA project’s broader ambition: equipping young entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and confidence to thrive in the agri-food sector. By supporting businesses like BASHWI, YEFFA is not only strengthening youth livelihoods but also promoting innovation in local food processing an important step toward more resilient, sustainable, and nutritious food systems.
Chili products developed by youth in Morogoro supported by YEFFA project.
Impact by the Numbers
- Youth Mapping: 732 youth-led agri-SMEs identified across four regions — Morogoro, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, and Ruvuma.
- Value Addition Training: 146 youths trained on tomato value addition and post-harvest management.
- Certified Seed Training: 135 youths trained and certified by TOSCI; each received 10 kg of High Iron Bean (HIB) seeds.
- Seedling Distribution: 100,000 tomato seedlings and 100,000 OFSP (Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato) vines distributed to 150 youth.
- Youth Job Creation: 456 jobs created — achieving 46% of the annual target of 1,000.
Mr. Gaston from GAIN (right) during a seed distribution activity in Morogoro, where youth received tomato seeds and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes under the YEFFA project
Value addition training and distribution of tomato seedlings held at SIDO in Kilolo and Iringa DC.
What’s Next: Sustaining Youth Leadership in Food Systems
YEFFA represents more than a project , it’s a movement toward a nourished, empowered, and resilient future for Tanzania. By placing youth at the heart of nutritious food value chains, GAIN and its partners are fostering an environment where agriculture is not just a livelihood, but a platform for innovation, inclusion, and impact.
As Tanzania strides towards becoming the breadbasket of the region by 2027, YEFFA is ensuring that its youth are not left behind but are leading from the front.