The partnership was launched by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa in an event that was attended by different dignitaries, including the Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Prof.Joyce Ndalichako, KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo, KCB Tanzania Board Chairman, Mr. John Ulanga, The Acting Group Regional Businesses Director and Managing Director KCB Bank Tanzania, Mr. Cosmas Kimario, GIZ Country Director Dr. Mike Falke and Acting Director General VETA, Anthony Msore.
The Prime Minister commended the move in two parts, arguing that it will help the country achieve national development plans, including Vision 2025, which seeks to build a competitive and industrial economy for human development.
"Youth empowerment is key in ensuring national economic growth; this is because youth form a huge source of manpower that can work in different sectors like agriculture and mining.
"This initiative is a sign of your willingness to improve youth employability through skills development that will help them to be employed and develop enterprises. I commend this partnership between KCB Bank Tanzania and GIZ for supporting 960 youth and the government is fully supporting this noble cause," he noted.
KCB Foundation and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) are joining forces to increase the employability and income generation of 966 Tanzanian youth in the construction sector.
The EUR 846,000 partnership from October 2021 until October 2023 will provide youth with technical and vocational skills training. The funds will also support the provision of construction toolkits to youth, to enable them to start up business enterprises in the construction sector.
This 50/50 partnership is implemented under the Employment and Skills for Development in Africa (E4D) program executed by Deutsche Gesellschaft Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Tanzania together with KCB Foundation through KCB Bank Tanzania under the 2jiajiri Programme.
KCB Bank Tanzania and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) are joining forces to increase the employability and income generation of 960 Tanzanian youth in the construction sector.
KCB Bank Tanzania, through its Foundation, has put in place several initiatives to ensure it empowers communities inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with youth being one of the areas of focus.
"KCB Bank, through our Foundation, is pleased to join hands with GIZ to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the economic development of Tanzania through the youth in the construction sector. This is because we are cognizant of the role of the youth in the transformation of an economy and how important the construction sector is in driving the growth of Tanzania through its multiplier effects on other industries," said the KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo.
On his side, the Country Director for GIZ, Dr. Mike Falke, said, "We are very happy with the quality and results of this cooperation, which is aligned to the priorities of the government in addressing the skill gap and promoting employment, including the National Skills Development Strategy and the Five-Year Development Plan 2021/22-2025/26," he said.
The Board Chairman for KCB Bank Tanzania, John Ulanga, said the program is in line with the bank’s strategy to ensure sustainable communities by providing solutions to problems facing Tanzanians and ensuring they deliver a long-lasting impact.
"We are confident that this partnership is for the greater good of youths in Tanzania and will create a long-lasting impact through increased employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship growth, thus creating a sustainable future," said John Ulanga.
The Acting Group Regional Businesses Director and Managing Director of KCB Bank Tanzania, Cosmas Kimario, said the bank is planning to enroll more youth this year to widen the opportunity for many Tanzanians.
"We are happy to announce that this year the KCB Foundation will enroll another 5,000 youths in Tanzania, and this is the largest enrollment we have ever done. We believe that this initiative will create more opportunities and ultimately ensure a greater impact for many Tanzanians," he said.
