Global Impact Transformation (GIT) proudly served as Co-Organizer of the Tanzania Emerging Youth Awards (TEYA) Impact Forum 2026, a high-level national platform held at Mlimani City, Dar es Salaam and graced by Dr. Kedmon Mapana, Deputy Permanent Secretary from the President’s Office responsible for Youth Development as Guest of Honour. The Forum brought together young leaders, government institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and development partners to advance youth empowerment and inclusive development in Tanzania. The event also marked the 5th Anniversary of TEYA, celebrating a growing national platform that recognizes and invests in the leadership, innovation, and potential of young people across the country.

Empowering Youth as drivers of national development and inclusive progress

By Communication team

The Forum convened 324 participants, bringing together youth innovators, entrepreneurs, award recipients, policymakers, institutional leaders, civil society actors, and private sector stakeholders in a shared commitment to advancing Tanzania’s youth agenda. As part of the Forum’s high-level dialogue, Sylvia Mkomwa, Country lead of Global Impact Transformation, joined panel discussions with representatives from CARE International Tanzania, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Save the Children, Marie Stopes Tanzania, and other strategic stake holders.The panel discussions explored practical pathways for youth leadership, innovation ecosystems, employability, and stronger multi-sector collaboration to unlock opportunities for young people.

Through keynote addresses, dynamic panel discussions, recognition ceremonies, and solution-oriented dialogue, the Forum reinforced the urgent need to position young people not as passive beneficiaries of development, but as leaders, innovators, job creators, and strategic contributors to national progress. The event also reflected encouraging progress in inclusion, with 67% female participation, demonstrating growing momentum toward gender-responsive youth engagement and more equitable access to leadership and opportunity spaces.Participating institutions included CARE International Tanzania, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Save the Children, Coca Cola, Marie Stopes Tanzania, AIESEC, UTT AMIS, and other strategic stakeholders. Their presence highlighted a growing consensus that sustainable youth development requires coordinated action, bold investment, and cross-sector collaboration.

A major highlight of the Forum was the recognition of 30 TEYA 2025 Award Winners, honoring outstanding young Tanzanians who are driving impact through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, creativity, and community service. These young change makers represent the energy, talent, and resilience of a generation that is actively shaping solutions to social and economic challenges across the country. Recognition platforms such as the Tanzania Emerging Youth Awards are critical in amplifying youth achievement, building confidence, and increasing the visibility of youth-led success stories that often remain under-recognized. They also serve as powerful instruments for motivation, peer inspiration, and national awareness of the value young people bring to development.

By celebrating excellence and innovation, the Awards help foster a culture where ambition, service, creativity, and leadership are encouraged, while connecting emerging talent to mentorship, investment, partnerships, and wider growth opportunities. Such platforms are essential for unlocking youth potential and accelerating inclusive economic growth and social progress.

Global Impact Transformation believes that when young people are equipped with skills, networks, and access to opportunity, they become powerful drivers of inclusive growth, resilience, and community progress.

Looking Ahead

Following the success of the Forum, Global Impact Transformation will continue to advance youth empowerment by expanding pathways that connect young people to skills development, mentorship, innovation ecosystems, financing opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and leadership platforms across Tanzania. The organization will further strengthen linkages between the Tanzania Emerging Youth Awards platform and its broader youth agenda to ensure emerging talent is identified early, nurtured strategically, and equipped to translate ideas into sustainable impact.

The TEYA Impact Forum 2026 reaffirmed that Tanzania’s future is strongest when young people are empowered, recognized, and meaningfully included in shaping solutions to national priorities. Investing in youth leadership, innovation, and opportunity is not only a social imperative, but a strategic pathway toward inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term national prosperity.

Global Impact Transformation welcomes collaboration with government institutions, private sector actors, development partners, philanthropic organizations, academic institutions, and youth-serving organizations committed to unlocking the full potential of Tanzania’s young people.

To explore collaboration opportunities, please contact: info@globalimpacttransformation.org