International Youth Day 2025 was a landmark moment for Tanzania, placing young people at the heart of the nation’s development agenda. Held in Dodoma, the national commemoration convened leaders, partners, and over a thousand youth voices in one collective call for action.The day highlighted youth as drivers of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth across every sector of society, It also demonstrated the strength of collaboration between government, UN agencies, and civil society in advancing the youth agenda.
Tanzania Marks International Youth Day 2025: Harnessing the Power of Youth Towards Sustainable Development
By Our Reporter
Dodoma, 12 August 2025 – Tanzania joined the global community in commemorating International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, with a national event held at the Venance Mabeyo Hall in Dodoma. The celebration, themed “The Power of Youth Towards Sustainable Development,” served as a rallying call for governments, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to recognize and invest in young people as leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
The Guest of Honor, Hon. Ummy Hamis Nderiananga, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, and Coordination), officiated the national commemoration alongside senior government officials, including Ms. Zuhura Yunus, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities). Over 1,000 young people from across Tanzania gathered to participate in this milestone event.
A Nationally-Led, Multi-Stakeholder Effort
The commemoration was convened by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with United Nations agencies, the Office of the Regional Commissioner for Dodoma, and a coalition of national and international civil society organizations. Global Impact Transformation (GIT), served as one of the key organization in the National Leadership Team, this multi-stakeholder partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing youth empowerment, civic participation, peace, and sustainable development.
Youth at the Center of National and Global Agendas
International Youth Day is observed annually on 12 August following its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. Each year’s theme reflects pressing global priorities while encouraging countries to localize solutions and create enabling environments for youth leadership.
In 2025, the national theme “The Power of Youth Towards Sustainable Development” aligned strongly with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, emphasizing youth inclusion in climate action, peace building, innovation, and economic transformation.
The Guest of Honor underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for young people in education, health, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and leadership. In her address, she reminded participants that:“Young people are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today. Tanzania’s development, now and in the future, depends on their creativity, resilience, and active participation.”
GIT on the National Stage
At the peak of the commemoration, Global Impact Transformation (GIT) proudly took the stage as one of the keynote speakers in a public panel discussion on “The Role of Youth in the Implementation of Vision 2050.”
Representing GIT, Mickdad Uhuru, Public Relations and Community Development Manager, underscored the transformative potential of youth as catalysts for advancing both the agricultural and entrepreneurship sectors. He highlighted that fostering an entrepreneurial mindset grounded in innovation, resilience, and sustainable business practices is essential to addressing youth unemployment, unlocking economic opportunities, enhancing productivity, increasing the value of agricultural produce, and strengthening competitiveness in global markets.
This engagement further demonstrated GIT’s unwavering commitment to serving as a platform that nurtures innovation, builds the capacity of young people, and champions sustainable solutions across key sectors of development.
Through national dialogues and open forums, young people affirmed their commitment to:
- Actively contribute to the realization of Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
- Champion youth-led initiatives advancing the SDGs, particularly in health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
- Strengthen accountability and youth participation in implementing the revised National Youth Development Policy (2007, 2024 edition).
Their united call highlighted the need for inclusive platforms, innovative solutions, and investments that enable youth to shape their own futures.
GIT’s Enduring Commitment to the Youth Agenda
As part of the National Leadership Team for IYD 2025, Global Impact Transformation (GIT) proudly reaffirmed its role in amplifying youth voices and building youth capacity nationwide.
Through its flagship initiatives including the Vijana Impact Hub, GIT School Clubs (Peace, GBV Prevention, and E-STEAM), and the W.E.L.L. Initiative for women’s green entrepreneurship, GIT continues to equip young people with the knowledge, digital competencies, environmental stewardship, and leadership skills essential for sustainable development.
This enduring commitment reflects GIT’s belief that:
- Youth are not just beneficiaries of development, but co-creators of solutions.
- Empowered youth are key to peaceful, inclusive, and climate-smart societies.
- Investing in youth today guarantees resilient communities and stronger nations tomorrow.
As Tanzania and the world move towards 2030 and beyond, International Youth Day 2025 stands as a powerful reminder that youth are central to driving the nation’s transformation agenda. By strengthening partnerships and investing in young people’s potential, we unlock pathways for inclusive growth and sustainable peace.
At GIT, we remain committed to working alongside government, UN agencies, and civil society partners to ensure that every young person has the freedom, skills, and opportunity to realize their dreams and transform society.
