DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania Breweries Public Limited Company (TBL) and the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) have partnered to equip 300 young Tanzanians from low-income households with practical agricultural and technical skills through a new three-year scholarship programme.
The Ujuzi-Kwanza Scholarship Programme, launched following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, October 28, will provide training in agricultural production, equipment maintenance, agro-mechanics and other technical skills across the agricultural value chain.
Under the agreement, TBL will cover training fees, while VETA will deliver accredited training and nationally recognised qualifications. Participants will also gain practical exposure to agricultural operations, including potential opportunities within TBL’s barley and sorghum farming communities.
TBL Managing Director Michelle Kilpin said the initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural supply chains that support the company’s operations while creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.
“Most of what we brew begins on Tanzanian farms,” Kilpin said, highlighting the importance of equipping young people with the skills, technology and services needed to support farmers and agricultural businesses.
VETA Director General CPA Anthony Kasore said the partnership would help align vocational training with the sector’s changing needs, particularly as agricultural production increasingly relies on technical expertise, mechanisation and improved farming practices.
The programme comes as agriculture remains a major pillar of Tanzania’s economy. The press release cites the Economic Survey 2024, which puts the sector’s contribution at 26.3% of national output, while more than half of the country’s working population is employed in agriculture.
The initiative also seeks to address youth employment challenges by opening pathways into farming operations, equipment maintenance, agricultural enterprises and self-employment. According to VETA’s most recent graduate tracer study, 75% of graduates were employed or self-employed.
TBL’s existing agricultural supply chain provides a foundation for the programme. The company purchases barley and sorghum from more than 2,500 smallholder farmers across Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Dodoma, supporting them with seeds, financing, agricultural training and guaranteed markets.
VETA’s enrolment has also expanded, increasing from 69,347 students in 2022/23 to 116,468 in 2025/26. The authority expects 65 additional colleges to open in January 2027, according to the announcement.
The partnership aligns with Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and the Building a Better Tomorrow programme, which promotes youth participation in agribusiness. It also supports Agenda 10/30, which targets annual agricultural growth of 10% by 2030.
For TBL and VETA, the programme’s longer-term impact will depend not only on the number of young people trained, but also on whether participants can translate their qualifications into sustainable jobs, viable businesses and stronger agricultural services.