The Contribution Of Local Government Authorities In Addressing Youth Unemployment In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

Unemployment in Tanzania is a problem that has brought severe impacts on lives of

many youths. The rapid growth of labour force and the inability of the economy to

generate enough jobs for youths is a time bomb which is being left undiffused and is

likely to explode and shatter peace and economic growth that the country has been

enjoying since independence. This problem has and continues to draw great attention

of national, international bodies and scholars in looking for solutions. Due to severity

of the problem, this study on the contribution of local government authorities in

addressing youth unemployment was conducted in Dodoma municipality with the

aim of suggesting solutions to this problem. The study focused on efforts being made

by local authorities in addressing the causes, effects and magnitude of youth

unemployment.

Primary data were collected using interviews, questionnaires and focus group

discussions. Secondary data were collected from books, journals/articles and

dissertations. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0

where outputs from descriptive statistics and frequencies were used. Qualitative data

were analyzed through description and explanations.

Findings revealed that many youths were subjected to unemployment due to poor

capital to invest in self-initiated economic activities, poor support from local

government authorities and insufficient knowledge on entrepreneurship as one of the

basic skill towards self-employment. It was found that many youths were engaged

activities such as petty trading “machinga”, cloth selling “mitumba”, vegetable

selling and “bodaboda” transport. These activities did not provide sustainable

solution for unemployment. Others eventually ended up in illegal and unlawful

practices such as drug abuse, prostitution, social violence and robbery. It was only

21.4% of youths who got economic support from the municipality.

It was finally recommended that local government authorities had to put more efforts

in initiating, supporting and sustaining youth income generating projects as the best

strategy to increase employment opportunities.