Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has called on the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) to spearhead innovative technology transfer initiatives aimed at empowering the nation’s youth.
Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Dr. Mpango made the remarks at the CEOrt's Annual Year-End Gala, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
He underscored the importance of equipping young people with skills in green technologies, supporting research and development, and establishing tech incubation hubs.
Dr. Mpango urged CEOrt to revisit its membership criteria to include more young entrepreneurs from emerging sectors like entertainment, information technology, and sports.
“The future of Tanzania rests on how well we prepare our youth. Let’s open doors for them to access cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions,” he said.
The Vice President also emphasized the need for CEOrt to make climate change a core priority. He encouraged members to align their business strategies with national environmental conservation goals and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the green economy.
Public-private partnerships are essential, Dr. Mpango noted, for steering Tanzania toward a sustainable green economy that supports national development priorities.
He highlighted ongoing government efforts to address youth unemployment, including education reforms designed to align curricula with labor market needs.
He called on CEOrt to expand its activities by creating more jobs, offering hands-on training, and providing startup capital to young entrepreneurs.
Dr. Mpango reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving the business climate through policy reforms and institutional restructuring aimed at reducing bureaucracy and corruption.
He stressed that Tanzania’s enhanced international partnerships and economic diplomacy efforts are positioning the country as a key regional and global investment hub.
He also urged CEOrt members to capitalize on opportunities from the upcoming Heads of State Summit on Mission 300, set to take place in January 2025 in Tanzania.
Organized by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the summit presents a unique platform for building partnerships, securing business deals, and learning from global industry leaders.
CEOrt comprises over 200 chief executives from various sectors, playing a crucial role in Tanzania’s economic growth by contributing to tax revenue and strengthening leadership through training programs.
The 2024 CEOrt Annual Gala focused on advancing Tanzania’s long-term development goals as outlined in Vision 2050, a 25-year strategic plan aimed at driving national progress.
With the theme “Vision 2050...Twende Zetu” (Let’s Go Together), the event brought together more than 200 leaders from the private sector, government, and development organizations to review the year's achievements, address challenges, and set priorities for the coming year.