Govt Agencies Forge Alliance to Combat Graduate Unemployment and Nepotism in Tanzania.

By Adonis Byemelwa

In a concerted effort to tackle the persistent challenges of graduate unemployment and nepotism within Tanzania's job market, the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA). This collaborative endeavor aims to explore diverse employment opportunities for beneficiaries of higher education loans, spanning key sectors such as tourism, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

HESLB revealed staggering figures, indicating outstanding loans totaling 700 billion Tanzanian Shillings, owed by 222,532 beneficiaries out of 754,000 who were originally granted higher education loans. The partnership with ZEEA seeks to facilitate loan repayment by creating avenues for sustainable employment for loan recipients.

During the signing of the partnership agreement, Dr. Bill Kiwia, the CEO of the Higher Education Students Loan Board (HESLB), outlined the primary objectives of the collaboration. He emphasized the importance of securing job opportunities for loan beneficiaries, providing essential skills enhancement training, and accelerating loan repayment through employment avenues, particularly targeting entrepreneurs who benefited from higher education loans.

In addition to job placement initiatives, the collaboration plans to establish a dedicated center aimed at building capacity for self-employment and traditional employment. This center will serve as a hub for interested individuals from various universities to register and access employment opportunities tailored to their qualifications and aspirations.

Juma Burhan Mohamed, CEO of ZEEA, echoed Dr. Kiwia's sentiments, expressing a commitment to working closely with universities to ensure that every graduate has access to employment opportunities, whether through entrepreneurship ventures or traditional job placements. Mohamed emphasized the importance of preparing graduates for the job market and providing them with the necessary support to thrive in their chosen fields.

The initiative comes at a critical juncture, as reports of nepotism and favoritism continue to plague Tanzania's labor market. Despite efforts by recruitment agencies and government institutions, such as the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat, many job seekers still face challenges in securing employment based on merit rather than personal connections.

Legal experts have long lamented the pervasive issue of nepotism in both the public and private sectors of Tanzania, attributing it to a lack of clear regulations and enforcement mechanisms. While networking is acknowledged as a legitimate avenue for job placement, concerns persist regarding the fairness and transparency of recruitment processes.

Recent events have reignited scrutiny over these concerns. Last July, President Samia Suluhu Hassan's sweeping reshuffle of leaders in local government departments stirred controversy, with social media buzzing over the perceived preferential treatment of political allies and their relatives in prestigious appointments.

The controversy surrounding political appointments is just one facet of a broader pattern of alleged nepotism and corruption in Tanzania's governance. The infamous scandal involving Lugumi Enterprises Ltd in 2011 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked favoritism.

In this scandal, the Tanzanian Police Force awarded a lucrative contract worth Tsh37 billion ($17.3 million) to Lugumi Enterprises Ltd for the installation of 108 fingerprint machines in police stations nationwide. However, despite receiving a significant portion of the payment, only a fraction of the contracted work was completed, with most machines either remaining uninstalled or malfunctioning.

The subsequent investigation by the Controller and Auditor General uncovered a lack of transparency in the tender process, with the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) demanding access to the contract document, which was not provided by the police. It was revealed that the involvement of defense and national security organs in procurement processes was limited, raising questions about adherence to procurement laws.

Of particular concern was the alleged connection between the contractor, Lugumi Enterprises Ltd, and a close relative of the Head of State, suggesting possible nepotistic influences in the awarding of the contract. This revelation further underscored the systemic challenges of nepotism and corruption that continue to plague Tanzania's governance structures.

The Lugumi scandal serves as a poignant example of how nepotism can undermine public trust and result in wasteful expenditure of public funds. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to strengthen accountability mechanisms and promote transparency in procurement processes.

As the country confronts these entrenched systemic challenges, the chorus for heightened oversight and unwavering accountability reverberates with increasing intensity. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates are amplifying their calls for decisive measures to eradicate the twin scourges of nepotism and corruption, emphasizing the imperative of judiciously stewarding public resources for the collective welfare of all citizens.

In the face of mounting public scrutiny, the government faces a critical test of its commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability. Only through concerted efforts to address systemic flaws and strengthen governance institutions can Tanzania pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for its citizens.

The partnership between HESLB and ZEEA represents a significant step towards addressing the systemic issues of graduate unemployment and nepotism in Tanzania. By creating pathways to employment and promoting merit-based hiring practices, the collaboration aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable job market for Tanzanian graduates.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive human resource policies that apply equally to both public and private sector entities. Clear regulations and guidelines are essential to ensure fair and transparent recruitment processes, thereby restoring confidence in the job market and mitigating the prevalence of nepotism.

As the country grapples with the dual challenges of high unemployment rates and entrenched nepotism, the partnership between HESLB and ZEEA offers a ray of hope for thousands of Tanzanian graduates seeking meaningful employment opportunities. Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, it is hoped that the collaboration will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for the nation's youth.