Youth Power Hackathon in Tanzania sparks youth-led innovation for green jobs and entrepreneurship
18 June 2026, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Youth entrepreneurship and green innovation took center stage on 18 June 2026 as Restless Development hosted a Youth Power Hackathon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, bringing together 38 participants, including youth leaders, entrepreneurs, Youth Accountability Champions, civil society representatives, policymakers, government officials, development partners, and technical experts. Together, they explored practical ways to address the barriers preventing young people from accessing entrepreneurial and green economy opportunities.
Grounded in youth-led research findings, the hackathon examined challenges affecting young entrepreneurs, including limited access to finance, strict collateral requirements, inadequate financial literacy, limited awareness of funding opportunities, and the high cost of green technologies. Participants worked collaboratively through research presentations, panel discussions, mentoring sessions, group workshops, and solution pitches to turn these findings into actionable ideas.
The event resulted in seven priority solution areas designed to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and accelerate the transition to a greener economy. Recommendations included expanding grant financing, promoting crowdfunding mechanisms, recognizing digital transaction histories as alternative collateral, developing centralized information platforms, integrating green economy education into school curricula, establishing green innovation hubs, and reducing tariffs on specialized green technologies.
Reflecting on the importance of investing in young people, Mr. Adam Duma, Founder of Silabu Tanzania, noted: “Financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills should be nurtured from an early age to prepare young people for evolving labour markets and economic opportunities.”
By connecting young innovators with policymakers, technical experts, and development partners, the hackathon encouraged intergenerational dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. The activity demonstrates how the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab continues to support evidence-based policymaking, amplify youth voices, and transform research into practical recommendations that contribute to more inclusive economic opportunities and sustainable development across Africa.
