By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania has been selected to host a continental youth training centre on environmental conservation and climate change, a move expected to strengthen the country’s role in regional climate action while creating new learning and leadership opportunities for young people.
The announcement was made over the weekend by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Dr. Richard Muyungi, during a special iftar event he organised for environmental stakeholders at the Institute of Environmental, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IECDS) in Bunju, Dar es Salaam.
Dr. Muyungi said the decision was made by the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), which appointed Tanzania as host of the youth training centre during the 39th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14–15, 2026. The summit was attended by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
According to Dr. Muyungi, the establishment of the centre will create new opportunities for Tanzanian youth to develop knowledge and skills related to environmental protection, climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
“The centre will help Tanzanians, particularly young people, to learn about the various opportunities available in the environmental sector while also expanding Tanzania’s participation in international discussions on climate and environmental issues,” he said.
Strengthening role in climate leadership
The decision to host the training centre is widely viewed as recognition of Tanzania’s growing involvement in regional and international climate initiatives.
Across Africa, governments are increasingly prioritising youth engagement as part of efforts to address the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.
Experts say such centres are important platforms for equipping young people with knowledge in areas such as climate science, green innovation, environmental policy and sustainable resource management, while also helping countries develop the next generation of environmental leaders.
Youth urged to seize climate opportunities
Speaking at the same event, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environment Ambassador, Frida Amani, said environmental protection and climate change had become central issues in global policy debates.
“Environmental and climate change issues are now among the main agendas dominating international discussions,” she said.
She encouraged young people to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the green economy.
“I encourage my fellow young people to work with the Government in supporting environmental conservation efforts because this is also an opportunity,” said Frida, who is also a Tanzanian Bongo Flava musician known for promoting environmental awareness through youth engagement.
Civil society support for environmental protection
Also speaking during the event, Sarah Pima, Secretary of the Green Samia Initiative, said the organisation had continued to work closely with the Government to support environmental conservation efforts.
She noted that the initiative has participated in several environmental campaigns, including coastal clean-up activities and tree-planting programmes, aimed at encouraging communities to recognise the importance of protecting natural ecosystems.
“The organisation has been actively involved in various environmental campaigns, including beach clean-ups and tree planting, with the aim of raising public awareness about the importance of environmental conservation,” she said.
Growing national momentum on climate action
Tanzania has in recent years intensified its efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation through policies focused on sustainable development, ecosystem protection and community participation.
The Vice President’s Office, which oversees environmental management in the country, has been playing a key role in coordinating these initiatives.
Hosting the youth environmental training centre is expected to further strengthen these efforts by creating a hub for capacity building, research and regional collaboration on climate and environmental issues.
The iftar event that hosted the announcement brought together staff from the Vice President’s Office, local government and party leaders from Magwepande Ward, representatives from the Green Samia Initiative, as well as lecturers and students from the Institute of Environmental, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IECDS). Observers say the gathering reflected a growing recognition that addressing climate change will require not only government leadership but also active participation from young people, communities and development partners.
