More than three million Tanzanians are set to benefit from two new programmes backed by the World Bank, aimed at strengthening education and social protection systems.
The funding, approved by the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, is being provided through the International Development Association (IDA).
The initiatives—the Second Education and Skills for Productive Jobs (ESPJ-II) Programme and the Tanzania Productive Social Safety Net III (PSSN III)—are designed to equip young people with job-relevant skills while supporting vulnerable households to build resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Valued at $300 million, the ESPJ-II programme is expected to benefit about one million people, including at least 45 percent women. It aims to address skills gaps, improve access to industry-aligned training, and support over 656,000 graduates to secure employment, with a projected 10 percent increase in real incomes for participants.
The $250 million PSSN III project will target approximately 2.2 million people through cash transfers, climate-smart public works, and initiatives to enhance savings, financial access, and income generation. It will also strengthen digital delivery systems and link social protection schemes to employment opportunities.
The programmes build on earlier World Bank-supported initiatives, including the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project and the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), reinforcing efforts to improve human capital and economic resilience in Tanzania.