Focus on Africa Tanzanian elections: What issues are young people concerned about?
Oct 27, 2025
Lavlet Sheme, a 29-year policy and political analyst based in Dar es Salaam, explores the pulse of Tanzanian youth as elections approach. She critiques the lack of genuine engagement on youth issues, noting that celebrity endorsements dominate while pressing concerns like unemployment and education remain unaddressed. Lavlet highlights the need for inclusive representation and calls for policies that resonate with young voters. As tensions rise in the political landscape, her insights reveal the urgency for meaningful change among Tanzania's youth.
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Youth Will Decide Turnout
- Tanzanian youth (18–35) make up 34% of the population and their turnout will shape the elections.
- Many fear speaking openly and turnout may be low due to repression and banned opposition candidates.
Demand Quotas And Post-Election Reforms
- Push for legal quotas to ensure young people hold decision-making positions and can contest elections.
- Demand post-election reconciliation and reforms to address youth unemployment, skills mismatch, and access to finance.
Campaigns Lack Youth-Specific Policies
- Lavlet Sheme finds campaign manifestos generic and not youth-specific, especially on unemployment.
- Celebrity endorsements focused on entertainment fail to represent diverse youth experiences.