Canada and FINCA Canada have launched a five-year, $5 million partnership to empower youth in East Africa.
Announced on July 21 by Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, the project will support youth under 30 in Tanzania and Uganda.
Titled “Increasing Economic Opportunities for Youth,” the programme focuses on skills training, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship to reduce poverty and drive growth. “Young people, especially women, will gain the tools they need to thrive in competitive markets,” said Sarai during his visit to Dodoma.
The initiative targets marginalised and vulnerable youth, with an emphasis on technical and vocational training tailored to current market needs. With youth comprising over 70% of the population in both countries, addressing unemployment—17% in Uganda and 11% in Tanzania—is a pressing challenge.
FINCA Canada will work with local organisations to offer job skills training, financial literacy, and access to capital for small business development. The Business Partnership Program will connect youth to mentors and established enterprises, nurturing new ventures and expanding existing ones.
“Young entrepreneurs in Africa have the drive to succeed when given the chance,” said FINCA Canada’s Executive Director Drew Boshell. Over five years, the programme aims to support more than 40,000 youth and create an estimated 20,000 jobs across both countries.
By opening doors to education, finance, and business networks, the initiative seeks to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future. FINCA Canada, part of the global FINCA network, continues its mission to lift communities out of poverty through sustainable solutions.
