TANZANIA and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the development of human resources in the construction sector.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister, signed for the government along with Kenichi Ogasawara, the Japanese international projects deputy minister, opening new avenues for Tanzanian youth to access advanced skills and technology in the industry.

The pact was signed in Yokohama yesterday on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), where Tanzania will gain access to Japan’s globally renowned construction technologies and expertise.

The collaboration is designed to equip young Tanzanians in engineering and construction-related fields with high-level technical skills, enabling them to engage in self-employment or secure roles in local firms or Japanese construction firms operating here or elsewhere, the minister noted.

“The initiative recognises Japan’s cutting-edge infrastructure solutions, known for their durability and resilience to climate change impacts, meant to transfer this knowledge and capacity to Tanzania’s emerging workforce,” he said.

“This agreement presents an important opportunity to empower Tanzanian youth through hands-on skills training and exposure to international standards in construction,” he further stated.

Japan’s experience in successfully partnering with Southeast Asian countries on similar initiatives has proven effective in driving economic growth and transforming infrastructure standards, the host deputy minister noted.

Through these partnerships, Japan has helped foster a generation of skilled professionals who have contributed significantly to national development, and with this agreement, Tanzania becomes the first African country to enter into a similar cooperation framework with Japan specifically in the construction sector, he explained.

“This partnership is not just about skills transfer, it is a strategic investment in Tanzania’s long-term development goals, particularly in achieving the country’s Vision 2050 through robust infrastructure that supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he emphasized.

The MoU is expected to boost collaboration between Tanzanian youth and the private sector, aligning with Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050, which places critical emphasis on quality infrastructure as a cross-cutting enabler of economic transformation, analysts noted.

The agreement also signals reaffirmation of Japan’s commitment to supporting Africa’s development through capacity building, sustainable technology and economic partnerships that foster shared prosperity.

TICAD is a key platform for high-level policy dialogue between African countries and Japan, initiated by the Japanese government in 1993. It has become a cornerstone for development cooperation between Japan and African countries, with TICAD-9 focusing on industrial transformation, climate resilience and youth empowerment across Africa.