ILO champions youth employment at Sanaa festival 2026

The event was officiated by Mr. Kedmon Mapana, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President's Office – Ministry of Youth Development of the United Republic of Tanzania, who underscored the importance of investing in young people's talents, skills, and entrepreneurial potential. In his remarks, he highlighted the critical role of the creative economy in driving innovation, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to Tanzania's socio-economic development. He further emphasized the need for continued collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and young people to unlock the full potential of the country's creative industries.

The theme 'Art is Future Currency' reminds us that creativity is not only a cultural asset but also an economic driver. By investing in young people's talents, skills, and innovation, we are creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Tanzania's creative economy has immense potential to generate decent jobs, and it is our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where young creatives can thrive, compete, and contribute to national development, said Mr. Mapana.

Representing the ILO Country Director for Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, Ms. Caroline Mugalla, Mr. Hafidh Khamis participated in the festival under the organization's youth skills and employability portfolio. His participation reaffirmed the ILO's commitment to supporting young women and men in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to successfully transition into productive employment and entrepreneurship.

For the ILO, the creative economy represents a powerful opportunity to advance decent work for young women and men. Beyond artistic expression, the sector can create productive employment, foster entrepreneurship, and drive inclusive economic growth. Our focus is to ensure that young people in the creative industries have access to quality skills development, financial inclusion, social protection, and business opportunities that enable them to transform their talent into sustainable livelihoods, said Mr. Khamis.

The festival featured a range of activities, including youth and investment dialogues, arts and financial exhibitions, financial literacy and financial inclusion sessions, and the Sanaa Business Summit. These engagements provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas, build networks, and explore innovative approaches to transforming creativity into sustainable economic opportunities.

A key message emerging from the festival was the recognition of creativity as a valuable economic asset. As reflected in the theme "Art is Future Currency," the event underscored the potential of the creative economy to generate decent jobs, foster innovation, and empower young people to become drivers of economic transformation. From visual arts and performing arts to digital content creation and cultural enterprises, creative industries are increasingly creating opportunities for youth to earn incomes and build resilient businesses.

Discussions on financial literacy and financial inclusion highlighted the need to equip young entrepreneurs and creative professionals with the financial knowledge and tools necessary to grow their enterprises. Participants explored topics such as access to finance, investment readiness, business management, and the use of digital financial services, all of which are critical to the sustainability and growth of youth-led ventures.

The arts and financial exhibition showcased the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial potential of young artists and business owners. By connecting creative talents with investors, financial service providers, and business development partners, the exhibition demonstrated the importance of creating supportive ecosystems that enable young people to thrive.

The Sanaa Business Summit further provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening youth entrepreneurship and unlocking the economic potential of the creative sector. Participants emphasized the importance of partnerships among government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector in creating pathways for youth employment and enterprise development.

Through its engagement at the festival, the ILO reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable development. The organization continues to support initiatives that empower young people with relevant skills, promote decent work opportunities, and foster innovation across emerging sectors of the economy.

As Tanzania's creative economy continues to expand, platforms such as the Sanaa Festival serve as important catalysts for connecting talent, investment, and opportunity. The festival's theme, "Art is Future Currency," resonates strongly with the vision of a future in which creativity, skills, and innovation contribute meaningfully to economic growth and decent work for all.