Advancing Inclusive Employment in Tanzania

The first Employers Roundtable in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, marked an important step forward in strengthening inclusive employment systems for persons with disabilities. Convened with our implementation partner SHIVYAWATA, the roundtable brought together more than 25 employers and HR professionals committed to exploring practical solutions to workplace inclusion.

A group photo of the employers and representatives of SHIVYAWATA & KBTA

The discussions went beyond awareness-raising. Employers engaged in actionable strategies to remove structural and attitudinal barriers that continue to limit access to employment for persons with disabilities. Key themes included inclusive recruitment practices, workplace accessibility, and the role of employers in building equitable labor markets.

The impact of this work is already visible.

From Cohort 1 of our training program, 13 out of 20 graduates with disabilities have successfully been placed in employment opportunities. This demonstrates both the readiness of the talent pipeline and the value of intentional employer engagement.

However, the work is not complete. We are currently seeking employer partners to:

• Provide internships for the remaining graduates

• Offer placement opportunities for youth currently in training

• Strengthen pathways from skills development into sustainable employment

Expanding opportunities beyond formal employment

In addition to employment placement, we are actively building pathways for inclusive entrepreneurship.

A group of 15 youth with visual impairment has completed entrepreneurship skills training and is now prepared to move into the next stage of their journey. We are seeking partners interested in providing:

• Business mentorship and coaching

• Startup support and incubation

• Access to markets and enterprise development opportunities

With the right support, these young entrepreneurs can build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Strengthening partnerships for systems change

We were pleased to have representation from CCBRT and Sightsavers Tanzania, whose technical expertise continues to strengthen disability inclusion programming and systems change efforts in the country.

Their participation, alongside employers and HR leaders, reinforced a shared understanding: inclusion is not a side initiative; it is a systems issue that requires coordinated action between government, private sector, and development partners.

Moving forward

The roundtable, which also received coverage on ITV and HabariLeo, is part of a broader effort to move from dialogue to implementation.

As we move forward, the priority is clear: scaling what works, closing the employment gap, and ensuring that young people with disabilities are not only trained but meaningfully included in the workforce and economy.

We invite partners to join us in this next phase, through internships, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.

Because inclusion only becomes real when opportunity follows skill.

Media coverage:https://habarileo.co.tz/watakiwa-kuondoa-vikwazo-vya-ajira-kwa-wenye-ulemavu/