Weaving Health and Hope into the Fabric of Tanzania’s Adolescents and Youth

16 June 2026 - Dodoma, Tanzania: More than 1.2 million adolescents across Tanzania are gaining improved access to health services, life skills, and economic opportunities through the Kijana Imara programme, a CAD 14.7 million investment by the Government of Canada implemented by UNICEF and UNFPA in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Across Songwe, Dodoma and Zanzibar, the programme is helping adolescents and young people access life-saving information and services, strengthen their economic resilience, and participate more actively in shaping their futures and communities.

From adolescent-friendly health services and digital engagement platforms to vocational skills training and childcare support for first-time young mothers, Kijana Imara is contributing to a broader transformation in how adolescents are supported, protected, and empowered across Tanzania.

Speaking on the programme’s impact, Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative,  noted: 

“Through the Kijana Imara programme, we are witnessing a powerful shift where adolescents are no longer defined by vulnerability, but by possibility. This investment is helping to dismantle barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights, while equipping young people with the knowledge, services, and confidence they need to shape healthier futures. What we are seeing is not just improved access to services, but the emergence of a generation that is informed, empowered, and capable of driving lasting change in their communities.”

In clinical spaces where life begins and health is restored, the programme has contributed to a fundamental shift in service delivery. Gender-responsive and adolescent-friendly care is increasingly becoming the standard, as health workers strengthen their skills through platforms such as Afya Supportive Supervision System AfyaSS (A mobile based application for conducting supportive supervisions). and embrace rights-based approaches to service delivery. The results are evident in improved access to comprehensive post-abortion care, stronger integration of HIV and other reproductive health services, and a growing commitment to treating every adolescent as a whole person deserving of dignity and friendly care.

Beyond health facilities, Kijana Imara is also harnessing the power of digital platforms, media, and community engagement to reach adolescents with life-changing information. Through nationwide social and behaviour change campaigns, youth engagement platforms, and innovations such as the Mrejesho WhatsApp chatbot and the interactive ONGEA radio programme, more than 15 million people have been reached with information on menstrual health and hygiene, family planning, adolescent health, and nutrition. At the community level, engagement with parents, faith leaders, and traditional leaders, supported by simplified and culturally sensitive toolkits, is helping create more open dialogue around adolescent wellbeing, protection, and rights.

Some of the programme’s most transformative impacts are being seen among first-time young mothers. In Chamwino and Momba, childcare spaces integrated within vocational training centres are enabling young women to continue learning skills such as tailoring, food vending, and beauty services while caring for their children. Combined with economic empowerment initiatives and savings groups, these interventions are helping young mothers move from isolation and stigma towards greater independence and opportunity. 

Speaking on behalf of Global Affairs Canada Canadian High Commissioner Her Excellency Emily Burns, stated that: 

“Canada is pleased to support the Kijana Imara programme in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, UNICEF, and UNFPA. Investing in adolescents and young people is essential to advancing health, gender equality, and inclusive development. Through this initiative, young people are gaining greater access to information, services, and opportunities that support their wellbeing and future aspirations. The progress achieved to date reflects the value of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to ensuring that all adolescents, particularly girls and young women, can exercise their rights and reach their full potential. Canada remains committed to supporting efforts that contribute to healthier, more resilient, and more prosperous communities across Tanzania.” 

As the programme evolves, its influence is also being embedded within national systems. The introduction of the Adolescents Data (ADODA) Toolkits is strengthening evidence-based advocacy, enabling young people to engage decision-makers with credible data. From policy reforms to strengthened financing for youth priorities, including HIV responses, the enabling environment is increasingly responsive to adolescent needs. These gains ensure that investments made today are anchored within Tanzania’s long-term development trajectory.

Reflecting on this broader transformation, Ms. Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative, observed: 

“The transformation taking place under Kijana Imara reflects what is possible when children and young people are placed at the centre of development. From classrooms in Songwe to communities in Zanzibar, adolescents are increasingly able to access life-saving information and services that protect their health and expand their opportunities. This programme is strengthening systems, amplifying youth voices, and ensuring that every adolescent, regardless of where they live, has the chance to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s future.”

This collective UN effort is further strengthened by the coordination role of the UN Youth Sub-Group, which brings together UN agencies in Tanzania to advance a unified youth agenda and ensure that adolescent and youth voices are embedded in national development priorities.

Note to Editors

The Kijana Imara Project (2024–2029) is a five-year initiative focused on improving the health, wellbeing, and rights of adolescents in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Jointly led by UNICEF and UNFPA, the project is funded by Global Affairs Canada.

The project targets more than 1.2 million adolescents aged 10–19 in Zanzibar, Songwe, and Dodoma, with a focus on expanding equitable access to quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services. Key objectives include reducing maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies, preventing sexually transmitted infections, strengthening youth-friendly health systems, and empowering adolescent girls and young women through education and economic opportunities.

Implementation is undertaken with national and community partners, including the Ifakara Health Institute, which supports monitoring and evaluation. The programme also leverages digital innovation such as the Mrejesho WhatsApp chatbot to enhance access to health information and feedback mechanisms. Youth engagement remains central through partnerships with networks such as AfriYAN, promoting peer-led advocacy and participation. Capacity-building for teachers, health workers, and community leaders continues to strengthen adolescent-responsive SRHR services and referral systems across implementation regions.