YOUTH-CENTRED WASTE-BASED BUSINESS IN ZANZIBAR

Helvetas Tanzania is implementing the Youth-Centred Waste-Based Businesses in Zanzibar (WABUZA) Project to address two pressing challenges in Zanzibar: high youth unemployment and increasing waste management problems. Rapid urbanization, population growth, tourism, and changing consumption patterns have led to growing volumes of solid waste, while many young people continue to face limited employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

 WABUZA promotes a circular economy approach by transforming waste into economic opportunities for young women and men. The project equips youth with skills in waste management, recycling, and value addition, while facilitating access to business development services, equipment, financing, and markets. By supporting sustainable waste-based enterprises, the project contributes to job creation, improved environmental management, and enhanced climate resilience, fostering a cleaner and more inclusive green economy in Zanzibar.

Project Goals

The Youth-Led Waste-Based Business Project (WABUZA) promotes youth employment, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability through the development of viable waste-based enterprises in Zanzibar. The project supports young women and men to transform waste into marketable products and services, contributing to the circular economy, improved livelihoods, and cleaner communities.

Project Direct Beneficiaries:

200 youth (50% women) engaged in waste-based enterprises and improving income generation; 20 Local Service Providers (LSPs) supporting youth enterprises with technical and business development services; 20 youth-led enterprises formally registered, linked to financial services and market system participating in trade fairs; 4–6 viable waste-based business models developed and connected to markets and finance; 50 institutions implementing functional waste separation systems; and 5 municipal councils (3 in Unguja and 2 in Pemba) engaged in waste governance and system support.

Local Project Partners

The WABUZA Project is implemented in close collaboration with key government institutions, including the Presidential Office – Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments; the Ministries responsible for Youth, Agriculture, Labour, and Investment; and five Municipal Councils (West A, West B, Urban, Wete, and Chake Chake). The project also works with Local Government Authorities and Shehias, youth-led enterprises and associations, Local Service Providers, private sector actors, financial institutions, market actors, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), the Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, promote circular economy solutions, and create sustainable employment opportunities in waste-based value chains.

Key Achievements (as of June 2026)

Output 1 – Youth Economic Empowerment in Waste Systems:

A total of 96 youth (55% women) have been mobilized into structured engagement in waste-based economic activities. Out of these, 56 youth from 11 youth groups and enterprises have been actively supported to develop and engage in waste-based business activities spanning both organic and non-organic value chains. These include organic waste solutions such as organic fertilizer production and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems, and non-organic innovations such as briquette production, alternative energy solutions (biogas under development), recycled products, artworks, and decorative items. In addition, 13 Local Service Providers (LSPs) have been identified and engaged to provide technical, business development, and mentorship support, strengthening the ecosystem for youth-led enterprise growth and improving the sustainability of waste-based livelihoods.

Output 2 – Sustainable Waste-Based Business Models Piloted, Tested and Linked to Markets:

The project has successfully piloted and operationalized four sustainable waste-based business models, namely organic fertilizer, Black Soldier Fly (BSF), alternative charcoal (briquettes), and Artcraft/decorative recycled products, with biogas currently under development as an emerging model. These models have been linked to financial, technical, and market support services within the waste market system. The pilots demonstrate technical feasibility and emerging commercial viability of circular value creation at micro-enterprise level, while also showing progress in strengthening supply consistency of waste inputs, improving pricing mechanisms, and establishing early linkages with private sector actors and institutional buyers, thereby laying a foundation for scalable and investable waste-based enterprises.

Outcome 3 – Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and System Influence:

The project has implemented three advocacy and knowledge-sharing interventions, including dialogues, campaigns, and media engagements conducted in Pemba and Unguja, reaching a range of stakeholders within community and institutional settings. These engagements have contributed to increased awareness and understanding of waste reduction, separation, and reuse practices, while also strengthening early behavioural and institutional alignment toward circular economy approaches.

Project pathway

The WABUZA Pathway is a holistic approach to youth empowerment that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The pathway focuses on empowering youth through technical and vocational skills development, enterprise development, and entrepreneurship support, enabling them to create and grow viable businesses. It also facilitates market linkages to enhance access to customers and business opportunities while improving access to essential infrastructure and equipment that support productive economic activities. Through these integrated interventions, the WABUZA Pathway strengthens youth employability, self-reliance, and economic resilience.