Chinese Language Skills Open New Opportunities for Tanzanian Youth
Dar es Salaam, 12 October 2026 – Tanzanian youth have been encouraged to learn Chinese to tap into growing opportunities in trade, employment and education, as the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), through the Confucius Institute, strengthens efforts to expand Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange between Tanzania and China.
The message was delivered during an induction programme for Chinese volunteer teachers held at UDSM, organised to prepare them for teaching assignments at the University and at Chinese language centres across Tanzania.
Language as a tool for opportunity
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Quality Assurance Centre at UDSM, Prof. Donatha Tibuhwa, said the volunteer teachers play an important role in helping Tanzanian students acquire Chinese language skills while promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.
“The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and language is an important tool for business. As trade with China expands, young people who learn Chinese gain opportunities that benefit not only themselves but also the country.”
— Prof. Donatha Tibuhwa, Director, Quality Assurance Centre, UDSM
She noted that the exchange is mutual, as the Chinese teachers also get the opportunity to learn Kiswahili and understand Tanzanian culture, traditions and customs.
Connecting graduates with jobs, scholarships and trade
The Tanzanian Director of the Confucius Institute at UDSM, Mr. Musa Mohamed Hans, said the Institute helps connect young people with employment, education and business opportunities linked to China. Many graduates with Chinese language skills work as interpreters for Chinese companies operating in Tanzania, while others use their proficiency to pursue scholarships and further studies in China. Traders importing goods from China also benefit by communicating more effectively with suppliers.
He added that demand for Chinese language education among Tanzanians continues to grow, and that 11 new Chinese volunteer teachers have arrived for the programme, joining others already in the country.
Teaching centres across the country
The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Xu Qian, said the induction prepares the teachers for their responsibilities before they begin teaching at the University’s main campus and other centres. The Institute runs nearly 10 Chinese language teaching centres in different parts of the country, including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Lindi, Mwanza and Iringa. The teachers will also visit primary and secondary schools offering Chinese language courses to observe teaching practices and understand the local education environment.
Chinese language teacher Ms. Afsa Swalehe observed that Tanzanian students face some challenges in learning Chinese, particularly in pronunciation and writing, but these can be overcome through regular practice.
Source: The Guardian (Tanzania), Tuesday, 13 October 2026, page 3 (National News) – “Chinese language skills open new opportunities for Tanzanian youth” by Getrude Mbago. The original press cutting is shown in the image above.