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Tanzanians who studied abroad may soon find it easier to land jobs at home
What you need to know:
- The government has said it is aware that some graduates returning home from studies abroad were finding it difficult to get jobs
Dar es Salaam. The pain experienced by Tanzanian overseas graduates seeking recognition to work locally may soon come to an end after the issue surfaced in Parliament on Thursday.
During the sessions, the government offered clarification on how it plans to address their plight.
Ms Ng’wasi Kamani (Special Seats-CCM) sought to know what the government is doing for Tanzanians who studied in East African universities but were being blocked from working upon returning.
“These young people have graduated and have certificates —but they are being rejected by professional boards. They are now idle, discouraged, and some feel like they never went to school,” she said.
Ms Kamani added that many graduates used significant family resources to pursue education, only to be denied opportunities when they returned.
In response, Education, Science and Technology deputy minister Omary Kipanga acknowledged the problem and said the government is acting to prevent further cases.
He said registration for graduates from outside the country—including those from the East African Community—is handled by professional boards and authorities such as Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) or The National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET), depending on the level of education.
But Mr Kipanga admitted that some returnees face obstacles.
For instance, Janet*, a 28-year-old Tanzanian nursing graduate from Uganda, returned home full of hope—ready to serve, to heal, to give back. But her dreams shattered at the doorstep of a professional board in Dar es Salaam.
“I passed all my exams, completed my clinical hours, and got my certificate,” she told The Citizen. “But when I applied for registration here, they dismissed my training like it was nothing. I was told it doesn’t meet local standards.”
She currently works behind the counter of a cosmetics shop. Her voice softens as she adds, “My parents sold their only piece of land to pay for my education. Now they ask me every day, ‘What went wrong?’ And I don’t know how to answer.”
Michael*, another victim, studied engineering in an institution in Rwanda from 2021 to 2024. Despite studying as an international student, his application for registration to work back home was denied.
“I did everything they asked. But the Engineers Registration Board claimed my programme was insufficient. So what was the point of spending four years there?” he asks.
But Mr Kipanga noted in Parliament, “That’s why we’ve introduced the ‘Certificate of No Objection’,” he announced. “This document must be obtained by any student before leaving Tanzania for studies abroad. It verifies the institution and programme meet Tanzanian standards.”
The government, he added, is also engaging with professional boards to “harmonise” the recognition process and plans to meet with affected graduates.
Education consultant Asha Maganga said the Certificate of No Objection (NOC) is a valuable tool—but not well known.
“Most students have no idea it exists,” she said. “Awareness needs to start at Form Six level. We should also engage embassies and education agencies to help publicise it.”
M Maganga stressed that while protecting quality is important, “we should not punish youth who are simply trying to better themselves.”
Another expert, Dr Godwin Mburi, said professional boards need to evolve.
“They should stop using outdated curricula as benchmarks,” he said. “Education is increasingly global. If we don’t align with that reality, we’ll continue frustrating our own youth.”
