Under the Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act No. 1 of 2015, all non-citizens—including refugees and stateless individuals—must obtain work permits to engage in any form of employment, including self-employment. In practice, these permits are seldom granted, meaning that most economic activity for these populations occurs informally or through NGO-supported livelihood initiatives within camp settings, rather than through Tanzania’s formal economy.

Initiatives Supporting Skills Development

Despite the lack of explicit legal provisions, several initiatives have been implemented to support skills development:​

1. New Educational Center for Hope (NECH)
   • Overview: Founded by refugees in the Nyarugusu camp in 2003, NECH is a non-governmental organization dedicated to educating and empowering refugees.​
   • Services Offered:
     • Educational Classes: Provides English language and computer skills training.
     • Vocational Training: Offers courses in agriculture, horticulture, and carpentry.
     • Seminars: Conducts weekly educational seminars on health issues, including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS awareness.
     • Income-Generating Projects: Organizes carpentry and agricultural projects to provide refugees with opportunities to generate income.
2. Educational Facilities in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp
   • Schools: The camp hosts multiple educational institutions, including 12 primary schools and 4 secondary schools for Congolese refugees, and 8 primary schools and 2 secondary schools for Burundian refugees.​
   • Vocational Training: A multipurpose vocational training center offers skills development to refugees from both Congo and Burundi.
   • Youth and Women's Centers: Three youth centers and two women's centers provide additional support and training opportunities.​