Entrepreneurship Training, Business Support, and Community Security: Evidence from the Youth Development Fund in Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Nassibu Richard Mwaifunga – Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Tanzania

Michael Msendekwa – Local Government Training Institute, Tanzania

Omary Maanaka – Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Tanzania

Email: mwaifunga@nm-aist.ac.tz/ msendekwab@yahoo.com/ omary.mahnakah@iaa.ac.tz

Abstract: This paper examines the effect of Youth Development Fund (YDF) training and business support on community security in Mtwara Region, Tanzania. While YDF is widely recognized for providing youth loans, its non-financial interventions entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and advisory services are less understood despite their potential security implications. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 472 youth across six Local Government Authorities, and qualitative insights were drawn from 35 Key Informant Interviews and 5 Focus Group Discussions. A Training and Support Index (TSI) and Community Security Index (CSI) were constructed using Principal Component Analysis. Ordinary Least Squares and related models with district fixed effects were used to estimate the effect of TSI on CSI. Results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between TSI and CSI (β ≈ 0.273, p < 0.001), indicating that structured training, mentorship, and advisory support are associated with enhanced perceptions of safety, reduced petty crime, and stronger social cohesion. Qualitative findings corroborate that continuous, context-specific support improves business practices, self-discipline, and collaboration between youth and community institutions, while one-off or politicized trainings weaken impact. The study concludes that YDF’s non-financial services, when delivered inclusively and consistently, function as an effective capital-plus peace building mechanism. It recommends institutionalizing standardized training, mentorship, and monitoring systems to maximize security dividends from youth financing.