Dissertation (MA Development Studies)This study aimed at assessing the role of private sector in reducing youth unemployment in Urban West of Zanzibar. It was important to conduct this research in Zanzibar and in Urban West Region, because there was no research of such nature that I know or I am aware of. Judgmental sampling procedure was employed. A total sample of 137 respondents comprising 124 unemployed youth in both sectors including government offices, private sector; (formal and informal) 13 officers responsible for youth development. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. The study has revealed, the constrains that discouraged youth to be employed in private sector and these include: lack of education, entrepreneurship, experience, poor government cooperation, lack of vocational training skills and others, as well as obstacles that deterred the private sector, from contributing to youth unemployment including lack of capital, skills, land resource, market, finance. It was also found out that youths were much interested to be employed in the government institutions. Again, the results show that; to those who were interested to work in private sector prefer to be employed in companies. In order to eliminate the problem of youth unemployment, there must be adequate financial capital, provision of vocational training, possessing land and capital, provision of entrepreneurship skills, extension of business environment and many other solutions.