Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IT is an open secret that young people in Zimbabwe face significant barriers in accessing capital, hindering their ability to launch and sustain meaningful economic empowerment projects.
Unemployment has also driven many young Zimbabweans to substance abuse, with idleness and lack of opportunities fuelling this destructive trend.
Approximately 2,2 million young people in the country are unemployed and lack a steady income, a pressing issue demanding urgent attention.
A ground-breaking youth empowerment programme offers new hope.
The Village Youth Empowerment initiative, launched recently in Mutare, is a collaborative effort backed by US$5 million in funding.
The ambitious project aims to empower around 5 000 young people in marginalised communities nationwide by providing grocery shops and gas cages, addressing the long-standing capital access gap that has hindered youth empowerment efforts.
The initiative is a collaborative effort among, Empower Bank, The Big Game Logistics, Old Mutual’s O’Mari, Mega Market, Barakah Gas and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
The Village Youth Empowerment initiative is poised to deliver sustainable economic opportunities to rural young people through grocery shops, gas supply, mobile money services, and agency banking.
Under this collaborative effort, Mega Market will supply initial stock, maintain restocking options, partner with Big Game Logistics for distribution, and facilitate repayments via Empower Bank.
Empower Bank will assess and screen youth groups, guarantee stock supply, provide POS machines, offer financial literacy training, monitor repayments, and disburse agent commissions.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training will identify eligible youth groups, deploy ward coordinators for monitoring, and promote formalisation by assisting with registration.
Big Game Logistics will manage stock distribution, ensure timely deliveries, and train youths on warehouse protocols.
Old Mutual Digital Services (O’Mari) will provide mobile money services, train youths in digital finance, and promote rural digital banking uptake.
Barakah Gas will supply LPG gas, deliver weekly, and train youths on gas safety and handling.
Speaking during the Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony at Mega Market Mutare recently, Barakah Gas official, Mr Mckenzie Munetsi said:
“As Barakah, we are coming in with renewable energy, that is LPG as a way to contribute to this fabulous youth empowerment initiative. We believe this is a real stencil for youth empowerment that should see a good number of our youths breaking the chains of dependence and poverty.”
Mega Market head of human resources, Mr Sam Hlabati said the initiative is a public affirmation of their collective commitment to youth empowerment.
“Mega Market has gone into partnership with other private players as well as Government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training. The initiative is meant to ensure that, we just do not talk about Youth Empowerment, but get the wheels moving. So in the programme, we will be providing the products that will be sold by the youths in their shops. We are hoping that these youths through their businesses they will grow as we continue supporting them.
“We believe that we have a role to play in the development of this economy and this is one way we are doing so through developing or empowering the youths. Not only are we coming here to do business and as a partner that is playing its role in youth economic empowerment,” said Mr Hlabati.
Old Mutual Head of Digital Lending and Savings, Mr Runyararo Nyandoro, said: “We are proud to partner with other likeminded organisations in the youth empowerment drive. Under Old Mutual Digital Services, we have O’Mari that will allow the youths to run an agency business and that means youths in the areas in question will be able to cash in and cash out using this platform. We hope we will be able to grow and sustain their businesses.”
Empower Bank board chairman, Mr William Chaitezvi said: “This initiative is coming at a time when the National Youth Empowerment Strategy has just fallen into place. We are grateful to the Government for such an enabling environment. This is going to help a lot in terms of empowerment and financial inclusion of the youths in particular.”
In his presentation during the commissioning of the US$23 million Flour Milling Plant last Saturday, Mega Market managing director, Mr Shiraan Ahmed summed up this youth empowerment initiative, saying: “Just last month, we signed a Youth Empowerment Agreement with the Empowerment Bank, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth. Through this programme, Mega Market will supply over 5 000 youths with product on consignment—creating pathways for entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
“This is fully aligned with President Mnangagwa’s goal of achieving a middle-income economy by 2030. We believe every young Zimbabwean deserves a pathway to dignity, productivity, and national contribution. Where our youths rise, our industries thrive, and our flag flies high across borders. You have our full commitment: We will not stop. We will do everything within our control.”
