Online Reporter
As you know, last week, the cabinet approved the request by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocation Training, to bid to host the YouthConnekt Summit in Zimbabwe next year,2027 in Victoria Falls.
Below are some justifications that explore how crucial this event is to our great country as we move towards the attainment of an upper middle-income society by the year 2030.
Get the glimpse on the cruciality of the YouthConnekt Summit from the Director of Communication and Advocacy, Mr Ranson Madzamba.
1.What does the country stand to benefit from hosting YouthConnekt Africa?
YouthConnekt Africa is a continental platform established to connect young people to economic opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, financial inclusion, mentorship, and policy dialogue. The initiative was pioneered by the Government of Rwanda in 2012 and has since grown into a Pan-African movement supported by the African Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Development Partners, and African Governments.
The YouthConnekt Africa Summit is a flagship annual gathering of Youth Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Policymakers, Development Partners, Investors, Academia, and Private Sector from across the continent. The Summit provides a platform for showcasing innovations, sharing best practices, fostering partnerships, and advancing youth development agendas.
Zimbabwe has been an active participant in YouthConnekt Africa activities and has consistently demonstrated commitment towards youth empowerment interventions.
The Government of Zimbabwe is implementing various youth empowerment initiatives guided by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2, the National Youth Policy (2026-2030), and the
National Youth Empowerment Strategy (2026–2030). Hosting the YouthConnekt Africa Summit will provide an opportunity to showcase these achievements while strengthening regional and continental cooperation on youth development.
Since 2024, the YouthConnekt Africa Secretariat has adopted a competitive bidding process to promote transparency and fairness in the selection of host countries for future Summits. In line with this process, Zimbabwe intends to submit a bid to host the 2027 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, leveraging the country’s strong commitment to youth empowerment and its readiness to convene a continental platform that advances innovation, entrepreneurship, skills development, and employment opportunities for young people across Africa.
JUSTIFICATION FOR HOSTING THE SUMMIT
Hosting the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2027 will position Zimbabwe as a continental leader in youth empowerment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development initiatives.
The Summit is expected to attract more than 6,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond, including Heads of State and Government, Ministers responsible for Youth Affairs, development partners, investors, private sector leaders, youth entrepreneurs, innovators, and academics. Hosting the Summit will contribute to economic growth through increased tourism, hospitality, transport, trade, and service-sector activities associated with hosting a major continental event.
The Summit will enhance Zimbabwe’s international image and strengthen diplomatic and development cooperation with African countries and development partners.
The Summit aligns with Government priorities on Job Creation, Youth Entrepreneurship and Development, Creative Industry, Sport and Culture under the National Development Strategy 2 that it provides youth with opportunities for empowerment, development, participation and association.
The event will provide Zimbabwean youth with opportunities to:
a) access continental and global networks;
b) engage potential investors and financiers;
c) showcase youth-led enterprises, innovations, and products;
d) access mentorship and business development opportunities; and
e) Strengthen participation in regional and continental value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Hosting the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2027 will significantly accelerate the operationalisation of the National Youth Policy (2026–2030) by creating opportunities to showcase its key pillars and flagship programmes while attracting investment towards youth-led enterprises and empowerment initiatives.
Hosting the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2027 presents a strategic opportunity for Zimbabwe to promote tourism, enhance its international image, demonstrate its commitment to youth empowerment, showcase national achievements, attract investment, strengthen continental partnerships, and contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030.
derick.khumalo