Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza and Obey Musiwa
GOVERNMENT has partnered State-owned telecommunications firm NetOne to roll out a nationwide youth digital empowerment programme aimed at expanding connectivity, skills development, financial inclusion and enterprise creation among young people.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Harare yesterday between NetOne and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Solomon Mhlanga, said the collaboration was critical in harnessing Zimbabwe’s youth demographic dividend, noting that the country has about 5,4 million young people aged between 15 and 35.
He said the partnership would accelerate the implementation of Government youth programmes by leveraging NetOne’s digital infrastructure and technical expertise to support empowerment and vocational training initiatives.
“The partnership brings together the ministry and a State-owned telecommunications firm to integrate digital technology, financial literacy and enterprise development into youth programmes, including vocational training centres across the country,” said Mr Mhlanga.
He added that NetOne would be a strategic partner under the whole-of-Government approach, particularly in areas where the ministry lacks specialised technical capacity.
“NetOne becomes a key partner for us in terms of moving with the youth of Zimbabwe as far as digital technology is concerned. Working with our parastatal will make our work much easier,” he said.
Mr Mhlanga said the ministry operates more than 60 vocational training centres, some of them in remote areas, and the partnership would ensure learners have access to modern digital tools and connectivity.
“This is in line with the President’s vision of leaving no place and no one behind,” he said.
NetOne chief executive Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the initiative marked a shift from policy pronouncements to practical action through structured collaboration focused on youth empowerment and digital inclusion.
“This engagement is not merely ceremonial. It is a decisive step in translating policy into action and laying our own brick towards making Vision 2030 a reality,” he said.
Eng Mushanawani said the programme would convert connectivity into opportunity through the nationwide rollout of affordable communication services, distribution platforms and agent-based business models.
“These agent models will open pathways for entrepreneurship, income generation and skills development. Our objective is to ensure that young people are not only connected, but financially empowered to transact, trade and build sustainable livelihoods within a secure digital ecosystem,” he said.
Under the partnership, vocational training and youth centres will be digitised, innovative community-based solutions piloted, and trained youths integrated into formal value chains through mobilisation, training and deployment as agents and vendors.
