Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to harness its youthful population as an engine of economic growth, with thousands of young people expected to converge in Harare this week for a national symposium focusing on turning skills, innovation and entrepreneurial ideas into jobs and sustainable businesses.
The two-day Youth Empowerment Symposium, running from Wednesday to Thursday, comes as the country pursues economic transformation under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, with young people expected to play a central role in driving productivity, industrialisation and wealth creation.
Director of communication and advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mr Ranson Madzamba said the gathering would provide a platform for advancing skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and youth participation in national development.
“The Youth Empowerment Symposium provides an opportunity to connect youth development with the broader economic transformation agenda under NDS2 and Vision 2030,” he said.
“When young people acquire the capacity to create businesses, develop innovations and participate in industry, they become drivers of employment creation, productivity and national wealth. Investing in youth is, therefore, an investment in Zimbabwe’s long-term economic competitiveness.”
At the heart of the discussions is the need to bridge the gap between education, vocational training and employment.
While academic qualifications remain important, the changing demands of the economy increasingly require practical competencies that enable young people to participate in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, technology and other productive sectors.
The Government believes training institutions must establish stronger links with employers, financial institutions and markets so that young people graduate with skills that respond to actual economic opportunities.
“Young people need more than certificates; they need skills that are in demand, opportunities to gain practical experience, business development support and accessible funding mechanisms. This is how empowerment becomes measurable economic participation,” Mr Madzamba said.
Entrepreneurship is another important pillar of the strategy, particularly in an economy where expanding opportunities for young people require more than conventional employment pathways.
Supporting young innovators to develop viable business ideas, access finance, benefit from mentorship and reach markets, he added, could help transform innovation into enterprises that create employment for others.
There is an ongoing push for young people to be active participants in policymaking and programme implementation.
Mr Madzamba also said youth empowerment programmes must go beyond major urban centres and reach rural communities, marginalised areas and persons with disabilities, ensuring that opportunities are accessible across the country.
Unemployment, drug and substance abuse, mental health pressures, gender-based violence and challenges associated with the digital environment are considered by the Government as challenges that require coordinated responses involving families, communities, schools, the Government and the private sector.
Mentorship, career guidance, business incubation and access to technology are among the interventions targeted to help young people build resilience and identify productive opportunities.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s participation in the continental YouthConnekt Africa process is expected to broaden opportunities for local entrepreneurs and innovators.
The 2026 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, scheduled for November 25 to 27 in Rwanda, will bring together young people, policymakers, investors and development partners to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and financial inclusion.
Zimbabwe is currently competing with Zambia to host the 2027 edition of the continental gathering.
Hosting the summit would provide an opportunity to showcase local innovations and strengthen connections with investors, businesses and development partners across Africa.
However, the ministry believes the value of such engagements must extend beyond international visibility.
“The objective should be to convert partnerships and continental connections into investment opportunities, market access, knowledge exchange and practical benefits for Zimbabwean youth,” said Mr Madzamba.
