Emmanuel Kafe
ZIMBABWE has stepped up its bid to host the 2027 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, with the Government expressing confidence in its readiness to stage the continental youth empowerment event.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said the country’s selection as one of the final two contenders demonstrated its commitment to youth development.
Speaking during an assessment visit by the YouthConnekt Africa Secretariat in Harare on Thursday, Minister Machakaire said Government was ready to support the hosting of the summit.
“We view this visit as an important opportunity to demonstrate our national preparedness, institutional capacity and collective commitment to successfully hosting this continental event,” he said.
Hosting the summit would allow Zimbabwe to showcase youth-led businesses, innovations and investment opportunities while connecting young entrepreneurs to African markets.
YouthConnekt Africa Senior Programmes Lead Mr Patient Ndizeye said the assessment team was evaluating infrastructure, accommodation, venues and logistical arrangements in Zimbabwe and Zambia, the two remaining contenders from an initial field of five countries.
The team will submit a technical report to the initiative’s co-chairs, who will announce the successful bidder at the 2026 summit in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 25 to 27.
The 2027 gathering will be the ninth edition of the summit, which brings together young Africans to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore business opportunities.
Zimbabwe is also mobilising resources to facilitate the participation of a sizeable youth delegation at this year’s summit.
Zimbabwe Youth Council chairperson Ms Rutendo Mugwagwa said the assessment provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s capabilities and youth empowerment initiatives.
She said access to finance remained a major obstacle for young entrepreneurs.
“Financial inclusion is the biggest issue when it comes to young people and being able to contribute effectively to the economy,” she said.
Ms Mugwagwa said hosting the summit would strengthen cooperation among young Africans and help them develop solutions to shared challenges.
“Africa’s problems are Africa’s problems, and we need to come up with solutions for Africa,” she said.
She pledged the council’s support for the bid, saying collaboration between Government and youth institutions was key to ensuring young people benefited from continental opportunities.
