President headlines youth empowerment symposium
Sunday Mail Reporter
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA is expected to launch the National Youth Empowerment Strategy — a comprehensive framework to accelerate youth participation in economic development — at a youth empowerment symposium scheduled for July 31 to August 1 in Harare.
The two-day event will bring together 2 500 young people from across the country.
It aims to address the information and market linkage gaps that often prevent the youth from accessing and benefitting from economic opportunities.
The youth are considered critical in the country’s quest to achieve an upper middle-income economy within the next five years.
Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mr Ranson Madzamba said the youth demographic remains one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national assets.
“Youth demographic remains Zimbabwe’s great resource, representing the energy, creativity and potential that can propel the country towards inclusive economic growth and transformation,” he said.
“According to the 2024 third-quarter Labour Force Survey by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 2 302 369 youths are not in education, employment or training. The statistics underscore the urgent need to accelerate youth empowerment initiatives.”
The symposium, Mr Madzamba said, will bring together successful entrepreneurs, policymakers and private sector leaders to create a dynamic and inclusive platform for dialogue, inspiration and opportunity mapping.
“The event aims to shift mindsets, inspire action and build a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, in line with Vision 2030, which envisions an empowered upper middle-income economy driven by productive citizens, including the youth,” he said.
Throughout the symposium, Government departments and private sector players will host thematic sessions detailing available opportunities in their respective sectors and the requirements needed to access them.
“All in all, the expected outcomes of the event include having a more informed and economically active youth population ready to take advantage of national opportunities, improved linkages between the youth, markets, mentors, regulators and financiers, increased formalisation of youth-led enterprises and uptake of Government and partner services, as well as operationalisation of the Youth Empowerment Strategy as a guiding frame for implementation,” added Mr Madzamba.
President Mnangagwa has consistently championed youth-focused development initiatives, recognising the critical role of young people in driving innovation and growth.
These include the expansion of vocational training centres, support for entrepreneurship programmes and the distribution of agricultural and mining equipment to help the youth start and grow their businesses.
The symposium will also serve as a platform to celebrate outstanding youth enterprise initiatives.
Individuals and youth-led groups that have made significant progress in business development and job creation will receive Presidential certificates of excellence.
“The awards seek to promote visibility of outstanding youth business leaders, inspire peers to emulate success stories, as well as reinforce national appreciation for youth contributions towards Vision 2030.”
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