Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged the government’s continued commitment to equipping the youth with the requisite skills, resources, and opportunities to integrate them into the formal economy and foster their active participation in economic development.
Officially launching the National Youth Empowerment Strategy for 2026–2030 at the National Youth Symposium in Harare on Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said the government recognises the youth as Zimbabwe’s future and a driving force to the ongoing development agenda.
The strategy aims to create and promote inclusive policies and programmes that capacitate young people to contribute to Zimbabwe’s social, political, and economic growth.
“As the youth of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, you are valuable national assets. The numerous policies, programmes and projects, being implemented by my Administration will, therefore, continue to harness your skills and abilities to ensure development that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
President Mnangagwa emphasised the crucial role of vocational training institutions (VTIs), and announced solid plans to capacitate and upgrade the centres.
He also stressed that life-long skills development remains a priority for the Second Republic to ensure the youth are successfully integrated into the formal economy.
“Government will continue providing the youth with the tools, resources, and opportunities required to develop their skills and actively participate in the social, economic, and political spheres within their communities. This includes the capacitation of vocational training institutions to ensure that out-of-school youth benefit from specialised technical skill training opportunities. Additionally, life-long skills development remains a priority, so that the youth are integrated into the formal economy,” he said.
The President also issued a strong call to action to the private sector, urging them to collaborate and create synergies with institutions of higher learning at all levels. This partnership, he suggested, is vital for anticipating and shaping the skills of the future.
“The private sector should integrate and create synergies with our institutions of higher learning, at all levels, to help anticipate skills of the future. Sectoral studies must be conducted to shape and calibrate future skills and professions. The financial services sector is urged to complement Government efforts by offering more tailor-made products that enhance access, by the youth, to microfinance and small business loans. This responsibility is ours together, not just for the Government and a few select banks. The task to realise our country’s overall economic growth and Vision 2030 is everyone’s duty, President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa also called on banks to offer more tailor-made products that would enhance youth access to microfinance and small business loans.
“The financial services sector is urged to complement Government efforts by offering more tailor-made products that enhance access, by the youth, to microfinance and small business loans. This responsibility is ours together, not just for the government and a few selected banks. The task to realise our country’s overall economic growth and Vision 2030 is everyone’s duty,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire, said the symposium was an opportunity to address structural barriers that deter youths from participating in the economic value chain.
“This Symposium represents a strategic intervention, a deliberate response to the structural barriers that continue to limit the participation of young people in economic development. It bridges critical gaps in information, mentorship, and market access that often hinder our youth from reaching their full potential. By shifting the mindset from job-seeking to job-creation, we are nurturing a culture rooted in entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance,” he said
