Harare, (New Ziana) –In a groundbreaking move to harness the potential of young people, the Zimbabwe government is finalizing a comprehensive Youth Empowerment Strategy, set to be launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa later this year.
The strategy, born out of extensive nationwide consultations, aims to address the pressing challenges facing young people while aligning their aspirations with the national vision to become an upper middle income economy by 2030. Dr Blazio Manobo, the director for Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training confirmed the initiative.
“We have gone right round the country making consultations with the youth. This document, which we aim to finalize by the end of May, will serve as a national blueprint for youth empowerment, ensuring that no young person is left behind,” he said.
The consultations, which engaged young people from all corners of the country, were designed to ensure that the strategy reflects the voices and needs of Zimbabwean youth.
“The youth have made it clear: whatever you do without consulting them is not for them. “This time, they are fully on board. Their inputs have shaped the strategy, and their energy will drive its implementation,” he added.
The strategy, Dr Manobo said, will be presented to a thematic working group comprising government Ministries, Non-Governmental Organisations and United Nations agencies for validation before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
He said once adopted, it will become the guiding document for youth-focused initiatives, ensuring coherence and alignment with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the broader Vision 2030 agenda.
One of the most pressing issues the strategy seeks to address is youth unemployment and idleness. With 5.4 million young people in Zimbabwe, a staggering 2.2 million are currently not in education, employment, or training.
“These are the ones loitering, susceptible to drug and substance abuse. This is a dangerous situation because they are not adding value to the country or contributing to the GDP. President Mnangagwa has been clear that we must not leave anyone behind. “Our goal is to reach out to these idle youths and ensure they participate meaningfully in national development.
The strategy will prioritize creating opportunities for young people to access funding, training, and employment. “We want to make sure that as we carry out youth empowerment, every young person can access some money. Whether through entrepreneurship, vocational training, or formal employment, we are committed to unlocking their potential,” he said.
New Ziana
