President Hakainde Hichilema has implored youths across the country to embrace hard work.
Mr Hichilema has also urged the youth to stay away from negative vices such as drug abuse and violence, further imploring the Public-Private stakeholders to create opportunities for the youth in various sectors.
He has also reiterated government’s commitment to improving the welfare of youths in the country.
The President was speaking today in Lusaka, when he officially opened the two-day 2025 National Youth Indaba, under the theme: Voices Amplified and Innovations Ignited.
Mr Hichilema disclosed that he has directed that 20 percent of empowerment loans be allocated to the youths and will be accessed through financial institutions, where a special window will be created.
He encouraged the youth to strive to be self-employed, not only as traders but also as producers of goods and services.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, said the National Youth Indaba is a platform dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the youth to interact with policy makers and the corporate industry.
Mr Nkandu pointed out that the Indaba is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that young people are given opportunities to actively participate in matters of national development.
He noted that the 2025 National Youth Indaba has drawn about 3,000 participants from across the country including representatives from all the 156 constituencies, adding that the event is the key highlight of the national youth week.
The Minister stated that youth challenges such as alcohol and other substance abuse require collective attention and encouraged all affected to seek help, further calling on all stakeholders to create a conducive environment for mental health awareness and services.
And speaking at the same event, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali, in a speech read on her behalf by United Nations Development Programme, James Wakiaga, commended the government for the leadership and unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, adding that the President’s presence at the event signifies his dedication towards nurturing and amplifying the voices, innovation and potential of young people in Zambia.
Ms Mutali observed that under the leadership of Mr Hichilema, there has been a renewed focus on youth empowerment and development across sectors underpinned by a whole of government approach.
She also reiterated the UN’s commitment to work with the government to achieve the shared vision for the country’s development by investing fully in young people to guarantee Zambia’s sustainable future.
And ZANACO Chief Executive Officer Mukwandi Chibesakunda, donated K1 Million to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts.
Ms Chibesakunda said her institution is looking to build strong partnerships based on the multi-sectoral approach that will include youth networks, line ministries, the private sector, cooperating partners, civil society organisations and any other stakeholders.
“Our youth empowerment programme is a partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts and we donated a sum of K1 Million for the purchase of startup kits for youths that graduated in various skill programmes.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that we are yet again giving another K1 Million to empower youths and this funding will go towards empowering youths specifically in agriculture under the Sustainable and Culture Financing Facility (SAFF) and also specifically for solar installation training across the country,” she said.
Meanwhile, Youth Representative, Nyambe Nyambe, in delivering the National Youth Indaba Communique, acknowledged the power of youth collective voices and innovative spirit that drives the youth.
Mr Nyambe called for the establishment of active participation of the youth, youth engagement in decision making and all processes of governance, recognition of youths as key stakeholders of national development, commitment for inclusive platform for youth voices to be amplified at all levels
“We the youths of Zambia want increased investments in youth entrepreneurship and job creation programmes, enhanced quality education and skills development as well as improved health care services tailored to youth needs.
“ We also would like to see more supporting policies for sports and arts development created, scholarships and financial support programmes to enable disadvantaged youths to pursue higher education and vocational training as well as establishment of youth friendly business incubation centers and start-up funding schemes,” he said.
Mr Nyambe further called for policies that promote youth entrepreneurship such as tax incentives and world class procedures for business registration, increased mentorship programmes and networking opportunities to connect youth entrepreneurs and established industry leaders as well as investors.
“We as the youth have committed ourselves towards, undertaking various actions to support the successful implementation of the National Youth policy, to actively participate in decision making processes, advocate for youth empowerment and establishment of partnerships that amplify youth collective voice,” he added.
Mr Nyambe also advocated for continued dialogue between the government and youth stakeholders to address and identify opportunities as well as monitor and evaluate the implementation of the resolutions to hold both the government and youth representatives accountable for their commitments.
