By Otillia Makomo
Harare, Zimbabwe — Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire is spearheading an ambitious national programme aimed at transforming opportunities for young people, in line with the development vision of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe.
Central to the initiative is the National Youth Empowerment Strategy 2026–2030, which seeks to reach more than 2.3 million young Zimbabweans through programmes targeting five strategic pillars — economic empowerment, technology and innovation, education and skills development, governance participation, and health and wellbeing.
Among the flagship initiatives supporting the strategy is EmpowerBank, which continues to provide financial support for youth-led enterprises. The Government has also introduced a US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Revolving Fund, designed to improve access to capital for young entrepreneurs across the country.
In addition, a US$5 million Youth Mining Equipment Scheme has been established to enable young people to participate more meaningfully in the mining sector, creating employment and supporting youth-driven economic activity.
Zimbabwe is also strengthening youth skills development through international training programmes, with some graduates being sent abroad for vocational and technical training to enhance their professional competencies.
At the same time, the Government is investing in technology and innovation through the establishment of a Tech Innovation Hub at Ruwa Vocational Training Centre, aimed at nurturing digital skills and entrepreneurship among young innovators.
Further infrastructure development is underway with the construction of a major youth service and vocational training centre at Igava, named the President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre, which will focus particularly on agricultural skills development and practical training for young people.
Through these programmes, the Government aims to strengthen youth capacity, promote innovation and build a generation equipped with the skills required to contribute to national development.
Observers note that Minister Machakaire’s approach reflects a strategic focus on technological advancement and human capital development, positioning Zimbabwe to harness the potential of its youthful population as a key driver of economic growth and national unity.
The initiatives form part of the broader national agenda to achieve Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy while ensuring that young people remain central to the country’s development trajectory.
