Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has implored young people to consider entrepreneurship and agriculture as viable career paths.
Mrs Nalumango has emphasised that the sectors offer opportunities for prosperity and job creation.
The media reports that speaking at the 2025 Youth Connekt Zambia Summit, the Vice President encouraged youths to take advantage of government initiatives and access loans from institutions like the Citizen Empowerment Fund (CEF) to start their own businesses.
She further highlighted government’s efforts to support youth entrepreneurship, including providing arable land for resettlement and start-up capital for agribusiness ventures.
Mrs Nalumango also commended the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts for transforming youth resource centers into hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship.
“When you work for yourself, you are the great person, you are employed by yourself, and you are creating jobs for others,” she said.
She also urged young people to be innovators and employers rather than seeking employment.
And, Mrs Nalumango emphasised the importance of agriculture in the country’s economy, noting that it is a sector that can drive growth, food security, and employment.
She has since encouraged young people to embrace climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable farming practices.
“Let us make the Green Hustle not just a slogan, but a reality that transforms lives and communities across Zambia,” she said as she declared the 2025 Youth Connect Nation Summit open.
Minister of Youths, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, stressed the importance of empowering young people to drive agricultural transformation and contribute to the green economy.
“Youth Connekt Zambia has moved from concept to concrete impact, providing a practical bridge between policy commitments and real opportunities for young people,”Mr Nkandu said.
The Minister noted that over 3,000 young people have been reached with information on youth policies, empowerment opportunities, and green economy pathways, adding that more than 400 youths have received practical training in agribusiness planning, financial literacy, and climate smart agriculture practices.
Mr Nkandu also commended the National Youth Development Council and partners for their efforts in coordinating the chapter, and urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
“Investing in the potential of young Zambians is not optional, it is central to our national development agenda, so I’m calling on stakeholders to deepen collaboration and scale up programmes that are showing tangible impact,” he added.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali, has highlighted the initiatives being supported by the UN to empower Zambian youth.
She emphasised the importance of investing in young people, stating that Zambia’s economic growth hinges on empowering its youth to create sustainable livelihoods and generate income.
“Some of the key initiatives supported by the UN include the launch of the updated National Youth Policy and the National Arts Policy, providing a framework for youth empowerment and development.
“Over 1,500 young Zambians have been employed through this programme, gaining valuable work experience and skills development among others,” she stated.
National Youth Development Council Secretary, Waana Kankinza, highlighted the importance of empowering young people, stating that they are the driving force behind the country’s development.
“Young people are not asking for hand-outs; they are asking for fair opportunities, access to finance, and an enabling environment to drive the Green Hustle,” she said.
Ms Kankinza outlined the Council’s commitment to supporting government policies on youth empowerment and employment, facilitating platforms for dialogue and capacity building among others.
The 2025 Youth Connekt Zambia Summit aims to promote youth entrepreneurship and innovation in agriculture, providing a platform for young people to connect, share ideas and drive agribusiness innovation.
