THE Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training ministry has entered into a partnership with NetOne to implement a nationwide digital empowerment programme targeting millions of young people as government accelerates delivery of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
The initiative focuses on digital connectivity, vocational skills, financial inclusion and enterprise development for youths aged between 15 and 35, who are about 5,4 million and are central to the country’s economic transformation agenda.
Announcing the partnership, Youth Empowerment ministry secretary Solomon Mhlanga said the programme recognised young people as both present and future leaders whose potential should be fully integrated into national development efforts.
“Youth are the leaders of today and tomorrow and we must move together with them as we implement our national development strategy towards Vision 2030,” Mhlanga said.
He said the collaboration with NetOne was suitable for the whole-of-government approach, allowing the ministry to draw on the technical strengths of a key State enterprise.
“As a ministry, we may not have all the digital expertise, but working with our parastatal partner makes our task much easier, particularly in empowering youths in the digital space,” he said.
Mhlanga said the partnership would benefit more than 60 vocational training centres nationwide, many of them located in marginalised communities.
“This programme gives our vocational training students access to modern technology and ensures that no place and no person is left behind, as directed by His Excellency the President,” he said.
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NetOne chief executive Raphael Mushanawani said the programme was designed to extend beyond connectivity by creating economic opportunities for young people.
“This is not a ceremonial partnership. It is a practical step towards turning digital access into real opportunities through entrepreneurship, skills development and participation in the digital economy,” he said.
He added that NetOne would roll out affordable communication services, digital platforms and agent models that enabled young people to generate income and gain practical experience.
“We want young people to be financially empowered, to transact, trade and establish sustainable livelihoods within a secure digital ecosystem,” he said.
Mushanawani said the company would also support digitisation of vocational training centres and provide hands-on exposure to ensure youths graduate with practical, market-ready skills.
“Our goal is to transform trained youths from job seekers to job creators who contribute to national productivity and inclusive growth.”
