Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. National Arts Council of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Napoleon Nyanhi has urged African governments to place young people at the centre of socio-economic transformation, stressing that youth empowerment, skills development, and innovation will define the continent’s future.
Speaking at the Second Harare Forum for Africa on Tuesday, Nyanhi highlighted the importance of investing in youth-led enterprises and exchange programmes, pointing out that youths constitute over 67% of Zimbabwe’s population.
“Youth is the driving force of our nation’s socio-economic transformation,” he said.
He commended China’s investment in education, skills development, and digital innovation, noting how collaboration with Zimbabwe is opening up opportunities for cultural exchange and technology transfer.
“Your dedication has brought together experts, academics, students, and practitioners from China and Zimbabwe to share knowledge and experiences that will shape the future of our youth,” Nyanhi said.
He also commended government for approving the National Youth Empowerment Strategy (2026–2030), which integrates young people into the formal economy and equips them with digital, agricultural, and entrepreneurial skills.
“This strategy is a blueprint designed to harness the demographic dividend and ensure that no young Zimbabwean is left behind.
“We are deliberately targeting youth-led enterprises that drive rural industrialisation and contribute to sustainable livelihoods,” Nyanhi said.
He also underscored the country’s vision of building globally competitive young people while retaining national identity.
“Our vision is to create a generation of globally competitive Zimbabwean youth who can thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while also remaining rooted in our values of Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo – our nation is built by its own people,” Nyanhi said.
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