GOVERNMENT has partnered NetOne in the roll-out of a nationwide youth digital empowerment programme aimed at expanding connectivity, skills development, financial inclusion and enterprise creation in line with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony held in Harare today, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Permanent Secretary Mr Solomon Mhlanga said the partnership is critical in harnessing Zimbabwe’s youth demographic dividend, saying that the country has about 5.4 million young people aged between 15 and 35.
He said the collaboration would accelerate the implementation of Government programmes by leveraging NetOne’s digital expertise to support youth empowerment and vocational training.
“The partnership brings together the ministry and the state-owned telecommunications firm to integrate digital technology, financial literacy and enterprise development into youth programmes, including vocational training centres across the country,” said Mr Mhlanga.
He added that NetOne was a strategic partner under the whole of Government approach, particularly in areas where the ministry lacks technical capacity.
“NetOne becomes a key partner for us in terms of moving with the youth of Zimbabwe as far as digital technology is concerned. Working with our parastatal will make our work much easier,” he said.
He said the ministry operates more than 60 vocational training centres, some in remote areas, and the partnership would ensure learners have access to the latest technology.
“This is in line with the President’s vision of leaving no place and no one behind. It is a powerful tool to ensure our youth move with technology,” said Mr Mhlanga.
NetOne chief executive officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the initiative marked a shift from policy to action through structured collaboration focused on youth empowerment, digital inclusion and enterprise development.
“This engagement is not merely ceremonial. It is a decisive step in translating policy into action and laying our own brick towards making Vision 2030 a reality,” he said.
Eng Mushanawani said the programme would convert connectivity into opportunity through nationwide rollout of affordable communication services, distribution platforms and agent models.
“Agent models that will open pathways for entrepreneurship, income generation and skills development,” he said.
“Our objective is to ensure that young people are not only connected, but financially empowered to transact, trade and build sustainable livelihoods within a secure digital ecosystem.”
The partnership will further digitise vocational training and youth centres, pilot innovative community solutions and integrate trained youths into formal value chains through mobilisation, training and deployment of agents and vendors.
“Thousands of young people will be transformed from job seekers into job creators and contributors to national productivity.
“NetOne remained committed to accountability, measurable impact and disciplined execution aligned to NDS2,” he said.
He said the initiative supports Zimbabwe’s vision of an innovation-led, inclusive and digitally empowered economy with youths at the centre of national transformation.
“We are transforming youths from job seekers into job creators, contributing meaningfully to national productivity and inclusive economic growth,” said Engineer Mushanawani.-herald
