By Lackson Makodza
The statement made by President Hakainde Hichilema during this year’s commemoration of National Youth Day on 12th March that, “Youths are an asset of this country”, underscores his administration’s recognition of the critical role young people play in shaping Zambia’s future.
The President’s statement embodies a profound sense of hope and optimism, reinforcing the conviction that Zambia’s youth are central to the country’s development.
“The government has the vision for the youths of Zambia, youths are not a problem, they are the assets of this country,” President Hichilema stated.
It is evident that President Hichilema and his administration place great value on the youths of Zambia, recognising them not only as vital contributors to the nation’s present but also as key architects of its future development.
By publicly acknowledging during the National Youth Day commemoration that youths are an asset to the nation, President Hichilema conveyed a powerful message that speaks volumes about his government’s view of young people.
This is the more reason the President extended an olive branch to the youth, inviting them to work with the government in driving the country’s development agenda.
“Let us continue to build this country together, after all you are the majority of this country’s population, you have a bigger stake in this country Zambia,” he said.
If Zambia is to prosper, the youth must be part of the developmental equation, for it is undeniable that they constitute the majority of the nation’s population. Their sheer numbers, combined with their energy, creativity, and resilience, make them an indispensable force in shaping the country’s destiny.
To exclude them from the country’s development agenda would mean overlooking the very foundation upon which Zambia’s future growth rests.
As such, the government has a unique opportunity to tap into the vast, yet often overlooked, potential that the youth possess. Harnessing this potential means recognising young people not only as beneficiaries of policies but as active participants in shaping them.
Youths are a vital human resource that cannot be ignored as the country pursues its social and economic development agenda, for they represent the energy needed to drive Zambia toward sustainable progress.
What is most gratifying is that President Hichilema is fully aware of the immense potential Zambia’s youth offer, hence his eagerness to harness their energy in advancing the nation’s development agenda.
The energy of the youth can only be fully used through collaboration and close partnership with the government and other stakeholders. It is through such cooperation that young people’s creativity, resilience, and innovative spirit can be transformed into tangible contributions to national progress.
Zambia stands to benefit significantly from the innovation, creativity, and dynamism of its youth, as these qualities are essential to building a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous nation. These attributes, when nurtured and harnessed, can drive transformative change across every sector of society, from technology and entrepreneurship to governance and community development.
“You are central to national development. The energy that resides in the youth, you are an advantage to our country, we are going to work with you in utilising your energy,” the President told the young people.
For a long time, Zambia’s youth were not recognised as equal partners in national development. However, this perception is now shifting with growing acknowledgement of their indispensable role in shaping the country’s social, economic, and political future.
The Head of State reinforced this narrative when he acknowledged that some people view youths as a problem, a perception he firmly dismissed, emphasising instead that young people are an invaluable asset to the nation.
“I have heard some people say that youths are a problem. No, I am here to tell you that youths are the assets of this country,” he said.
To further ensure that youths are fully incorporated in the socio-economic development of the country, President Hichilema launched the business application called Imisepela, which means youths.
The Imisepela App is part of government efforts aimed at ensuring that youths have access to job opportunities in various sectors of the economy through the app.
Additionally, the app allows youths to access funds for business startups and expansion. All this is part of government efforts to make sure youths have the means required to drive economic development.
During the launch of the app, President Hichilema implored the youths to fully utilise the Imisepela app in a bid to improve their welfare.
Apart from the Impisepela app initiative, the government is already allocating substantial amounts of funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) meant for youth skills development training. Hundreds of young people have and are still benefiting from this training.
Additionally, the government has provided bursaries and meal allowances to students to help them concentrate on their education.
It has further created a conducive environment that enables young people to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures.
All of this is aimed at ensuring that young people are fully equipped with the necessary tools they need to drive Zambia’s development agenda. By investing in education, skills, and empowerment, the government is laying the foundation for a generation capable of sustaining the nation’s growth and prosperity.
In North-Western Province alone, over 14,000 male and female youths have been sponsored to undergo skills development training, a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to empowering young people with practical tools for self-reliance and national contribution.
North-Western Province Minister, Robert Lihefu, disclosed this when he delivered welcoming remarks during the commemoration of National Youth Day.
Mr. Lihefu further disclosed that over 4,500 youths in the province have been empowered through Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans, enabling them to venture into entrepreneurship and other income-generating activities that contribute to both personal advancement and community development.
“So far a total of 14, 500 have been sponsored in youth development skills training in North-Western and over 4,500 youths, men and women, have been empowered using CDF loans,” he said.
Equipped with skills, young people will be positioned to contribute meaningfully to national development by creating their own employment opportunities and generating jobs for their peers.
The government has shown unwavering commitment and desire to work with the youth in steering the country’s economic development, therefore, the onus remains on the youth to rise and soar by seizing every opportunity designed to empower them.
This call to action underscores the shared responsibility between leadership and young people, where the government provides the platforms and resources, and youth respond with energy, innovation, and determination. Only through this synergy can Zambia unlock its full potential and chart a path toward inclusive and sustainable progress.
