Youth Empowerment and Development

Youth Empowerment and
Development

Supports youth entrepreneurship through policy creation, funding management, business incubation, and creating economic opportunities for youth in various sectors

Youth Service in Zimbabwe

Youth Service in
Zimbabwe

Encourages national identity and civic responsibility among youth through career guidance, training programs, and public-private partnerships, facilitating placements in government and education.

Vocational Training and Skills Development

Vocational Training and Skills Development

Provides youth with technical and entrepreneurial skills through vocational training, public-private partnerships, and curriculum development to improve employability and self-sufficiency.

Business Development

Business
Development

Focuses on youth entrepreneurship by developing policies, providing technical support, creating business hubs, and establishing public-private partnerships for youth empowerment.

Ministry Core Values
OVERALL PURPOSE

Ministry Core Values

The Ministry Core Values exist to define how we work and serve. They set the standard for staff conduct, team culture, and service delivery so every action reflects Zimbabwe’s interests and public trust.

Patriotism

Desire or love for one’s country (Zimbabwe first).

Accountability

State of being transparent, accountable, responsible, and answerable for one’s and our collective action.

Teamwork

Leveraging each other’s experiences and strengths and working inclusively with love and respect.

Innovation

Initiating and embracing new methods or ideas for enhancing service delivery timeously.

Integrity

Honesty, trustworthiness, steadfastness, and adherence to moral and professional principles.

OUR PRINCIPALS

Meet Our Principals

Hon. T. Machakaire (MP)

Hon. T. Machakaire (MP)

MINISTER

Hon. K. Mupamhanga (MP)

Hon. K. Mupamhanga (MP)

DEPUTY MINISTER

Mr S. Mhlanga

Mr S. Mhlanga

PERMANENT SECRETARY

DEPARTMENTS

Our Core Departments

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Youth Empowerment & Development

Supports youth entrepreneurship through policy creation, funding management, business incubation, and creating economic opportunities for youth in various sectors

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Youth Service in Zimbabwe

Encourages national identity and civic responsibility among youth through career guidance,

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Vocational Training Centers

Provides youth with technical and entrepreneurial skills through vocational training, public-private partnerships, and curriculum development to improve employability and self-sufficiency.

Business Development

Focuses on youth entrepreneurship by developing policies, providing technical support, creating business hubs, and establishing public-private partnerships for youth empowerment.

Projects

Project

Kaguvi VTC Horticulture Project.

The Skills for Youth and Women Employability and Productivity (SYWEP) Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training with financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and technical implementation support from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project focuses on three priority value chains, one of which is horticulture, to be implemented at Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre (VTC). Good progress has been recorded in establishing the horticulture project. The foundation works for the 100 000 litre water tank have been successfully completed, and the site is now ready for the concrete pouring stage. Once completed, the water tank will enhance the project's irrigation capacity, ensuring a reliable water supply to support year-round horticultural production.

Project

Mutoko Young Farmers Peas Cluster

The Ministry in partnership with ZimTrade, continues to promote youth-led agricultural transformation through the establishment of a peas production cluster in Mutoko District. The initiative is centred at Tabudirira Vocational Training Centre (VTC), which serves as the cluster’s aggregation and coordination hub. The programme was introduced to empower young farmers through commercial peas production, enabling them to participate in high-value agricultural value chains while creating sustainable livelihoods and income-generating opportunities. Through the cluster model, young farmers are benefiting from improved access to technical support, practical training, market linkages and shared production resources. To support the initiative, Tabudirira VTC established a half-hectare demonstration plot dedicated to peas production. The plot serves as a practical learning platform where young farmers are exposed to recommended agronomic practices and modern farming techniques aimed at improving productivity and profitability. The cluster comprises six young farmers operating within the Tabudirira area. At Chitora 2 Irrigation Scheme, four young farmers jointly cultivated 1.2 hectares of peas and have already commenced harvesting. The crop is expected to yield approximately 10 tonnes this season, reflecting the success of the young farmers' efforts and the effectiveness of the cluster approach. In addition, two other young farmers each established one hectare of peas, further increasing the cluster’s production capacity. Collectively, the six young farmers have cultivated three hectares of peas, with total production projected to reach approximately 18 tonnes during the current season. The anticipated harvest demonstrates the potential of youth participation in commercial agriculture and highlights the capacity of young people to contribute meaningfully to food security, economic growth and rural development. Through access to training, markets and production support, the young farmers are transitioning from subsistence farming to commercially oriented agricultural enterprises. The Mutoko peas cluster further showcases the evolving role of Vocational Training Centres in empowering young people and driving community development. Beyond skills training, centres such as Tabudirira VTC are becoming incubation hubs for entrepreneurship, innovation and agricultural production. Through strategic partnerships and practical empowerment programmes, the Ministry remains committed to equipping young people with the skills, resources and opportunities needed to participate actively in Zimbabwe's economic development agenda.

Project

Kaguvi VTC 80kVA Solar Power Plant.

Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre (VTC) commissioned an 80kVA solar power plant in the Midlands Province to improve practical training, reduce electricity costs, and host national events. The US$61,000 renewable energy project was funded through a US$58,500 EmpowerBank loan, with an additional US$2,500 used for security fencing. The solar facility was officially commissioned on July 2, 2026, by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Hon. Tino Machakaire. It stands as the largest solar installation at any VTC in the Midlands Province, allowing the institution to transition toward affordable and sustainable energy.

Project

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre-Igava

President E.D Mnangagwa presided over the ground breaking ceremony of the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre at Igava in Marondera. The facility serves as a model for modern youth training centres. It combines technical skills development with practical rural enterprise, showcasing the government's strategy to turn training centers into economic hubs. The Igava facility features upgraded infrastructure alongside a dedicated Village Business Unit equipped with solar-powered borehole technology, drip irrigation, and fishponds. Designed to offer hands-on training in trades such as agriculture, technical crafts, and entrepreneurship, the centre empowers rural youth with industry-relevant qualifications. By equipping young people to build sustainable livelihoods, the Igava centre supports Zimbabwe’s broader Vision 2030 objectives for inclusive economic development.

Project

Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo National Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre

The Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo National Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre, located near St. Joseph's in Kezi (Matobo District), is a major government project designed to honor the legacy of the late Vice President and "Father Zimbabwe," Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Situated in his ancestral home area, the multimillion-dollar facility was established to decentralize education and bring technical and vocational training directly to rural communities in Matabeleland South. The centre integrates practical technical skills training with the National Youth Service program. Learners receive hands-on instruction in trades such as carpentry, building, welding, and entrepreneurship, alongside civic and national service education. This dual approach aims to foster discipline, civic responsibility, and self-reliance, equipping young Zimbabweans with industry-relevant skills to build sustainable livelihoods or launch their own enterprises. Featuring modern infrastructure—including classroom blocks, technical workshops, administrative blocks, student hostels, and support facilities—the institution serves as a crucial hub for youth empowerment. By creating local opportunities for skills development and employment, the centre aligns with national development goals (Vision 2030) to reduce rural-urban disparities and promote sustainable economic growth throughout the region.

LATEST UPDATES

News

The Launch of Hope, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Project. Update
July 17, 2025

The Launch of Hope, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Project.

The Launch of Hope, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Project On a bright morning in Harare, excitement filled the air as the Newlands Country Club prepared for a significant event—the official launch of the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Project. The initiative aimed to empower the youth of Zimbabwe by creating sustainable job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship. As guests began to arrive, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Among them was Mr. Solomon Mhlanga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training, who was invited to be the Guest of Honour. He understood the importance of this project, especially in a country where over 2.3 million young people were not in education, employment, or training. The event commenced with heartfelt greetings from the Director of Ceremonies, who welcomed representatives from various sectors, including development partners, private sector actors, and youth leaders. The crowd represented a mosaic of Zimbabwean society, united by a common goal: to uplift the youth. As Mr. Mhlanga took the stage, he reflected on the challenges faced by young Zimbabweans. “Today’s launch is not merely a project event; it is a strategic milestone in our journey to create inclusive and decent work opportunities for our youth,” he stated. His words resonated with the audience, many of whom were eager to contribute to the nation’s economic transformation. He spoke of the government's Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy, emphasizing the need for actionable solutions that empower youth as job creators and leaders. The audience listened intently as he acknowledged the critical partnership with SNV Zimbabwe, whose support had been instrumental in reviewing national policies and promoting youth-responsive planning. The YEE project, now in its second phase, aimed to reach 13,000 youth and create 7,000 green jobs. As he shared the successes of Phase I where thousands of youths were trained and many enterprises flourished—the audience erupted in applause. The statistics were not just numbers; they represented lives transformed and futures secured. After Mr. Mhlanga’s inspiring speech, the program featured a documentary showcasing success stories from the previous phase. Young entrepreneurs shared their journeys, highlighting how the initiative had equipped them with skills and confidence. The room was filled with hope and inspiration, as attendees saw firsthand the positive impact of the YEE project. The event concluded with a call to action. Mr. Mhlanga urged all stakeholders to collaborate and ensure the successful implementation of the YEE project. “Empowered youth are the foundation of Zimbabwe’s prosperity. Together, we will realize that vision,” he declared. As the guests mingled during the exhibition tour, conversations sparked between young entrepreneurs and potential investors. The atmosphere was electric with possibilities. The YEE project was more than a program; it was a movement toward a brighter future for the youth of Zimbabwe. And so, on that day, a new chapter began one filled with hope, empowerment, and the promise of a prosperous tomorrow for the youth of Zimbabwe.

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Ministry and CAMFED Zim engage to empower young people. Update
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