Skills Training Key to Entrepreneurship Development, Says Hon. Nkandu
Zambia’s Minister of Youth, Sport, and Art, Hon. Elvis Nkandu, has emphasized the crucial role skills training plays in fostering entrepreneurship and economic transformation. Speaking during a benchmarking exercise at JAIN University in Bangalore, India, Hon. Nkandu outlined how the partnership between Zambia and JAIN University is part of a broader initiative to upscale training and skills development for Zambian youth.
The Minister revealed that JAIN University, one of India’s top tertiary institutions, had awarded 10 scholarships to Zambian students under the Presidential Scholarship initiative for the 2025 intake. These scholarships will help Zambian students acquire the skills needed to meet labor market demands and drive economic growth.
Hon. Nkandu praised JAIN University for its strong focus on ensuring employment opportunities for graduates, noting that its robust exit strategy includes job fairs and internships connecting students with both local and international companies. In addition to providing job opportunities, the university will support the Zambian government in building entrepreneurship capacity and incubating young entrepreneurs.
The Minister also highlighted the need for upgrading Youth Resource Centres across Zambia to extend skills training opportunities nationwide. His ministry has already been implementing youth skills training programs at these centers to develop entrepreneurship and incubation opportunities.
In the arts sector, Hon. Nkandu noted the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Zambia’s dilapidated arts infrastructure, much of which was built before independence. He is seeking partnerships with JAIN University to provide architectural expertise and training for Zambia’s creative industries, with the aim of producing quality products that can contribute to job creation.
Regarding sports development, Hon. Nkandu stressed the importance of effective sports administration and management, which, he said, could be strengthened through partnerships with institutions like JAIN University.
He expressed interest in incorporating sports science courses into the Zambian sports training framework, including areas like sports medicine, psychology, nutrition, and physiology.
JAIN University’s Chairman, Dr. Chenraj Roychand, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, emphasizing Zambia’s potential for economic growth through youth empowerment.
He highlighted the importance of sectors such as agriculture and energy in creating jobs for Zambian youth, which make up 40% of the country’s population.
Dr. Roychand concluded by saying that Zambia’s young, productive population holds the key to national development and global economic contributions through targeted skills training.
This is in a statement issued by Bennie Mundando, First Secretary (Press & Tourism), Zambia High Commission, New Delhi – Indiag.
