Zambia Celebrates Future Innovators at Yango STEM Fellowship Graduation
The inaugural Yango STEM Fellowship Graduation celebrated Zambia’s next generation of innovators, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and young STEM pioneers shaping the country’s technological future. The event marked a key milestone in Zambia’s digital and innovation journey.
The Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix C. Mutati, MP, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the Fellowship as a vital seed of innovation. He emphasised the importance of funding mechanisms that support creative, youth-driven ideas, while fostering resilience and perseverance.
“Failure is part of the learning process on the road to success,” he noted, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment, strengthening digital infrastructure, and implementing policies such as the Inventors and Innovation Bill.
The Minister praised the Yango-STEM Foundation partnership for mentorship and community engagement, invoking the principle of Ubuntu: “If you eat alone, you choke.”
Mr Jito Kayumba, Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investments, highlighted President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to technological advancement, urging young innovators to view societal challenges as opportunities to create solutions that transform lives and generate wealth.
He stressed the role of STEM in bridging skills gaps, participating in global energy transitions, and leveraging Zambia’s mineral resources for innovation-driven growth.
Ms Kabanda Chewe, Country Director of Yango Zambia, described the Fellowship as more than a graduation — a celebration of Zambia’s future. She highlighted the programme’s impact in providing financial support, mentorship, and industry exposure to university STEM students. Fellows gained practical experience through workshops, volunteering, and networking with industry leaders from organisations including FNB, Standard Chartered Bank, and ZANACO.
Success stories featured during the ceremony included:
- Elon, a Yango driver who self-funded his education and became a data-literate professional.
- Frida, the youngest fellow, who won a jet competition and secured an internship at Copperbelt Energy Corporation.
- Sophia, an entrepreneur who financed her studies through baking.
Ms Chewe also highlighted gender parity among the fellows, showcasing the programme’s commitment to inclusivity in technology.
The graduation highlighted the importance of aligning STEM education with industry needs, fostering inclusive innovation, and linking academic knowledge to real-world applications. Government, private sector partners, and the fellows themselves emerged as key drivers of Zambia’s digital and economic transformation.
The event closed with a vision for a tech-driven Zambia, where youth-led innovation fuels economic growth, inclusivity, and sustainable development, reflecting the country’s ambition for 80% digital inclusion.
