Gov’t Calls for Structured Pathways to Tackle Youth Unemployment
The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has called for coordinated and structured interventions to address youth unemployment in Zambia, where an estimated 3.3 million young people are currently not in education, employment or training.
Speaking at the UP-Forum Movement meeting in Livingstone, Permanent Secretary Mr Kangwa Chileshe said the country is at a critical point that requires practical and scalable solutions to unlock opportunities for young people.
He said while the figures present a major national challenge, they also reflect the potential of Zambia’s youthful population as a driver of economic growth if effectively supported.
Mr Chileshe commended development partners, including Heartlands and Hamara, for their contribution to youth empowerment programmes, noting their collaboration with local initiatives such as Arise Zambia, churches, and community-based organisations.
He said Zambia has significant untapped opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism, and technical trades, but access remains limited due to gaps in skills development, mentorship, and structured support systems.
“The issue is not the absence of opportunity, but the lack of structured access to it,” he said.
Mr Chileshe stressed the need to move beyond reliance on traditional formal employment and instead develop clear pathways that equip young people with practical skills, business tools, and access to markets.
He highlighted emerging models that link government and private sector efforts, including cooperatives, training programmes, and market-based initiatives that are already helping young people engage in economic activity.
He further noted that in sectors such as poultry production and housing, demand already exceeds supply, pointing to the need for better coordination and scaling of production systems.
Mr Chileshe called on stakeholders to move away from fragmented interventions and instead build integrated ecosystems involving government, the private sector, community organisations, and faith-based institutions to create sustainable opportunities for young people across the country.
