Author: Joshua Sapetulu

Executive Summary:

The Republic of Zambia is at a critical stage, where the potential of its vibrant youth population can shape its future to a significant extent. This policy briefing emphasises the importance of harnessing the energy, creativity and determination of Zambian youth to address pressing challenges and seize opportunities. An outcome of the ‘Youth and Social Justice Futures: Identifying Future Skills and Training in Africa’ project, this briefing advocates a comprehensive approach to youth development. At workshops that form part of the project, Zambian youth identified key areas of concern, including the high unemployment rate, limited political representation, inadequate education system and technological access disparities.

While the National Youth Policy and the National Information and Communications Technology Policy show the government’s commitment to youth development, it is crucial to bridge the implementation gap and assess their effectiveness. Zambian youth participants proposed an action plan encompassing inclusive civic engagement, mentorship programmes, increased youth representation in political leadership, enhanced skills development and equitable access to technology. By fostering youth participation in civic space, addressing youth unemployment through entrepreneurship, pursuing climate change mitigation and ensuring technological accessibility, Zambia can pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.