Zambia’s youth represent both a vibrant force for change and a demographic that faces significant barriers. With over 60% of the population under 25, the potential for national progress is clear.
Yet, the empowerment of young people remains a fundamental challenge. Ensuring that Zambian youth have access to education, employment, and a voice in governance is not just essential for their futures—it’s a matter of human rights.
The Demographics of Zambia’s Youth
Zambia’s youthful population is the country’s greatest asset. With so many young people eager to contribute, the opportunity for rapid growth and development is undeniable.
However, without the proper support, these young people risk being left behind. Ensuring they are empowered is key to unlocking their potential and the future of the nation.
Challenges Facing Zambian Youth
Education is the foundation for youth empowerment, but many young Zambians face barriers to accessing quality education.
While the government has made strides in expanding access to primary education, secondary and higher education remain out of reach for many, especially in rural areas. Limited resources, long distances to schools, and overcrowded classrooms hinder progress. These obstacles leave too many young people without the skills they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
Youth unemployment in Zambia is one of the highest in the region. Many young people graduate from school or university only to find themselves without jobs.
The formal job market is oversaturated, and the lack of job experience further complicates matters. Additionally, young people often lack access to capital and mentorship, which makes it difficult to start their own businesses.
Without significant reforms to create more job opportunities and support youth entrepreneurship, Zambia risks squandering the potential of its young workforce.
Despite being the country’s future leaders, young people in Zambia are often excluded from meaningful participation in politics and governance. Although Zambia has a relatively young electorate, youth voices remain largely absent in decision-making processes.
There is a growing need for platforms where young people can contribute to the policies that affect their lives, ensuring they are part of the conversation about their country’s future.
Empowering the youth of Zambia is not just an investment in the economy—it is a matter of upholding human rights. According to international frameworks like the African Youth Charter, young people are entitled to equal access to education, employment, and participation in civic life.
These are not privileges, but basic rights that should be guaranteed to all young Zambians.
Success Stories and Initiatives
While challenges persist, there are promising efforts to address the barriers young people face. Programs like the Youth Empowerment Fund and various vocational training initiatives have made a difference by helping young people start businesses, gain skills, and find employment.
These initiatives, though small in scale, show the positive impact that focused youth programs can have.
Recommendations for Advancing Youth Empowerment
Invest in Education: The government should focus on improving the quality of education, especially in rural areas. There must be a push for more accessible secondary and higher education opportunities and greater emphasis on vocational training, which aligns more closely with the needs of the job market.
Address Unemployment: More initiatives are needed to foster youth entrepreneurship and create job opportunities. Partnerships between the government and private sector could be pivotal in supporting young people in starting their own businesses.
Amplify Youth Voices: To ensure meaningful youth participation, young people need to be included in political processes. This could be through youth advisory councils or dedicated positions in governance, allowing them to influence policies that shape their future.
Conclusion
The youth of Zambia are qualified, yet denied the future they deserve. They are only called upon when their contributions benefit the interests of those in power, but when they seek to rise and build their own futures, they are often trampled upon.
Zambia’s youth hold the key to the nation’s future. By empowering them through education, job opportunities, and active participation in governance, Zambia can unlock untapped potential.
It’s time for the government, private sector, and civil society to join forces to create a supportive environment for youth. Only then can Zambia truly capitalize on its demographic dividend and secure a brighter future for all.
By Thokozile Nyambi