In partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Zimbabwean government has launched the Zimbabwe Digital Skills Development Programme, aimed at equipping 1.5 million young people across the country with essential digital skills.
The initiative was officially unveiled during the National Youth Day celebrations on Friday at Hall 4 of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
Under the theme โEmpower Youth, Secure the Future,โ the event underscored the governmentโs commitment to fostering technological innovation and driving economic growth through youth empowerment.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who officiated at the launch, described the digital skills programme as a transformative effort to improve digital literacy and capabilities among Zimbabweโs youth, preparing them to meet the demands of the global digital economy.
โTodayโs event coincides with the launch of the Zimbabwe Digital Skills Development Programme, which we are implementing in partnership with our trusted development partner, the United Arab Emirates,โ President Mnangagwa said. โWe are profoundly grateful to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for supporting our national development initiatives.โ
The programme aims to train 1.5 million young Zimbabweans as software engineers, developers, and programmers.
โThis initiative will enhance digital literacy and skills among Zimbabwean citizens, empowering a new generation of professionals who will drive technological innovation,โ he continued. โThe youth will gain expertise in three key areas: Programming Fundamentals, Data Science Fundamentals, and Android Developer Fundamentals.โ
The President highlighted that the programme would improve the employability of young people, foster innovation, and promote entrepreneurship through the creation of local tech solutions and start-ups, boosting the countryโs global competitiveness.
He also emphasised the need to adapt to rapid technological advances, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
โIn this digital era, it is crucial that you equip yourselves with the skills needed to navigate the complex global ecosystem,โ President Mnangagwa urged. โThe rapid application of AI demands that we keep pace with a fast-evolving world by developing sector-specific digital expertise.โ
The President further called on young people to adopt a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing.
โThe current development era demands that you learn from each other, exchanging knowledge and experiences for the betterment of your communities and nations,โ he said. โYou alone carry this responsibility.โ
Mnangagwa reminded the youth of their critical role in shaping Zimbabweโs and Africaโs future.
โThe prosperity of our region and the continent rests in your hands,โ he said. โWe, the older generation, played our part in securing independence, freedom, and peace. Now, the responsibility is yours. Together, the youth of Africa can achieve the Africa we want and deserve.โ
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire, echoed the Presidentโs message, stressing the importance of digital literacy in empowering youth.
โAs we progress in the digital age, it is clear that digital literacy is crucial for young people to access education, employment, and economic opportunities,โ Machakaire said. โThe Ministry remains committed to prioritising digital literacy and skills development, ensuring that our youth are equipped to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.โ
Machakaire also highlighted the governmentโs efforts to modernise Vocational Training Centres to align them with global trends.
โOur country has vast potential for growth and enterprise development, but to fully realise this, we must ensure that our youth are equipped with the right skills,โ he said. โThis is why the Ministry is leading the transformation of Vocational Training Centres to offer modern, practical skills that empower youth for both personal and national development.โ
