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President Hakainde Hichilema has called on young people to reject political violence and division, urging them to become patriotic ambassadors who promoted Zambia to the international community as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
The President also encouraged youths to be intentional about building their future in Zambia rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
Speaking at the 2026 National Youth Indaba held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Friday, Hichilema urged young people not to view foreign countries as the ultimate dream but instead focus on building their “own empires” at home where opportunities exist.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting youths through education, skills development and entrepreneurship initiatives, noting that education remained the best inheritance any young person can receive.
Hichilema said young people should see Zambia as a land of opportunity where they could grow businesses and contribute to national development.
“The government is expanding vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes to equip young people with practical skills needed for the job market,” he said.
He also announced that government would recruit interns across government institutions and parastatals to give young people practical experience and better prepare them for employment.
The President further disclosed that officers would be deployed in all constituencies to help young entrepreneurs refine and strengthen their project proposals, a move aimed at improving the success rate of youth empowerment applications.
Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia, said young people remained central to the country’s development and must be empowered with opportunities to fully participate in shaping the nation’s future.
“The United Nations continues to support youth-focused initiatives in Zambia, including internship programmes, entrepreneurship support for youth-led enterprises and expanded life skills education across several provinces,” Mutali said.
She added that such programmes aimed to equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in emerging sectors such as technology, green jobs and agribusiness.
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Meanwhile, Elvis Nkandu, Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, said the government remained committed to ensuring that empowerment programmes translated into real opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for young people.
Nkandu said the ministry was working to transform Youth Resource Centres across the country into vibrant hubs for skills development, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and life-skills programmes.
“The government is also strengthening youth empowerment initiatives to ensure that programmes are more accessible at community level and that beneficiaries are supported so that empowerment translates into sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jameson Muleya, a delegate, thanked the government and its partners for creating platforms that allow young people to engage directly with national leaders and contribute ideas to national development.
“The National Youth Indaba demonstrates government’s commitment to placing young people at the centre of policy and decision making,” Muleya said.
He also encouraged young people across the country to turn the discussions held during the Indaba into concrete action in their communities.
The 2026 National Youth Indaba was held under the theme “Arise and Soar.”
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