By Masauso Mkwayaya
President Hakainde Hichilema says government will this year create 2,000 job opportunities for young people through internship programmes in government and quasi-government institutions, including State House.
Speaking during the 2026 Youth Indaba in Lusaka, President Hichilema said government is also engaging the private sector to expand employment opportunities for young people.
He announced that each constituency will have a Loans and Funding Officer to provide professional assistance to youths applying for loans and funding opportunities, following challenges many have faced in accessing financing incentives.
The President further revealed that 20 percent of loans and grants under all government financing programmes—including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC)—will be reserved for young people.
He emphasized that his administration’s response to youth support is to demonstrate care by delivering opportunities in appreciation of the mandate given to government. President Hichilema urged youths to remain disciplined, innovative, and hardworking, noting that innovation thrives among the young.
Meanwhile, Youth, Sports and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu commended the President for consistently engaging with young people. He disclosed that all Youth Resource Centres will be transformed into hubs for entrepreneurship, skills development, and empowerment.
Mr. Nkandu added that the Ministry of Youth has more than 30,000 hectares of land in Mufumbwe, Mpongwe, and Mporokoso districts available for youths interested in agriculture to contribute to Zambia’s food basket.
