On January 30, 2025, a significant initiative was launched to empower Zambian youths through digital entrepreneurship training.
This program is a collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Access Centre.
The program aims to equip young people with essential digital skills, which are becoming increasingly vital in today’s job market.
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Empowering the next generation
The training program has reached 175 participants in Lusaka and Livingstone, nearly half of whom are women. It focuses on equipping young individuals with knowledge in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and social media.
This initiative is crucial as it addresses the high unemployment rates among Zambian youth, which currently stand at over 10 per cent.
Bernard Banda, director of economic regulation at ZICTA, emphasised the importance of digital skills, stating, “Digital capacity has now more than ever become fundamental and an enabler to meet the new and ever-changing demands of the digital world.”
Real impact on lives
Participants have already begun to see the benefits of their training. Over 60 individuals have created profiles on various freelancer platforms, with many reporting new job opportunities.
Mercy Chewetu Mukupa, founder of Queen of Chitenge Fashion Ltd., expressed her gratitude for the program, “The We’Digit training programme gave me the confidence to complete my e-commerce website”.
Similarly, freelancer Clive Lusana noted how the training helped her integrate artificial intelligence tools into her work, saying, “The DIY model really helped me take responsibility over my own future”.
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Bridging the digital divide
This initiative is part of ITC’s broader efforts to bridge Zambia’s digital divide and unlock new business opportunities for its youth.
The program aligns with Zambia’s National Development Plan 2022-2026, highlighting digital capacity-building as a key strategy for economic transformation. By fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing digital skills among young people, this initiative aims to create job opportunities and stimulate broader economic growth in Zambia.
As this program unfolds, it will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping a generation of digitally skilled entrepreneurs ready to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving job market.