NetOne Leads Digital Push in Government Youth Empowerment Programme

Government has entered into a partnership with State-owned mobile network operator NetOne to launch a nationwide youth digital empowerment programme designed to improve connectivity, digital skills, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among young Zimbabweans.

The collaboration was formalised in Harare yesterday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between NetOne and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.

Speaking at the event, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary said the partnership was key to unlocking the country’s youth demographic dividend, noting that Zimbabwe has an estimated 5.4 million young people aged between 15 and 35.

He explained that the agreement would fast-track the implementation of Government youth initiatives by tapping into NetOne’s extensive digital infrastructure and technical capabilities to support empowerment and vocational training programmes.

“This collaboration allows us to combine digital technology, financial literacy and enterprise development within youth programmes, including those run through vocational training centres nationwide,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary added that NetOne would play a strategic role under the whole-of-Government approach, particularly in areas where the ministry does not have specialised technical expertise.

“NetOne becomes a critical partner in ensuring that our young people are fully integrated into the digital economy. Working with a parastatal strengthens our capacity to deliver,” he said.

The ministry currently operates over 60 vocational training centres, some located in remote communities. Through the partnership, these institutions will gain access to modern digital tools, reliable connectivity and technology-driven learning platforms.

He said the initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s development philosophy of leaving no place and no one behind.

NetOne said the programme represents a shift from policy commitments to concrete action through structured collaboration focused on digital inclusion and youth empowerment.

“This partnership is about moving beyond statements to implementation. It is a deliberate contribution towards achieving Vision 2030,” the company said.

Under the programme, connectivity will be transformed into economic opportunity through the rollout of affordable communication services, digital distribution platforms and agent-based business models.

NetOne said the agent model would create avenues for entrepreneurship, income generation and skills development, ensuring that young people are not only connected but also financially empowered to participate in a secure digital economy.

As part of the agreement, vocational training and youth centres will be digitised, innovative community-based solutions piloted, and trained youths integrated into formal value chains through structured mobilisation, training and deployment as agents and vendors.