The Government of Zimbabwe has launched a US$1 million Youth Economic Empowerment Fund to support youth-led enterprises and promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth among young people.
The fund was unveiled at the Youth in Business Forum, held on the sidelines of the 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF 2026) in Bulawayo.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, pledged the government’s unwavering support for the youth, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving development.
The fund will be disbursed through the Youth Empowerment Bank, with a focus on transparency and accountability.
“The Fund will be disbursed through the Youth Empowerment Bank. When we talk about the Youth Empowerment Bank, it is mainly for the youth and any misconduct and unfairness in handling youth issues throuvh this bank is not tolerated and will be exposed.
“We need to do the rightful thing when it comes to empower the youth, our young people are struggling for jobs so let us create jobs for them.I want to thank our President His Excellency Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa for putting youth Empowerment at the centre.
“To the young people in Zimbabwe I want to let you know that you are the leaders of today, you can do it. What we need to do is to sit down and come up with solutions and develop as one people despite the criticism that might arise,”said Machakaire
The initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda, aiming to build an inclusive, upper-middle-income economy driven by innovation and productivity. The Youth in Business Forum brought together young innovators, startups, and policymakers to explore ways to strengthen youth participation in the economy
The 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF 2026) has been running under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” focusing on regional integration, supply chain resilience, and industrial growth.
Taking place at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, the event features more than 520 exhibitors, with high-level networking, the International Business Conference, and an official opening by Botswana’s President on April 23.
