Youth minister says 2027 Budget must turn young people from beneficiaries into employers and economic actors.

Harare– Government has challenged young people to move beyond being mere beneficiaries of state resources and instead present practical proposals for businesses that can employ others and contribute to the national tax base, as preparations for the 2027 National Budget begin.

Speaking at the Third Youth Inclusive Budget Conference held at the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Mt Hampden on Thursday, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tinomudaishe Machakaire, said the narrative around youth empowerment must shift from dependency to production.

The two-day conference, which ran from October 2 to 3, 2026, was attended by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, Honourable Stanley Sakupwanya, several legislators, representatives from the Embassies of Switzerland and Norway, UNFPA Country Representatives, and youth delegates from all provinces.

Minister Machakaire said while the government remains committed to supporting young people, the focus for the upcoming budget must be on creating sustainable economic actors rather than just providing financial assistance.

“We cannot continue to approach the Budget only with the question, ‘What can Government give young people?’” Machakaire said.

“We must also ask, ‘What can Government do to help young people build businesses that can grow, employ others and contribute to the national fiscus?’”

The Minister highlighted the achievements of the previous year’s lobbying efforts, which resulted in tangible investments in vocational training infrastructure.

He cited the construction of the E.D. Mnangagwa Vocational Training Centre at Igava and the Joshua Nkomo Vocational Training Centre at Maphisa as evidence that youth participation in budget consultations yields results.

“These are more than just infrastructure projects. They are investments in the skills and productive capacity of our young people,” he said.

However, Machakaire emphasized that for the 2027 Budget, the criteria for success must be measured by economic output.

“Show us how Government can invest in youth businesses in ways that generate employment, expand production and ultimately broaden the national tax base,” he challenged the delegates.

He defined the ultimate goal of youth empowerment as the creation of viable enterprises. “If a Government-supported youth enterprise employs other young people, produces goods and services, grows its turnover and eventually pays taxes, then we have achieved something much greater than simply providing financial assistance. We have created an economic actor.”

The Minister called upon the Ministry and the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC), led by Chairperson Ms. R. Mugwagwa and Director Mr. B. Nyagwande, to facilitate connections between youth entrepreneurs and government opportunities.

The conference, supported by partners including the Olme Palme International Centre, the Zimbabwe Institute, and UNFPA, serves as a platform for young people to lobby for a youth-friendly 2027 National Budget.

Minister Machakaire urged the youth to bring forward innovative and hard-working proposals, stating that Government is ready to listen and provide the necessary enabling environment.

“Let us build a thriving youth economy and deliver Vision 2030,” he said.