28 Graduate from Digital Skills 4 Youth Project

By Pronellah Lunga

The Ministry of Youth Development and Vocational Training, in collaboration with Impact Hub Harare and Plan International Zimbabwe, celebrated the graduation of 28 students from the Digital Skills 4 Youth Project today.

The program aims to equip young people with critical digital and entrepreneurial skills, focusing on empowering young women and fostering growth in Zimbabwe’s digital economy.

The graduation ceremony, held in Bulawayo, was attended by key stakeholders, including the Secretary for Ministry of State, Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr. Paul Nyoni, who praised the initiative for its contribution to youth empowerment.

Nyoni emphasized the importance of digital literacy in today’s economy, stating, “We live in an information age where if you don’t have digital skills, you will struggle to make an impact. The courses like digital marketing, IT support, and cybersecurity are critical for development.”

The coordinator of Impact Hub Harare, Mr. George Nyamaropa, highlighted the success of the program, noting that 27 out of 28 students successfully completed the course. “Besides the certificates they received today, they have also been certified internationally with Google certification obtained through the Coursera platform,” said Nyamaropa, underscoring the global relevance of the skills the students gained.

One of the standout graduates, Thandolwenkosi Tawa from Nkulumane 5, was recognized as the top student. Expressing her gratitude, Tawa said, “I am excited to be part of the Digital Skills 4 Youth Project. The skills I have gained will allow me to enhance my digital literacy and work from home as a freelancer. As youths, we should not be idle, and I plan to continue with similar courses.”

The Digital Skills 4 Youth Project, held every four months, targets young people across both rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe with O-Level education and basic digital skills. Regions that have benefited include Bulawayo, Tsholotsho, Chiredzi, Masvingo, Mutare, and Harare, as the program aims to create a tech-savvy youth workforce ready to drive the country’s digital future.