Staff Reporter

Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, led a pivotal meeting yesterday with key stakeholders from the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA).
The discussions centred on forging a partnership to promote youth participation in Government procurement, paving the way for a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry and ZBCA.
The meeting, which was held in Harare yesterday and attended by various stakeholders, including Chairperson of the Young Contractors Desk, Langton Vito; CEO of ZBCA, Joyline Zindaga; and ZBCA President, Dr. Tinashe Manzungu, was meant to address challenges and identify solutions to issues surrounding youth empowerment in the construction industry.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister Mupamhanga highlighted Government’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and the need to involve young people in national projects.
“Youth inclusion in procurement processes is not just an initiative; it is a necessity for economic transformation. The 25% youth participation quota in tendering through the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) will enable young contractors to participate in large-scale Government projects, ultimately contributing to the growth of our economy,” said Deputy Mupamhanga.
Deputy Minister Mupamhanga also emphasised the Ministry’s broader efforts to create opportunities for the youth, stating, “Government has invested heavily in initiatives to provide access to skills, vocational training, and now, through our collaboration with ZBCA, we will ensure that our young people have a seat at the table in the public procurement space.”
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Manzungu welcomed the proposed changes, stressing the importance of this initiative in overcoming the barriers that limit youth participation in the industry.
“For too long, young people have struggled to access opportunities in Government projects due to a lack of resources and experience. This proposed youth quota is a game-changer. It will provide young contractors the chance to participate in lucrative projects and, most importantly, gain the experience that will be crucial for their growth as entrepreneurs in the future,” Dr. Manzungu noted.
He further emphasised the importance of making these opportunities accessible, noting, “We must ensure that the youth not only have access to tenders but also have the financial support to execute these projects successfully. This is why working with Empower Bank, which provides targeted financing to young entrepreneurs, is so crucial.”
With future meetings already planned, the partnership between the Ministry and ZBCA is expected to accelerate efforts to create pathways for youth to thrive within Zimbabwe’s procurement systems.