At the heart of Zambia’s capital Lusaka, the energy was unmistakable, more than 800 young innovators, agri-preneurs, policymakers, private sector leaders and development partners across the country gathered for the second edition of the 2025 YouthConnekt National Summit celebrated under the theme - “Green Hustle: Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Agriculture.” The event placed Zambia’s youth firmly at the centre of the nation’s economic transformation and climate-smart future.

The Summit, organised by the Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts and the National Youth Development Council, with support from the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Volunteers, the United Nations Development Programme and other partners was officially opened by Her Honour, the Vice President, Dr. W.K. Mutale-Nalumango, marking a defining moment for Zambia’s youth empowerment agenda. Since its launch in 2024, YouthConnekt Zambia has rapidly grown into a national platform connecting young people to the skills, resources, and opportunities that equip them to shape the country’s development trajectory.

Dr. Mutale-Nalumango delivered a compelling Call to Action “You are not only the leaders of tomorrow, you are the game-changers of today.” As the Vice-President declared the Summit officially opened, her message was clear “Agriculture is no longer a sector of last resort, it is the sector of the future. Let us make the ‘Green Hustle’ a reality that transforms lives and communities across Zambia,” she said

While agriculture remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy, the Vice President noted that many still view it through a traditional lens or as subsistence based. Yet the world is changing. Agriculture today is being revolutionized by technology, digital tools and green solutions. And Zambia is poised to take advantage.

With 26.7% of the population aged between 19 and 34, Zambia has an unprecedented opportunity to modernize its agricultural sector through youth-led innovation. The Vice-President emphasized that young people have the “creativity, energy and determination to re-imagine farming as smart agribusiness.” 

With bold ideas, strategic investments, and a vibrant youth population ready to innovate, Zambia’s agricultural revolution is well underway and it is being led by its young people.

Also speaking at the summit, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Beatrice Mutali said the summit is demonstrating that when young people are given the tools, resources, and an enabling environment, they can transform entire value chains. “In agriculture specifically, we have seen young innovators embrace technology from drone-assisted farming, digital marketplaces, irrigation solutions, to climate-smart agribusiness models. These innovations not only contribute to food security but also create employment, strengthen rural economies, and enhance Zambia’s resilience to climate change.” 

Ms Mutali added that as the agriculture sector expands, it is vital to ensure young women, young persons with disabilities, and young people in rural areas are not left behind but fully equipped to participate in this evolving green economy. She said no single institution can achieve sustainable development alone, it is partnerships between government, the private sector, development agencies, academia and youth-led organizations that make progress possible. “The United Nations is proud to support a growing ecosystem of collaboration that links young people to finance, markets, mentorship and digital opportunities.” 

Ms Mutali said “These partnerships are paving the way for Zambia’s transition to a greener, more diversified economy, where the innovation and enterprise of young people drive national progress. As we advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals, such multi-sector partnerships will remain central to unlocking large-scale, lasting impact.”

Additionally, she said looking ahead, the United Nations remained deeply committed to strengthening pathways that allow every young person to thrive and that included expanding opportunities for green jobs, enhancing youth participation in governance, and ensuring that national policies reflect the aspirations and realities of young people. 

“As new global challenges emerge from climate shocks to technological disruptions, the leadership and creativity of Zambia’s youth will be vital,” Ms Mutali said. 

Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. James Wakiaga highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in driving youth empowerment. “No single institution can build an inclusive green economy alone. It takes government leadership, private sector investment, development partner support, and youth ambition working together.” 

He reiterated UNDP’s commitment to deepening collaboration under YouthConnekt Zambia, the Accelerator Lab, the MineTech Hub and other national initiatives that link young people to finance, technology, innovation and mentorship. He noted that “Our collective investment in young people is not charity, it is an investment in Zambia’s future competitiveness and resilience”.

The call for shared responsibility was echoed by the young people themselves, who reflected on how the summit empowered them.

Loren Nkomwa, a participant shared her reflections - “I was encouraged by the words from the Vice President that there is no decision for the youth that should be made without them and as young people, it was clear during the summit that we are not just beneficiaries of agriculture projects but are active participants through our energy and innovation.”

Another participant, Tembani Zulu added, “This YouthConnekt summit opened my mind to new ideas I did not know about, and that even as we study different programmes in school, it is important to open our mind up to agriculture because through agriculture, as young people, we can create a future we want.”

The Summit also showcased the brilliance of Zambia’s young innovators through a climate-focused pitch competition. Three outstanding youth-led enterprises emerged as winners. The Circular Fibre Initiative, led by environmental innovators Jeff Kalengo and Enock Mwewa, took first place and walked away with K40,000. In second place, Kula Bikes, represented by Lucky Mulundu, received K20,000. The third-place award went to Surplus Connekt, led by Stanley Kalenga, who secured K10,000 to grow their solution.

These winning ideas are more than business ventures, they are a symbol of Zambia’s green ambition, a testament to what young people can achieve when given the platform, the skills and the belief to dream boldly. The Summit may have ended, but the momentum it created is only beginning. Zambia’s youth are not waiting for the future they are building it, one innovation at a time.