Zambia plays host to Young Entrepreneurs from Namibia

CYP Africa Centre in collaboration with The Ministry of Youth and Sport in Zambia hosted the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, an initiative under the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture in the Republic of Namibia. The Namibia Youth Credit Scheme delegation compromised of 16 young entrepreneurs and 10 Youth Employment Officers from different regions of the Ministry. The Entrepreneurship Exchange visit between Zambia and Namibia which took place from October 29 to November 3nd 2012 aimed at offering a platform for the Young Entrepreneurs to share ideas, information, and experiences as well as showcase their skills

As part of the exchange, the Namibian delegation visited selected Youth Enterprise projects that have benefited funds from the Ministry of Youth and Sport such as Moffat Metal Craft Enterprise and Chifundo Youth Project. Moffat Metal Craft Enterprise was initiated in 2006 with one employee who was working with borrowed machinery. The enterprise has since expanded after having benefited from The Youth Development Fund. The Enterprise manufactures products from metal and wood such as dining chairs, beds, school desks and doors. Chifundo Youth Project on the other hand was initiated in 2002 by two people who deal in making furniture such as Living room Sofas and Kitchen Units. It received funding in 2003 which was used to expand their capital base, employ 18 youths and open a show room in Lusaka’s prime business area. It also now offers training to the youth in Carpentry, Welding, and tailoring. 60 Young people have since been trained.

The group also visited Africa Directions a Non-Governmental Organization established in 2002 to build capacity, skills and confidence of the youth in Zambia through programmes and services like peer education, Sports, Reproductive Health services, VCT and popular theatre.

The delegation toured Kalingalinga Youth Resource Centre a Government institution which offers courses that run for 9 months and other short courses that may run for a maximum of two weeks. The courses include Information Communications Technology (ICT), General hospitality, Food production; Fashion Design, Metal fabrication, Carpentry and the short courses include baking

The delegates further got an opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Ministry of Youth and Sport as well as the Namibian High commission in Zambia