Zimbabwe's Youth Service Achieves Milestones in Empowerment and Anti-Drug Efforts

Strategic Insights -

The Youth Service in Zimbabwe has made significant strides in empowering young citizens and tackling the challenges of drug and substance abuse. Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere announced that 1,907 youths have graduated, while an additional 1,844, including 70 survivors of drug use, are undergoing training. This achievement is part of a broader strategy to address the country's challenges posed by drug and substance abuse. The Government has also launched various initiatives to support youth empowerment, including awareness campaigns, leadership training, and entrepreneurship programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • 1,907 youths have graduated from the Youth Service, while 1,844, including 70 survivors of drug use, are undergoing training.
  • The Government has reached out to 212,426 youths through awareness campaigns and empowerment programs, covering topics such as youth development leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
  • President Mnangagwa handed over tipper trucks to young entrepreneurs, valued at US$2 million, as part of the Presidential Youth Fund to support businesses in sectors such as construction, mining, and transport.
  • 17,349 youths were empowered through programs such as fish farming, the Mbire Goat project, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, and financial literacy training through Empower Bank and Tonganyika Trust.
  • Line ministries carried out campaigns against drug and substance abuse, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reaching 1,082,875 learners and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development engaging 24,364 youths.
  • Over 300 youths benefited from green jobs, and 662 heifers, 31,000 chicks, and 890,000 fingerlings were distributed under the Presidential Empowerment Schemes targeting youths.
  • 41 drug kingpins were named and shamed, and individuals were sentenced to custodial terms of 12 months to 15 years in prison, with 206 cumulative raids conducted nationwide, leading to the dismantling of 39 illicit drug bases and arrests of 1,445 suspects.

Statistics:

  • 1,907 youths have graduated from the Youth Service.
  • 1,844 youths, including 70 survivors of drug use, are undergoing training.
  • 212,426 youths were reached through awareness campaigns and empowerment programs.
  • 17,349 youths were empowered through various programs.
  • 662 heifers, 31,000 chicks, and 890,000 fingerlings were distributed under the Presidential Empowerment Schemes.
  • 41 drug kingpins were named and shamed.
  • 1,445 suspects were arrested in drug-related operations.
  • 206 raids were conducted nationwide to dismantle illicit drug bases.
  • 39 illicit drug bases were dismantled.

Sources:

  • Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, Tuesday.
  • Cabinet report on drug and substance abuse, covering the period from March 12 to June 2, 2025.
  • Presidential Youth Fund.
  • Empower Bank.
  • Tonganyika Trust.
  • Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
  • Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
  • Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
  • Liquor Licencing Board.