Every year on 12 August, United Nations International Youth Day celebrates young people as powerful agents of change and recognizes the importance of investing in their education, skills and meaningful participation in sustainable development.
Across Africa, young people are shaping the continent's future through innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership when they have access to the skills, education, finance and opportunities to succeed.
I was part of a Bank delegation to Zambia that witnessed the impact of The Support to Science and Technology Education Project through the eyes of Kangwa Bwalya, who showed us around one of the engineering centers benefitting from the Bank's support.
The Support to Science and Technology Education Project reflects the African Development Bank Group's broader commitment to investing in young people through quality education, skills development and pathways to employment.
Through its Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa Action Plan, the Bank has committed an estimated $1.3 billion over the past three years to improve education infrastructure and foster demand-driven skills development. This includes support for nearly 400 higher education and technical and vocational education and training institutions, more than 50 open distance and digital learning centres, and 73 innovation centres across Africa.
Bwalya is one of those young people, featured in this photo essay showcasing the African Development Bank Group's Support to Science and Technology Education Project.
Through investments in science, technology and technical and vocational education, the project is creating opportunities for thousands of young Zambians to develop the skills and experience needed to pursue careers, build enterprises and contribute to their communities.
The project reflects the African Development Bank Group's Four Cardinal Points vision, including its focus on transforming Africa's women and youth demographics into an economic dividend. By expanding access to quality education, practical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities, the Support to Science and Technology Education Project demonstrates how investing in young people can help realize Africa's demographic potential.
This project's impact extends beyond classrooms and workshops. It awarded 5,494 scholarships to students studying mechanics, welding, electronics and other vocational disciplines, while providing employment and entrepreneurship training to almost 6,000 young people who are out of school. The project's design addresses private sector demand for employees with real-life skills, and it is tailored to real-time private sector needs to ensure uptake of trainees. These initiatives enhanced the employability and entrepreneurial prospects of more than 11,000 young people, helping prepare a new generation of skilled workers, innovators and business owners.
The project also strengthened learning environments by constructing and rehabilitating facilities, equipping laboratories, modernizing curricula and expanding access to quality science and technology education across Zambia.
The images that follow capture the determination, talent and aspirations behind these achievements. They exemplify the stories of young people gaining the knowledge and skills to pursue meaningful careers, launch enterprises and contribute to their communities. In doing so, they reflect the African Development Bank Group's commitment to investing in Africa's greatest asset - the people we serve.
University of Zambia engineering student Kangwa Bwalya doing library work, as part of her scholarship attained through the Bank's Zambia Support to Science, Technology and Education Project
The Bank's Zambia Support to Science, Technology and Education Project supported construction of this University of Zambia lecture theatre.
The Bank's Zambia Support to Science, Technology and Education Project supported construction of a University of Zambia lecture theatre.
Bank financing supported construction of two University of Zambia lecture halls, as well as the renovation of six facilities, and provided advanced lab equipment for natural sciences, engineering, mining and information and communications technology training.
University of Zambia engineering student Kangwa Bwalya is one recipient of 5,494 scholarships targeting youth studying mechanics, welding, electronics and other vocational skills in Zambia
University of Zambia engineering student Kangwa Bwalya presents Bank-supported improvements to a research lab, to a delegation of Bank senior executives and officials, including Director Martha Phiri (blue shirt, left) and Officer in Chage Martin Fregene (not pictured)
An example of Bank-financed, advanced lab equipment for natural sciences, engineering, mining and ICT training at the University of Zambia
An example of Bank-financed, advanced lab equipment for natural sciences, engineering, mining and ICT training at the University of Zambia
University of Zambia student Kangwa Bwalya is part of the Bank's commitment to provide youth educational and skills development opportunities for employability
Through the Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa Action Plan, the Bank has committed an estimated $1.3 billion over the last three years to improve education infrastructure and foster demand-driven skills development.
