21/09/2026
A COMMITMENT TO ZAMBIA’S YOUTH: AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A historic 21st September 2026
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema for the confidence and trust placed in me through my appointment to serve as a Member of Parliament under the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system.
For me, this appointment is not simply about occupying a seat in Parliament. It is about creating an opportunity for young people to participate meaningfully in shaping the future of our country.
PUTTING THE YOUTHS IN THE LIMELIGHT
Our youth are talented, innovative and full of ideas. What many young people need is not simply someone to speak on their behalf, but someone who will listen to them, understand their challenges, champion their ideas and walk side by side with them.
My commitment is therefore to put the youth at the centre of my assignment.
I will engage young people across Zambia and create platforms where they can openly discuss the issues affecting them and propose practical solutions.
AGRICULTURE AS AN ENGINE OF OPPORTUNITY
Agriculture must remain one of our major areas of focus.
Zambia has enormous agricultural potential, and our young people must be positioned not merely as consumers of agricultural products, but as farmers, agribusiness owners, processors, innovators and exporters.
We must encourage more young people to see agriculture as a modern and profitable industry.
This means supporting initiatives that promote access to agricultural knowledge, modern farming technologies, markets, financing, value addition and entrepreneurship.
As a veterinary surgeon, I also understand the importance of livestock and animal health to the agricultural economy. We must create opportunities for young people across the entire agricultural value chain from production and animal health to processing, transportation, marketing and export.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Technology is another area that must receive serious attention.
Our young people are already using technology to create businesses, develop solutions and connect Zambia to the wider world. We must build an environment where innovation can thrive.
I will support conversations and initiatives that promote digital skills, innovation, technology based businesses, artificial intelligence, agricultural technology and digital entrepreneurship.
A young person in rural Zambia should be able to access knowledge, markets and opportunities just as a young person in an urban centre can.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND YOUTH LED INITIATIVES
We must also move beyond talking about unemployment and begin creating stronger pathways towards youth entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
I want to see more young Zambians establishing businesses, creating employment and developing solutions to problems within their communities.
Our approach will include mentorship, skills development, access to information, business development support, innovation hubs and stronger connections between young entrepreneurs and available opportunities.
We will encourage initiatives that allow young people to turn their ideas into sustainable enterprises.
WALKING WITH THE YOUTHS
My commitment is not to tell young people what they should do from a distance.
I will walk side by side with you I will to hear the concerns of the students, the unemployed graduate, the young farmer, the entrepreneur, the young professional, the young mother and the young person in rural Zambia.
Where young people have good ideas, I will work to ensure that those ideas are heard.
Where they identify challenges, I will work with relevant stakeholders to seek practical solutions.
Where initiatives can create opportunities, I will advocate for them.
I believe leadership should be measured not only by the positions we hold, but by the opportunities we help create for others.
I am grateful to President Hakainde Hichilema for the trust placed in me this responsibility knowing that it comes with expectations from the people I am privileged to serve.
My message to the young people of Zambia is simple:
Bring your ideas. Bring your energy. Bring your innovations. Bring your entrepreneurial spirit and let us work together.
I will listen. I will engage. I will advocate. I will work. And I will walk with you.
Our time as young people is now.
One Zambia 🇿🇲 one Nation.
Hon. Dr. Vincent Musilikani (BVM)
