World Bank approves $55m for youth empowerment in Mozambique

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World Bank approves $55m for youth empowerment in Mozambique

8:22 CAT | 07 Feb 2019

File photo: APA

The World Bank has approved $55 million to support the Youth Development and Empowerment (2019-2024) Project in Mozambique, a document that falls under the government’s Five Year Plan 2015-2019, in the National Employment Policy, as well as in the Youth Policy, APA can report on Wednesday. Essentially, the initiative aims to promote actions to create self-employment as well as more job opportunities for young people.

In addition to retaining girls in schools, the project also aims to prevent premature marriages and encourage more active participation of young people as leaders of the development process in the country.

Addressing a media briefing in Maputo late on Tuesday, cabinet spokeswoman Ana Comoana, explained that it is up to the provincial governments “to select the districts that most need this funding.”

Comoana who is the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism said the project will actually contribute to youth empowerment in the employment areas in particular.

The Mozambique National Statistical Institute INE estimated that more than 45 percent of the Mozambican population of about 27 million is under 15 years, while 33 percent are in the youth category of 15-35 years.

The country’s universities and other tertiary education institutions churn out about 50,000 graduates annually, a majority of whom lack employable skills.

The youth in Mozambique contend with high rates of unemployment.

Source: APA