Youth Empowerment as a Driver of Economic Growth : Policy Implementation Challenges in Zimbabwe

The growth of the youth population in Africa, combined with crises in socio economic development, has rationalised the need for youth entrepreneurship based upon its potential contribution to the economic empowerment of those who take on the challenges of an entrepreneur. The need for youth entrepreneurship is given credence by the African Union, which offers several frameworks and programme initiatives in this regard. Signatories of the African Union are required to respond to these within their own context, as a means of making a meaningful contribution to these frameworks, through country specific policies, programmes and initiatives. This article examines the policy context for youth entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe as a driver of economic growth, and in so doing draws on both primary data, drawn from the findings of a qualitative empirical study conducted in Masvingo Province, and secondary data sources, to reflect on some of the policy implementation challenges experienced by both youth, engaging in projects, and relevant government managers.