Innovation and Structural Change : A Paradigm Shift in Addressing Youth Unemployment in Zimbabwe as a Way to Meet its 2030 Agenda

While youth unemployment in Zimbabwe is given pre-eminence in several discussion fora, there is evidence that it is increasing instead of receding, with some statistics indicating that it is hovering around 65%. This paper addresses critical aspects of the drivers of unemployment in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular. These include but are not limited to curriculum mismatch with industry requirements, low levels of economic expansion, and obsolete technology. The paper proceeds to point out that innovation can be used as a strategy to enhance job creation that meets the unemployment challenge. From a policy perspective, the government lacks the political will and means to initiate projects and technology that may reduce unemployment. This lack of creativity also means that the youth continue to operate sub-optimum projects. With an economy that is agro-based and highly dependent on the export of primary products, it is argued that value addition and beneficiation of products may transform the unemployment trends through innovation. The main research question asked is to what extent can innovation and structural change be adopted in an economy that is facing unemployment challenges? Using a qualitative methodology, the study reveals how innovation-inspired changes can create employment opportunities for the youth in agriculture and artisanal mining. The adoption of economic theories of entrepreneurship helps to unpack the experiences of the youth whose determination to improve their socio-economic status has seen them moving towards innovation in their agricultural and artisanal mining enterprises. The relevancy of these theories is also put under spotlight in examining the Zimbabwean context.