The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts proudly represented Zambia at the 2025 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Africa and the Middle East Conference (AMEC), held from 21st to 25th May in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This year’s conference was hosted under the theme “Cultivating Resilient and Innovative Leaders,” attracting vibrant young changemakers from across the continent and beyond.
The 2025 JCI AMEC served as a dynamic platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates to connect, share ideas, and build collaborative solutions to the pressing challenges facing Africa and the Middle East. Participants engaged in transformative dialogue through keynote addresses, leadership training, and hands-on workshops aimed at nurturing innovation and resilience in leadership.
Zambia’s delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the National Youth Development Council (NYDC), and JCI Zambia. The team was led by Acting Director of Youth, Ms. Mable Beene Nedziwe, who reaffirmed Zambia’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people through regional cooperation and sustainable development initiatives.
“Zambia’s participation in AMEC 2025 reflects our government’s strong belief in the power of youth to drive positive change. This conference has provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and equip our future leaders with tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” said Ms. Nedziwe.
Throughout the five-day event, delegates explored topics such as youth entrepreneurship, social innovation, climate leadership, digital transformation, and civic engagement. Special focus was placed on the importance of resilience and adaptive leadership in the face of global uncertainties.
The Zambian team actively contributed to discussions and showcased the country’s efforts in advancing youth development through national strategies and grassroots initiatives. Their presence also provided a platform to promote Zambia as a committed partner in fostering inclusive, youth-led growth across the region.
JCI AMEC continues to be one of the premier gatherings for young leaders in Africa and the Middle East, offering a springboard for regional collaboration and visionary thinking. Zambia’s participation further cemented its position as a strong advocate for youth inclusion in decision-making processes and sustainable development.
As the nation works toward achieving the goals outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and Vision 2030, the insights and connections gained from this conference are expected to enrich ongoing national efforts aimed at building a resilient and empowered generation of leaders.
The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has expressed its gratitude to JCI for hosting a successful conference and reaffirmed its readiness to continue working with both local and international partners to advance youth-led innovation and leadership in Zambia.