Skip to main content
Exploring the Contribution of Non-profits in Promoting Youth Employment and Livelihoods in Zimbabwe

Conducted under the Mastercard Foundation–CAPSI partnership, the study investigates the extent to which non-profits contribute to the creation of dignified and fulfilling jobs for youth, especially those at the margins. Using a conceptual framework that defines the nonprofit sector and “dignified and fulfilling work,” the review draws from published and grey literature, with a focus on NGOs as a subset of CSOs. It finds that while the sector employs a small percentage of the labor force (around 1.2%), it significantly impacts youth livelihoods through both direct employment and indirect contributions such as skills development, training, and advocacy. Despite limitations such as project-based sustainability and insufficient economic data, the sector plays a crucial role in addressing structural inequalities and providing alternatives where state support is lacking. The report concludes that NGOs in Zimbabwe are essential actors in the youth employment ecosystem, offering both economic opportunities and a voice in policy processes, though more systematic impact measurement is needed.

  • Author(s):
    Tendai Murisa
  • Copyright:
    Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI)
  • Year:
    2025
  • Document Number:
    CAPSI.2025/LR6
  • Availability:
    Web-Only
  • Pages:
    36
  • Publication Date:
    2025-05-01
  • Series:
    Research Reports
  • DOI:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.47019/CAPSI.2025/LR6
  • Cite this Article:
    Murisa, T. (2025). Exploring the Contribution of Non-profits in Promoting Youth Employment and Livelihoods in Zimbabwe: A Literature Review (Report No. LR6). Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment. http://dx.doi.org/10.47019/CAPSI.2025/LR6
Share this article