ZAM challenges ZCAS graduates

The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) has issued a passionate call to action for the country's rising intelligentsia, urging over one thousand recent graduates to look beyond conventional employment and forge their own paths as creators of enterprise. Speaking during recent academic milestones, ZAM President Mohammed Umar challenged the 1,077 graduands of ZCAS University to leverage their acquired competencies to stimulate home-grown industrial growth and contribute meaningfully to the national economy. Umar emphasized that academic qualifications must serve as practical tools for problem-solving rather than merely tickets to corporate job markets that are already heavily constrained. In a nation striving to diversify its economic dependencies—historically anchored heavily on extractive industries—the manufacturing and value-addition sectors represent fertile ground for agile, forward-thinking entrepreneurs. By channeling academic insights into tangible commercial ventures, young professionals possess the capability to transform raw local resources into finished consumer and industrial goods. The appeal comes at a critical juncture for Zambia's economic landscape, where youth unemployment remains a pressing policy challenge despite steady macro-economic reforms. Stakeholders across various commercial domains have consistently underscored the necessity of bridging the persistent gap between higher education curricula and practical industry requirements. Encouraging entrepreneurship among university cohorts is widely regarded as a viable antidote to job scarcity, fostering a culture of self-reliance and localized innovation. Observers note that transitioning graduates into active business owners requires concerted multi-sectoral backing, spanning accessible financing, targeted mentorship, and a favorable regulatory environment. Industry bodies like ZAM are increasingly positioning themselves as catalysts for this transition, aiming to mentor upcoming enterp