Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science is piloting Njila.ai, an artificial intelligence-powered career guidance platform designed to help young people identify their skills, explore career opportunities and prepare for employment.
The initiative was presented to World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde, with students from Evelyn Hone College demonstrating how the platform supports career planning under the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project.
Integrated into Zambia’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system, Njila.ai aims to strengthen the connection between education and labour-market needs. The platform enables students to assess their skills, identify suitable occupations, understand employer expectations and explore further training or employment opportunities.
It also provides training institutions with insights into changing labour-market demand, helping them adapt their curricula to meet employers’ needs. Priority sectors include mining, agribusiness, tourism, energy and technology.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Technology and Science, Eng. Dr Brilliant Habeenzu, said the initiative aims to increase the number of young Zambians entering productive employment with skills aligned with the country’s economic priorities. He noted that expanding access to training must go hand in hand with stronger pathways into employment.
Habeenzu emphasised that Njila.ai’s success should be measured by its ability to narrow the gap between education and employment, rather than by the technology itself. Feedback from students will help refine the pilot before any wider rollout.
The STRIVE Project targets more than 35,000 young people enrolled in advanced TEVET programmes and another 150,000 through trades and short courses. It seeks to address shortages of mid-level technicians across key economic sectors. The ministry also indicated that the Njila.ai pilot is expected to reach more than 17,000 young people alongside wider investments in skills development.
Speaking on behalf of Evelyn Hone College students, Mercy Maonde said the platform was helping learners better understand employment opportunities, employer expectations and career planning. She described Njila.ai as a tool that could build confidence and provide clearer direction as young people prepare to enter the workforce.
The pilot highlights collaboration between government, the World Bank, training institutions, employers and students to ensure vocational education delivers practical, industry-relevant skills.
