From Community Problems to Profitable Solutions: Inside Zambia's First Youth WASH Innovation & Investment Night

By Alain Kabinda

The atmosphere inside the Government Complex was filled with anticipation as young entrepreneurs stepped forward, one by one, to present ideas they believe could change the way communities across Zambia approach water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

What began six weeks earlier as a training programme in hygiene behaviour change culminated on Friday, 10 July 2026, in the inaugural Youth WASH Innovation and Investment Night—an event that celebrated not only the completion of a programme, but also the emergence of a new generation of social entrepreneurs determined to turn everyday community challenges into sustainable business opportunities.

The event was organised by the Youth WASH Ambassadors Club (YWAC), which brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, academia and private sector representatives to witness firsthand how innovation can emerge from local communities when young people are equipped with the right knowledge, mentorship and practical skills.

The evening's highlight was the pitching session, where four finalists, selected from a cohort of 25 programme graduates, presented enterprises designed to tackle some of Zambia's most persistent WASH challenges. Their ideas addressed issues ranging from handwashing and menstrual hygiene management to sanitation services and solid waste management—areas that continue to influence public health and environmental sustainability across the country.

Each presentation reflected weeks of research carried out in schools, markets, health facilities and neighbourhoods. Rather than relying on assumptions, participants engaged directly with community members to understand their needs and identify practical, market-driven solutions.

The result was a collection of business ideas that sought not only to improve hygiene and sanitation but also to create employment, generate income and build healthier communities.

The event was officiated by Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Felix Mushabati from the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, whose presence underscored the government's growing recognition of youth as important partners in advancing Zambia's WASH agenda.

                                                              (Mr. Felix Mushabati) 

For many participants, it was the first opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, technical experts, development organisations and experienced professionals. The conversations that followed each presentation provided constructive feedback, fresh perspectives and the possibility of future partnerships that could help transform promising ideas into viable enterprises.

Instead, it represented a shift in thinking—one that recognises young people not merely as beneficiaries of development programmes, but as innovators capable of designing practical solutions to real societal challenges.

YWAC announced that the Youth WASH Innovation and Investment Night will become an annual platform dedicated to promoting youth-led innovation in the WASH sector. Future editions are expected to attract greater participation from investors, financial institutions and private sector partners, creating stronger pathways for promising enterprises to secure the support needed to grow.

The annual platform is also expected to contribute to Zambia's broader development aspirations under Vision 2030, the Eighth National Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Perhaps the greatest achievement of the evening, however, was not measured by the number of pitches delivered or certificates awarded. It was reflected in the confidence of young people who had discovered that the challenges affecting their communities could become opportunities to innovate, create businesses and improve lives.

As the inaugural Youth WASH Innovation and Investment Night came to a close, the message was unmistakable: Zambia's youth are not waiting for solutions—they are creating them.

With preparations already underway for the 2027 edition, organisers hope the platform will continue to grow into a flagship national event where innovation meets investment, partnerships are forged and young entrepreneurs become catalysts for healthier, more resilient communities across the country.

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