Cabo Delgado youth shine through solar training

One morning, seven young graduates from Young Africa’s Sustainable Youth Empowerment (SYE) project arrived at the Montepuez Ruby Mining site not as miners, but as interns, ready to put into practice the solar and electrical installation skills they have learned through Young Africa’s Integral Mobile TVET Model.

The site is lively with activity, engineers inspecting equipment, electricians repairing electrical faults, and the young graduate interns learning quickly, hands-on. The interns are employed by Neutro Electricidade SA, a company contracted to fix electrical systems at Montepuez Ruby Mining.

“It’s a good experience for the young interns,” says Henriques Lon, owner of Neutro Electricidade SA. “They are hardworking and eager to learn, it’s easy to mentor them and work with them.”

Cabo Delgado’s northern communities have been living under the shadow of violence for years.  According to the UN (2025) since 2017, non-state armed groups have attacked towns across the province, displacing nearly 700,000 people, destroying homes, schools, and infrastructure. Many children are separated from their families, exposed to child labour, early marriage, or forced recruitment.

The graduates of the SYE project, and their families have also felt the multiple effects of displacement, poverty, and lost opportunities.

“Before this training, finding work was nearly impossible,” Amisse (29 years), said. “Even with skills, there were few chances, and most of us feared being left behind.”

Through the Sustainable Youth Empowerment Project, Young Africa brought mobile vocational training directly to young people in remote and vulnerable areas. The graduates spent three months learning solar and electrical installation, entrepreneurship, and life skills all designed to give them a foothold in the workforce while equipping them to rebuild their communities.

The internships at Neutro Electricidade SA are a first step toward financial independence. For many, it’s the first time they are earning a salary, gaining work experience, and seeing the tangible impact of their training.

“It’s empowering,” 20 year old Dul Abdul said. “With these skills,  we are rebuilding our community, and that makes us proud.”

The impact of these seven young technicians extends far beyond the site. With each installation, they contribute not only to electricity repairs but also to hope for their families and neighbors. When a young person gains skills and income, households gain stability, children are more likely to return to school, and communities begin to recover.

The SYE project demonstrates how vocational training, paired with mentorship and real work experience, can transform lives in regions affected by conflict and poverty.

This success reflects collaboration across sectors: Young Africa, the Puma Energy Foundation, and companies in Cabo Delgado have come together to create a pipeline of opportunities for youth. Through practical skills, paid internships, and life skills education, the project is offering a new narrative for a generation long defined by instability.