The technology sector has become one of the highest employers of college graduates, and these technological companies are deeply rooted in investing heavily in youth empowerment through innovations. In Northern Nigeria, there is Zang Technologies, which aims to empower the youth workforce in Plateau State.
Despite the energetic and enthusiastic attitude towards participating in various innovative ventures, and the growing youth population, unemployment remains one of the most burning macroeconomic challenges facing Nigeria today.
The CEO of Zang Technologies, Zang Luka in an interview with Cresthub, said he wants to help eradicate unemployment through technology and innovation as the government can not bear the burden alone.
“I want to solve the issue of unemployment through mentorship of young people in regards to technology innovation” he said.
According to research by the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in the country has tripled from 13.14% in 2016 to 33% in 2022 and declined by 4.1% in Q1 . This leaves the number of unemployed Nigerians at 23 million.
Despite concerns about the future and rising unemployment trends, innovations like Zang Technologies has proven to provide opportunities to explore the different alternatives in job creation to increase productivity.
Zang Technologies has been a growing innovation since June 2018, in Plateau state. The company builds innovative technologies from electronic waste. Its initial product launch was the Zang power bank.
Zang technologies have built other products over the years such as the computer foot mouse, odor absorber, sand sieving machine, the Biodegradable packaging and the rechargeable lamb.
Mr Zang expressed his concern for the people of Plateau and is continuously seeking ways to make lives better for the persons living with disabilities.
The CEO said the computer foot mouse is an aid to individuals without arms to easily operate their computers.“When we discover people living with disabilities, we produce a computer foot mouse for them and give them for free,” he said.
He also emphasized the challenges the company has suffered with no access funding and investments as a major setback. Mr Zang expressed his displeasure over this as it has caused a major delay in the innovation and development of Zang technologies.
