Youth employability programs: MJD, MyRide and SoulCode

If you are looking for youth employability programs in Mozambique, the official 2026 package has two fronts. The first is the four support lines from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJD). The second is the new national digital skills training program signed on June 17, 2026, bringing together the Government, MyRide Technologies, and SoulCode — benefiting around 40,000 young people in total.

In this Inademy Guide, it becomes clear what each front is, who is driving it, and in which provinces the pilot starts. The figures come with dates and sources so you know where to look and how to prepare without relying on rumors.

The short answer

• MJD is the Ministry of Youth and Sports. On the official website, the programs are organized into four main lines.
• June 17, 2026: MJD signed a memorandum of understanding with MyRide Technologies and SoulCode for a national digital training program.
• Around 40,000 young people: 36,000 in digital literacy and 3,660 in advanced technology programs.
• The pilot launches in five provinces — Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa, across urban and rural areas.
• Results are monitored via a digital platform shared among stakeholders.

What MJD is and its program lines

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is the government body that manages youth policy. It is where official support programs for youth employment and entrepreneurship are centralized.

On the official website (mjd.gov.mz, "Programs" section), the structure is straightforward: each line addresses a different need.

• Recognition — the Creative Youth Award (Prémio Jovem Criativo), recognizing youth initiatives.
• Financing — FAIJ, the financial support line for young people.
• Entrepreneurship — the "My Kit, My Job" ("Meu Kit, Meu Emprego") program.
• Training — Geração Biz.

The website lists the program lines with their names and categories. For operational details — applications, requirements, and schedules — the reference is the ministry's own portal. Anyone wishing to track FAIJ or the entrepreneurship kit should bookmark the page, as official updates are published there.

The digital program: MyRide, SoulCode, and the 40,000 youth

On June 17, 2026, MJD signed a memorandum of understanding with MyRide Technologies and SoulCode. The objective is to implement a national digital skills training program expected to benefit around 40,000 young Mozambicans.

The breakdown is specific: 36,000 young people in digital literacy — the foundation, covering essential skills to browse, search, and communicate safely — and 3,660 in advanced technology programs, a shorter, more intensive track.

The project launches as a pilot in the provinces of Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa, covering both urban and rural areas. At the launch event, the ceremony spokesperson explained that the choice of these five provinces considered regions where youth face the greatest barriers in accessing digital knowledge.

MJD also cited SoulCode's international experience in training professionals for the digital economy. The partnership will provide content, methodologies, and learning platforms to boost participants' employability.

Who can participate and how to apply

The memorandum mentions "young Mozambicans," but the June 17 news announcement does not specify the age range nor open the application process. What has been confirmed with data is the scope (40,000), the breakdown (36,000 + 3,660), and the pilot launch across five provinces. Further details — criteria per track, application dates, district coverage — will be published on official platforms once the pilot opens.

In practice, this means two things. Do not waste time with unofficial forms circulating online. And keep an eye on MJD and MyRide channels: when applications open, that is where eligibility criteria, locations, and dates will appear. Register through official channels and save the announcement — it is the only safe path.

How to prepare while you wait

Applications have not opened yet — criteria, dates, and district availability will be released on official platforms when the pilot starts. Digital literacy is the widest track. Candidates who master the basics early — browsing, email, smart search habits, a PDF CV — gain an edge over those starting from scratch in the same class.

• Updated CV. If you have limited education or background, the guide on CV for a first job shows how to build your document without fabricating experience. For those in apprenticeship programs, check out the young apprentice CV guide.
• Up-to-date document portfolio. The same document set for any job application applies here: the guide on documents to work in Mozambique lists what to gather — ID (BI), NUIT when requested, and certificates.
• If you are 15, 16, or 17 years old, review the age and working hour rules for minors first — the guide on working at 16 summarizes the limits under Law 13/2023.
• Understand what salary means after deductions. When entering the job market, the difference between gross and net salary is explained in the net vs. gross salary guide.

What it takes to get into the digital track

Digital literacy does not mean knowing how to code. The practical baseline is: browsing and searching critically, telling official sources apart from rumors, maintaining your own email, handling online forms, and protecting your digital identity. Participants who enter training with these basics covered get much more out of advanced modules.

On the attitude side, three habits matter more than any single course: consistency (regular practice on your phone, not just when internet is available at home), an inquisitive mindset (note down what you don't understand and ask), and keeping record of proof — certificates, receipts, registration confirmations.

This is the same portfolio needed for future job applications, and the guide on how to get a job in Mozambique in 2026 shows how this history turns into an advantage during interviews.

Other pathways for youth on the same map

The digital program is not the only doorway. The 2026 Mozambican job market has active vacancies for junior candidates across various sectors — and the guide How to Get a Job in Mozambique in 2026 shows where to start, from job searching to interviews. The practical list of worker rights in Mozambique helps you know what the law guarantees and standard practices from day one.

How Inademy helps you

While training programs prepare to open applications, the job market keeps moving. Inademy is Mozambique's recruitment platform where companies post vacancies and job seekers apply easily. Creating a profile is free, applications accept PDF CVs, and new job alerts arrive via email and WhatsApp.

For junior roles, the active jobs list is the best indicator of current market demand — filter by field and location directly on your phone to see how your profile aligns.

Where these figures come from

• MZNews, 17-06-2026 — "Government launches program to train 40,000 youth in digital skills": MJD memorandum with MyRide Technologies and SoulCode; around 40,000 young people (36,000 in digital literacy + 3,660 in advanced programs); pilot in Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa; digital monitoring platform; quotes from Júlio Mendes (Ministry of Youth and Sports) and Filipe Macambira (MyRide Technologies).
• Publico.mz (mirror of the same report) — "Government launches program to train 40,000 youth in digital skills", with the same date and values.
• Official MJD Portal (mjd.gov.mz/programas) — the four program lines (Creative Youth Award / Prémio Jovem Criativo, FAIJ, My Kit My Job / Meu Kit Meu Emprego, Geração Biz), verified on 16-09-2026.

Specific details for each program (criteria, dates, costs) were not available at the time of writing — always check official platforms when applications open.

Frequently asked questions

Are the programs free or paid?

The June 17 memorandum makes no mention of application fees or costs — it is a public training initiative in partnership with private companies. Official information will be released by MJD and its partners; beware of anyone requesting application fees outside official channels.

Do I need a university degree to participate?

That has not been specified. The digital literacy track (36,000 youth) is naturally the broadest entry point. Eligibility criteria per track will be announced when applications launch — check official updates at that time.

Which provinces will host the pilot?

Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa, across both urban and rural areas. According to official statements, these five provinces were selected based on regions facing the greatest challenges in accessing digital skills. Expansion to remaining provinces will be announced by MJD.

Who is SoulCode?

SoulCode is the technology partner in the June 17, 2026 memorandum. MJD highlighted the company's international expertise in training professionals for the digital economy; SoulCode will provide learning content, methodologies, and platforms. For company details, refer to the original news report.

How do I track if I was selected?

Program outcomes will be tracked through a shared digital platform among stakeholders (MZNews, 17-06-2026). Save your application confirmation from official channels — it is the only valid proof.

In summary, what to do today

1. Bookmark the MJD programs page — it is the reference for the four official lines.
2. Sign up for free on Inademy and activate job alerts for your area and location.
3. Prepare a PDF CV with the right sections — our first job and young apprentice guides cover this.
4. If you are 15 to 17 years old, review age and working hour rules before accepting any job.
5. Follow official MJD and MyRide channels for application announcements — and ignore unofficial forms online.

Official source: Law No. 13/2023 (Labour Law) is available as a PDF on the website of Mozambique's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo): official text (PDF).