President Nandi-Ndaitwah Prioritises Youth Jobs Over Pension Increase in 2025 Budget. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced that the government will not increase the old-age pension during the current financial year, as it shifts focus towards infrastructure development and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at job creation.
Speaking on the matter, the President noted that while the old-age pension—currently supporting 217,870 beneficiaries nationwide—remains a critical component of social welfare, immediate national priorities require greater investment in economic development projects, particularly those targeting the youth.
The president reassured the public that a pension increase is not off the table, but rather deferred, confirming that it will be implemented during the current midterm expenditure framework. This aligns with the administration’s broader fiscal strategy to balance social support with long-term economic growth objectives.
Government sources indicate that funds previously earmarked for pension increments will now support the construction of sports facilities across the country and scale up programmes that equip young people with skills and resources to enter the workforce or start businesses.