A non-aqueous metal catalytic composition includes (a) a silver complex comprising reducible silver ions, (b) an organic phosphite, (c) an oxyazinium salt silver ion photoreducing agent, (d) a hindered pyridine, (e) a photocurable component, a non-curable polymer, or combination of a photocurable component and a non-curable polymer, and (f) a photo sensitizer different from all components (a) through (e) in the non-aqueous metal catalytic composition, in an amount of at least 1 weight %. This non-aqueous metal catalytic composition can be used to form silver metal particles in situ during suitable reducing conditions. The silver metal can be provided in a suitable layer or pattern on a substrate, which can then be subsequently subjected to electroless plating to form electrically-conductive layers or patterns for use in various articles or as touch screen displays in electronic devices.