Malawi's Youth Are Not Waiting for Tomorrow—They're Building It Today!
Organized by the European Union Malawi Youth Sounding Board (YSB) and hosted by the Vice-Chanceller of MUST University, the event, themed “Youth Advancing Partnerships Through Innovations for a Sustainable Future” became a vibrant hub of collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Education, EU-funded Zantchito Programme, the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) and UN Women in Malawi.
In his opening remarks, the EU Head of Cooperation George Dura, emphasized that Malawi’s youth, particularly its young innovators, represent the country’s greatest strength and are essential to achieving its development goals.
This message was clearly reflected in the exhibitions. These were not hypothetical concepts but real, life-saving, productivity-increasing, and livelihood-enhancing innovations created by Malawian youth. From platforms providing essential agricultural advice to smallholder farmers, to digital tools offering real-time neonatal care and to eco-friendly bricks made from 70% recycled plastic. This diverse portfolio proved one thing: young Malawians are not waiting for solutions; they are building them.
The energy moved from the exhibits to a compelling panel discussion that tackled the real, gritty challenges of innovation. The conversation with trailblazing innovators was a candid exploration of persistent hurdles faced by youth innovators: funding gaps, limited private-sector engagement, and barriers linked to credibility and structure. A powerful insight resonated throughout the room: “People invest in people, and not just ideas”. This emphasized that transforming a brilliant concept into a viable enterprise requires resilience and professionalism.
EU in Malawi
This platform served as a crucial space for duty-bearers to reflect and be reminded of their mandate; that is to actively support, invest in, and walk with young innovators through inclusive programs and policies.
The representative of the Ministry of Youth reaffirmed its dedication to providing capital support and capacity-building, while the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Malawi emphasized the EU’s commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs through its programmes, particularly women. The conversation was a clear call to shift mindsets toward trust, persistence, and starting where you are with what you have.
This event also strengthened bonds far beyond Malawi, as it hosted the EU YSB Mozambique, allowing an enthusiastic exchange of best practices and comparing how their unique political environment shape their youth advocacy. It was clear that across Lilongwe and Maputo, the fundamental struggle is the same: high unemployment, low political representation, and the fight for better education and innovation are our shared common ground. This powerful collaboration wasn't just a friendly chat; it has led both YSBs to lock arms for joint cross-border advocacy, creating a unified youth front determined to tackle these critical regional challenges together.
In the end, the event conveyed one clear message in the room: Malawi’s future is innovative, collaborative, and unequivocally youth-centric and empowered. But the real work begins now.
The call from the youth is for sustained action: policy support, formal mentorship programs and direct linkages to private sector investors.
