Revitalizing Malawi’s Economy: Closing the Funding Gap to Empower Youth Employment and Drive Business Growth

Key Business Points

• Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in Malawi, with only 8% of youths employed, prompting the government to unveil new steps to tackle the problem, including expanding training centres and reviving empowerment programmes.
• The Malawi Government is working to accelerate digital monetisation policies, allowing content creators to make money on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, in collaboration with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
• Youth empowerment remains central to economic transformation in Malawi, with the government aiming to build a country where every young person can thrive, and business owners can tap into the potential of the youth population.

The Malawi Government has announced plans to address youth unemployment, a major challenge facing the country. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskies outlined the government’s plans to expand training centres, revive empowerment programmes, and accelerate digital monetisation policies. The minister emphasized the importance of giving young people practical skills to generate income independently, saying "We want to ensure that young people have as many skills as possible." This move is expected to have a positive impact on local entrepreneurs and business owners who can benefit from a skilled and empowered youth population.

The government’s plans include revamping technical centres and constructing new training facilities in communities to widen access. This is a kuzipatsa mphamvu kwa vijana (empowering the youth) initiative that aims to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in the job market. The minister also mentioned that consultations are underway to determine the best way to continue the Youth Innovation Fund, which has been a key programme in supporting young entrepreneurs.

In addition to these initiatives, the government is working to accelerate digital monetisation policies, allowing content creators to make money on social media platforms. This is a kukwera pa internet (going online) opportunity that can help young people earn a living and contribute to the country’s economic growth. The minister said that the government is finalizing a framework to make monetisation possible, in collaboration with Macra.

Reacting to the youth unemployment issue, Youth and Society executive director Charles Kajoloweka urged the government to stay consistent and anchor its decisions on the National Youth Policy. He emphasized the importance of consulting with people working in the youth space before deciding whether to continue or discontinue any programme. A recent survey by the Centre for Social Research of the University of Malawi highlighted the deep economic frustrations among the country’s youth, with only 8% of youths employed.

Overall, the government’s plans to tackle youth unemployment and empower young people are a positive step towards economic transformation in Malawi. Business owners and local entrepreneurs can benefit from a skilled and empowered youth population, and the government’s initiatives can help to create a more favourable business environment. As the government moves forward with its plans, it is essential to kufikiria za vijana (think about the youth) and ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed.

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