Govt challenges youth to create jobs

Government has challenged young Malawians to shift from seeking employment to creating jobs by exploiting opportunities in key sectors of the economy.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Chipiliro Mpinganjira made the call on Tuesday when he officially opened the 2026 National Youth Summit at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.

The summit is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Progress: Reflecting on Impact, Expanding Prospects for Youth Development in Malawi.”

Mpinganjira, who represented Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, said young people remain one of Malawi’s greatest assets because of their energy, creativity and innovative ideas.

He, however, acknowledged that young people continue to face high unemployment and underemployment, limited access to business loans and land, inadequate markets for youth-owned businesses, and a mismatch between graduates’ skills and the demands of the modern labour market.

Mpinganjira urged young people to consider opportunities in agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing and information and communication technology as potential areas for creating businesses and employment.

He said government is implementing measures aimed at addressing some of the challenges facing young people, including the abolition of examination and school development fees in all primary and secondary schools.

Mpinganjira also highlighted the K100 million Constituency Youth Fund, which provides business loans directly to young entrepreneurs to promote financial independence and youth empowerment.

Meanwhile, Standard Bank chief executive officer Philip Madinga said the bank had invested K100 million in the youth summit as part of its support for government efforts to create opportunities for young people.

Madinga said the investment reflected the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment and contribution to national development.

The summit provides a platform for government, private-sector players and young people to reflect on progress in youth development and discuss ways of expanding economic opportunities for the country’s young population.