National Planning Commission (NPC) Director General Thomas Munthali has urged local and foreign players to invest in the country’s youths if Malawi 2063 vision goals were to materialise.
Munthali said this when he delivered a keynote address during the opening of the 2024 National Youth Summit.
“[Keys to success are] first, empowering the youth so they are more productive (developing their human capital base); second, forging strong partnerships in their support by leveraging on each other’s resources; and third, that we help them build positive mindsets – basically, making them realise that they can be all that they wish to be if they only believe, develop right value system and work harder,” Munthali said.
According to Munthali, the Malawi 2063 is not just a dream but a vision built upon the foundation of youth empowerment.
He observed that the fact that over 60 percent of Malawi’s population was under the age of 25 was more than a statistic but an opportunity.
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“With such a young and dynamic population, we are rich in the most valuable resource: human capital. But to harness this potential, we need to move beyond rhetoric. We must all commit to providing opportunities for education and skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation and employment.
“Youth are ready to contribute, but it is our responsibility to give them the platform, the tools and the support they need. By doing so, we are not just preparing them for the future; we are empowering them to build its foundations today,” he said.
The NPC boss added that Malawi must also foster a culture of innovation and creativity, especially leveraging digitalisation and the advances in science technology and innovation (STI).
“As we build a more industrialised Malawi, entrepreneurship will play a pivotal role. Our youth are not just job seekers; they are job creators–only if they are given the right support. Entrepreneurship is about more than business; it’s about giving young people the power to shape their own destiny and contribute to our country’s prosperity.
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“However, entrepreneurship must be supported by policy, funding and mentorship. We need to create pathways that allow the youth to access affordable financing and networks to grow their ideas,” he said.
The three-day summit, which has attracted young people from across the country, is being held under the theme ‘Renewed Commitment to Youth Development Towards Malawi 2063’.
On his part, National Youth Council Board Chairperson Duncan Chiyani said the investment Malawi makes in its young people today will determine the country’s success tomorrow.
The 2024 National Youth Summit is taking place soon after world leaders adopted the historic Pact of the Future in September at the United Nations General Assembly.
The pact recognises that youths are central to achieving sustainable progress.
UN Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda Dontoh said the Pact includes four key actions dedicated to youth and future generations, providing a framework for the young people of Malawi to drive transformation, not only in this country but across the continent, with Malawi leading as chair for the African Union Youth Sector Technical Committee.
“This summit is an opportunity to translate these commitments into practical actions for Malawi, in alignment with the National Youth Policy (2023-28), the Malawi 2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP 1), and the newly launched National Youth Council Strategic Plan (2024-30),” Adda Dontoh said.
She was quick to note that youth unemployment remains a significant issue, with countless young people struggling to find decent jobs or launch sustainable businesses.
“Additionally, many face barriers to participating in the digital economy due to a persistent digital divide.
“Health, especially mental and sexual and reproductive health, also requires urgent attention. And climate change remains a critical challenge that will define the future for this and future generations,” she said.
Taking his turn, Youth and Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire said to unlock the potential of the youth, government had invested in initiatives such as the Agriculture Commercialisation, National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef), community colleges and National Youth Service.
Mkandawire said the initiatives provided a path to meaningful employment.
He has since urged youths to be proactive and not wait for opportunities to find them.
During the summit, government launched the National Youth Council Strategic Plan and the NPC’s Youth Engagement Strategy.
