By Burnett Munthali
A call is going out to the youth to take a keen interest in energy issues as future decision makers.
This call comes in the wake of the launch of the Energy for Youth competition, an initiative aimed at recognizing the importance of young people’s involvement in shaping the future of Malawi’s energy sector.
The competition underscores the belief that discussions about the future of Malawi’s energy sector cannot be complete without the input and perspectives of young people.
Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) chief executive officer, Henry Kachaje, has emphasized the need for young, innovative minds to actively participate in this important discourse.
Kachaje has urged youth to contribute their ideas and share their views on the future of the energy sector in the country.
He believes that young people, who are the future decision-makers, have a crucial role to play in finding sustainable solutions to the energy challenges facing Malawi.
The Energy for Youth competition is seen as a platform to empower and inspire young people to think creatively about energy issues and to develop innovative ideas that can drive the sector forward.
By involving youth in such initiatives, the goal is to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking approach to energy policy and development in Malawi.
Kachaje also highlighted that the involvement of young people in energy matters is vital not only for the country’s energy security but also for the broader socio-economic development of Malawi.
The competition will serve as a means to foster a sense of responsibility among the youth, encouraging them to become active participants in the development of the country’s energy infrastructure.
Through this initiative, MERA hopes to identify and nurture the next generation of energy leaders who will shape Malawi’s energy future.
The initiative also emphasizes the need for the youth to consider the environmental impact of energy use and to come up with sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.
This call for youth involvement in energy policy comes at a time when the energy sector in Malawi is undergoing significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
By engaging the youth, MERA aims to build a more dynamic and innovative energy sector that is well-positioned to address the country’s energy needs and challenges.
The competition is just one of the ways in which MERA is working to promote the inclusion of young voices in important national conversations.
As the country continues to work toward achieving energy security, it is essential that the ideas and perspectives of the younger generation are considered in the planning and implementation of energy policies.
In the long term, the success of such initiatives will play a crucial role in ensuring that Malawi’s energy sector is both sustainable and resilient, with the active involvement of the country’s youth leading the way.
