By Burnett Munthali
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has officially launched the National Youth Summit, a historic event that also saw the unveiling of the groundbreaking Youth Innovation Fund.
This milestone marks a significant step in empowering Malawi’s young people to become active drivers of economic growth and sustainable development in line with the Malawi 2063 vision.
The summit was held under the theme, “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation towards Malawi 2063.”
Speaking during the event, President Chakwera described the summit as “a coalition of destinies and dreams coming together.”
He emphasized that the gathering reflects a unified commitment to advancing the role of youth in shaping Malawi’s future.
In his keynote address, President Chakwera reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to prioritize youth development as a cornerstone of national progress.
He outlined several initiatives already undertaken by his government to support young people, including the expansion of the national youth budget.
The President also cited the tripling of access to higher education loans as a transformative measure to ensure more young Malawians can pursue tertiary education.
Additionally, he mentioned ongoing investments in critical infrastructure across the education and sports sectors aimed at fostering youth talent and innovation.
President Chakwera made it clear that these initiatives are not mere acts of charity, but strategic investments in the nation’s future.
“This is not a handout,” he declared.
“This is a pathway to the future, a future built by young innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and leaders who will take our nation to greater heights.”
He announced that the Youth Innovation Fund would begin with an initial capital of K2 billion.
He further committed that this figure would grow to K10 billion over the coming years as the government scales up support for youth-led initiatives.
The fund is expected to empower young people across Malawi by providing financial support, mentorship, and resources to turn innovative ideas into viable enterprises and solutions.
President Chakwera’s message struck a hopeful chord among young participants, many of whom see the summit and the fund as a long-overdue opportunity to be recognized as serious contributors to national development.
The launch of the National Youth Summit and Youth Innovation Fund represents a critical policy shift—placing youth not on the sidelines, but at the very heart of the Malawi 2063 development agenda.
