By Steve Lingamawa

Balaka, May 2, Mana: The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) has urged youth-led organizations in Balaka District to take full advantage of the K2 billion Youth Innovation Fund established by the government to support youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

NYCOM Executive Director, Rex Chapota, made the call during Youth Impact Tour this week in Balaka where he appreciated vocational and agribusiness activities that a youth-led organization, Springs of Hope Youth does. 

Chapota said economic hardships hinder young people from engaging in various business innovations that would help achieve Malawi 2063 agenda.

“What we have seen today at Springs of Hope is a sign that we have a lot of youths that have great ideas that can help this country to develop. We have witnessed the construction of a modern agro-products warehouse, which will facilitate the storage of crops such as soya beans and sunflowers, as well as tailoring products,” he added.

Chapota therefore hailed Spring of Hope for implementing various projects and he urged the organization to dream big and think outside the box to meet their aspirations.

Springs of Hope Executive Director, Kumbukani Mamba, commended NYCOM for recognizing their efforts through various activities. He stated that the initiative will be a game changer for the organization, which aims to pursue further innovation and agricultural mechanization.

“Youth Innovation Fund has come at a right time, we are really excited about this fund,” he said and expressed hope that the 65 member-organization will grow in number for great ideas.

NYCOM is currently touring the country to appreciate and assess the various entrepreneurial activities being implemented by young people.

The tour also provided youth-led organizations opportunity to present challenges they face when implementing various enterprises.

Government introduced YIF through NYCOM, to accelerate agriculture; tourism and mining -ATM implementation, a strategic multisectoral initiative that seeks to empower young Malawians to become drivers of innovation, productivity, and economic transformation towards the country’s development aspirations, Malawi 2063.