By Hastings Yobe

Lilongwe, October 19, Mana: In the era of swipes and matches, Malawi's dating landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional courtship is giving way to dating apps, as young Malawians increasingly turn to these platforms to find love, connection, and companionship.

Most of these dating apps and sites have been created by young minds with entrepreneurship knowledge and ambition. Their goal is to help people find long-term love that can lead to marriage, while others seek short-term connections. One such brilliant creator is Sherif Muhammad, a graduate of the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Information Technology.

Muhammad developed Soul Match, an app that enables people to find love, connection, or friendship without hassle. He cited high costs associated with most dating sites in Malawi as the motivation behind his app. "The prices charged by these platforms do not reflect the actual costs involved, which limits access to many people, particularly in Malawi," he explained.

Soul Match offers premium features for free, making it an attractive alternative. "Our platform focuses on genuine connections, bringing people together in a safe space without the financial burden typical of other dating platforms," Muhammad said.

Although dating apps have been welcomed by many, especially the young generation, some aspects of these platforms contradict Malawian norms and customs. For instance, a lady approaching a man is considered unconventional. However, Muhammad assures that Soul Match respects Malawian cultural norms and traditions.

"Our platform is designed as a meeting place, much like how people meet at a shop, at school, or in the workplace," he added. "We aim to foster relationships in a way that respects these values while acknowledging the evolving nature of how people connect in the digital age."

Another dating app, Ahava 121, prioritizes Christian values. Its developer, Samuel Chidothe, created the app to provide a safe space for single Christians. "Most singles are Christians but are afraid to find love on other dating apps due to negative experiences," Chidothe noted.

Chidothe says Ahava 121 will organize conferences with faith groups to promote safe online dating practices.

"We plan to conduct conferences with the help of churches, teaching people how to find the right partner online," Chidothe said.

He encouraged Christians to embrace dating apps, acknowledging that this is the modern way people find love. Apart from facilitating connections, Ahava offers a platform for clients to learn and engage with devotions rooted in love.

Chidothe emphasized the importance of responsible app development, considering the impact on society. Muhammad concurred, believing dating apps will play a significant role in connecting people in Malawi.

"However, it's essential to change the current narrative around online dating, often associated with negative behaviour," Muhammad said. "Let us aim to reshape the landscape by providing a safe, respectful space where meaningful relationships can form."

Other notable dating apps in Malawi include Pemphero Mphande's 265 Dates.