Ministers of Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining have called on young people in the country to step up and take advantage of the available opportunities in these sectors in a quest to open up new economic avenues for themselves and the country.

The ministers were speaking during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the National Youth Summit in Lilongwe, where they spent nearly three hours unpacking the potential of the Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy.

Agriculture Minister, Sam Kawale, highlighted the numerous opportunities available in his sector and encouraged the youth to leverage these to improve their livelihoods.

“There are plenty of opportunities within the ministry. Currently, we are sitting on a K900 billion fund for agriculture commercialization, and we continue to attract interest from various development partners who are eager to inject more finances. We have set aside K600 billion for the Agriculture Commercialisation (AGCOM) programme, K20 billion for mega farms, and additional funds through NEEF (National Economic Empowerment Fund) for young people wanting to venture into agriculture. We need to make sure that a vision should not die because of lack of finances,” Kawale explained.

“Some young people have already accessed these funds and are making significant investments. All we need is a solid plan for how they intend to invest in commercial agriculture, add value, and ultimately export. As the government, we will continue to secure markets for their products. There is hope in the agriculture sector, and there is hope in this country for youth who want to transform both their lives and the nation through agriculture. We are here to help you achieve that,” he added.

Tourism Minister, Vera Kamtukule, also challenged young people to claim their place in the tourism industry. She expressed concern that, despite the influx of international tourists post-COVID, few young people are actively involved in driving the sector forward.

“Tourism is an area with vast potential, but very few young people are stepping up. After COVID, we are seeing more international tourists visiting the country, presenting a real opportunity for growth. However, there is a limited youth involvement. You can start tourism guide companies, work as language interpreters for tourists, or even explore other roles in the sector, yet many young people are not engaging,” said Kamtukule.

She further emphasised: “Many of you want better services in hotels and resorts, but few are pursuing tourism-related courses in colleges and universities. While there are some youth involved, we would love to see more participation. We want the youth to be more active, proactive, and engaged to help make a meaningful difference.”

Similarly, Mining Minister Monica Chayang’anamuno encouraged young people to seize the opportunities in the mining sector, which she sees as a key driver of the country’s economic transformation.

“I encourage the youth to take advantage of the opportunities already outlined. You can obtain licenses and engage in mining, from small to large scale. We are also working to connect young people with financial institutions to access the resources needed to participate in mining,” she said.

“The Malawi 2063 vision is for the youth, and we want as many young people as possible to be involved. The youth should not shy away from the mining sector. This is your sector, so come and be part of it. We don’t want to leave anyone behind. Let’s continue to engage and address your concerns. We are here to support you and ensure you can participate,” Chayang’anamuno added.

During the discussion, many young people expressed concerns about the financial barriers they face in accessing licenses in agriculture, tourism, and mining. Many noted that the initial costs for entering these sectors are prohibitive, particularly for those just out of school without the financial means to get started.