The Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, has pledged his commitment to the full implementation of the resolutions made by delegates at the just ended National Youth Summit.

The summit, which took place from 11th to November 13, 2024, brought together over 500 young leaders, government officials, and development partners to table and discuss key issues affecting youth development in Malawi.

Speaking to YFM after closure of the summit, Mkandawire described the event as a success, highlighting the significance of the discussions and the fact that it was the first such summit in eight years.

He also expressed his determination to push for the implementation of the resolutions, which include calls for a review of the primary and secondary school curriculum to better align with market and industry demands, the popularisation of funding opportunities for young people, the scaling up of entrepreneurial skills development, and the enhancement of business incubation to provide greater mentorship for youth-led ventures.

“The issues raised by the youth are pertinent and require urgent action from all stakeholders. I want you to know that your voices have been heard loud and clear. I call upon all of us, starting with the ministry, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), civil society, and faith groups—to join hands and ensure we have a productive youth sector that serves this greatest asset of our nation as we build a better Malawi for all,” Mkandawire said.

He further emphasised the ministry’s commitment to continuing its engagement with partners working in the youth development sector to maximise the available opportunities for transforming the youth sector in Malawi.

The commitment has been echoed by Duncan Chiyani, the Board Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), which organised the summit. Chiyani affirmed that the council would work tirelessly to ensure the resolutions were turned into actionable steps.

“The youth are demanding action in areas such as economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and many others. The resolutions made here are critical to transforming the trajectory of youth development in Malawi. The presence of many duty bearers at this summit means that these resolutions will be carried forward, and we are confident they will bring meaningful change,” Chiyani said.

At the summit, NYCOM honoured eight young people for their impactful innovations across various sectors, including science and technology, agriculture, health, and tourism.

The awards, which followed a rigorous selection process from 211 nominations, recognised the outstanding contributions of young people in driving positive change in the country.

Among the awardees is Tadala Kandulu Ngosi, founder and Executive Director of the Match Foundation, a three-year-old organisation committed to empowering and transforming children and youth through sports and education.

Ngosi, the only female awardee, expressed her gratitude for the recognition: “I am truly honoured to receive this award. It is the first of its kind, and I am thrilled that our work on the ground is being acknowledged. It is a great encouragement for us to continue our mission.”

The summit, held under the theme “A Renewed Commitment to Youth Development Towards Malawi 2063,” also saw the launch of NYCOM’s five-year strategic plan and a Youth Engagement Strategy, which will guide future youth development initiatives in the country.