On the 16th of May National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority – MACRA — a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing youth digital inclusion across the country. Speaking at the signing ceremony, NYCOM Executive Director Rex Chapota said the agreement speaks directly to the aspirations of Malawi 2063 — the country’s long-term vision to become an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income nation. “At the very core of this vision lies a bold call: to unlock the full potential of the youth in driving innovation, creating jobs, and building a knowledge-based economy,” said Chapota.
He further highlighted that the partnership resonates with the UN Global Pact for the Future, signed in 2024, which commits nations to place digital transformation at the heart of sustainable development. “The digital age presents a unique opportunity to close historic gaps in opportunity, information, and equity. But this opportunity will only be realized if we act intentionally — and today’s partnership is such an act,” he said. Chapota emphasized that accelerating human capital development in Malawi means investing in 21st-century digital skills for young people. “If we want to drive wealth creation, we must connect youth with technologies and platforms that amplify their creativity, productivity, and access to markets. If we are serious about green jobs, we must harness digital tools and innovation to promote climate-smart solutions across sectors — from agriculture and clean energy to e-mobility and circular economies,” he said.
The MoU, he noted, provides a foundation to do exactly that — combining MACRA’s technical expertise and regulatory foresight with NYCOM’s grassroots reach and youth development mandate. “Together, we will expand digital access and literacy for young people across all districts; strengthen innovation ecosystems through collaborative programming; and equip young innovators with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” said Chapota. He praised MACRA for already taking bold steps toward digital inclusion, citing the Muuni Fund Malawi Fund as an example of tangible commitment to youth innovation. “The MUUNI Fund is already shifting the narrative — from digital consumption to digital entrepreneurship. The Fund is proof that when youth are given the means, they build the future,” he said.
Chapota also announced that NYCOM is preparing to launch a Youth Innovation Fund to provide financing, incubation, and mentorship for youth-led solutions. He said this new partnership with MACRA would enhance the reach and impact of the Fund and ensure that digital innovation is a central pillar of youth empowerment in Malawi. “If we seek an inclusive digital economy, we must ensure every young person has access to digital skills, tools, and connectivity,” said Chapota. “And if we are committed to sustainable development, we must build transformative partnerships — like the one we are launching today. To the youth of Malawi, I say: Innovate. Empower. Transform. The future is not something we wait for. It is something we build.”
In his remarks, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman described the signing as more than a symbolic event. “This is not just a ceremonial handshake or a photo opportunity,” he said. “This is a formalization of a shared ambition — to act boldly, to act collaboratively, and to act now. Digital transformation is not a luxury; it is a necessity for development. And youth must be at the center of it.”
He underscored the need to close the digital divide: “The way a young person in Tokyo or Nairobi interacts with digital platforms should not be different from how a young person in Nsanje or Karonga accesses opportunity. The digital divide must be closed. Our shared goal is to create a Malawi where no young person is left behind — where a young innovator in Chitipa has the same access to tools and markets as one in Blantyre. This is why MACRA is committed to expanding broadband infrastructure, promoting innovation, and removing regulatory bottlenecks.”
He emphasized the importance of digital equity: “Talent is universal. Opportunity must be too. This MoU allows us to bring that opportunity closer to every youth, regardless of geography.” Suleman commended NYCOM for recognizing youth as co-creators of digital solutions: “We need to stop talking about youth as the future. They are the present. If we want to see a transformed Malawi, then youth must be part of the equation today.”
He challenged both institutions to deliver results: “We must go beyond promises. We must measure progress by how many youth gain new skills, build new businesses, and solve real-world problems using digital tools.” He concluded with a call to action: “Let’s build platforms. Let’s support ideas. Let’s connect youth with the resources they need. Because in building a digitally empowered youth, we are building a resilient, competitive, and future-ready Malawi.”
The signing of the MoU was attended by senior officials from both institutions and marks a new chapter in Malawi’s digital transformation journey — one that places young people at the heart of national progress.
No responses yet