In a significant step toward the realization of Malawi’s youth development aspirations, the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), led by its Executive Director Mr. Rex Chapota, on 3 June 2025, conducted a site visit to Area 54 in Lilongwe for a topographic survey of the land allocated to the Council for the construction of the National Youth Complex Facility—Achinyamata Centre.
Mr. Chapota was joined by NYCOM’s Director of Programmes, Mr. Williot Joaquim Lumbe, and Director of Finance, Mr. Ernest Mangani, as the team reviewed the site in preparation for the commencement of development works. This follows a significant financial commitment from the Government of Malawi, which has allocated MK2 billion towards the project under the 2025/2026 National Budget—an affirmation of the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
The envisioned Achinyamata Centre is a landmark project that will serve as a hub for youth innovation, learning, and economic empowerment. The infrastructure will include a digital innovation complex to support youth-led tech development, a convention centre for hosting national and regional youth dialogues and conferences, an indoor gaming and creative arts theatre for nurturing talent and recreation, and affordable accommodation facilities to support youth travelling for training, events, or academic programs. It will also house the National Youth Council Secretariat, enabling improved coordination of youth initiatives across the country.
Speaking at the site, Mr. Chapota shared a bold vision for the facility:
“We are not just building offices; we are creating a national asset that will stand as a centre of excellence for youth development—not just for Malawi but for the SADC region and the continent at large. This facility must reflect the talent, potential and aspirations of young people in this country.”
The National Youth Complex is anchored in Pillar 1 of the NYCOM Strategic Plan (2023–2028), which focuses on Youth Economic Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Innovations. It aims to provide an enabling space for young people to thrive in the digital economy, connect with opportunities, and gain access to entrepreneurial incubation services. It also supports the realization of Malawi 2063’s Enabler 2: Enhanced Human Capital Development and Enabler 6 on Digital Governance, both of which underscore the need to invest in modern infrastructure and youth-centric spaces that can accelerate the country’s transition to an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation.
The Achinyamata Centre will also be a cornerstone in NYCOM’s effort to consolidate youth coordination, streamline program delivery, and position the Council as a forward-looking institution that is responsive to the needs and ambitions of Malawi’s youthful population.
The site visit marks the beginning of a critical phase in the project—detailed technical assessments and planning—that will lead to actual ground-breaking in the coming months. As anticipation builds, young people across the country can look forward to a space that will amplify their voices, nurture their innovations, and transform their ideas into lasting impact
No responses yet