With just two days to go before Malawi’s biggest youth-focused gathering, the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) on Monday, 30th June 2025, held a final press briefing at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) to update the media and the general public on the 2025 National Youth Summit preparations.
The briefing, led by NYCOM Director of Programs and Chairperson of the Summit Organizing Committee, Williot Joaquim Lumbe, provided key insights into the summit’s theme, objectives, program highlights, expected outcomes, and the official launch of the Youth Innovation Fund by His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi.
“This summit is more than an event. It is a national platform for youth to connect, create, and contribute to Malawi’s development. It reflects our belief that young people are not just beneficiaries, but architects of this country’s future,” said Lumbe.
Echoing this message, NYCOM Executive Director Rex Chapota described the summit as a landmark opportunity to accelerate youth-driven solutions in line with Malawi 2063. “We are looking at innovation, economic empowerment, and job creation as the three pillars driving this summit. We believe these are the engines that will transform youth potential into prosperity,” Chapota said.
Running from 2nd to 4th July 2025 at BICC in Lilongwe, the 2025 National Youth Summit will convene over 1,000 delegates, including 600 youth leaders drawn from all 28 districts of Malawi. The delegate selection process prioritized inclusivity, ensuring representation from rural and urban communities alike.
Key highlights of the summit include the Presidential Launch of the Youth Innovation Fund, expected to unlock initial capital for over 150 youth-led ventures across agriculture, technology, mining, creative industries, and tourism. NYCOM received 836 applications for the first round of the fund, from which 200 were shortlisted and 150 currently undergoing due diligence.
“We want to ensure that this fund is accessible, transparent, and free from political interference. Our process has been guided by independent experts and a clear set of criteria to support the most viable and impactful ideas,” said Chapota in response to media concerns.
Other standout features of the summit include the Opportunities Fair, a showcase of available financing, mentorship, and partnership opportunities from both public and private institutions; masterclass sessions on enterprise development; innovation excursions across Lilongwe and surrounding areas; and a high-level ministerial dialogue with key ministries under the ATM+M strategy (Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Trade, and Manufacturing).
The summit will close with the Youth Impact and Leadership Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions by young people across sectors.
International delegates from Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, the UK, and the Pan-African Youth Union are also expected to attend, reinforcing Malawi’s growing leadership in youth development across the continent.
Also speaking during the press briefing, Youth Leader Edward Chidombe, a member of the NYCOM Board of Directors, acknowledged the pressing challenges young people in Malawi are facing, particularly high levels of unemployment. He emphasized that the theme of the summit is directly aligned with addressing these issues.
Another youth leader, Angela Kanene, who serves on the Organizing Committee’s technical subcommittee, expressed her satisfaction with how NYCOM has meaningfully involved young people in organizing the summit. She affirmed that the summit truly responds to the current needs of Malawi’s youth.
In his closing remarks, Chapota appealed to all partners, the media, and the wider public to rally behind the summit: “This is a national effort. We invite everyone to walk this journey with us as we invest in a future that is youth-led and innovation-driven.”
The 2025 National Youth Summit is strictly for invited delegates, but NYCOM has ensured nationwide access through livestreams and media partnerships. For those looking to support or learn more about the summit, NYCOM can be reached via Email info@nycom.mw or 0993542557
No responses yet