Under the AGRA-funded Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) is rolling out Training of Trainers (ToT) activities in multiple districts, empowering young people—especially young women—with the skills, tools, and opportunities to thrive in the agri-food sector. These efforts directly contribute to Malawi 2063’s vision of an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation, as well as NYCOM’s Strategic Plan, particularly Pillar 1: Youth Economic Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovations.

In Machinga, NYCOM teams oriented 60 youth leaders from six Traditional Authorities—Nyumwanyumwa, Chamba, Mgulumwa, Sitola, Nkula, and Mposa—following an earlier stakeholder engagement. The sessions introduced participants to AGRA, the YEFFA programme, and its partners, outlined the project’s aims and target groups, and provided practical guidance on how to mobilise and register peers to join the initiative.

In Dedza, youth network leaders from T/As Chilikumwendo, Kaphuka, Tambala, and Kachere engaged in ToT sessions focusing on mindset transformation, life skills development, and entrepreneurship. The sessions will continue with modules on business modelling and advocacy, preparing participants to replicate the training in their communities and extend the project’s reach.

In Salima’s T/A Makanjira, 20 youth representatives participated in a ToT workshop centred on mindset change—helping them challenge limiting beliefs and embrace leadership roles that can drive community transformation. Their training continues over the next two days, with focus areas in entrepreneurship and advocacy to strengthen their role as peer educators and catalysts of agricultural innovation.

Through YEFFA, the aim is to equip a new generation of young leaders to drive innovation in the agri-food sector, establish sustainable agribusinesses, and create opportunities for their peers. The project seeks to strengthen Malawi’s food systems while advancing youth economic empowerment in line with Malawi 2063.