In a remote border community where foreign radio signals often drown out local voices, a young man has taken it upon himself to ensure that his people are heard.
Through determination and self-taught technical skills, a 25-year-old innovator from Chitipa has built a community radio station that is now serving villages long cut off from local information.
Noah Kalagho, from Ifumbo Village under Traditional Authority Mwaulambya in Chitipa District, has impressed many after successfully constructing a radio station whose signal reaches at least five surrounding villages.
Kalagho told Malawi24 that his achievement stems from skills he developed over time while repairing broken radios for members of his community. Through this hands-on experience, he gained a deeper understanding of how radio equipment works, which eventually inspired him to attempt building his own radio station.
“I started by fixing damaged radios for people in the village. As I continued learning, I challenged myself to build a radio station, and today that dream has come true,” said Kalagho.
Ifumbo is one of the border areas in Malawi where residents often struggle to access local radio stations. Foreign signals particularly from neighbouring Tanzania are usually clearer than those from within Malawi, making it difficult for people to receive local content.
As a result, many residents have missed out on important information such as agricultural extension messages, weather forecasts, health awareness programmes, and national news.
Kalagho believes that once he is granted a radio license, the station will help bridge the information gap by providing content that is relevant to the local community. Villagers now have easier access to news and messages that directly affect their daily lives.
Despite the success of the initiative, Kalagho said he is facing several challenges. He lacks modern broadcasting equipment, which limits his ability to improve transmission quality and extend coverage to more villages.
In addition, he has not yet obtained a broadcasting licence from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), which is required to operate a fully recognised radio station.
He has since appealed to relevant authorities, well-wishers, and development partners to support his innovation with technical assistance and equipment.
Kalagho also expressed confidence in his broader technical abilities, revealing that he has skills in manufacturing power inverters and audio amplifiers.
He believes that such talents, if supported, could contribute meaningfully to national development.
He further called on the Malawi Government and the private sector to invest in local industries that manufacture electronic equipment, saying this would not only support innovators like himself but also strengthen the country’s economy by reducing dependence on imported products.
Kalagho’s story stands as a powerful example of grassroots innovation, highlighting the potential of Malawian youth to create practical solutions to community challenges when given the right support.
