Preliminary examinations for the Old Mutual Mathematics Olympiad will be held on 14 February across Malawi, with learners expected to sit for the tests at designated centres in all three regions.
The competition is jointly organized by Old Mutual (Malawi) Limited and Mzuzu University, a partnership aimed at promoting mathematical excellence and nurturing problem-solving skills among secondary school learners nationwide.
The examinations will be written simultaneously across the country, offering learners an equal platform to compete in one of Malawi’s leading academic contests.
Speaking in an interview, Associate Professor Khumbo Kumwenda, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Innovation at Mzuzu University, said organizers have established eight examination centres spread across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions to enhance accessibility.
Kumwenda said the exams will commence at exactly 11:00am, urging all registered schools to intensify preparations for their learners, noting that the Olympiad goes beyond competition and plays a critical role in building analytical and problem-solving skills.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Olympiad exposes learners to mathematical problems that effectively prepare them to handle national examinations while shaping them to become reliable citizens who can solve the challenges our country faces,” he said.
He added that learners who advance to later stages of the competition benefit from exposure to the university environment, which helps inspire higher academic aspirations.
In her remarks, Old Mutual Strategy, Digital and Data Executive Lorraine Mlenga said the company’s support for the Olympiad reflects a commitment to developing Malawi’s human capital, a key enabler of the Malawi 2063 development agenda.
She said investing in initiatives that nurture critical thinking among young people is essential in building a skilled and innovative future workforce.
The Mathematics Olympiad was resuscitated in 2015, and this year marks 10 years of Old Mutual’s continuous sponsorship and growth.
The competition will culminate in a prize presentation ceremony scheduled for 2 March 2026 at the Mzuzu University Campus. This year, MK45 million has been invested in the competition.
