Mzimba District is set to receive a major boost in youth empowerment and digital capacity building, with more than 500 young people expected to benefit from a new technology-focused skills programme.
The Programmes Manager for Women Sustainable Agile Development (WOSAD), Benson Phiri, announced the initiative during a District Executive Committee meeting on Friday, describing it as a strategic response to rising youth unemployment.
Phiri said the programme extends beyond basic computer training, emphasizing practical digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and enabling young people to tap into online income opportunities.
He added that the intervention also prioritizes personal development, particularly for young women.
“We are building not only digital competencies but also confidence, leadership, and the mindset needed to compete in today’s economy,” Phiri said.
District officials have welcomed the project, with Yamikani Nyalugwe, the Mzimba South District Youth Officer, describing the programme as timely and aligned with national development priorities.
The initiative forms part of the Going Beyond Project, a regional programme running from 2023 to 2028.
The project is being implemented through a partnership between Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation, and spans Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire.
In Mzimba, the programme will be rolled out in Jenda, Luwerezi, Kavinkhama, and Mafundeya under Traditional Authority Mabilabo, supported by an investment of MKW 47 million.
Stakeholders say the project could play a critical role in preparing rural youth for participation in the digital economy while stimulating local entrepreneurship.
