By Kenson McCloud

The Executive Director of Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation, Vyalema Kaluluma-Phiri, has emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic partnerships among youth entrepreneurs as a catalyst for unlocking greater opportunities within the business sector.

Phiri was speaking during the graduation of 511 young entrepreneurs trained in digital business skills under the Going Beyond Project in Dowa.

According to him, the youth, 335 females and 176 males, have attained skills in financial literacy, digital marketing, business scaling, customer care, and innovation, among others

“There is a lot of transformation that we have seen, and once they implement these skills, they will be able to have sustainable ventures, thereby bringing changes in their lives, communities, and the country as a whole,” he said.

On his part, Dowa District Youth Officer, Kassam Hillier, said the project aligns with the District’s Development Plan aimed at addressing low household income.

“The training that the youth have acquired will help them to grow their businesses, and we believe that eventually they will help us to attain Malawi 2063,” Hillier said.

The project, which will run through December, is targeting 1,500 youth, 70% of whom are women and 5% displaced, in the areas of Kasese, Madisi, Mponela, Chabvala, Dzaleka, Dowa Boma, Chezi, and Mvera.

One of the youth facilitators, Malitina Kamdambo, urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained in their business ventures.

Siela Tuyishime, one of the graduates from the first cohort in Dzaleka, challenged her peers to embrace innovation and competitiveness in their businesses and strive to be self-reliant.

“You don’t need a big capital to invest. Even with the little you have, it is possible to start a business and gradually grow from there,” Tuyishime said.

The project is being implemented in the district by Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation.