Malawi has launched a K2 billion initiative aimed at creating jobs for young people and accelerating growth in the agri-food sector. The Strengthening Policy and Institutional Capacity for Youth Employment and Agri-Food Systems Transformation (SPICE) Project will run for 36 months and is designed to empower young people as key actors in national development. Funded by AGRA, the three-year project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Each ministry will receive $400,000 (approximately K720 million) to boost youth participation in agri-food systems, expand market access and strengthen policies that support job creation.
Speaking during the launch, the Director of Technical Services in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dina Gumulira described the project as a milestone in addressing persistent challenges facing young people, particularly unemployment and limited market opportunities. She noted that the project aligns with the Malawi 2063 Vision, which prioritises a youth-driven, job-creating and food-secure future. “We noted that about 50 percent of Malawi’s population is made up of young people, yet they lack opportunities and inclusivity. This project aims to close that gap,” said Gumulira.
AGRA Malawi Country Director, Eluphy Nyirenda, emphasised the importance of strong policy coordination to achieve meaningful youth empowerment. She observed that while Malawi 2063 sets a clear national direction, gaps in supporting legislation such as the absence of a National Youth Service Bill and a strategy to implement the National Youth Policy, have slowed progress. “We want to ensure that all policy documents complement each other and support the creation of work opportunities for young people,” explained Nyirenda.
Youth representative Weston Mfunya, Acting Executive Director of Youth Wave and Co-Chair of the National Youth Technical Working Group, welcomed the project as a timely and much-needed intervention. He said it addresses critical challenges including food security and high youth unemployment, while opening doors to opportunities within the agriculture sector. “This is a huge milestone for us as young people. Agriculture has enormous potential to create jobs, and this project will help us tap into that,” noted Mfunya.
The SPICE Project represents a significant step in positioning young Malawians not merely as beneficiaries but as central drivers of economic transformation. By closing policy gaps, expanding employment opportunities and enhancing inclusivity, the project aims to build a more resilient, youth-powered agri-food system.
