Youth Showcase Green Enterprises at Banda

Young women under the renewable energy pathway confidently repair solar gadgets during the Market Expo, challenging stereotypes in a field often viewed as male dominated.

Young people under the Green Jobs for Adolescents and Youth Project transformed Banda Market in Sub Traditional Authority Mkulumutula, Ntcheu, into a vibrant center of innovation and entrepreneurship during a market expo organized to showcase businesses established through the project.

The youth, who were trained in renewable energy, ecotourism, and sustainable agriculture at Mzuzu University, SOS Technical College, and Ntonda Technical College, displayed practical skills acquired through the initiative after receiving certification from Mzuzu University and TEVETA, alongside startup capital support in the form of equipment and business stock.

The lively event attracted community members, local leaders, financial institutions, and development partners, while drama and music performances kept the atmosphere energetic and entertaining throughout the day.

Beneficiaries under the renewable energy pathway demonstrate solar gadget repair and installation services at their exhibition stand during the Market Expo.

Youth under the renewable energy pathway demonstrated live solar gadget servicing, booked customers for solar home system installations, and sold solar panels, batteries, inverters, bulbs, and other accessories provided through the project.

Speaking with excitement during the expo, beneficiary Lexon Joseph said the project had completely changed his outlook on life and work.

“Before this training, I was just staying at home without hope or direction. Today, people are coming to us for solar services, and I can confidently say I now have a skill that can feed my family and help my community access clean energy. The equipment we received gave us the courage to start immediately,” he said.

At the ecotourism stand, beneficiaries dressed in aprons and chef attire served a variety of dishes, including nsima, rice, chicken, chips, spring rolls, croissants, and more local and international dishes, attracting long queues of customers throughout the day.

Beneficiary Chimwemwe Chindewu described the opportunity as life-changing.

“I always loved cooking, but I never imagined it could become a real business. Through this project, I learned professional cooking, customer care, and business management. Seeing people enjoy our food and pay for it with appreciation makes me proud because I now see a future for myself,” she said with a smile.

outh under the ecotourism pathway serve food to customers during the Market Expo, showcasing culinary and hospitality skills acquired through the project.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries under sustainable agriculture sold fresh tomatoes that were in high demand due to shortages caused by poor weather conditions that affected many farmers in the area.

Matthews Light said the project equipped them with climate-smart farming techniques that helped them protect their crops despite difficult conditions.

“Many gardens were destroyed by bad weather, but we applied the skills we learned through the training, and our tomatoes survived. Today, we are making sales and earning income while other people are struggling to find tomatoes on the market. This project taught us that farming is a business when done professionally,” he explained.

Speaking during the event, Guest of Honor and Director of Community and Social Services at Ntcheu District Council, Phales Chizule, commended the project for transforming the lives of young people in the area.

“This project is a testimony that when young people are given opportunities, skills, and support, they can transform their own lives and contribute meaningfully to community development. The Green Jobs Project is creating a brighter future for our youth,” she said.

Sub-Traditional Authority Mkulumutula appealed for the intervention to be expanded to reach more young people, saying he was proud to witness the transformation taking place within his community.

CRECCOM Project Coordinator Bruce Matabwa said the initiative was intentionally designed to move young people from training into actual enterprise development.

“The project has not only trained the youth but has also equipped them with certification and startup capital so they can immediately apply their skills and establish sustainable businesses,” he explained.

Participants pose for a group photograph with Sub Traditional Authority Mkulumutula, Guest of Honour Phales Chizule, and project partners during the Green Jobs Market Expo at Banda Market in Ntcheu.

The Green Jobs for Adolescents and Youth Project was being implemented through a consortium led by Save the Children Malawi in partnership with CRECCOM, ADRA Malawi, Emerge Livelihoods, TEVETA, and Mzuzu University, with funding from Save the Children Italy, to equip vulnerable adolescents and youth aged 15–24 with employable green economy skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Other partners present at the expo included NBS Bank and MEDF, who joined the event to support and encourage the young entrepreneurs.