Za Creative Consult was honoured to take part in the recent institutional tour organised by the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) on 25 November 2025. The invitation, extended through Youth Wave Malawi, provided an important platform for discussing how youth-led institutions in Malawi are governed and how the national ecosystem can continue to nurture youth innovation, leadership, and development.
The discussion emphasised a key message: effective youth development demands collaboration and strong institutional systems. Participants highlighted major gaps in access to scientific data and research—tools essential for organisational growth, evidence-based programming, and donor compliance.
Limited online research repositories continue to challenge Malawi’s youth sector. As UNESCO notes, Sub-Saharan Africa contributes less than 1% of global research output, underscoring the need to strengthen knowledge access and research-driven planning.
The NYCOM tour provided valuable space for sector-wide reflection on how Malawi can improve its knowledge infrastructure, strengthen youth institutions, and prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing digital world. It also reinforced the urgent need to build systems that support young people not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders, creators, and innovators.
Za Creative Consult remains committed to supporting Organisations that are building a stronger, more evidence-informed youth development ecosystem. The insights gained will guide our future programmes, research initiatives, and collaborative partnerships designed to uplift Malawi’s creative and digital economy.