On February 25th, 2022, I was honored to stand on stage at the Startup Masterclass hosted by MAIIC Wealth at BICC. The theme, “Setting the Right Mindset in Business,” could not have been more aligned with the reflections I carried into that room—reflections on a journey that began over ten years ago, and the road still ahead.
A Look Back: 10 Years in Digital Media
When I entered Malawi’s digital media space, it wasn’t called that yet.
There were no ecosystems. No blueprints. No real “industry” as we think of it today. Just a handful of us creating content, building brands, experimenting with platforms, and hoping the internet could be more than just entertainment—it could be opportunity.
I spoke at the Masterclass about how those early years taught me more than any classroom ever could. I learned how to tell stories that resonate. How to build trust in the digital space. How to monetize creativity in an economy that didn’t yet know how to value it. I stumbled through pricing, partnerships, policy gaps—and kept moving forward, always learning.
By 2022, I had not only worked with countless brands across the region, but had also founded BIEN Corp and established the Ntha Foundation—building out platforms that supported digital and creative entrepreneurs across Africa. The speech was both a celebration of survival and a testimony to the power of intentionality.
A Look Forward: The Next 10 Years
In that same room, I also laid out my vision for the future.
Because while it’s good to reflect, the real work is in reimagining what’s next.
I shared that the next decade would not just be about content—it would be about infrastructure. About institutions. About moving from creator to builder. I knew it was time to move from being the face of the work to designing systems that outlive me.
I spoke about scaling the Nyenyezi Fellowship, not just as a feel-good program for creatives, but as a Mini-MBA for Africa’s future founders. A place where business fluency meets digital innovation—where pricing, finance, and sustainability are no longer afterthoughts but foundations.
I also shared dreams of investing in agriculture, gaming, and education tech—fields where digital meets real-world impact. The plan was to pivot from storytelling to story-shaping—using data, strategy, and systems to change the narrative of African business.
A Timestamp
The Masterclass was more than an event—it was a timestamp.
A marker of transition. From early adopter to ecosystem builder. From digital talent to strategic entrepreneur. From reactive to visionary.
As I stood among other brilliant Malawian minds—founders, CEOs, academics, innovators—I knew the journey wasn’t just mine. It was collective. We were all building something in a country that often forgets to make space for builders.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in ten years, it’s this:
No one will build it for us.
So we build it ourselves.
One fellowship. One hub. One pivot at a time.
Watch my speech below.
Ntha
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