On March 15, 2025, I had the pleasure of engaging with 250 Malawian undegraduate students at the Academic & Leadership Conference hosted by the College Leadership Forum alongside Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA), and other partners.
The theme, “Empowering College Students to Realize and Lead Malawi’s 2063 Vision Through Leadership, Innovation, and Collaboration”, was a timely discussion on the role of young leaders in shaping Malawi’s future.
This conference brought together brilliant minds from across Malawi’s academic institutions, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing, strategic discussions, and reflections on national progress. In this blog, I want to highlight key insights from my talk, key takeaways from the broader discussions, and what this means for Malawi’s future.
Watch a recap of my keynote delivered at the conference here
The Innovator’s Mindset: Shifting from Consumers to Creators
As a Digital Transformation Advocate, my session focused on cultivating an innovator’s mindset—a mindset that pushes young people beyond traditional paths, encouraging them to embrace creativity, critical thinking, and solution-oriented leadership.
I emphasized a mindset shift:
- Understanding the history of our country, and mapping a new way forward.
- Thinking beyond traditional career paths and recognizing opportunities in digital transformation.
- Moving from passive job-seeking to active value creation.
- Leveraging technology and innovation to build sustainable solutions for national development.
Successful ventures are not just about ideas—they are born out of deep passion and strategic business development. I shared insights from my own journey of navigating the worlds of business, policy, and technology, from founding Kwathu Kollective, engaging with international organizations like the United Nations, to now shaping my path at Microsoft.
The Malawi 2063 Vision: A Nation of Doers, Not Just Dreamers
One of the key findings from Malawi’s Independent Country Programme Evaluation (ICPE) was that Malawi is policy-rich but implementation-poor. This means that while we have strong policy frameworks, execution remains a challenge.
At the conference, I discussed:
- Bridging the gap between policy and action—how young people can translate strategy into impact.
- The role of digital platforms in scaling education, business, and governance.
- How public-private partnerships and youth-led innovation can accelerate national development.
For Malawi to achieve its ambitious 2063 goals, it must transform into a nation of doers. This is why entrepreneurial thinking, tech-driven solutions, and leadership development are critical for the next generation.
Key Takeaways
- Education Must Be Linked to Industry Needs
- Universities must integrate digital skills and entrepreneurial training into their curriculums to prepare students for the future of work.
- There was a strong call for redefining career paths to include technology, agribusiness, and innovation-driven sectors.
- Leadership is Action-Oriented
- Leadership is not just about titles; it’s about solving real problems.
- Young people must engage in policy discussions, participate in governance, and create scalable solutions.
- Technology as an Equalizer
- Malawi has the opportunity to leapfrog development gaps by embracing digital transformation and AI.
- Access to tech infrastructure and digital literacy will be critical in creating jobs and improving education.
- Networking & Collaboration
- This event was a powerful reminder that innovation does not happen in isolation.
- Universities, businesses, and policymakers must work together to create a thriving ecosystem.
***
As I reflect on this conference, I am energized by the potential of Malawi’s young leaders. This was not just another academic discussion—it was a call to action for students, educators, and industry leaders to actively shape the future.
Malawi’s greatest resource is its people. With the right mindset, tools, and platforms, the next generation can drive economic transformation, technological advancement, and sustainable development.
I left the conference feeling hopeful—hopeful that these conversations will translate into action, that the students in the room will go on to build businesses, lead policy changes, and create the Malawi we all envision.
with endless love for Malawi,
Ntha
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