Chief Lauds Businesswoman's K18 m Initiative for Malawi Youth Entrepreneurs
The senior chief urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the "golden opportunity" that Mpingnjira has provided to support those with little capital to start businesses.
NSANJE, Malawi — A senior traditional leader in southern Malawi has praised a businesswoman's initiative to provide K18 million in seed funding to young entrepreneurs, saying it will uplift the socioeconomic status of youth in the country, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Senior Chief Chimombo of Nsanje district told this publication Wednesday that Triephornia Mpingnjira's plan to award K1 million every two weeks from April to December to the best 18 business ideas from Malawian entrepreneurs aged 18-35 is a "good move."
"It is a good development and if one hundred people can do a similar initiative it will improve the livelihoods of many youths in the country," Chimombo said.
"I'm appealing to others to emulate the gesture set up by Madam Triephornia Thomson Mpingnjira."
The senior chief urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the "golden opportunity" that Mpingnjira has provided to support those with little capital to start businesses.
Madalitso Feliat, 27, who runs a stationery and printing business in Nsanje, said the initiative will empower youth financially at a time when accessing loans from institutions remains challenging due to strict requirements.
"The more youths are failing to access loans from financial lending institutions due to their strict measures," said Feliat.
"Let us take this chance which is going to lift the young entrepreneurs improving their existing businesses."
Mpingnjira announced the "Helping Those Without Means to Progress" initiative on her Facebook page April 1, calling for business ideas from Malawian youth. She dubbed it an opportunity for "those who don't have collateral to move forward."