The Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation says Malawi continues facing youth unemployment challenge due to growth in youth population and limited job creation.
According to the ministry, approximately 270,000 young people enter the labour market every year, yet the economy creates only about 40,000 formal jobs annually, leaving many young people struggling to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Speaking in Lilongwe during the National Dissemination Workshop on the Analysis of Policy Instruments Related to Green Jobs and Skills, Director of Assessment and Certification Services in the Ministry Joseph Chirombo said the 2024 Labour Force Survey indicates that more than half of young Malawians aged 15 to 35 are unemployed and actively looking for work.
Chirombo noted that the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation, together with other key institutions, remain committed to promoting decent work opportunities, skills development and youth employment in the country.
He said that about 66 percent of young people in Malawi, reported being unemployed, highlighting the magnitude of the employment challenge facing the country.
“Promoting green skills and green jobs is not only about environmental protection but also about creating sustainable livelihoods and preparing young people for the future of work”, he explained.
He also said that the ministry has already introduced programmes in the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) sector to equip young people with green skills that are relevant to the implementation of the Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing (ATMM) strategy.
According to Chirombo, some of these programmes include solar installation, edible horticulture, cosmetology, tour guiding, tourism and hotel management, adding that industries and training institutions must also adapt their programmes to equip young people with practical competencies required in emerging green sectors since the labour market continues to evolve.
In his remarks, Save the Children Malawi Senior Manager for Policy, Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media John Chipeta said the workshop aims to address youth unemployment and under-employment, which continue to affect many young people in the country, while also responding to the growing climate crisis impacting communities.
Chipeta explained that the study examines a range of existing policies and frameworks, to determine whether they are sufficiently aligned, to unlock the potential of the green economy for Malawi’s young people.
One of the project beneficiaries from Traditional Authority M’mbelwa in Mzimba District, Enock Mtambalika, commended Save the Children for the technical and financial support, saying the project has helped him establish a company that focuses on renewable energy solutions.
The Green Jobs for Adolescents and Youth Project (2023–2026), is funded by Save the Children Italy with about 2.2 million pounds and is implemented in partnership with the Malawi Government, ADRA, CRECCOM, Mzuzu University, Emerge Livelihoods and TEVET.
The project targets 690 adolescents and youths in Ntcheu and Mzimba districts.
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