Mzuzu E-hub, a Malawian social enterprise, is celebrating the milestone of having successfully trained over 1,000 young people, equipping them with basic digital skills. As a result, the organisation is looking to expand its presence across the country.

The Mzuzu E-hub initiative ‘Digital skills for all’ is supported by Malawi’s government through the Public Private Partnership Commission under the Digital Malawi Project, and is funded by the World Bank.

The project initially started in Mzuzu City, but has since expanded to all districts in the country’s northern region, including Likoma and Chizumulu islands.

Litness Chaima, Mzuzu E-hub's communications and engagement manager, said the initial target for the project was to equip 540 young people with digital and enterprise development skills. However, to date, the initiative has successfully trained over 1,100 young men and women, and is still growing.

Among the digital topics covered are computer programming, digital marketing, website and graphic design, data management and end user computing. And in terms of enterprise development, areas covered include finance management, leadership, communication and branding and strategic planning.

Malawi’s government and the World Bank have been providing funding and support since 2020, said Chaima. “They have provided financial and asset support, which saw the expansion of the training into all districts in the northern region," she said.

According to Chaima, Mzuzu E-hub has involved the community, by engaging youth leaders to help mobilise young people to participate. District Youth Offices, operating under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, have also been key in selecting young people to participate in the programme.

To gauge success, there is a dedicated management and engagement team that follows up with graduates every six months to determine metrics such as employment levels, income increases and job creation, as well as any support needed.

Chaima says Mzuzu E-hub’s ambition now is to replicate the success more widely. “The plan is to partner with other organisations within the country to create satellite hubs and be able to provide training on a larger scale," she adds.