Government says promoting green jobs could help tackle Malawi’s rising youth unemployment as thousands of young people enter the labour market each year.
Director of Assessment and Certification Services in the Ministry of Labour, Joseph Chirombo, made the remarks in Lilongwe during a National Dissemination Workshop on the analysis of policy instruments related to Green Jobs and Skills for Youth in Malawi.
He said the country must diversify its economy and strengthen the implementation of existing policies to create more opportunities for young people.
“According to the 2024 Labour Force Survey, about 66 percent of the youth are unemployed, while only 34 percent have jobs,” Chirombo said.
He explained that the situation is partly due to Malawi’s heavy reliance on agriculture as the main economic sector.
“Of the youth who are employed, about 48 percent work in agriculture, while other sectors absorb very few young people,” he added.
Chirombo noted that addressing the problem requires the country to diversify into sectors such as manufacturing, tourism and mining, alongside agriculture.
Malawi already has several policies aimed at empowering the youth, he further added that the Ministry of Labour promotes green skills through the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy, supporting training in areas such as food production, horticulture, solar and photovoltaic installation, tourism and tour guiding.
Senior Manager for Policy, Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media at Save the Children, John Chipeta, said the Green Jobs Project is already making a difference.
The initiative targets youths aged 17 to 24 years, equipping them with practical skills to become self-reliant while responding to climate change challenges.
“Many young people are now involved in solar installation, irrigation farming and eco-tourism,” Chipeta said.
Over 70 participants have already obtained certificates through Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority, enabling some to access financial support from institutions such as FDH Bank.
One beneficiary, Enoch Mtambalika from Kapoko Village in Mzimba, touted the life-changing initiative.
“The skills we acquired are essential for our survival and economic growth. We have formed an electrical company and now provide solar installation and repair services in Mzimba and other districts in the Northern Region,” he said
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Green jobs provide livelihoods while promoting environmental sustainability in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management and conservation.
The workshop convened government representatives, academics, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to explore how aligning policies, enhancing skills, and making targeted investments can create new employment opportunities for young people in Malawi’s green economy.
It was half under the theme: ‘Creating Green Jobs for Malawi’s Youth: Policy Alignment, Skills Enhancement, and Strategic Investment.
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