Government seeks private sector investment in innovators

By Mercy Matonga: Government has called on the private sector to invest in local innovators, warning that Malawi risks slowing the implementation of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) development blueprint if promising youth-led innovations are left without financial backing. Minister of Labour Joel Chigona made the call in Lilongwe yesterday during the Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid (NCA-DCA) Innovation Fund pitching event, where institutions presented innovative ideas aimed at addressing environmental and development challenges. Chigona said while government is providing an enabling policy environment, the private sector has a critical role in transforming innovative ideas into practical solutions that contribute to national development. "We believe young people's innovation and solutions are fundamental to the realisation of the MW2063 blueprint. Government will continue providing policy guidance to organisations that are supporting their creativity," he said. He added that Malawi must invest in and nurture young people to generate home-grown solutions through research, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. JANSEN—The fund supports innovations NCA-DCA Country Director Stephan Jansen said the initiative aims to identify and support innovative solutions that address some of the country's pressing development challenges while creating economic opportunities for young people. "The fund supports innovations in climate and environmental stewardship, food security, economic development, prevention of gender-based violence and reducing inequalities," Jansen said. He said the organisation had increased this year's Innovation Fund to K136 million from K80 million last year, demonstrating its growing investment in youth-led innovation. The Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) and the Green Innovation Centre emerged as the top performers at this year's NCA-DCA Innovation Fund pitching event. Must won the overall prize and received K78 million for its innovation in producing locally made fertiliser from urine. The Green Innovation Centre received K32 million for its innovation in converting waste into products such as fertiliser and recycling plastics into bags. This was the second edition of the Innovation Fund. Last year's overall winner received K64 million to scale up its innovation.

WIRE — By Mercy Matonga: Government has called on the private sector to invest in local innovators, warning that Malawi risks slowing the implementation of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) development blueprint if promising youth-led innovations are left without financial backing. Minister of Labour Joel Chigona made the call in Lilongwe yesterday during the Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid (NCA-DCA) Innovation Fund pitching event, where institutions presented innovative ideas aimed at addressing environmental and development challenges. Chigona said while government is providing an enabling policy environment, the private sector has a critical role in transforming innovative ideas into practical solutions that contribute to national development. "We believe young people's innovation and solutions are fundamental to the realisation of the MW2063 blueprint. Government will continue providing policy guidance to organisations that are supporting their creativity," he said. He added that Malawi must invest in and nurture young people to generate home-grown solutions through research, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. JANSEN—The fund supports innovations NCA-DCA Country Director Stephan Jansen said the initiative aims to identify and support innovative solutions that address some of the country's pressing development challenges while creating economic opportunities for young people. "The fund supports innovations in climate and environmental stewardship, food security, economic development, prevention of gender-based violence and reducing inequalities," Jansen said. He said the organisation had increased this year's Innovation Fund to K136 million from K80 million last year, demonstrating its growing investment in youth-led innovation. The Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) and the Green Innovation Centre emerged as the top performers at this year's NCA-DCA Innovation Fund pitching event. Must won the overall prize and received K78 million for its innovation in producing locally made fertiliser from urine. The Green Innovation Centre received K32 million for its innovation in converting waste into products such as fertiliser and recycling plastics into bags. This was the second edition of the Innovation Fund. Last year's overall winner received K64 million to scale up its innovation.

"We aggregate wires to encourage regional discovery, sending readers directly back to the original source to explore full coverage."

This is a normalized overview of the breaking feed event. The complete, official release detailing all points, background context, and statements remains hosted by the original publisher.