In 2017, the United Nations’ special magazine called Africa Renewal, asked: Is Africa’s huge number of young people a blessing or a curse?
It warns that Africa has more young people than any other continent, but just having many young people is not enough.
A youth bulge only becomes a blessing if countries invest in their young citizens, giving them good health, education, skills, jobs and a voice in making decisions.
If neglected, the youth bulge can become a curse. Without jobs and hope, many may get into trouble, feel angry and flee their countries.
Over 60 percent of the population is below 35—and that is a lot of young energy, fresh ideas and future workers.
However, a 2025 Afrobarometer survey shows that at least half of Malawian youth remain jobless even though they are looking for employment. Only three in every 100 have full-time jobs and half have thought about leaving the country to find a better life elsewhere.
The UN magazine warns that when young people sit idle with no opportunities, a country can become unstable.
In Malawi, this danger is growing daily as young people are mostly invisible in spaces where important decisions are made.
A journalist once asked: “Do we have any members of Parliament (MPs) aged under 35. If yes, what specific agenda are they pushing for the youth, the country’s largest age group?”
In the 2025-2030 cohort of Parliament, out of 223 MPs, only 21 are 35 or younger.
Young people must be at the table when the country is planning its future.
The newly formed Parliamentary Youth Caucus is a good step, but the group requires official status, a budget or the power to bring real change. It remains weak like a student council that can talk, but cannot make any real decisions.
Besides, many Malawians, both old and young, still believe that old people make better leaders. This mentality underrates the youth, telling them to wait for their turn.
Political parties make it difficult for young aspirants as they prefer older, wealthy candidates for elected positions.
The youth are mostly relegated to praise singing at political rallies, denied decision-making seats.
However, there are steps to fix this.
The National Youth Policy says 30 percent of decision-making positions should go to young people.
The policy lists 10 areas for youth empowerment, including jobs, leadership and participaton in governance.
Government also rolled out the K2 billion Youth Innovation Fund to help young entrepreneurs start businesses.
The Youth Manifesto, spearheaded by Youth and Society and other organisations bring the youth and old leaders together to discuss fair ways to share power.
These are important steps to fix this, but three groups have crucial roles to play.
1. Instead of waiting to be invited, young people themselves must get organised, form cooperatives and work together to access loans, skills and other businesses opportunities.
Youth leader Tionge Moyo aptly urges her peers to build their own futures together instead of waiting for big companies.
Young people must claim their rightful seat at the table by contesting for office at both local and national levels.
2. The government must act with urgency. Give the Youth Caucus an official status, budget and power to truly speak for young people.
Government must heed and invest in what young people need most: Quality education, jobs and affordable business loans.
Also, enforce the 30 percent quota in the national policy.
3. Other actors, including non-profit organisations, international partners and the private sector, should provide funds and training for youth projects, monitor the government to keep its promises and support areas where young people flourish like digital technology and modern farming.
The large youth population is like a seed. If you water it with investment, inclusion and respect, it grows into a strong tree that fruits for everyone. If you ignore it, it withers and causes problems.
Every year of delay makes the problem bigger.
