African Climate Alliance has encouraged young people to take an active role in renewable energy sector by developing innovative solutions that address the country’s energy challenges and create employment and business opportunities at the same time.
The call was made on Saturday during a youth workshop on Youth Energy Ownership, Just Transition and Green Jobs Activations that African Climate Alliance organised at the African Bible College in Lilongwe.
The workshop brought together 60 young people from universities and youth organisations to discuss energy access challenges in Malawi and explore opportunities for youth participation in the transition to sustainable and renewable energy systems.
| Franco Mwachande Jnr
Dzuwa Energy founder Godfrey Mtika said the renewable energy sector offers vast opportunities for young people to become entrepreneurs, innovators and agents of change.
“The energy sector presents numerous opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to expanding access to clean and affordable energy while creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Mtika added that young people have the potential to drive innovation and support efforts aimed at improving energy access, particularly in underserved communities.
African Climate Alliance field officer Symon Satiele challenged participants to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the renewable energy industry, saying the sector can help tackle youth unemployment while promoting sustainable development.
He said young people are not only beneficiaries of development programmes but also key drivers of positive change within their communities.
One of the participants, Maria Kameta, founder of Mudzi Cooking Project in Area 44, Lilongwe, said the workshop inspired her to explore more clean energy solutions that can benefit communities.
“The workshop has helped me understand how young people can contribute to Malawi’s energy transition. Through the Mudzi Cooking Project, I want to promote clean cooking solutions while creating positive change in communities,” she said.
The African Climate Alliance is a youth-led organisation that advocates for climate justice and meaningful youth participation in sustainable development initiatives across Africa
