The 2024 National Youth Summit reached its pinnacle with the announcement of the highly anticipated Youth Impact Awards, celebrating the exceptional contributions of young Malawians across various fields. These awards, spanning categories such as Humanitarian Work, Sports, Health, and Climate Action, highlighted the power of youth-led initiatives in driving transformative change.

Humanitarian Excellence

In the Humanitarian category, two young leaders were honored for their profound impact on their communities:

• Elias Matope, founder of the Tivekeni Initiative, was recognized for providing economic support and educational resources to individuals in need, creating brighter futures.
• Overton Decco, founder of the Reach Foundation, was celebrated for his work with over 300 children, offering free early childhood development education and setting a strong foundation for their futures.

Sports Empowerment

The Sports category award went to Tadala Ngosi, founder of the Match Foundation. Through her organization, Tadala has mentored over 2,625 students, using sports to teach life skills, resilience, and personal growth. Her work underscores the transformative role of sports in youth development.

Health Advocacy

In the Health category, Owen Makwesa, founder of Sukani Enterprise, stood out for his commitment to improving oral health in Malawi. At just 24, Owen is locally manufacturing affordable toothpaste and delivering essential oral health education, making dental care accessible to underserved communities.

Education Innovation

The Education award celebrated Staff Nyoni, founder of the Blind Classroom Initiative. Using artificial intelligence, Staff is revolutionizing education for visually impaired students, making learning more inclusive and impactful for a traditionally overlooked group.

Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

In this category, Colby, founder of Adventures with Colby, was honored for promoting sustainable tourism. Their expedition company collaborates with local communities, creating meaningful travel experiences while supporting eco-friendly practices.

Ecology and Climate Action

Environmental sustainability took center stage with Sylvester Chabuka, whose social enterprise has sold over 40,000 kilograms of eco-friendly briquettes. By offering an alternative to charcoal, Sylvester’s work is combating deforestation and championing climate action in Malawi.

Science, Innovation, and Technology

A tie in this category highlighted two visionary leaders:

• Chimwemwe Balinga Mwenefumbo, who transformed his Chigwere community with a hydroelectric plant providing sustainable energy.
• Clement Kenneth Taonani, founder of Nthawi Farms, who supplies biochar fertilizer to over 1,000 farmers, advancing sustainable agriculture practices.

The 2024 Youth Impact Awards showcased the immense potential of young Malawians to address the nation’s challenges with creativity, determination, and innovation. Their achievements serve as an inspiration, proving that the future of Malawi is in capable hands.