In a landmark initiative to empower Africa’s future leaders, the Paul Katema Foundation proudly revealed ten finalists and the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the inaugural Young Builders Challenge (YBC). This nationwide competition inspires innovation, fosters self-reliance, and ignites a transformative mindset among Malawi’s youth.
The Challenge drew more than 700 business ideas from across the country, submitted through the Foundation’s digital platform. These ranged from tech startups to green enterprises and community-focused ventures a vivid reflection of Malawi’s growing innovation culture. After rigorous evaluation, 40 semi-finalists representing 15 colleges and one open category advanced to the final stage, culminating in the selection of ten outstanding business concepts.
“This Challenge is about shifting from talk to tangible action — from waiting for opportunities to creating them,” said Paul Katema, the Foundation’s founder and a passionate advocate for youth-led enterprise.
Each of the ten national finalists will receive K500,000 in seed capital, along with access to business development support and mentorship opportunities. They will also compete for grand prizes of K5 million, K2.5 million and K1 million, to be awarded later in December.
Among the names leading this wave of youth innovation are:
Charles Kamcheka (Bunda College), Emmanuel Nangwiya (Open Category), Alinafe Velemu (Open Category), Mackson Manda (Malawi College of Accountancy), Annette Zombe (MUBAS), Robert Muyereka (MUST), Lufeyo Trecio (Nalikule College of Education), Precious Nkhata (Bunda College), Steve Spesho (Open Category) and Grace Chikaya (MUBAS).
The People’s Choice Award determined through public voting on the Foundation’s Facebook page, went to Jean Henderson, an 18-year-old student at the Malawi College of Accountancy, whose video pitch captured the imagination of thousands online.
A new generation of African problem-solvers
One of the standout finalists, Alinafe Velemu, founder and CEO of Green Innovations Center, has been turning waste into wealth through sustainable climate solutions. A 2025 Ecology and Climate Action Award winner, Velemu described his recognition as “a reflection of teamwork, dedication and the collective desire to build a cleaner, circular economy for Malawi.”
His journey mirrors a broader trend emerging across Africa where young entrepreneurs are leveraging limited resources to create scalable, community-driven solutions. From waste recycling to agritech, these ventures underscore a quiet revolution in African entrepreneurship one built not on venture capital headlines but on real social impact.
The Paul Katema Foundation’s initiative comes at a time when Malawi, like much of Africa, is working to shift from aid dependency to enterprise-driven development. By investing in youth-led ventures, the Foundation aims to cultivate self-reliance and job creation at the grassroots level.
Economic observers note that Africa’s youth population, projected to double by 2050, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. With the right mentorship, financial support and ecosystem, programs like the YBC could transform the continent’s demographic boom into an innovation dividend.
Africa’s story is not just one of potential it’s one of progress. These young builders are reimagining what entrepreneurship looks like when rooted in community and sustainability.
Beyond Malawi: a continental ripple effect
The Young Builders Challenge adds to a growing movement across Africa, where foundations, accelerators and impact funds are spotlighting homegrown ingenuity. From Nigeria’s booming fintech sector to Kenya’s green tech startups and South Africa’s digital innovators, the continent’s youth are steadily rewriting the narrative of African enterprise.
In Malawi, that transformation is taking shape one idea at a time in classrooms, community hubs and through initiatives like YBC that give young people the means to build, not just dream.
As the finalists prepare for the grand finale in December it is clear that Malawi’s new generation of entrepreneurs isn’t waiting for the future they’re building it.
