A recent study by the Graca Machel Trust has revealed that women are responsible for 80 percent of Malawi’s economic activities, highlighting an urgent need to support their transition from subsistence to sustainable businesses. 

Graca Machel Trust Country Manager, Eveline Kamanga, emphasized several barriers that continue to hinder women’s participation in the formal economy, including underrepresentation in formal markets, poor product packaging, and limited digital skills.

"In this program, we are equipping them with the necessary tools to help them excel in their businesses, knowing that in women-led businesses, everyone is involved," Kamanga said.

Malawi University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata, urged women entrepreneurs to think beyond personal gain and consider the generational impact of their businesses. She encouraged women to instill entrepreneurship knowledge in their children from an early age.

“It is high time that, as a country, we embrace entrepreneurship education from lower classes through to tertiary level. Children must understand that education is not just about getting employed, but also about creating employment for others,” said Malata.

Chairperson for the COMESA Federation of Women in Business, Sellina Mwenelupembe, also called on women to embrace the challenge of becoming job creators. She noted that some participants in the program have already created 5,000 jobs within just three years.

“Empowering women economically is a powerful way of fighting gender-based violence, as economically independent women are more confident to speak out and make meaningful decisions,” Mwenelupembe added.

Over the past ten months, the “Women Creating Wealth” program has trained about 750 women entrepreneurs, with 114 graduating so far. The initiative culminated in the Women Creating Wealth Country Forum and Certification event, held under the theme: Go Big or Go Home.