Blog Accelerating growth: How Malawi’s entrepreneurs are scaling impact through the Business Acceleration for Youth Project
Lilongwe, 11 July 2025 – Beneath the buzzing marquee at Sunbird Capital Hotel, a diverse mix of entrepreneurs gathered, some just starting out, others already steering thriving enterprises. Their products, business models, and growth stories stood as proof of what is possible when ambition meets opportunity.
This was not just another expo. It was International MSMEs Day 2025, and the spotlight was on the 61 businesses supported through the Business Acceleration for Youth project, implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Malawi. From high-growth startups to established SMEs, the event celebrated a shared journey of innovation, resilience, and scale.
Held under the theme “Business for MSMEs – Connecting the Entrepreneurs,” the day brought together a powerful mix: entrepreneurs, financiers, government representatives, development partners such as UNDP, AGRA, and UNCDF, and ecosystem enablers from across Malawi, all aligned around one mission: to build a thriving, inclusive economy driven by MSMEs.
Participants pose for a group photo.
The Business Acceleration for Youth project was launched to reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance by investing in high-potential startups and growth-stage MSMEs to increase and diversify incomes, job creation, and strengthen household resilience. Its dual approach, incubation for early-stage ventures and acceleration for more mature enterprises has built a pipeline of investment-ready businesses across diverse sectors, from agriculture and agro-processing to clean energy, digital solutions, and manufacturing.
“In the last three years, we have supported 61 MSMEs each with $10,000 worth of tailored technical assistance from business planning to marketing and investment readiness,” said David Slane, Chief of Party in his welcome remarks. “Twenty of these have secured matching grants of up to $75,000, and we are already seeing the results: job creation, market expansion, and businesses that are stronger and more investor-ready than ever before. Under the incubation arm, we have trained 500 startups with 200 receiving grants of $2,500 each. These numbers reflect more than funding. They reflect a system that is finally working for entrepreneurs.”
Chief of Party, David Slane poses with all the awards winners.
Enterprises Driving Malawi’s Growth Sectors
The 61 accelerated enterprises under the acceleration program span multiple growth sectors with over 65% in agro-processing and agri-business, 14% in conservation, 13% in energy and green solutions, 8% in ICT and 6% in sustainable fisheries. All these enterprises share a common goal: to scale sustainably, contribute to job creation, and deliver market-ready solutions.
The MSME Day event offered a vibrant platform not only to showcase this progress but to spark new collaborations between businesses, investors, and policy stakeholders, helping bridge persistent gaps in capital, market access, and support systems.
MSMEs showcasing their products.
From Cassava to Catalysts: A Story of Scale
Among the many success stories emerging from the project is Olipa Nyasulu, founder of Africa Agriculture Holdings Limited (AAHL), an enterprise transforming Malawi’s cassava value chain. “The technical support provided through the project has significantly transformed our business operations and strategic outlook,” said Olipa. “We benefited immensely from expert guidance in financial management, business planning, and value chain strengthening, which helped us build robust systems and position our enterprise for sustainable growth.”
Through the project, AAHL gained exposure and opportunities to present their business model at regional and national platforms including SADC forums, agribusiness summits, and policy dialogues. The enterprise was also awarded a $52,200 matching grant, enabling it to upgrade processing equipment, expand storage, and improve supply chain efficiency.
The matching grant, Olipa explained, is enabling AAHL to scale up cassava processing with modern equipment, expand storage facilities, and enhance supply chains. “This investment is allowing us to source more cassava from smallholder farmers, increase efficiency, deliver quality at scale and meet rising demand from domestic and export markets. It’s projected to create over 1,200 direct and indirect jobs, especially for youth. “It is not just about growing our company; it is about growing impact.” she added.
Olipa also highlighted the impact of the networking events hosted by the project: “These events have expanded our business networks, connected us with off-takers, and positioned us for new funding and policy engagements with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Today, we are not just processors, we are contributors to national strategy, with a seat at the table in Malawi’s tuber value chain development.”
Olipa Nyasulu, Co-Founder of AAHL.
Collaboration is the New Currency
The MSME Day was a strategic platform for entrepreneurs to pitch to investors, build relationships, and explore new partnerships. The day’s spirit of collaboration was captured in the keynote by Standard Bank CEO Phillip Madinga: “MSMEs are at the forefront of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. In a world shaped by networks, collaboration is the new currency. Entrepreneurs thrive not in isolation, but in synergy.”
He called on stakeholders to move beyond fragmented support and foster an environment where MSMEs connect, share ideas, and open doors for one another. “When MSMEs collaborate, they build ecosystems that can compete globally, not just locally. We must ensure they no longer face challenges alone, but meet them as a community, united by purpose,” he added.
Guest of Honour, Phillip Banda-Standard Bank CEO
Celebrating Innovation and Resilience
Beyond the keynotes and connections, the event featured vibrant product showcases, investor speed dating, and masterclasses on business resilience and mental wellbeing. The highlight was the Business Acceleration for Youth MSME Awards, recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs for their innovation, grit and growth:
- Male Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Exhibition Display: Emmanuel Banda (Noble Agriculture Technologies)
- Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Vanessa Kwilasya (Brand Consult)
- Most Attractive Product Line and Rising Star Award: Ekari Trigu (Mami Foods)
- Trailblazer award: Kettie Chisambi (North East Foods)
- Social Impact Champions: Olipa Nyasulu (AAHL) and Elizabeth Nkhwazi (Food Kings Limited).
- Other honors were presented for pitching excellence, eco-consciousness, and network leadership.
Emmanuel Banda-Noble Agriculture Technologies, Best Male Entrepreneur Award Winner.
Vanessa Kwilasya-Brand Consult-Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner.
Ekari Trigu-Mami Food, Rising Star and Most Attractive Product Line Awards Winner
MSMEs Networking at the event.
