Malawi agencies launch certification initiative for youth businesses

The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) and the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) have launched a joint initiative to assist youth-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with business formalization and product certification.

Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership allows young entrepreneurs to pay only 50 percent of the required certification fees. MBS experts are conducting field assessments in districts including Blantyre, Zomba, Thyolo, Mulanje, Chikwawa, and Zomba. During these visits, technical guidance is provided on packaging, labeling, food hygiene, and product-specific processing standards.

The exercise has already reached dozens of entrepreneurs involved in various sectors, such as honey, crisps, peanut butter, and chemical manufacturing. The initiative aims to help young business owners meet national standards, improve product quality, and access wider market opportunities.