Author name: Louis Yona

Emmanuel Lubembe, Chairperson of Emerging Public Leaders Global Board and Betsy Williams, Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus, visited Malawi to strengthen Africa-led public service leadership and partnerships for the Public Service Fellowship Programme (PSFP). The visit included engagement with key stakeholders and showcased the fellows’ impact to governance, emphasizing local leadership’s importance for sustainable reform in government systems.

EPL Malawi has successfully recruited 46 outstanding young professionals into Cohort 2 of the Public Service Fellowship Programme PSFP, a leadership and public service development initiative aimed at strengthening Malawi’s public sector. The second cohort demonstrates EPL Malawi’s strong commitment to gender-responsive leadership development, with 72% women and 28% men selected through a competitive, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process. Fellows bring diverse academic backgrounds, professional expertise, and a shared passion for ethical public service. Fellowship duration and structure The Public Service Fellowship Programme runs from October 2025 to September 2026, offering fellows a rigorous, one-year immersive experience within Malawi’s public sector. During this period, Fellows are placed in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) where they contribute to policy implementation, service delivery, institutional innovation, and citizen-centered governance. In addition to workplace placements, Fellows participate in structured leadership training, mentorship, professional development sessions, and peer learning activities designed to build both technical and soft leadership skills. National placement across the districts To ensure broad national impact, Cohort 2 Fellows have been strategically placed across multiple districts in Malawi, including Lilongwe, Zomba, Mzuzu, Blantyre, Balaka, Mchinji, and Neno. This decentralized placement approach enables Fellows to gain practical exposure to governance and development challenges at both national and local levels. By working in diverse contexts, Fellows strengthen their understanding of public administration, community engagement, and evidence-based decision-making. Advancing ethical leadership and public service excellence The Public Service Fellowship Programme is designed to nurture a new generation of ethical, accountable, and innovative public servants. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and leadership development, Fellows are equipped with the skills, values, and networks required to drive meaningful reform within Malawi’s public institutions. Cohort 2 builds on the success of the inaugural cohort, reinforcing EPL Malawi’s role in developing a sustainable pipeline of public sector leaders committed to integrity, professionalism, and service to citizens. Looking ahead As the 2025–2026 fellowship year unfolds, Emerging Public Leaders Malawi remains committed to supporting Fellows throughout their journey, fostering leadership growth, strengthening institutional impact, and building a vibrant community of Fellows and alumni driving positive change across Malawi’s public sector.

The Emerging Public Leaders  Malawi marked a historic milestone on 5 December 2025 as the organisation celebrated the graduation of its first-ever cohort of Public Service Fellows. Held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, the ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives, mentors, and institutional leaders to honour the achievements of 33 young Malawians who have completed an intensive one-year Fellowship dedicated to strengthening public service delivery across the country. Anchored under the theme,  “Empowered to Serve: Advancing Public Service Excellence Through Partnerships,” the ceremony reflected the central vision driving EPL Malawi: building a new generation of ethical, capable, and service-driven public servants equipped to contribute to Malawi’s long-term governance and development ambitions. A Ceremony Marking Purpose, Potential, and Progress The event was graced by Dr. Justin Saidi, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, who served as Guest of Honour. In his keynote address, Dr. Saidi emphasised the strategic importance of cultivating young leaders within the public service, describing the Fellowship as “a pipeline of future public service leaders, guaranteeing a consistent supply of capable public servants committed to serve in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.” He highlighted the Fellows’ contributions during their placements, noting their work in strengthening data systems, improving communication processes, supporting policy development, enhancing documentation, and providing operational support in frontline institutions. Through rigorous exposure and mentorship, the Fellows also gained critical competencies in public service regulations, decision-making, performance management, leadership, and good governance. “These skills,” Dr. Saidi said, “will not only make them competitive in different job interviews but will shape their understanding of public service systems and ease their transition when they permanently join the civil service.” Dr. Justin Saidi Advancing Youth leadership through collaboration EPL Malawi’s Board Chairperson, Mr. Arthur Chibwana, in his remarks, reflected on the Fellowship’s impact and the importance of partnerships that make the programme possible. He outlined the Fellowship’s objectives, enhancing youth leadership, improving employability, and strengthening public institutions with values-driven young professionals. “The courage, resilience, and trainable spirit of these Fellows have made all the difference,” he said. “They have demonstrated readiness to contribute meaningfully within their host Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, showing that Malawi has a promising generation of future leaders ready to carry the torch forward.” The Board Chairperson highlighted several standout achievements from the cohort, including: A Fellow selected as a junior negotiator under the UNFCCC capacity-building track Another selected for a UNESCO Poland Co-sponsored Fellowship in Engineering Three Fellows absorbed into full-time roles within the civil service Representation at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) in Dakar Participation in Malawi’s 2025 General Elections as accredited observers Strong contributions to public-sector digitisation, research, policy analysis, and programme execution across MDAs “These successes reaffirm that the investment made in these young leaders is already bearing fruit.” He concluded. A continental vision for ethical Public Service Leadership On behalf of EPL’s global leadership, remarks from Ms. Betsy Williams, Co-Founder and Chair of the EPL Board, recognised Malawi as a vital part of a growing pan-African movement to cultivate competent, ethical civil servants. Ms. Williams’ remarks, delivered by Mr. Emmanuel Lubembe, EPL Board Member from Kenya, celebrated the Fellows’ participation in national dialogues, the National Youth Summit, civil society engagements, and public policy forums, noting that they embodied the modern public servant, technically skilled, community-minded, and citizen-focused. She emphasised that the cohort’s stories, shared across EPL platforms globally, send a clear message across Africa that committed young professionals can and do choose careers in public service, and they can thrive there. The statement further applauded the leadership of the Malawi Government, EPL Malawi’s Board, the implementing team, the Malawi School of Government, and funding partner Mastercard Foundation for their role in enabling this inaugural milestone. Mr. Emmanuel Lubembe A Fellowship rooted in service, learning, and experience The Public Service Fellowship Programme  is a highly selective, one-year leadership and skills-building programme for young professionals aged 18–35. Fellows undergo: Structured leadership training Experiential learning within host MDAs One-on-one mentorship from senior civil servants Exposure to policy actors and institutional leaders Community service rooted in servant leadership Performance management and accountability systems The programme aims to produce young civil servants who embody integrity, accountability, leadership, and a deep sense of service to citizens. Stepping into the future: The EPL Malawi Alumni Network A key highlight of the event was the formal introduction of the Emerging Public Leaders Alumni Network (EPLAN), a platform for continuous learning, professional development, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Described as a community of practice and a movement of action, the alumni network is set to play a critical role in shaping the Fellows’ career pathways while strengthening Malawi’s broader development agenda Cohort 1 Fellows after the graduation with Memory , EPL Malawi MEAL officer and Winnie (EPL Global) A new chapter begins As the ceremony concluded, all speakers shared a common message for the graduating Fellows: the Fellowship may have ended, but their responsibility has only just begun. Dr. Saidi reminded graduates that the public service is a noble calling, one that demands integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to citizens’ welfare. The EPL Malawi Board encouraged Ministries to absorb the Fellows to maximise the investment made in building their competencies. EPL Global called on the graduates to stay connected, build continental networks, and anchor themselves in values that elevate the public sector. Above all, the graduates were urged to carry forward the principles of servant leadership, professionalism, and ethical responsibility that define the Public Service Fellowship Programme. The graduation of EPL Malawi’s Cohort 1 marks more than the completion of a programme, it signals the emergence of a new generation of young leaders prepared to serve with competence, character, and dedication. Through strong partnerships, rigorous training, and meaningful placements, Malawi is building a public service that is future-ready, citizen-focused, and anchored in excellence. As these 33 Fellows step into the next chapter of their professional journeys, they carry not only the skills they have gained, but the collective hope of

When Malango Kayira, a Public Service Fellow under the Public Service Fellowship Programme at EPL Malawi, boarded her flight to Germany in June 2025, she wasn’t just attending another climate meeting. She was carrying with her the voices, stories, and lived realities of Malawians, especially young women, whose daily lives are increasingly shaped by the effects of climate change. Her destination was the SB62 UN Climate Meetings in Bonn, a critical part of the global negotiation calendar under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). There, Malango joined thousands of delegates, negotiators, youth leaders, and civil society actors in shaping conversations that will inform the upcoming COP30. Rooted in Gender and Climate Justice Born and raised in Malawi, Malango has always questioned the inequalities she observed, particularly those affecting women and youth. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Gender and Development at LUANAR, and later, a Master’s in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, grounding her advocacy in both theory and lived experience. But Malango’s mission was never just academic. In 2024, she joined EPL Malawi as a Public Service Fellow, placed at the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare in Lilongwe. Through the fellowship, she contributes to national programming, gender-responsive policy development, and community outreach, work that regularly intersects with issues of environmental justice. “Through the fellowship, I’ve learned how systems work. Passion is important, but it’s systems knowledge that gets change across the finish line,” she shared. Malango Kayira in one of the sessions A Seat at the Global Table During the SB62 meetings, June 10–26, 2025, Malango immersed herself in sessions on gender and climate, capacity-building, and climate finance, these are spaces where decisions often feel technical but have direct implications for frontline communities back home. “It was overwhelming at first,” Malango admitted. “But I realized how one word in a paragraph can determine whether a country like Malawi gets climate funding or gets left behind.” As part of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, she engaged in daily coordination meetings, observed negotiations, and leaned on the mentorship of seasoned delegates. She witnessed firsthand how power dynamics play out, how Global South voices often have to fight harder to be heard, and how technical jargon can sometimes overshadow human realities. Carrying Stories, Demanding Justice Malango doesn’t consider herself an expert yet. Instead, she sees her role as a bridge between policy and people. “When I speak, I speak for the girl in Neno who walks longer distances to fetch water because her stream has dried up. I speak for the women farmers in Mchinji who no longer know when to plant because the rains are unpredictable,” she said. “These are not abstract issues. They are lived realities.” Her insights and reflections are captured in her blog post, “2025 June Climate Meetings – A Newcomer’s View,” where she writes honestly about what it feels like to be a young African woman navigating international climate negotiations. She speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, the pressure to prove herself, and the realization that “you don’t need to change to fit the space, you need to help change the space itself.” 🔗 Read her blog here: malangokayira.wordpress.com Malango at 2025 National Youth Summit in Malawi Back Home, Renewed Purpose Now back at the Ministry in Lilongwe, Malango continues to support reporting, policy formulation, and fieldwork, but with new perspective. “I’m more intentional now,” she said. “I think differently about how global commitments translate into national policies. I want to help other young women not just enter these spaces, but shape them.” Her journey to Bonn wasn’t just about attending a meeting. It was about representation. About showing that young African women belong in spaces where decisions are made. About proving that leadership doesn’t wait for permission. At a time when Malawi faces climate-related disasters, from floods to droughts, leaders like Malango Kayira are not just inspiring. They are essential. She is proof that being young, African, and female is not a limitation. It’s a superpower. And she’s using it to help shape a more just and sustainable world.

A Fellowship Beyond the Classroom From June 24th to 27th, 2025, Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Malawi took learning outside the boardroom and into the heart of Malawi’s communities. As part of the Public Service Fellowship Program (PSFP), our Cohort 1 fellows embarked on immersive excursions across Neno, Mzuzu, and Nkhatabay Districts. The goal was to understand public service delivery at the grassroots and see how government, civil society, and citizens work together to make development real. ZZTH Quarry mine at Dunduzu in Mzuzu Two Teams, One Mission: Explore, Engage, Reflect Northern Insights: Mining, Agriculture & Empowered Cooperatives Our 33 fellows were split into two groups. One headed south to Neno District, recently ranked first in the 2024/25 Local Authority Performance Assessment (LAPA), while the second team travelled north to explore development efforts in Mzuzu and Nkhatabay. This excursion was not just about observation but also about participation, dialogue, and deep reflection on the systems and partnerships that drive meaningful change in Malawi. Highlights from Neno: Performance in Practice In Neno, fellows engaged with district officials, civil society organizations, and community leaders to unpack the district’s top-tier LAPA performance. Key stops included: Beyond Our Hearts Foundation (BOHF) – for an introductory orientation on the CSO landscape Neno District Council – to understand planning, governance, and service delivery mechanisms Nanzanga Primary School – where fellows saw first-hand Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) supported project with 75% community contributions Through rich dialogues with Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs), fellows gained grassroots perspectives on transparency, local ownership, and the real-world challenges of sustaining development. Fellows and EPL staff at Neno District Council Limphasa Irrigation Scheme in Nkhatabay Up north, fellows visited: ZZTH Quarry Mine in Dunduzu – for a hands-on understanding of medium-scale mining operations and community impact Limpasa Irrigation Scheme – a vital project empowering over 1,000 farmers through cooperative-led agriculture Mkondezi Cooperative – a model of inclusive development with youth and women in leadership roles Fellows witnessed how long-standing challenges, like irrigation sustainability and equitable resource use, are being tackled through local innovation, partnerships, and community engagement. What We Learned Across both teams, common themes emerged: Transparent communication and inclusion lead to better results Community ownership drives sustainability Multi-stakeholder coordination is not optional—it’s essential There’s no substitute for listening to citizens on the frontlines of development Recommendations for a Better Public Service Fellows made several forward-looking recommendations: Standardize committee handovers to avoid information loss Improve communication from councils to VDCs and ADCs Ensure full inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities Strengthen labor law enforcement in mining and industrial sectors Increase local capacity for planning and monitoring Our Commitment Going Forward As a program, we are proud to see our fellows stepping into spaces of leadership with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. These excursions were not simply field trips, they were transformational learning experiences that will shape how our fellows lead. We are grateful to the district councils, CSOs, community leaders, and development partners who made this journey possible. Your openness and collaboration ensured that this wasn’t just a visit but also a shared learning moment for everyone involved. In Their Own Words “The unity and commitment we saw in Neno proved that government, citizens, and CSOs can build trust and deliver results—together.”Charity Hara, Neno Team “In Nkhatabay, we saw how cooperatives are restoring power to the farmer and shaping a future where agriculture is both profitable and inclusive.”Eshani Alfred Office, Northern Team   Follow us on social media   Facebook X-twitter Instagram Linkedin