African Youth Employment Initiatives - AYEI

09/07/2026

AYEI PROMOTES YOUTH ENTRENEURSHIP WITH SOAP MAKING TRAINING

The African Youth Employment Initiatives (AYEI) has equipped about 30 young people in Nkhata Bay with bar soap-making skills as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities, and improve youth livelihoods.

The training, held on Thursday, brought together young men and women from different communities and equipped them with practical skills in producing bar soap using locally available materials.

Speaking during the training, AYEI Executive Director Erick Musiwa Banda said the programme seeks to address youth unemployment by providing practical vocational skills that can easily be transformed into viable businesses.

According to Banda, the initiative is expected to enable participants to establish small businesses and become financially independent
"We believe that empowering young people with practical vocational skills is one of the most effective ways of tackling unemployment and poverty. Soap is an everyday product with a ready market, meaning the skills acquired here can easily be turned into a sustainable business. We encourage the participants to put these skills into practice and create employment not only for themselves but also for others," said Banda.

He added that AYEI will continue supporting the youths by facilitating formal business registration to enable them to operate legally and assisting them in identifying market opportunities for their products.

One of the participants, 22-year-old Faith Longwe, who is already engaged in small-scale business, said the training would help her diversify her income sources.

"I find this training life-changing because it has given me the confidence to expand into soap production. I am grateful to AYEI for offering us this opportunity free of charge, and I look forward to more programmes like this," said Longwe.

Civil Society Organization (CSO) Chairperson for Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwanachawa, commended AYEI for compleme

04/07/2026

30/06/2026

AYEI Malawi trains Women Farmers in Organic Farming and Business Management

African Youth Employment Initiatives (AYEI) Malawi on 29 June 2026 trained a group of women from Women Training Centre of the Moravian Church in Malawi based in Mzuzu in in Organic Farming and Business Management aimed at sustaining agricultural initiatives.

The capacity building training is part of the ongoing training sessions which AYEI Malawi is undertaking empowering youths and women in agricultural entrepreneurship skills to alleviate Poverty and enhance food security.

The women’s group is currently managing a greenhouse and a garden where they grow tomatoes, spices and various vegetables as one way of increasing their income opportunities.

Through the training, the participants gained valuable insights into organic farming methodologies, including sustainable production practices, soil health management, and approaches that can improve productivity while protecting the environment.

In addition to agricultural skills development, the training also focused on business management, responding to the group’s need to strengthen their understanding of entrepreneurship, record keeping, financial management, and strategies for managing their farming activities as a viable business.

The training was facilitated by AYEI Malawi’s Programs Manager, Frank Kauteka Tembo, who guided the participants through an engaging and practical learning session designed to enhance their confidence and capacity to effectively manage their agricultural enterprise.

AYEI Malawi remains committed to empowering communities, especially women and youth, through knowledge sharing, skills development, and initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.

16/05/2026

*AYEI and Orphans of Africa Foundation Donate 250 Birthing Kits to Kachere Health Centre*
_Pilot program targets safer deliveries for mothers in Nkhata Bay_

*Nkhata Bay, Malawi* — In a move aimed at improving maternal health, African Youth Employment Initiatives (AYEI) has donated 250 birthing kits to Kachere Health Centre in Nkhata Bay District.

The donation, carried out in partnership with Rumphi-based Orphans of Africa Foundation (OAF), is designed to support pregnant women who cannot afford essential delivery supplies. Lack of birthing kits has long been a barrier to safe motherhood in rural communities, often increasing risks for both mothers and newborns.

The program is currently being piloted in two health facilities — Mpamba and Kachere — with plans to expand to other health centres across the district if resources allow.

Speaking on the initiative, AYEI Executive Director Eric Banda,said the project is a direct response to the challenges many women face in accessing safe childbirth. “No mother should have to choose between safety and cost during delivery,” the organization stated.

AYEI, which operates locally in Nkhata Bay, is providing on-the-ground coordination to ensure the kits reach the women most in need.

Health officials and community members have welcomed the intervention, noting that access to clean and complete birthing kits can significantly reduce complications during delivery.

18/04/2026

African Youth Employment Initiatives – AYEI Malawi marked a major milestone today by hosting its first Volunteer Alumni meeting in Nkhata Bay. The gathering brought together new volunteers for a day of learning, connection, and vision-setting. The core focus was orienting new members joining a volunteer cohort program, where they got a deep dive into AYEI’s programming approach, organizational ethics, and the support structure waiting for them. We unpacked our mentorship program, professional coaching sessions, and other capacity-building opportunities designed to shape well-rounded, impact-driven youth leaders over the next years.

The meeting also launched the United Religious Initiative (URI) Funded Eco-Friendly Soap and Earth Healing Project, set to roll out in Nkhata Bay District. This initiative tackles two goals at once —It will equip youth with hands-on skills and income through sustainable soap production, while protecting our environment and water species from harmful waste.

The energy was incredible seeing volunteers share experiences and step in with so much passion showed real progress in building a network of young changemakers.