By Chrispin Kapindira
Following the devaluation of the Kwacha, the country has witnessed widespread lamentation from its citizens, with many placing blame on the government for this decision.
The implications have been profound, significantly impacting people's lives as the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed.
In a nation struggling with a high unemployment rate, the devaluation has hit the youth particularly hard, as a considerable number find themselves in the unemployed radar.
In the heart of Lilongwe, Area 14, resides Alinane Emmanuel Katsobola, a dynamic individual who despite attaining several academic papers and working as a graphic designer, decided to venture into entrepreneurship and shares his challenges amidst the devaluation.
"I'm a graphic designer by profession but I also work for other private clients in my free time,
However, I do business in the pastry and catering industry and my company AJ and TEE, basically makes cakes for a couple of occasions, snacks for weddings and cooperate events" he said.
With his three years of experience in entrepreneurship, Katsabola shared that the fluctuating price ranges due to the economic landscape as a result of devaluing the Malawi kwacha which has greatly posed a threat to his business.
Having obtained certificates in MSCE, Intermediate English, and Graphic Designing and Digital Media and currently pursuing dual degrees in Community Development and Graphic Designing, his story reflects how the youth are trying to survive in this economic hardship despite attaining some high academic qualifications.
On November 8th, this year, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) announced a 44% devaluation days after it had just announced another 13% devaluation, which resulted in prices of commodities on the market to rise, leaving businessmen like Alinane stranded.
Although things happen like this, a good number of Malawian youths are unemployed. A study done in 2022 by Statica shows that youth unemployment rate in Malawi saw no significant changes in 2022 in comparison to the previous year 2021 and remained at around 7.73 percent.
Still, 2022 marked the second consecutive decline of the youth unemployment rate.
The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without jobs, but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.
This lack of employment has resulted into a lot of youths in the country migrating to other countries in search of green pastures.
Just recently, a good number of graduates who studied agricultural studies have been travelling to Israel where there are job opportunities.
The development has seen two cohorts of about 500 young people who were airlifted by an Israeli Airbus to work in farms in Israel.
The Nation newspaper reported that a statement dated November 24, 2023 signed by Wezi Kayira, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Labour, said Malawi had embarked on an initiative to export labour to various countries, including Israel as part of the Tonse Alliance’s commitment to create jobs and empower youths.
The ministry said the youth going to Israel will work at certified and approved locations classified as fit and safe environment. Read part of the statement.
Another study done by the Malawi Priorities Project says that The root cause of the youth underemployment and unemployment in Malawi is a lack of jobs which itself is caused by limited structural transformation of the economy.
Internationally and in Malawi, the typical policy response to youth employment challenges is to focus on vocational and skills training for youth.
However, this approach neglects the demand side of the labor market. Boosting industrialization and the broader business environment can stimulate firm growth that would naturally employ more skilled labor.
Alinane then advised the youth to work hard in their respective fields in order to make clean money.
"Work hard, with this economy you can’t rely on your parents for everything. The youth have to work and get involved in entrepreneurship to afford what they need. They should aim to make money but legally,” he said.
Alinane's story is just one among several stories of economic hardships the youths are facing. With the country still having a larger percentage of the youth unemployed, sending them to other countries for employment may not be a sustainable solution.
Therefore, there is a need for the government and the private sector to create jobs and an environment where they can be able to do their business.
Otherwise, our youth will continue to swim in this ocean of hardships.
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