In a moment that bridges legacy and future ambition, the Kwathu Kollective was honored to host the Digital Malawi Phase II team at our innovation hub in Mangochi. This milestone visit represents more than just a checkpoint: it is a powerful reflection of the work done under Phase I, and a collective step toward shaping the next frontier of inclusive digital transformation in Malawi.
As the country moves forward with Phase II under the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) and DigiMap, we are both humbled by the journey and energized for what lies ahead.
From Ntha Foundation to Kwathu Kollective
Our story began under the umbrella of the Ntha Foundation, a youth-led organization that was awarded $250,000 USD by the World Bank to implement the Digital Malawi: Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills for All project in February 2021. In collaboration with the PPPC, we operationalized two state-of-the-art hubs in Lilongwe and Mangochi, outfitted with high-end media equipment, internet-enabled computers, and creative studio spaces.
Through four strategic training pillars—Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship, E-Work, and Women-Focused Programs—we trained a total of 647 young Malawians, 395 of whom were women. These capacity-building programs were accompanied by Bants2Business, an entrepreneurship initiative that awarded 9 youth-led startups with $7,200 USD in sub-grants.
Beyond formal training, we held mass awareness campaigns in partnership with TNM Malawi and DMI University, reaching over 450 additional community members through digital literacy events.
Yet as our programs expanded and impact deepened, we recognized the need for a model and structure with broader scale and sustainability. That is how Kwathu Kollective Limited was born.
Why “Kwathu”? A Strategic Shift in Identity and Purpose
In Chichewa, “Kwathu” means home—and that’s exactly what we’ve built. Kwathu Kollective evolved from a program to a full-fledged institution: a people-centered innovation ecosystem serving as the public-facing brand of our development work.
This transition allows us to:
- Scale across regions and borders, with a uniquely African identity;
- Decentralize operations, allowing hubs to operate semi-autonomously in partnership with local institutions;
- Deepen community ownership of innovation spaces, beyond project cycles;
- Sustain programming through hybrid funding and cross-sectoral partnerships.
While the Ntha Foundation (now registered in the US as a 501(c)(3) Corporation) continues to steward our global research, advocacy, and strategic development work, Kwathu Kollective has become the operational anchor of our ecosystem across Malawi—and soon, across the African continent.
New Leadership. Same Vision. Stronger Grounding.
With growth comes new stewardship.
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Chimango Manduwi will now lead Kwathu Kollective’s day-to-day work as Operations Director, based at our new HQ hosted within Excel Primary Schools in Mangochi.
Chimango is a dynamic leader with deep roots in education and community empowerment. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Malawi (UNIMA).
She also serves as the Managing Director of Excel and Hillside Schools, bringing together educational excellence and digital innovation under one roof. Her leadership will ensure that Kwathu Kollective remains grounded in community while reaching for continental scale.
This move represents a powerful fusion of education, innovation, and infrastructure—placing Kwathu Kollective at the heart of Malawi’s lakeshore region while aligning closely with national development agendas.
A Model for the Continent: Partnerships, Not Just Premises
Although our headquarters are based in Mangochi, our operating model is pan-African and partner-led. We are not aiming to build dozens of expensive new buildings. Instead, we are:
- Partnering with existing tech hubs, creative studios, innovation labs, and youth centers across Malawi and Africa;
- Collaborating with technical colleges and universities, especially those already equipped with labs and entrepreneurial programs;
- Co-branding and co-running programming, ensuring mutual visibility and shared ownership;
- Embedding our e-learning and startup incubation platforms, like Digi Savvy Africa, into already trusted institutions.
This collaborative approach allows us to scale quickly, sustainably, and inclusively, tapping into the energy and infrastructure of communities that are already building toward the future.
Digital Malawi Phase II: Renewing Commitments
The visit by the Digital Malawi Phase II team was a chance to reflect—on both achievements and learnings from Phase I. Their engagement reaffirmed our shared goals:
- To train even more youth in cutting-edge digital skills including coding, content creation, remote work, and digital marketing;
- To deepen digital entrepreneurship support, especially for women and underserved groups;
- To strengthen monitoring systems, ensuring that impact is traceable and scalable;
- To expand partnerships into more districts and eventually across borders.
We shared stories from alumni who now run their own businesses, support their families, or teach others in their communities. We also discussed practical implementation challenges—like internet reliability, equipment maintenance, and sustainability—so that Phase II is even more effective.
What’s Next? Building the Future, Together
Kwathu Kollective is more than a hub. It is a movement—a network of young thinkers, builders, creators, and changemakers across the continent.
As we look keenly to Digital Malawi Phase II, we also extend an open invitation to partners across Africa and the globe:
- Governments and Ministries looking to replicate the Kwathu model;
- Private sector actors seeking talent, partnerships, or CSR alignment;
- Development agencies ready to co-fund or scale programming;
- Tech hubs and institutions who want to host Kwathu programs;
- Diaspora Africans ready to give back through mentorship or funding.
Kwathu in Mangochi: A New Chapter Begins
This visit, this leadership shift, this evolution of structure—all of it points to a singular truth: the work continues, and it grows stronger.
From Ntha Foundation to Kwathu Kollective, from Lilongwe to Mangochi, and now to the rest of Africa, we are building a future where digital innovation is not just possible—but accessible, sustainable, and homegrown.
Work With Us
Want to partner on or fund one of our programmes / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Managing Director; Ms. Chimango Manduwi via kollective@kwathu.org, or give us a call(direct or WhatsApp) on +265991850749.
To keep up with the work of the Kwathu Kollective, our initiatives and our projects, follow us on socia media:
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