Malawi's Untapped Potential on the Global Stage

Unveiling the Opportunity Divide

Maryam Kaisi 19 February 2024 | 14:16 GMT+2 1.7K Views

Cyber Conflict Image — Animated Image showing Malawi Untapped Potential on the Global Stage.

“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.” -Jim Carrey.

Opportunities abound on the internet—that is if you follow the correct people and pages. Thanks to Google recommendations, the online world tailors itself to our preferences, presenting us with the content we view the most, whether it be scholarships, job opportunities, or educational programs. Nice, huh? It's a digital serendipity that opens doors to a world of possibilities. Yet, amidst this vast landscape of opportunities, a concerning trend emerges—one that reflects the underutilization of the internet's potential among Malawian youth.

While many African youths focus on seizing opportunities abroad, Malawians seem to lag, either due to a lack of awareness or reluctance to explore beyond borders.

The numbers speak volumes, in 2015:

1.2 million international youth migrants were recorded, with Western African nations leading,
Followed closely by Eastern African nations with 1.1 million.
However, North Africa (385,384) and Middle Africa (less than 500,000) had significantly lower figures, highlighting a potential gap in seizing global opportunities.
Malawi, and the rest of southern East Africa, is still lagging in applying for opportunities abroad.

Navigating Setbacks and Seizing Opportunities:

My Journey Unfolded:

In 2019, I eagerly applied for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program, but my application was rejected.
Simultaneously, as a seasoned journalist of five years, I sought a Women in News fellowship but was met with another disappointing rejection.
I applied for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship in 2020, but my application was rejected as well. I was so frustrated that I had no desire to look for jobs outside of Malawi or education opportunities.

A Turning Point in 2020

A friend studying Masters Degree at KDI School of Public Policy and Management encouraged me to apply.
Despite my hesitations, I applied and was accepted.
During the interview phase, I noticed a disproportionate number of Nigerians, Cameroonians, and Ghanaians on the list compared to the six Malawians and three Zambians included.
Additionally, during my three years of residing in South Korea, I met many people from west Africa as compared to Southern East Africans. Each encounter with a Malawian felt like a ray of sunshine amidst the snow.

My first time trying out Hanbok, the Korean traditional dress in South Korea, 2023.

Empowering Minds and Seeking Change: A Chronicle of Discoveries

In my pursuit to increase awareness of opportunities, a friend and I organized an information event around July 2023 for the KDI School specifically tailored for Malawians. Surprisingly, over 700 people attended; however, my astonishment grew when fewer than 20 people actually applied.

Initially, I thought, "Maybe they're not ready for postgraduate studies." This assumption was swiftly debunked when I delved into applying for United Nations volunteer programs. Upon approval as a social media support online volunteer for the 54 Faces of Africa online campaign and the 2023 International Volunteer Day, I joined the WhatsApp group. Kenya boasted around forty volunteers out of about eighty, Nigeria had four, Uganda had four, Malawi had three, and Tanzania had three.

Given my lack of an onsite job, I dedicated the last six months of 2023 to skill enhancement. Actively pursuing online programs, training, short courses, and volunteer opportunities became my routine. In my thirst for knowledge, I even applied for a free Internet governance course. Here, I encountered three fellow Malawians, including Enoch Singano (Cybersecurity expert, Lead Tech Researcher and Senior Blog of this Techblog). Together, we acknowledged that, in contrast to individuals in other African nations, Malawians are not as proactive in seeking opportunities outside their country, whether they be employment, scholarships, volunteer opportunities online, or free online short courses.

To further investigate this observation, I conducted an online survey. Utilizing X and WhatsApp as survey channels, I questioned Malawians about their experiences applying for scholarships or international job opportunities outside Malawi. Additionally, I inquired whether they persisted in applying after facing rejection. The survey attracted 246 participants, shedding light on the perspectives and patterns within the Malawian community.

Survey Results

Question 1: Are you from Malawi? Have you ever applied for a scholarship or international job opportunity outside Malawi?

Question 2: If you were not selected the first time, did you attempt to apply again?

Final Words

There are many opportunities in the world; look about and apply.
Ensure that your application is competitive, as there is a lot of competition these days.
Every time you apply for a job, make improvements to your application; don't just copy and paste a previous one.
Find someone to evaluate your application Before submitting it.
No matter how many times you are turned down, never give up.

Author: Maryam Kaisi

Senior Content Creator & Blog Writer

Maryam is a PhD student at Yemyung Graduate University, South Korea. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Management (Public Administration and Leadership) from the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management. With over 8 years of experience, she is a seasoned journalist and a creative communications specialist adept at developing and implementing effective communication strategies. Maryam excels in change communication, social media management, campaign and advocacy, organizing outreach activities, community mobilization, and project management. Her expertise and passion for communication make her a valuable asset in various domains.

Author: Maryam Kaisi

Senior Content Creator & Blog Writer

Maryam is a PhD student at Yemyung Graduate University in South Korea. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Management (Public Administration and Leadership) from the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management. With over 8 years of experience, she is a seasoned journalist and a creative communications specialist adept at developing and implementing effective communication strategies. Maryam excels in change communication, social media management, campaign and advocacy, organizing outreach activities, community mobilization, and project management. Her expertise and passion for communication not only enrich the blog but also make her an invaluable asset across various domains, ensuring that the content resonates with and engages the audience effectively.

Reviewer & Editor Enoch Singano

Lead Tech Researcher & Senior Blog Writer

Enoch is a Cybersecurity Specialist and Tech Researcher with a Bachelor’s degree in IT from the University of Malawi. He’s recognized for his expertise in ethical hacking, cryptography, and web security, with notable achievements such as winning the 2023 Lesotho Public Financial Management Hackathon and representing Africa’s Top 15 cyber talents at the 2022 International CyberSecurity Challenge in Greece.
With over 15 cybersecurity certifications, Enoch is driven by the growing challenges posed by emerging technologies like quantum computing, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Recognizing the critical need for advanced solutions, he plans to pursue two Master’s of Science degrees in Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity, specializing in post-quantum crypto, with the goal of addressing future cybersecurity threats. Enoch also aims to pursue a PhD in Cyber Defense Operations to contribute to the defense strategies needed for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.