Over the past few years, the world has undergone major technological changes. Africa is among the latest to embrace this revolution. It is also one of the most dynamic currently, thanks notably to contributions from actors like Malawi’s Mzuzu E-Hub.
Mzuzu E-Hub is an entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation hub that provides business development support services to firms and emerging entrepreneurs in Malawi. Founded in 2017 by business development professional Wangiwe Kambuzi, it aims to help entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge and skills they need to create and grow their businesses.
The center offers business incubation programs that provide personalized coaching, access to funding, training, and mentoring to selected entrepreneurs, as well as technology integration programs that facilitate access and use of digital technologies for entrepreneurs.
Mzuzu E-Hub also offers a flagship incubation program called Bizcubation. It is a six-month program that helps its portfolio companies establish a sound business model and market strategy enabling them to commercialize their idea and measure social impact. It gives entrepreneurs access to investors and helps them build up an important network of contacts. The program has already graduated 345 emerging entrepreneurs across eight cohorts, with 46.5% female participation since its inception.
Through its Media and Information Literacy Education (MILE) program, the center offers Malawians access to digital skills training, including computer programming, digital marketing, photography and videography, graphic design, and IT. The program has enabled 1,400 community members to learn about existing digital technologies and internet safety.
Mzuzu E-Hub also organizes networking events that connect entrepreneurs with peers, experts, investors, and potential partners. It also provides coworking and meeting spaces that offer a conducive environment for collaborative work and innovation.
The innovation hub has an undeniable impact in Malawi. With the support of partners like the World Bank, Digital Malawi, Make-IT in Africa, Lenovo Digital Opportunity Trust, and AfriLabs, among others, it has trained 572 young people in digital professions and supported 345 entrepreneurs. In 2019, it was awarded the SII Malawi Community Builder Award. Two years later, in 2021, it won the Afrilabs Capacity Building Award-Business Development award.
Melchior Koba
