EPL Celebrates the Graduation of Inaugural Cohort in Malawi
By Louis Yona, EPL Malawi
Lilongwe, Malawi - Emerging Public Leaders and Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi (EPL Malawi) marked a historic milestone on 5 December 2025 as the organization celebrated the graduation of its first-ever cohort of Public Service Fellows. Held at the Bingu International Convention Centre, the ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives, mentors, and institutional leaders to honour the achievements of 33 young Malawians who have completed an intensive one-year fellowship dedicated to strengthening public service delivery across the country.
Anchored under the theme “Empowered to Serve: Advancing Public Service Excellence Through Partnerships,” the ceremony reflected the central vision driving EPL Malawi: building a new generation of ethical, capable, and service-driven public servants equipped to contribute to Malawi’s long-term governance and development ambitions.
A Ceremony Marking Purpose, Potential, and Progress
The event was graced by Dr. Justin Saidi, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, who served as the Guest of Honour. In his keynote address, Dr. Saidi emphasised the strategic importance of cultivating young leaders within the public service, describing the program as “a pipeline of future public service leaders, guaranteeing a consistent supply of capable public servants committed to serve in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.”
He highlighted the Fellows’ contributions during their placements, noting their work in strengthening data systems, improving communication processes, supporting policy development, enhancing documentation, and providing operational support in frontline institutions. Through rigorous exposure and mentorship, the Fellows also gained critical competencies in public service regulations, decision-making, performance management, leadership, and good governance.
“These skills,” Dr. Saidi said, “will not only make them competitive in different job interviews but will shape their understanding of public service systems and ease their transition when they permanently join the civil service.”
Advancing Youth Leadership Through Collaboration
EPL Malawi’s Board Chairperson, Arthur Chibwana, in his remarks, reflected on the program’s impact and the importance of partnerships. He outlined the Fellowship’s objectives, enhancing youth leadership, improving employability, and strengthening public institutions with values-driven young professionals.
“The courage, resilience, and trainable spirit of these Fellows have made all the difference,” he said. “They have demonstrated readiness to contribute meaningfully within their host Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, showing that Malawi has a promising generation of future leaders ready to carry the torch forward.”
The Board Chairperson highlighted several standout achievements from the cohort, including:
A Fellow selected as a junior negotiator under the UNFCCC capacity-building track.
Another selected for a UNESCO Poland Co-sponsored Fellowship in Engineering.
Three Fellows absorbed into full-time roles within the civil service
Representation at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) in Dakar
Participation in Malawi’s 2025 General Elections as accredited observers
“These successes reaffirm that the investment made in these young leaders is already bearing fruit,” he concluded.
A Continental Vision for Ethical Public Service Leadership
On behalf of EPL’s global leadership, remarks from Betsy Williams, Co-Founder and Chair of the EPL Board, recognized Malawi as a vital part of a growing pan-African movement to cultivate competent, ethical civil servants.
Williams’ remarks, delivered by Emmanuel Lubembe, EPL Board Member from Kenya, celebrated the Fellows’ participation in national dialogues, the National Youth Summit, civil society engagements, and public policy forums, noting that they embodied the modern public servant - technically skilled, community-minded, and citizen-focused.
She emphasized that the cohort’s stories, shared across EPL’s globally network, sends a clear message that committed young African professionals can and do choose careers in public service, and where they are thriving.
The statement further applauded the leadership of the Malawi Government, EPL Malawi’s Board, the implementing team, the Malawi School of Government, and the partnership with Mastercard Foundation for their role in enabling this inaugural milestone.
A Fellowship Rooted in Service, Learning, and Experience
Our flagship program is a highly selective, one-year leadership and skills-building program for young African professionals aged 18–35. Fellows undergo:
Structured leadership training
Experiential learning within host Ministries, Departments, and Agencies
One-on-one mentorship from senior civil servants
Exposure to policy actors and institutional leaders
Community service rooted in servant leadership
Performance management and accountability systems
The program aims to build the next generation of civil servants who embody integrity, accountability, leadership, and a deep sense of service to their communities.
Stepping Into the Future: The EPL Malawi Alumni Network
A key highlight of the event was the formal introduction of the Malawian Chapter of Emerging Public Leaders Alumni Network (EPLAN Malawi), a platform for continuous learning, professional development, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Described as a pan-African community of practice and a movement of action, the alumni network is set to play a critical role in shaping the Fellows’ career pathways, forging intercontinental connections between young public servants while strengthening broader development agenda in Malawi and beyond.
A New Chapter Begins
The graduation of EPL Malawi’s Cohort 1 marked more than the completion of training for 33 outstanding young women and men; it signals the emergence of a new generation of Malawian leaders prepared to serve with competence, character, and dedication.
Through strong partnerships, rigorous training, and meaningful placements, Malawi is building a public service that is future-ready, citizen-focused, and anchored in excellence.
As these new alumni step into the next chapter of their professional journeys, they carry not only the skills they have gained but also the collective hope of a nation committed to delivering better governance and service for all.
Congratulations to the Cohort 1 Fellows, empowered to serve, inspired to lead, and ready to advance public service excellence across Malawi.
