Emerging Public Leaders and Malawi Government Launch the Public Service Fellowship Program in Malawi
Lilongwe, Malawi - Youth and public sector leadership specialists in Malawi, comprising top government officials, private sector and civil society leaders, embassies, and media gathered at the Bingu International Conference Centre on Friday, May 9, 2025, for the official launch of the Public Service Fellowship Program and to meet the inaugural cohort of young Fellows.
Jointly hosted by Emerging Public Leaders in Malawi and the Government of Malawi, the event marked the launch of the Public Service Fellowship Program, our transformative initiative designed to create a network of young and ethical public service professionals to contribute to the drive for stronger public sector institutions in Malawi and across the continent.
The guest of honour at the event, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, challenged the Fellows to uphold ethics, accountability, and integrity to improve public service delivery in the country. She encouraged them to take every component of the program seriously, to make the best out of it, gain valuable soft and hard skills to enhance their employability, and most importantly, to contribute to improved public service delivery in Malawi.
“Government recognizes the need to invest in young people and young professionals to develop high-performing public service professionals with the right mindset to serve Malawians and manage public resources responsibly and accountably,” said Zamba.
Chairperson of Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi, Commissioner Arthur Chibwana, said the ultimate goal of the Public Service Fellowship Program is to build a strong cadre of public service professionals who prioritize national and public service over personal interests.
Chifuniro Matope, a Cohort I Fellow, placed at the Ministry of Health, recited one of her own inspiring poems. “Leadership is more than a title, it is a call to serve, to sacrifice and above all to remain true even when it hurts,” read one of the lines in her poem titled, “I am a Leader”.
The event culminated in the symbolic unveiling of EPL Malawi’s contextualized Public Service Fellowship Program Curriculum, a comprehensive training structured on EPL’s unique responsive program model and designed in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and the Malawi School of Government. This marked the official inauguration of the Public Service Fellowship Program, and a pledge of all partners toward continued collaboration and a commitment to accountability, good governance, youth inclusion in leadership, and, above all, ethical public service delivery.
Following the ceremony, delegates networked, exchanged ideas, took photographs, and created lasting memories with the first cohort of Public Service Fellows, identifiable by their unique scarves embroidered with the program name. This official launch comes mid-way through their fellowship, which began in September 2024. Already, their commitment to their training and workplaces has demonstrated their readiness to serve, innovate, learn, and lead in the public sector.
The launch of our Public Service Fellowship Program in Malawi is a beacon for youth empowerment and a milestone in the country’s journey towards an efficient, inclusive, and ethical-ready public sector.
Written by Linda Harawa - EPL Malawi Country Director
About Emerging Public Leaders
Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization that is preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influences and strengthens their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity. Learn more about EPL on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
About Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi
Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi (EPL Malawi) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to transforming Malawi’s public service by developing a new generation of ethical, skilled, and mission-driven civil servants. Our work is rooted in the belief that sustainable development and improved service delivery can only be achieved through strong public institutions led by capable and values-based leadership. EPL Malawi was officially launched in 2023 through a landmark partnership with the Government of Malawi, through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD), and the Malawi School of Government (MSG).
