Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi Welcomes Second Cohort
By Emerging Public Leaders
Lilongwe, Malawi - A new chapter began for 46 young Malawian leaders, 70 percent of whom were women, at the Malawi School of Government on Monday, October 6, at the orientation ceremony for Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi’s (EPL Malawi) one-year Public Service Fellowship Program.
Linda Harawa, EPL Malawi Country Director, officially welcomed the 2025-2026 cohort during the ceremony, amidst a gathering of government and civil society partners, EPL Board members, and cohort one alumni representatives, symbolizing the cross-sectoral commitment to youth leadership and innovation to improve public policy and service delivery across Malawi.
Harawa’s opening remarks celebrated EPL Malawi’s growth since its establishment in September 2024, in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and Emerging Public Leaders. With an inaugural cohort of 33 public service professionals, EPL Malawi joined our network of pan-African programs to build sustainable pathways for young African leaders into the public sector and strengthen capacity to innovate and improve public service delivery.
“The programme remains dedicated to contributing towards enhanced youth leadership, employment creation, and building effective institutions, both formal and informal, driven by young leaders committed to social impact,” says Harawa.
In a powerful moment of transition, alumni Reiwel Patrics Dept of Human Resource management and Development, Chifuniro Matope Kahuzu Central Hospital, and Mira German Ministry of Trade and Industry, shared wisdom and inspiration anchored in the EPL Malawi slogan:
“EPL! Championing Excellence, Leading with Purpose — Leadership is Service.”
Matope mesmerized the audience with her poem, “Rising Steps,” capturing the spirit of resilience, growth, and purpose that defined their journey as young public servants. Matope and her colleagues completed their program in September and are transitioning into long-term positions.
Chifundo Mulekano, who has been placed at the Ministry of Information, spoke on behalf of the incoming cohort, pledging to work with diligence and integrity to support efficient public service delivery across Malawi’s 28 districts.
Over the next year, these 46 emerging leaders will complete a week-long orientation, monthly training, community immersion training, mentorship, and a capstone project to build their technical skills and knowledge of public policy and service delivery. As part of EPL’s network of young leaders in Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, and most recently Sierra Leone, their leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence will not only strengthen Malawi’s public service from within but also ensure a lasting legacy of good governance across the continent.
Editors Note
About Emerging Public Leaders
Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify young 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.
For more information about Emerging Public Leaders please visit: www.emergingpublicleaders.org.
